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First Contact

From: Mark R

This episode and the discussion after is why most aliens hate us. We humans assume that our morality at that moment is superior to all others EVEN THOUGH what we believe to be right and moral is constantly changing. For Starfleet to go view these people as if they are in a zoo is reprehensible. "Riker was raped." Who are we to say this is not how business is done on that planet and it works for them? I would venture to say some business gets done on this planet the same way. Not too many years ago it was moral to OWN PEOPLE. It is currently ILLEGAL (although not enforced) for people to have sex out of wedlock in Virginia. Whose "morality" do we choose when we compare it to another planet? If we are to travel the stars it would be helpful if we would leave our judgements here on Earth. It would be even better if people here lived as they wished and allowed others the same courtesy. I do what I want and you do what you want. As long as people are adults they should be able to engage with each other in whatever mutual activity they both (or more) agree to no matter what society thinks. Morality is merely what a person is taught. If a child is indoctrinated, sorry taught, something they will grow to believe it is true. It is what it is at the moment and others may or may not see it as right. Would it be acceptable for that planet to come here and tell us our HR department should go? I doubt people would agree to that. Mark Rumps Lafayette, IN 16C