Changes

Aside from this extra-special circumstance, how ''[[liberty|free]]'' do the Articles of Federation make a person? One can safely assume no one, except a law-enforcement officer, a Star Fleet officer or enlisted person (especially a member of the security services), or a privileged person or his transporteer, ever carries a [[weapon]] of any kind. Most of the time, no one will arrest someone for holding or expressing a dissenting opinion. But ''nothing changes'' in human or Federal society. People, in or out of Star Fleet, seem to do what someone tells them. A [[dictator]] wearing velvet gloves wields no less authority for all that.

Aside from this extra-special circumstance, how ''[[liberty|free]]'' do the Articles of Federation make a person? One can safely assume no one, except a law-enforcement officer, a Star Fleet officer or enlisted person (especially a member of the security services), or a privileged person or his transporteer, ever carries a [[weapon]] of any kind. Most of the time, no one will arrest someone for holding or expressing a dissenting opinion. But ''nothing changes'' in human or Federal society. People, in or out of Star Fleet, seem to do what someone tells them. A [[dictator]] wearing velvet gloves wields no less authority for all that.

In fact, several programs have shown how dangerous this system can be. ''Deep Space Nine'' explored this in two distinct sub-arcs. An [[admiral]] orders a ''false-flag pseudo-op'' to excuse a Draconian crackdown on Earth society.<ref name="crackdown">See “Homefront” and “Paradise Lost” in ''Deep Space Nine''. In fact, the spectacle of Star Fleet Security troops patrolling civilian streets violates the [[Posse Comitatus Act]]. Or it would if the Federation had such an Act in force. Perhaps it doesn’t.</ref> A secret “section” in Star Fleet infects an innocent man, knowing he will shortly infect all others of his kind.<ref name="Section31">See “Inquisition,” “Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges,” and “Extreme Measures” in ''Deep Space Nine''. The second title repeats a quote by the [[Rome|Roman]] statesman [[Marcus Tullius Cicero]]. In English it reads, “In time of war, the laws fall silent.” See this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter_arma_enim_silent_leges discussion] in Wikipedia for details.</ref> And in ''Insurrection'', an officer leads a rebellion after the Admiralty lets a despicable person corrupt it. Who can forget Lt. Cmdr. Data telling his captain, “Saddle up” and “Lock and load”? He sounds like a modern American [[militia]] activist!

In fact, several programs have shown how dangerous this system can be. ''Deep Space Nine'' explored this in two distinct sub-arcs. An [[admiral]] orders a ''false-flag pseudo-op'' to excuse a Draconian crackdown on Earth society.<ref name="crackdown">See “Homefront” and “Paradise Lost” in ''Deep Space Nine''. In fact, the spectacle of Star Fleet Security troops patrolling civilian streets violates the [[Posse Comitatus Act]]. Or it would if the Federation had such an Act in force. Perhaps it doesn’t.</ref> A secret “section” in Star Fleet infects an innocent man, knowing he will shortly infect all others of his kind.<ref name="Section31">See “Inquisition,” “Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges,” and “Extreme Measures” in ''Deep Space Nine''. The second title repeats a quote by the [[Rome|Roman]] statesman Marcus Tullius [[Cicero]]. In English it reads, “In time of war, the laws fall silent.” See this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter_arma_enim_silent_leges discussion] in Wikipedia for details.</ref> And in ''Insurrection'', an officer leads a rebellion after the Admiralty lets a despicable person corrupt it. Who can forget Lt. Cmdr. Data telling his captain, “Saddle up” and “Lock and load”? He sounds like a modern American [[militia]] activist!

== Watering the tree of liberty... ==

== Watering the tree of liberty... ==