In a message dated 3/3/01 1:02:39 PM Eastern Standard Time, dshilling@worldnet.att.net writes:

<< Throughout human history, violence has often been valorized--the difference between a "resistance group" and a "gang of terrorists" depends on who's commentating and how successful the effort was.

Very True, Dana.

(A big aside here: This move, for any of you American lefties out there, seems to echo the old Communist Party USA's late 1930's and early 1940's "popular front against fascism" in which the American Communists -- who were the only real organized force actively fighting

white

racism on the streets as well as in the courts -- actively supported

American

National interests during the war and even adopted patriotic rhetoric.

But, like the Nazi-Soviet Pact, it was a piece of opportunism that led many to give up on the motivations of the CPUSA.

Yep, I think opportunism is the right word for it indeed. Political Bankruptcy could be another applicable phrase....

Blake didn't blow up Star One, so it seems at some level that all of his actions of armed

struggle

against the state (i.e., blowing up stuff) does amount to little more than isolated acts of "terrorism."

In a sense, though, the Andromedans did his work for him.

...

Hmm..Never thought of it this way until you posted this. True, I guess, though I'm not sure I agree with the implication that Blake was in some ways allied with the Andromedans, though to be honest you are correct -- they both wanted to destroy the Federation. Still, Blake wanted to do so for purposes of liberating humanity. The Andromedans presumably wanted to enslave and dominate humanity.

Now if Blake had allied with the Andromedans (like Travis did) that would be some serious opportunism, not to mention moral bankruptcy. Which makes Blake a true freedom fighter in my eyes because he doesn't sink to such opportunism. However, I must admit that I can't say the same thing about his attempt to unite with Terra Nostra in "Shadow" which even Gan has the good sense and humanity to see as a bankrupt political move. (But hey, those Andromedan kitchen colanders could have greatly benefited from the Liberator's technological sophistication.)

Pat C.

PS: Why am I posting so much? Fear not, just a minor adjustment in the dosaging of my medication. It'll wear off soon and it's back to lurking....