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From: bl@hplabsb.UUCP (Bruce T. Lowerre)
Newsgroups: net.startrek
Subject: Re: A Private Little War
Message-ID: <3363@hplabsb.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Mar-86 20:04:26 EST
Article-I.D.: hplabsb.3363
Posted: Mon Mar 24 20:04:26 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Mar-86 03:00:27 EST
References: <4534MW9@PSUVM>
Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA
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> Well, I am sure this has been discussed before, but I just saw
> the episode last night and wanted to put in my 2 cents.
> In my opinion, Kirk violated the prime directive up and down
> the pike.  The balance of power is a fine idea, but don't give
> guns to Tyree, but take them away from the hill people.  (I think
> it was the hill people the Kilngons were backing.)  I mean, kick the

The Klingons were backing the town people.

> Klingons' butts and then come down and take away all the guns.
> They would never be able to make them again, since they didn't
> make them in the first place.  Remember, the barrels were too nice
> to have been made on the primitive forge.  Ah well, Kirk has said it
> himself that he is a soldier and not a politician.  Although you'd think
> on a mission to meet new people, you'd want a politician along.
>      
> "No, I wouldn't call it fascinating, Captain, merely... interesting."

Many of the ST stories were parables of the news events of the times.  If
South Viet Nam is substituted for the Hill People, North Viet Nam for the
town people, Russia for the Klingons, and the U.S. for Kirk and company,
then you will see the reason for Kirk's actions.