Dominion War Redux

[Mikey]

I'm not talking about the "rulebook." I'm talking about, hypothetically, bringing military action against an entity with whom the UFP is attempting to negotiate peacefully (for example.) Do you think the people who got blowed up are going to listen to some cant about "Yeah, it's our equipment - but it wasn't us who fired?"

[Tsukiyumi]

Like her um... protest against the Romulans that almost cost them a valuable ally?

[Mikey]

Yep. Now, what if she did something like that with a UFP starbase under her command? The UFP looks like a huge ass, as nobody's going to listen to some spin about not being responsible for the use of the materiel.

[Deepcrush]

The Romulans however violated part of the agreement with Bajor. Kira didn't cross the line, the Romulans did. That fact that she is willing to do whats right regardless of the price to herself if a plus in my book. Besides, it never cost the allies an ally, in fact it seemed to bring some of the people together over a single issue.

[Mikey]

Yep. None of this answers the point, however.

[Deepcrush]

Whats your question?

[Mikey]

I didn't have a question. My point was simply that having a non-UFP commander of a UFP installation means that the Fed equipment can be used to do things which are contrary to the Fed's goals or policies.

Ex.: Some random non-Dom race comes out of the wormhole. The UFP begins entering trade negotiations, as they possess some tech/ore/material/whatever which we want. Things are going well, until the Bajorans notice "race X's" propensity to worship the Pah-wraiths. Kira launches a jihad from ourstarbase.[/i] Is "race X" going to buy the idea that "yeah, it's our station, but we had nothing to do with that attack?"

[Deepcrush]

Do you see Kira really doing that now that Bajor IS a part of the UFP?

[Mikey]

Yes I do.

[Sionnach Glic]

Same here. She's not exactly beyond giving her superiors the metaphorical finger if they contradict what she thinks is right.

[Mikey]

To tell the truth, I do believe that Kira calmed down a bit in later years. However, she's not the only Bajoran who would ever command such a station; and I easily envision "Bajoran X" putting his beliefs or cultural tendencies ahead of Federation policy.

[Teaos]

Most Bajorans were "hardcore" after the occupation. I imagin collectivly they will all calm down given time.

[Mikey]

One could hope, but that's hardly a guarantee.

[Deepcrush]

Seeing that Kira is the next in line and Ross was in command of the area. I don't see anyone else getting the command.

[Sionnach Glic]

Unless they simply appoint someone from elsewhere to be in charge.