Captain’s Log, Stardate 156664.0116
The High Ground
The planet
Rutia IV, which is embroiled in a lengthy conflict with Ansatan separatists, is
scheduled to receive medical supplies from the Federation. When an Ansatan bomb
detonates in a plaza where Worf, Dr. Crusher, and Data are stationed, Crusher
attempts to aid the victims but is captured by a separatist agent. The agent,
Finn, informs Crusher that he needs her help in administering medical
treatments to Ansatans who are dying after repeated use of experimental and
unstable teleportation technology. In an effort to rescue the hostage, the crew
of the Enterprise becomes involved in the Rutian investigation, and Finn
decides to attack the Enterprise in hopes of drawing the Federation into the
negotiations. Eventually, the Enterprise and the Rutians mount a joint rescue
operation and rescue both Dr. Crusher and Captain Picard, who was captured
during the attack on the Enterprise, killing Finn in the process. The episode
ends with Riker suggesting that Finn’s successor, who was willing to surrender
to Rutian forces, might be less confrontational in the future.
The
debatable ethics of the “terrorist” actions aside, one notable issue this
episode was surprisingly prescient—the similarity of the Rutian government’s
actions to those of the United States after the attack on the World Trade
Center. The enhanced security was criticized by Riker as unnecessary, much like
the criticism leveled at the TSA security measures which supposedly treat
innocent citizens at terrorists. The argument for such measures is that the
tradeoff of liberty for security is justified for the lives it saves, but a
counterpoint exists that reacting in such an extreme way, that is, acting
terrorized, gives the terrorists the victory they desire. Is this true, and
what measures are justified to combat
terrorism?
I feel as though the large reaction by the TSA with massive amounts of security is justified. It may be a major inconvenience, but it is reassurance to the population of the US that we won't allow it to happen again (even though terrorist still get by). It's a reaction. It show people that the government cares. I think that is the main reason we have such high security. It is also a deterrent for future acts of terrorism.
ReplyDeleteI think that taking precautions against terrorism isn't giving the terrorists a victory considering that the measures taken are not out of fear but to prevent more attacks. Airport security and security in important buildings are usually good, basic measures to take.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the attitude with which you approach the enhanced security. Someone I know once argued that racial profiling against middle eastern people was justified because it was better to be racist than dead and while this is not quite parallel the same morality comes into question. To me, morality and racial equality are more important than my own life and others' lives so I disagree with the person that made that comment but higher security is reasonable as long as the enforcers make sure to divorce themselves from any bias either against a specific group or in favor of another. Only then can it be just.
ReplyDeleteI believe that increasing security is good but if over done is bad I really enjoyed this episode and I hope that in the future we watch more episodes with good plot lines and story lines
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, more security is good for our society, although some will make some influence in our life. But if it really make people cannot live normally, this is not good security.
ReplyDeleteI think we should to fight terrorists immediately . We can't let them to have harm to society. We cannot scare them,.We need attack them.
ReplyDeleteI think that unfortunately, terrorism seems to be fairly effective and agree that unnecessary security measures do indeed give the terrorist their victory. I also think that certain measure must be taken to protect from future attacks, just not to the extreme of this episode.
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