Star Trek On Cover Of Newsweek April 26, 2009
by TrekMovie.com Staff , Filed under: Star Trek (2009 film), Trek Franchise , trackback
In yesterday’s Tidbits it was noted that the mainstream media was again paying attention to Star Trek, with many stories about the return of the venerable franchise. And this week we will see what is likely the biggest example yet in the form of a cover story in the new Newsweek all about “How Star Trek taught us how to dream big.” Details below.
Star Trek: big news & big ideas
Taking a break from politics and the economics news, one the two big news weeklies in the US is devoting its cover to the final frontier with a beautiful image showing a silhouette of the USS Enterprise (classic). The issue is not out yet, but some of the Star Trek aspects are already online at the Newsweek site.
Cover Story: We’re All Trekkies Now
covering the history of the franchise up to the new movie, and how it ties into today (with some comparisons of President Obama and Spock)…excerpt:
It’s the Spock plot strands that give the new “Trek” its best shot at once again commanding the zeitgeist. Spock’s cool, analytical nature feels more fascinating and topical than ever now that we’ve put a sort of Vulcan in the White House. All through the election campaign, columnists compared President Obama’s unflappably logical demeanor and prominent ears with Mr. Spock’s. But as Spock’s complicated racial backstory is spun out in detail in the new “Trek”—right back into childhood—the Obama parallels keep deepening.
Side Story: Vulcans Never, Ever Smile
Caltech Physicist (and co-writer of the TNG episode "The Dauphin") Leonard Mlodinow analyzes the enduring power of the franchise — excerpt:
To me, the success of the “Star Trek” franchise is based not on an irresistible world or set of characters, but upon its “corporate culture,” a culture of imagination. Bell Labs was not the only precedent. Think of Walt Disney, who didn’t just pioneer a few cartoon characters, but built an empire based on an environment that valued and nourished creativity—it is no accident that the company has an arm called Imagineering. Or think of Google, a company created on the very idea of searching. Google seems to invent the future, and ways to see into it, every day, taking us under the oceans, above the Earth and, of course, into the worldwide web of knowledge. Similarly, Gene Roddenberry’s real creation is a franchise culture dedicated, like his fictional characters, to “boldly go where no man has gone before.” That makes “Star Trek” more enduring than any set of characters or episodes Gene himself created, and bigger than any one of its products or the people who pass through it.
Photo Gallery: Famous Life Forms on ‘Star Trek’
A look at some of the famous faces that have appeared on Star Trek, inlcuding King Abdullah II of Jordan and Stephen Hawking.
Newsweek Photo Gallery shot of Stephen Hawking filing his scene in on Star Trek: The Next Generation ("Descent")
The Star Trek issue of Newsweek Magazine goes on sale this week.
Cover of Newsweek (May 4th 2009 issue)
[we will try to get a better image]
Also in Time Magazine this week
Although it didn’t make the cover, Star Trek is the topic of a two-page spread in the new issue of the other big news weekly in the US, Time Magazine. (story isn’t online)
Past Star Trek Covers
This is not the first Time Star Trek has graced the cover of a news weekly in the USA. Newsweek has had Star Trek on the cover before: during the 20th anniversary in 1986 with a picture of Leonard Nimoy, and in 1994 William Shatner and Patrick Stewart graced the cover of Time Magazine in anticipation of the passing of the torch in the film Generations.
Previous Star Trek news weekly covers from 1986 and 1994
Loading ...
Comments»
HEYYYY!! Notice they have a pic of the GOOD enterprise on the cover!
;0)
Gotta get a copy!
Awesome! Star Trek is on again . These are wonderful times to be a trekkie….
So ‘Newsweek’ didn’t deem the new ‘E’ design worthy enough for their cover either then?… ;)
Nice to see this kind of Trek coverage overall though.
That cover reminds of “Tomorrow is Yesterday”.
Damn, I still love seeing the Connie to this very day.
Takes me back to when I was a kid.
“How Star Trek thought us how to dream big.”
shouldn’t that be taught? ^^
I too noticed the tos E. wonder y they did that.
also. i dont see the rammscoops on those nacels.
maybe they’ll change at the last min and put gabes Ent in there by mistake
truly the geeks have inherited the earth.
That’s good, through out the article he stresses the thoughtful elements incorporated into the film.
I also found this film to be a cerebral experience, as well as a visceral one.
This is a true sc-fi adventure film that portrays characters living in a galactic community, in a complex and challenging way. Especially for the younger crowed, it’s important.
Accusations of CGI over substance are unfounded.
May 4 issue, nice. That is my birthday ;))
This is the first time it’s really hit me- Star Trek is back. It’s operating at full capacity again, people are taking notice, people are complimenting it. Not just on the Internet, but y’know, in the real world. Star Trek is a force to be reckoned with once again.
wow! that’s big!
TIME mustve been anticipating Generations to be the greatest Star Trek film ever….
:) It’s really a wonderful time for us…
Now look at her – what a beauty…
Comparing Spock and Obama how insulting to Spock. Spock never needed a teleprompter.
Hey heres Nacells Monthly !
What the hell happened to the Bussard Collectors on the
Newsweek Cover??????
Nooooeeesssssss!
:-)
lense flares ^^
Thats some good coverage. Time, Popular Science, Mens Health ( the article is up at http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=guy.wisdom&category=life.lessons&conitem=8f5276391c360210VgnVCM10000013281eac____ – dunno if thats been posted before ) At the superstore I must have caught at least 12 mags with some Star Trek reference on the cover.
I still have my National Enquirer clippings for Star Trek 6 .. not quiet in the same journalistic league :)
Glad that Trek is getting some mainstream recognition again. Newsweek has in the past sometimes tended to be haughtily derisive of the franchise (particularly in the issue with Spock on the cover). I wonder if the critics sometimes are embarrassed by their inability to recognize Star Trek’s many high concepts and literary allusions. And then play catch up in an attempt to acquit themselves by declaring the show “middlebrow?”
Does the new film have such concepts that TOS made famous? My favorite aspect of TOS was the philosophical and literary allusions mixed in with the wonderful character bits and science fiction aspects. A combination that was unique on television at the time!
All this Obama/Star Trek comparison makes me want to throw up.
I wish people would keep that Marxist out of my Star Trek!!! He has nothing to do with the new Star Trek. I doubt Orci was sitting around saying “Oh, let me see how I can work Obama into this new movie. It needs the “Obama spirit” or it’s not really Star Trek.” True Star Trek has always had an optimistic feel — as well it should. None of the other Star Treks were written with Presidents in mind at the time of their writing. I don’t blame Bush for Nemesis.
I resent people turning Star Trek into a political commercial like this.
Don’t come down on me for being political either. I didn’t start it!
When you promote this kind of stupid thinking by posting this CRAP on your site don’t get upset when there’s a counter point of view presented as a rebuttal!
I’d rather not get into politics AT ALL — but when you wave red flags like this…well, what do you expect?
Not all of us are Obama Kool-Aid drinkers.
I want to add that my post above was, in part, a response to another article I read talking about the so-called “Obama optimism” being infused into the new Trek…and it went on to say Nemesis was dark because it came out during the post 9/11 Bush administration.
What a crock of BS!!!
Again, let’s keep the contemporary politics OUT of Star Trek…and articles ABOUT Star Trek!
It’s divisive.
As much as I hate politics on the internet….#20, you don’t even know what a Marxist is.
The only reason Obama was brought up was because Obama talked a lot about optimism and hope and all of that which infected his supporters. An optimistic future like the one he talked about is right in line with Roddenberry’s vision.
“I like Star Trek. I believe in the Final Frontier” – Barack Obama.
#20, quit trying to pick fights. You sound like someone at a Teabagging ceremony or in a Sean Hannity audience. I’m not saying you have to support anyone. But at least put some thought into your arguments.
Anyone calling Obama a ‘Marxist’ or a ‘Socalist’ doesn’t know what the hell those words mean, and are essentially the equals of the “Star Trek in Name Only” crowd.
20. The Great Barrier
While your post goes over the line just a bit, I agree, politics and Trek should be kept separate to a certain extent. However, don’t forget, Star Trek has many times been used to address political issues.
#15. “Spock never needed a teleprompter.”
Don’t be silly. What do you think was in his blue scope all those years?? :P
Anyway, it’s good to see the better looking ship on the cover! If this new series of films takes hold, probably won’t happen again.
#17. “lense flares ^^”
Too Funny!!!!
#20- The only thing that it happening here is the obvious parallel that TOS is recognized for promoting a vision of great optimism in very troubled times. Like him or not, Obama’s election to office, through the votes and sentiments of many in this country, represents that same feeling of optimism…wanting change for the better. Nothing more.
The parallels will be drawn, it’s inevitable.
20. The Great Barrier – April 26, 2009
I’m with ya there man…in full.
I hate getting into politics also but when I’m spoon fed this crap it irritates me.
Nice cover though…reminds me of when I was a kid running around the yard
doing battle with the Enterprise and Space 1999 Eagle models I built.
I am boycotting the cover and setting up a website to protest the fact that the bussard collector domes seem to be missing in the shot. :)
Apparently Zach Quinto started Twittering yesterday… is anyone following him?
Nimoy himself made the Obama comparison. And gee, the Trek future has no money. Socialist?
I wrote a letter to Time about their Star Trek coverage in 1994—and it got printed. :)
I’m going to puke if I see one more “tie in” with Trek/Obama… Come one, it’s a frikking movie, leave politics out of it. UGH!
The Newsweek cover refreshes my mind and memory of just how beautiful this ship was at one time.
I think the Vulcan in the White House thing has something to do with ears.
Um, can we have just ONE of these types of articles that doesn’t descend into a pointless “he’s a commie/he’s a fascist” tirade? I doubt very many people are impressed with that kind of talk.
I think the larger point with Star Trek coming back now is that it is doing so at the right time. We are in the middle of troubling times, a period of great upheaval. Just like the late 1960’s.
People need something optimistic to look forward to. And Star Trek brings us this.
And although I enjoyed about 2-1/2 seasons of Battlestar Galactica, the bleak and depressing sci-fi that has become the norm is wearing thin. Sure, there has always been sci-fi that shows a dark future, but when is the last time you’ve seen any sci-fi movie or program that shows us getting things RIGHT in the future?
We need some optimism. We need the vision of Star Trek to come back in its full glory. And not a negative, dark reimagining of it, either.
We’re back!
14 posts before hand. not bad.
BTW, what’s wrong with the nacelles in that pic?
#15 and #21 Amen! Newsweek should not be spoiling things with petty-insult politics. Get out of the tank for a moment fellas.
No reflection of current issues?
Great Barrier has missed the point of sci-fi- lol.
Well Star Trek has at least always mirrored the times, politics and topics- thats why i twent down the toilet over THAT 8 year period where Archer was Interrogating (Torturing) Aliens (enemies) and now has risen from the Ashes as America is doing atm.
The writers may not have known who would be in the whitehouse but they knew who wouldnt be and that things were going to change – optimism was growing and IDIC is now symbolised in the new Presedent… like it or not.
Star Trek Lives!
I love the cover photo! THAT is an image that means “Star Trek” to me.
Yes, even with the lens flare. ;)
Wow, I don’t know what it is, but that Newsweek cover actually brings a tear to my eye. There’s something so innocent and pure about that one image. Very moving.
Yeah, because Star Trek has NEVER addressed or reflected political issues of the day…
“Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”
“The Omega Glory”
“Bread and Circuses”
“The Voyage Home”
“The Undiscovered Country”…
Nope. Not at all.
Please never again insult the great race of Vulcan’s by comparing them with our current president.
#30… in that respect we will resemble Trek’s future… no money!
Let’s wait a few years and see where we are as a result of current policies before we hail O as the great saviour.
#20, 21 Great Barrier- I’m sure you’ll get bashed to death, but I support you.
I detest hypocrisy in all its forms. It continues
to create devisive conflicts in politics- and Trek.
I wish the two would be kept seperate around here.
@45
sweetheart, would you like your previous back?
Only Nixon could go to China.
#48
not in the least!
TOS was all about politics. It was about the cold war and Vietnam and social inequities. The comparison of Obama to Spock are flattering if not yet proven. We’ll see. But the beauty of Gene’s original show – even if HE didn’t mean it to be – was that it pointed us in the right direction.
It wasn’t until TNG that money and capitalism were really attacked with their replicators and Ferengi.
Obama to Spock? RIDICULOUS!!!
Tuvok? hmmmm.
@ 20
You are the one that brought politics into this thread. You opinion makes me sick. Go spork yourself. Nice article in Newsweek BTW, thanks for the tip.
This is paydirt for the Movie. I would have preferred a Time Front, but Time has a Spock pic above the masthead with the two page story.
Star Trek affects boomer writers a lot more than Wolverine does. A point in its favor.
20. The Great Barrier – April 26, 2009
“Not all of us are Obama Kool-Aid drinkers.”
Waaaay too dramatic. Politics was mentioned, insults were not.
When Gene put Uhura on the Bridge did he forsee a Vulcan in the Whitehouse?
@20. For a Star Trek fan, you kinda missed the point of the show. There is a deep nested history of politics into Star Trek. An axiom you should remember is, “Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combination”. Your opinion is no more valid than any Obama supporter… Your opinion is simply different. You are the one who attacked with the “kool-aid” comment (which into itself is very insulting if one knows the proper historical context that phrase came from). Political discourse in this country is already in a sad state of affairs… you don’t need to add to it.
Star Trek entering the zeitgeist again!
AP, will you please remind the rightist wingnuts (”Spock” and The Great Barrier, etc.) that this site is not for political flaming.
for those of you that are wondeing why not the NEW Enterprise on the cover… think about about it. It is a child’s hand holding a toy Enterprise… The image is supposed to invoke our own childhood playing with and watching Star trek.. thus the headline “How Star Trek taught us to dream big”
For me at least, this was an interesting coincidence. The new Newsweek cover has a mention of the torture interrogations done by the CIA. The 1986 Newsweek cover about Star Trek also has a blurb leading to a story involving the CIA.
It is not often that the CIA gets a mention in a cover story in a national magazine.
Also, the Obama and Spock comparison is silly. Talk about reaching to get Obama into a story.
I’ve always known that Star Trek teaches us to dream big. In that sense, what Newsweek has just run is old news.
But it’s welcome, nonetheless.
Wait, wait, wait, hold it a second.
A physicist co-wrote The Dauphin?
What the hell?
20. The Great Barrier – April 26, 2009
All this Obama/Star Trek comparison makes me want to throw up.
I wish people would keep that Marxist out of my Star Trek!!! …
Not all of us are Obama Kool-Aid drinkers.
********
Wow, ignorant much? The article was posted because of the Trek connection; Trekmovie isn’t responsible for the political content in that article. Your decision to spout drivel (such as the Marxist comment) shows that you DO want to get political here. (The claim that Obama is a Marxist shows deep ignorance of both Obama’s positions and the actual meaning of Marxism. Look it up. Read a book. LEARN.)
To be honest, once I saw the Obama-Vulcan comparison, I stopped reading the article because that’s a stretch and it annoys me to see such ham-handed writing. Referring to optimism as a common thread is one thing, but the Vulcan comparison (especially the ears comment) is ridiculous.
But that cover photo…brings a tear to my eye every time I look at it. Innocent, hopeful–what Trek used to be…
i found a typo
Star Trek is on again!!!!!
Right wing a-holes on trek boards is just illogical. Please go away.
Best Buy’s Sunday mailer shows season 1’s Blu-Ray at $64.99
Yes, I don’t think the editors of Nacelles Monthly will be too pleased with the Time cover. : )
Great to see the Star Trek coverage get more mainstream again.
NEW TV SPOT!!!!!!!
Saw it on E! Its a varation on Trailer 3! Pretty good stuff! My favorite yet! Noticed just a second or two of new footage as well.
Get this:
Last night, I turned on the tv and right there was a Trek TV spot. During that program, I saw three tv spots, all different, one of them new.
Later that night, I turned to SNL, turned off the tv for a bit to work on some music, turned the tv back on and guess what? another Star Trek tv spot.
Today, I come home, turn on the tv, and guess what? I see another new tv spot.
This is just plain weird. But hey, I’m not complaining one bit. What are the chances? If I, who don’t watch tv all that much, see a tv spot every time I turn on the tv, then surely by now, the word is definitely spreading. Good job, Paramount!
@20
I used to me like you, once. But at least be you could be more original. Do you all have to read from the same talking points? I mean, come on. Group indignation. You still have eight years left. How are you going to make it?
Trek is back big time, Bring Tears to my eyes is not to a Vulcan’ eyes!
@20: yes, because it’s not like drawing parallels to current world events as a way of discussing them objectively is in any way a common SciFi device, or anything…..
I don’t know whether it’s mentioned in Newsweek but Obama was outed as a Trekkie long ago.
Whether you support Obama or not, trying to compare the entire genre of Star Trek to a single political personality is ridiculous. It’s so obvious that by doing so they’re gushing over Obama and putting him on this glorious pedestal – what ever happened to “objectivity” in the news? The article isn’t even ABOUT Obama, it’s about Star Trek as a genre, yet they’re so obsessed with the man that they practically hijack an article they’re writing and use it as an opportunity to fawn all over him. No matter what political views you have, that kind of behavior towards Obama is laughable to anyone mature enough to see it.
Right-wingers who like “Star Trek” are suffering a confusion of values anyway. Let ‘em simmer.
Just listening to new soundtrack now, (yes it’s out there already) so far not bad, but nothing jumping out like the Klingon theme or TMP theme.
#67
Yeah … There are Right Wing A*****es, and then there are Left Wing ones, like you. Why don’t we keep US politics out of Star Trek, we get enough political propaganda from the Left Wing Liberal news sources as it is now.
I don’t care what side of the political spectrum you’re on…. THIS ISN’T THE PLACE FOR ATTACKS. CUT IT OUT AND GROW UP!
Gezz…
77. Where did you get the whole album? I just checked on iTunes and I can’t find it.
@75
But the media is just doing what it always does… oversimplify.
Well, time to go to school –
Seizing control of private companies IS Marxism. Trying to control freedom of speech IS Marxism. Big government IS Marxism. Obama by his own admission hung around and enjoyed the company of Marxist professors. One of his buddies, Bill Ayers is a self-admitted Marxist. His 20 year so-called pastor came from the same ideology.
Need I go on?
That’s not a matter of perception.
That’s reality. And that’s the Obamunist.
Now, I beg the powers that be. Keep that Marxist lunatic away from Star Trek. I don’t care about political metaphor/analogy in science fiction. But keep in mind — it doesn’t always have to be ANTI-Conservative or ANTI-establishment to make that commentary! Star Trek has never been tied to a PRESIDENT before. I am sure if this was GW Bush being tied to Star Trek, you’d all be howling like hyenas.
You people are just a bunch of socialist idiots. YOU are the ones in need of the education. You Obama Kool-Aid drinkers!
That’s all I have to say. I’m sure Anthony will be kicking me off the site anyway.
That’s in the spirit of the Pelosi/Obama lunatics too.
Again, for you one-dimensional idiots who can’t understand being able to enjoy something AS ENTERTAINMENT rather than religion —
It IS possible!
I don’t go to Star Trek for my lessons on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There’s something called a…um…CONSTITUTION and BIBLE that provide all I need for that.
Star Trek, a construct of a TV network to sell soap is NOT my guide to life…and it’s pretty sad that some of you hold it up as that.
Thanks to those here who agree with me, but I am now ending this part of the conversation.
#75 — you are exactly right. If this was BUSH they were talking about the same idiots who think this OK because it’s the MESSIAH, OBAMA would be howling like idiotic wolves.
#82. ***You people are just a bunch of socialist idiots. YOU are the ones in need of the education. You Obama Kool-Aid drinkers!***
Way to be classy there… Why don’t you take your frustrations out on Red State or Huffington Post? Or just log off and insult some neighbors or family? I honestly don’t give a damn what your beliefs are, but keep it civil. Apparently you’re incapable of that.
20 – agreed…100%
@82
That sounds more like camp than school. Re-education camp. Did you think of all that yourself? Seems like I heard that one before. Plagiarist. Must be out of ideas.
Good heavens. Some people here are in need of some serious counseling.
Mr. “The Great Barrier”,
I admit, you are correct, and you have some very good points, but my friend, I think you’ve had your head in the oven a bit too long.
:-/
re: Political
Great Barrier.
“Well, time to go to school –”
Sorry, you aren’t here to educate anyone. Please quit the insults.
Well, I see we have a long way to go.
agreed
It’s funny how this has degenerated into mindless political carping.
Don’t you people realize?
It’s all about the tribbles.
Tear in my eyes. Seriously.
So, telling the truth now requires “counseling” …oooo-k! You obviously didn’t agree with me all that much.
Xai, You are in need of counseling AND educating.
I am only qualified to do one of those things.
you got star trek in my politics
you got politics in my star trek
20
You say you don’t wish to be divisive, yet you fling insults and spit vitrol.
You also make it quite obvious why those who share your beliefs (and rage) are out of power.
My turn.
You are just another angry, bitter, ignorant, confused, typical right wing NUT.
I was all ready to go pick this issue up until I saw that once again Newsweek is going shove Obama down my throat! I’ll pass and get my trek news somewhere else :-(
82
I agree some of the Obama-worship out there goes WAY too far… but dude, rehashing the exact same, over-heated talking points spouted by thsoe wingnuts Limbaugh and Hannity every day doesn’t say a lot about YOUR objectivity either.
I’m just sayin…
i’m starting to wonder weather this swine flue outbreak may have influence on box office
________
l l
l O,_,O l
l o l
l ~~~~~ l
l_______l
The face of The Governator says “POLITICS HALT”
This is an official declaration that must now be enforced as law.
(note: violators will be prosecuted)
You have been warned
:-/
The Great Barrier,
If you are such a qualified person, then why aren’t you acting on your beliefs instead of sitting in a chair, berating those who are using their right of free speech. You have stated how your moral and ethical values come from the Constitution, and the Bible, doesn’t the Bible state to “Love thy Neighbor”? Also there is a difference between taking control and controlling. The Federal Government, not Obama, took control of the private business sector, but so far the companies are still free to manage themselves, with minimum input by the government. Last time i checked, a Marxist, or Socialist government, has complete authority over all sectors of its infrastructure.
Besides, I hate to break it to you, but this country’s always been a little bit socialist. Despite all the fear and paranoia the right has been trying to kick up, Obama isn’t really doing anything Clinton didn’t do back in the 90s, and the country didn’t self-destruct then.
So just freakin RELAX already.
I’m guessing/hoping Newsweek changes its approach in the current issue, because I still remember the smarmy, condescending style it took in the 1986 cover story–”Sorry, Trekkies, but Mr. Spock doesn’t really have pointed ears”, “Earflaps down, Mr. Sulu” and so forth.
Next week The new Softer Star Trek toilet paper with authentic Star Fleet Delta for only $29.99 a role
On a side note I was in my local walmart the other day buying some shotgun shells and I wandered over to the toy aisle to check out the new dollies. They had all the figures and the new slightly Fugly-prise. I picked up the box as I had visions of selling it on ebay to Xai or Tenuto and noticed it was light as a feather. Some A-hole had actually stolen the Enterprise!!!!! The box was empty!!! What a creep!!!!
@99 I’ve been wondering if the potential swine flu could hurt Star Trek as well. It depends how much containment can be achieved in the next week or so. :/
Lol, that’s pathetic. Also the new figures, best part is no “action feature”. I hate when you get a cool new action figure, and it has a button that swings the arm. Just give me fully poseable.
And please you jello-heads no politics here!!! I’m all politiced out!!! If you want to rip Hillary’s canckles that is fair game but please let’s not have this degenerate into a political poop fest.
I believe “The issue is out yet” should be “The issue is NOT out yet”.
Can we keep the obscenities out of this forum? (”Teabagging” is a nasty word used by nasty people for a nasty practice — and certainly not Rated G.) Fully half the audience is underage. Oh I forgot – throwing curse words and vulgarities at someone you dislike makes you seem all grown up and mature. IDIC? “Hope”? Please, if this is what is meant by either buzzword, you can keep them both.
Sincerely,
C.S. Lewis
22. critch – April 26, 2009
…
#20, quit trying to pick fights. You sound like someone at a Teabagging ceremony or in a Sean Hannity audience. I’m not saying you have to support anyone. But at least put some thought into your arguments.
Please don’t soil the good name of Spock by comparing him to that wretched piece of garbage Obama.
Pardon me while I go puke.
I wish to God the media would stop with the Obama/Spock stories.
I just want to see the new Trek movie and enjoy it and not have to think about Obama or politics or Dems or Repubs.
Enough already! Spock is a fictional character that Obama is NOTHING like.
94. The Great Barrier – April 26, 2009
“So, telling the truth now requires “counseling” …oooo-k! You obviously didn’t agree with me all that much.
Xai, You are in need of counseling AND educating.
I am only qualified to do one of those things.”
I am not looking for an education in Trolling.
Any government is, by existing, a socialist endeavor. America’s constitution specifically states one of our purposes as being to “promote the general welfare.” (Welfare=well-being, not the social program.) That’s a socialist goal. (And having a federal military is a socialist thing, too.)
Star Trek always showed a future that was strongly socialist. The unbridled capitalism of the Ferengi and the unrelenting warmongering of the Klingons are a contrast to the Federation, which looks out for the common good.
If you hate the idea of socialism so much, folks, why do you like a franchise that promotes it? And (for those right-wingers in America) why do you live in a country that has ALWAYS BEEN, by definition, socialist? (Nowhere in the Constitution does it say anything about protecting business, but the Preamble–the “why we’re doing this” part–states that we established this government for socialist purposes.)
It’s one thing to discuss politics in this forum as they relate to Trek, but some of you are just here to spout hateful ignorance from the political extremes. Can we drop that part and just discuss Trek politics? Please?
Or at least drop the name-calling and disinformation?
lol, I love all the “Obama is your Messiah” talk from right wingers, I thought all lefties were godless gay freaks, lol
The problem with “current” political comparisons is that this film was written and shot before the election last year really got into gear. The (D) nominee at that point was thought to be Hillary Clinton and nobody gave McCain much of a shot.
The writer isn’t aware that this film was delayed that long, that films like this aren’t shot and just shoved into theaters.
He’s also stretching Spock’s origin which was created in the mid-1960’s to today’s climate.
@82:
Government doesn’t get any bigger than The Federation. Get lost!
LOL on a lighter note…let’s all be “trekkers,” not “trekkies.”
Hey CS how come you only discourage vulgarities from those you don’t agree with? Just wonderin’
Valar1 I guess you’re wrong… butt munch
THAT SHIP ISN’T CANON!
Nor is the giant arm.
@99
Marvin, if someone is sick enough with Swine Flu, I hope they would stay home…even though I went to see Star Trek: Generations with a 103 degree fever…bad move on my part but dedicated die-hard “trekkers” would brave the dilithium mines of Rura Penthe to see this movie… if you do venture forth with sickness, wear a mask…lol.
@120
Well, from the Video Press Kit released yesterday…in the “Space Jump” clip, I saw enough (warning spoiler) with the shuttlebay doors and especially sound effects to really pique my spock ears up.
I am STOKED to see this movie!
To see the video of what I mean, please see the below URL:
http://www.trekwebmaster.com/extras.html
WARNING SPOILER ALERT!
I knew Star Trek was back when I saw a Trek T-shirt in Hot Topic, When I saw that I stopped and did my best Keannu, Whoa! It is a nice cover to Newsweek I wonder if they used the Diamond Select version, Playmates or if its a model?
Ugh.
“There are Right Wing A*****es, and then there are Left Wing ones, like you. Why don’t we keep US politics out of Star Trek, we get enough political propaganda from the Left Wing Liberal news sources as it is now.”
Yep–because, if there’s anything multibillion-dollar comglomerates like Time-Warner, Capitol City Communications and CBS/Viacom have in common, it’s a vested interest in promoting the Worker’s Paradise. LOL.
And once again it seems we’ll need to procure some smelling salts and pearls to clutch for “C.S. Lewis.” But his mean-spirited opinions notwithstanding, there’s actually nothing whatsoever that’s “nasty” about the practice of teabagging, so long as it’s performed by consenting adults. (Unless, of course, it takes the form of said adults congregating to wave signs accusing Barack Obama (!) of being a “Marxist” or “Socialist,” in which case it’s merely laughable, as any legit Marxist or socialist will tell you.)
While I very much have always subscribed to Dennis Bailey’s view about those on the political right who are, for whatever reasons, sweet on the franchise that avowed liberal Gene Roddenberry created, the view of our host has always been that politics should be put aside on these forums. Why people who daily benefit from his work would repeatedly choose to ignore his wishes in this case is beyond me.
I see alot of the old and new…which is always good…twice as much coverage…old ship and new ship….everyone is happy!
I like both…:)
123, I was hoping they would start selling them at Hot Topic. Remember my catchy Trek T-shirt slogans that I posted here on this site? (Because I can’t. But I still got a million of ‘em!)
If Obama believes in the “final frontier” maybe he should stop laughing and shaking hands with Chavez and Castro and appoint a new NASA administrator and try to get the Constellation project back on track.
116
Ha ha, no kidding. Not only that, but the Federation is basically just an intergalactic U.N. (something the right really can’t stand for some reason).
And then there’s the fact Earth has become this peaceful, “one world” utopia, people don’t work for money or possessions in the future– they talk about “bettering themselves” and working for the common good instead. They also value science and the pursuit of knowledge above ALL else. And it’s stated several times that superstition and fear (i.e. religion) have been wiped out.
I mean come on, Star Trek is about as liberal as you can GET (which is understandable considering what a huge athiest and humanist Roddenberry was).
I’m amazed that conservatives are either unable or unwilling to see that. lol
BTW, folks here should also check out Newsweek’s secondary article by former Trek scribe and astrophysicist Leonard Mlodinow. While his teleplay for the Next Gen episode “The Dauphin” was just godawful, the article itself is fascinating and well-written, with much in the way of behind-the-scenes dirt on the early days of TNG and its premise (which I ultimately disagree with) as to the reason for the franchise’s longevity. And perhaps best of all, no ‘divisive’ politics for people to work themselves into a lather over.
119
“butt munch” ?, that sir is a compliment where I come from! lol
Whoa, I think we have to differentiate between TOS and TNG Star Trek.
TOS was “wagon train to the stars” about todays man succeeding. It had Kirk fighting the Commies, er, Klingons for the free worlds of the Federation. The Federation was definately capitalists given it had miners, was willing to fight over dilithium, credits, entrepreneurs, etc. The Enterprise had a chapel, Kirk was a “soldier, not a diplomat”, Uhura spoke of the Son of God, Kirk quoted the US constitution and the show even had a pro-Vietnam epsiode.
I don’t know what happened but Roddenbery came to, I feel, essentially hate his original premise. TNG went way out of its way to reject TOS. The Federation was no longer NATO, it was a UN type orgainization. The Klingons are good. The capitalist Ferengi are bad. Replicators eliminate the need for dilithium.
I think it’s because he was upset with the success of Nicholas Meyer with his creation? Not sure – but a facinating transformation.
That is part of what is great about Trek though – something for everyone.
all you people who complain about socialism etc… please… don’t let the gubmint hit your ass on the way out to collect your social security checks.
All the Enterprises are good.
130
Well played indeed sir.
Re: 113. In the early days of TNG, Starfleet was clearly socialist, godless, and anti-monogamy. In the pilot, Picard mocks the US army uniform worn by Q, in another case, he mocks the notion of flags, in “Who Watches the Watchers” he refers to religion as ridiculous superstition, and in another early episode, Troi states that people don’t “own each other like that anymore” alluding to the fact that marriage apparently no longer exists.
A lot of the Roddenberry-isms were softened or buried as time went on Gene’s power waned.
How did a Trek site start to end up with a Political dissociation? I love all the Enterprises especally the new one but NCC-1701-E is my Favorite!
Anthony P. must have the day off. The right-wing ignoramuses are frothing at the mouth. And the rest of us (Trek fans) are forced to witness their ignorant blather.
My biggest political belief is that both sides can’t be right, but they can both be wrong.
Let’s just lock this thread and be done with it.
137-ANTHONY THOMPSON
So a conservative cannot be a Trek fan? And how would you feel if McCain had won the election and Newsweek did a story about him being like Spock, and Star Trek representing McCain’s America? Would that annoy you?
The point I’m trying to make is that, whether you like it or not, this country is made up of people with many different viewpoints.
I personally do not want to see Obama compared to Trek. And when I see the incredibly strained comparisons, it bugs me.
Now when something bugs me, I’m gonna voice my opinion. Why? Because this is a free country, and I have the right to do so. Just like you have the right to praise Obama, I have the right to point out the problems I may have with him.
Stop insulting and dismissing people that happen to share a different viewpoint than yours.
It’s not very “Star Trek-like” to do that, you know.
@140
are you talking about mccain that thought sarah palin would be able to run this country in case something happed no him?
are you talking about comparing that mccain to spock?
you should be a fiction writer
Is the Fox news website down? It’s just amazing to me that so many right wingers are Trek fans, considering the entire point of Earth’s society is socialist and damn near communist in the future.
C.S. – The people at the corporate sponsored, ineffective and just plain dumb Tea parties referred to themselves as Teabaggers. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me. Ignorance at their level deserves a filthy name. Fox News pushed and pushed for it, the crowds were 99% white, and nobody in those crowds were in any tax bracket that was going to have their taxes raised. They were protesting…lower taxes? Or more accurately they were protesting that Obama won. Even though you could take every Tea party across the country, and it wouldn’t equal many of the Obama rallies that took place before the election. It’s Right wing sour grapes. I personally hope they keep it up. 2010 is next year. Keep doing what you’re doing, and nobody will ever have to listen to what a Republican wants again, IE filibuster proof majority.
On Trek topic – the soundtrack is out if you know where to go to get it. It’s FREAKING AMAZING.
“It’s just amazing to me that so many right wingers are Trek fans, considering the entire point of Earth’s society is socialist and damn near communist in the future.”
actually, it is portrayed as a one-world government, but no real details have ever been forthcoming from a canon source. In Kirk’s time, replicators were readily available, but Credits were still a source of exchange. Greed existed, as did con men. Picard would later go on to the cryogenic survivors from the past that pretty much all “need” had been eliminated from Earth (and ostensibly the other Federation worlds) People didn’t have to “work” anymore, it was all about improving one’s self. Still, there were malcontents and rebels in the 24th century too. Had Earth become a giant socialist/communist planet? I don’t think so. The advancement of technology had pretty much eliminated the need of “isms” from government, and all that remained was bureaucracy. So… sad as that is, it gives ineffectual paper-pushers a future.
One thing I’ve noticed from all the movies and series… and Khan pointed it out… technologies would change, science would improve, but humanity basically remained the same. Only Kirk, pointing out in one of his rants during one of his major violations of the Prime Directive, said, “I won’t kill, today.”
Enough politics. I want to see The Movie!
Critch: Look I don’t agree with the overreaction and frothing about Obama and Trek comparisons but lets not flip the coin and do so yourself. None of what you said it entirely accurate about the Tea Party demonstrations. They were not corporate sponsored nor did Fox do anything but cheer them on which was questionable journalism but that has nothing to do with the “tea baggers” The fact is the Tea Party thing, agree with it or not is a true grass roots movement and you can’t get more American than that. And yes it is true they lack a central focused goal but that is because it is in a formative stage (and may well fall apart before it can do so.) They chose the date they did because there are a lot of people who are against the Income Tax in general for lots of reasons we need not get into just now. But it is VERY important to understand that this is not a partisan movement and it certainly isn’t a racist one. That isn’t to say there might not be a racist or right winger involved, or for that matter some left wingers. But mostly it is moderates like myself. (And no I did not participate in the one locally) who are fed up with the was the entire Federal Government has handled things and are attempting to handle things now. In fact some politicians, GOP politicians were booed off stage when they tired to jump on the bandwagon, they were told this was a time for them to take notice and listen instead of gas bagging as usual.
Just a FYI.
Penhall: Of course right wingers can be Star Trek fans, everyone can be Star Trek fans, IDIC and all that. But that cuts both ways and in every way.
But the fact is some folks are way over reacting to the whole Obama/Trek thing. Yes if it bugs you, you can squawk, but geez chill it down a bit. It isn’t like someone slapped your mother or something. :)
But as jonboc said above, honestly these comparisons are inevitable. They are logical. And they are easy to make. The big diff with guys like you is that of course you don’t believe in Obama and already feel he will fail. So ergo the comparison to Trek is faulty. Well, that’s fine as we all keep in mind that so far that is just an opinion. ;)
JMN
Man oh man, but as my ancestors would say, what a mishegoss.
No, righties, TOS was never a conservative enterprise (though it certainly championed many virtues that conservatives and liberals alike could admire: courage, self-sacrifice, devotion to duty, etc.). In point of fact, as anyone familiar with the history of Trek is well aware, Roddenberry was chiefly interested in the SF format as a vehicle for telling stories in the first place that couldn’t be aired on U.S. television, given the restrictive network censorship of the time, in any form but the allegorical. You mentioned, “Ayelbourne,” Kirk “fighting the Commies, er, Klingons for the free worlds of the Federation”–but the point of the half-dozen or so episodes out of 79 aired that featured Klingons was that Earthmen and Klingons must not fight. Particularly “Errand of Mercy,” the episode which had Kirk declare, as you mentioned, that he was a soldier, not a diplomat. That line was written by Gene L. Coon, a war veteran who, like Roddenberry, hated war–and the whole point of the show was that, in the end, Kirk was man enought to admit that he had been wrong to be so eager to fight a war that would have been disastrous for both sides. Given how thoroughly wrong you are about the original intent of both Genes here, “Ayelbourne,” I have to admit that I find your choice of handle to be fascinating.
At the same time, I wouldn’t so quick to deem Roddenberry’s politics, let alone those of the show, to be very “socialist” either. TOS was deliberately very vague about the politics or economics of the 23rd century, though there were broad hints (”United Space Ship,” “United Earth Space Probe Agency”, etc.) that humanity had finally found some unity and peace at long last. The famous line in THE VOYAGE HOME about people in the 23rd century not using money was written by Nick Meyer, not Gene Roddenberry, and I never understood it to mean anything other than not using cash, since (as others have pointed out), credits were clearly a medium of exchange on the original series for Enterprise personnel and others.
No, TOS was for nothing as radical to Americans as socialism–given the time in which it was produced, just a few years out from the Army-McCarthy hearings and well into the Cold War, it could hardly be. The best description of the show’s politics would be Kennedy New Frontier–forward-looking and progressive on social issues, tough-minded (but pragmatic and willing to reach accommodation) on foreign ones. All of which could rightfully be termed “liberal” by the standards of that era as well as our own. That might not be pleasing to partisans on either side (and doesn’t entirely jibe with my own politics, either), but it’s the truth.
“I resent people turning Star Trek into a political commercial like this.”
Uh, Trek has always included politics in its themes from Roddenberry’s sly commentary on race relations and war to the themes presented in TNG, DS9, Voyager and Enterprise. To say otherwise is to be disingenuous. (And speaking of cool-aid drinking…you might want to tone down the attack dog reactions every time Obama is mentioned.)
I wish I could say that I cannot believe that Trek has been politicized, but the truth is that I CAN believe it. That’s because some people won’t be happy until everyone does and believes exactly what they want for no other reason than that it seems to them the right thing to do.
Seizing control of anything is an exercise of governmental power, and that’s true whether it’s a government that seizes substances because it violates the law or a government that seizes corporations because they have betrayed the public trust.
I find it hard to believe that some people accuse government of being “socialist” because it is legitimately concerned that an entire industry has betrayed the public trust. But even the apparent accusation is a canard: Obama hasn’t said that he will seize control of corporations.
For those who think that conservatives or Republicans should abhor public intercession in corporate affairs, let’s never forget it was Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft — both Republicans — who spearheaded the practice of “trustbusting” — pulling apart corporations that had gotten too big, and doing so through the use of government power.
Whoohoo – time for my two cents!
It seems a lot simpler an issue than politics really. Yes I do find the Obama\Spock comparison to be a teensie bit on the straw grasping side, but it seems moreso like a ham-handed shot at making a sort of hot-topic gulash for the sake of selling more issues than being politically preachy.
IMO we’re not looking at left wing vs. right wing here, but rather we’re looking at something more resembling:
Hmmmmm……
President Obama = sure media sell
Star Trek = sure media sell
So Spockobama is SURE to give this issue some contemporary relevance! Whoohoo, run the story!
So before we all let this particular batch of Ceti eels crawl up our collective rear ends, my advice is to consider Newsweek’s political straw-grasping as being COMMERCIALLY motivated, not politically.
Personally I’m glad to be seeing Star Trek in big press period. But like any topic or issues in big press, there’s going to be multiple takes on them no matter what, and if we can’t take things with a little teaspoon of salt once and a while, we’ll be pissed off all the time!
- 24thCRS!
“”
THAT SHIP ISN’T CANON!
Nor is the giant arm.
“”
Calm down – it’s just an outtake still from Who Morns for Adonis.
Did you guys see the Star Trek themed CSI? It is very interesting and has the added bonus of featuring a new face remaking a “classic” (albeit fake) sci fi series. Y’all might like it.
Looks like they got the 18″ AMT kit for the cover…must have had trouble getting the caps to fit on the nacelles, I know that I did…maybe the editors will Photoshop the caps on the model
Friggin commies ruin everything, stop mention oafbama. Some dickhead always has to bring up a loser. Wanna know what happened to the bussards, too much political bs blew them off.
RE: “Seizing control of private companies IS Marxism. Trying to control freedom of speech IS Marxism. Big government IS Marxism. Obama by his own admission hung around and enjoyed the company of Marxist professors. One of his buddies, Bill Ayers is a self-admitted Marxist. His 20 year so-called pastor came from the same ideology.”
For someone telling us that he will take us to school, you are remarkably uninformed. No one is advocating long term take overs of financial institution, and *short-term* takeovers have been around for a long time and have used by both Republican and Democratic administrations.
For that matter, restrictions on free speech and big spending have been hallmarks of the last administration every bit as much (and arguably more) than the current administration.
And finally, Ayers is not a “friend” of Obamas, but he is someone who’s worked with both Republicans *and* Democrats in Chicago.
Notice the common theme here? There are lots of things you don’t like that both Republicans and Democrats have done, but you excuse Republican behavior and demonize the Democrats.
I can buy the idea that Star Trek is apolitical, but there’s clearly no place in Roddenbury’s vision for bile and distortion.
I’m EXTREMELY ANNOYED that someone upthread posted not one, but two major spoilers while attacking other posters. I wanted to remain relatively spoiler-free. If inconsiderate people continue to post spoilers in a non-spoiler thread, I will stop reading all of TrekMovie’s threads until I see the movie.
I don’t care how much people despise others for disagreeing with their opinions. At least respect the need not to post spoilers.
Thank you.
I’ve been an avid fan of this site for over a year checking it daily, sometimes two to three times a day. After reading the many of the blog responses on this topic. I am deeply saddened and faced with the thought of no longer visiting trekmovie.com. I think that this is a sad moment to be a Star Trek fan for me when I read so many hate filled responses.
For those of you who may never experienced hate or discrimination to read some of these responses highlights what my family has endured in this country to have the right to vote or just to be respected as an American.
This is the saddest moment I’ve had ever as Trek fan. The vitriol goes against so much of what Star Trek is about.
I am glad I can seperate myself from the uber dorks who like to make movie references(ceti eel) when talking about real life situations. People like that make us look bad so knock that shit off.
155, please don’t let the extremists turn you off Trek. There are extremists on all ends of the political spectrum (and actually, there are more than two ends to it — it’s not just liberal and conservative, but also self-centered and other-centered, etc.), but most people are moderate enough to respect the views of others.
#15: Lol!!!
155. Hang in there, friend. This thread has indeed been pathetic. Not sure why I even bothered to scan through it.
I like your monicker. It is all about the Trek.
#156 – “I am glad I can seperate myself from the uber dorks who like to make movie references(ceti eel) when talking about real life situations. People like that make us look bad so knock that shit off.”
I’ll take that as a knock on me, James. I’m the ceti eel culprit.
Far be it from me to crack a mildly joking Star Trek reference on a Star Trek fan site. I apologize sir. I apologize for apparently managing to demean all of Star Trekdom throughout the world. Won’t happen again sir.
I’ll do my best to begin using this fine Star Trek fan forum as my own personal political soapbox, and do my best to toss around as many profanity laced ad homiem flamer attacks against other posters using such wonderfully colorful slurs like “uber-dork”, “commie”, and “d*ckhead” just like Trekmovie’s unanimously selected spokesperson – as you so eloquently speak on behalf of not only all of Star Trek, but on behalf of all Star Trek fans.
It is now my solemn promise to begin my new Trekmovie.com political crusade as soon as I am so desperate for a pulpit and a microphone that I feel compelled to take something as fun, joyful, and innocuous as a STAR TREK FAN SITE – and use it to bring others down.
And I’ll get on it, as soon as I have nothing better to do with my life.
As I’m typing this during my vodka time, I’ll raise a shot of Stoli to wondering how the mods take to that mouth of yours.
Up next on trekmoviepoliticalforum.com – The Harry Mudd and Josef Stalin Connection: Men Who Love Mustaches!
(well…maybe not) :3
#157. Hat Rick – I think all things considered, you can count my response as “ditto” on your advice to #155. But then again, you already have a gift for level-headedness, so it’s no surprise!
#155. Trek Fan Forever – There’s still so much to enjoy about Trek and the Trek community that it would be a real shame to lose that connection over a few letters on a screen. In fact, I’ll raise my next vodka shot to ya in hopes that the winds of ill will blow over soon and we’ll see you right back here.
- 24th CRS!
I hate politics, but I love Star Trek. ‘Nuff said.
It is quite interesting how TNG which started off being way anti-capitalist ended up being anti-socailist in some ways with the Borg. The original “bad guys” were supposed to be the evil capitalists in the Ferengi. Unfortunately the Ferengi just weren’t that exciting an enemy.
To save the show the Ferengi were replaced by the Borg… the ultimate socialist entity. All equal. All working together as one. Central control, no internal divisions, sharing all knowledge and resources. I’ve always wondered what he made of them becoming the big bad guys.
As for #145 ; while the idea was that the Federation and klingons shouldn’t destroy it each other; it certainly was never argued that Kirk was in the wrong and that the Enterprise shouldn’t stand up for the Federation against the Klingons. In “A Private Little War” the episode actually comes off as pro-Vietnam; Kirk is in the right to wage a war against the Communists, er, Klingons. In “Balance of Terror” Kirk must destroy the romulan ship before it cross the neutral zone. While war is portrayed as something to avoid; the Federation way is still something to defend to the death if necessary.
Also on the money front in star Trek IV it is implied that they don’t have paper money. Credits are refered to in the Trouble With Tribbles. Miners are working on other worlds in private enterprises. McCoy tries to hire a private ship in Star Trek III. Scotty even refers to his pay.
One can assume that the Federation credit would be gone though after the invention of the replicator and no longer requiring dilithium crystals for M/AM reactions. Certainly that would have a huge impact on the economic system of the day.
star trek is political. always has been.
no matter how much you may dislike president obama, the comparison is just.
kennedy was as much kirk for that matter.
“Republican justice is a unique point of view, Mr. President.”
“20. The Great Barrier – April 26, 2009
All this Obama/Star Trek comparison makes me want to throw up.
I wish people would keep that Marxist out of my Star Trek!!! He has nothing to do with the new Star Trek. I doubt Orci was sitting around saying “Oh, let me see how I can work Obama into this new movie. It needs the “Obama spirit” or it’s not really Star Trek.” True Star Trek has always had an optimistic feel — as well it should. None of the other Star Treks were written with Presidents in mind at the time of their writing. I don’t blame Bush for Nemesis.
I resent people turning Star Trek into a political commercial like this.
Don’t come down on me for being political either. I didn’t start it!
When you promote this kind of stupid thinking by posting this CRAP on your site don’t get upset when there’s a counter point of view presented as a rebuttal!
I’d rather not get into politics AT ALL — but when you wave red flags like this…well, what do you expect?
Not all of us are Obama Kool-Aid drinkers.”
that is the most hypocritical thing i’ve heard in a long time. you wish to politics out of trek and make a post like this?
please, throw up on yourself. what’s left of your kind remind me of the last we saw of the tholian in enterprise (IAMD). withering around and squealing. die, already.
I can’t believe you’re all sitting here arguing when there are Romulans in the U.K.
Priorities?
The Great Barrier: warning for flaming (assuming you haven’t been banned already)
Everyone else: that’s enough commenting about/replying to The Great Barrier. No more politics. Period.
Glad they use the original on the cover.
I resent the Obama mention too…
He can’t be everything… Messiah, Rock Star, Lincoln, Spock…
Gimme a fricken break!
JUST THINKIN….
I think I know why there is an alternate timeline. The REAL reason there is an alternate timeline is because Paramount does not own the “prime” canon.
The entire franchise is owned by CBS. Paramount only have rights to the feature films. Other than that, the whole franchise is owned by CBS. Paramount cannot really do anything. Indeed, Michael Corelone says it best, ” Nothing personal. It is all about business.”
“As for #145 ; while the idea was that the Federation and klingons shouldn’t destroy it each other; it certainly was never argued that Kirk was in the wrong and that the Enterprise shouldn’t stand up for the Federation against the Klingons. In “A Private Little War” the episode actually comes off as pro-Vietnam; Kirk is in the right to wage a war against the Communists, er, Klingons. In “Balance of Terror” Kirk must destroy the romulan ship before it cross the neutral zone. While war is portrayed as something to avoid; the Federation way is still something to defend to the death if necessary.”
Sorry; wrong on all counts. Even though the Klingons were portrayed as ruthless and imperialistic, at the end of “Errand of Mercy” Gene Coon allows Kor to make the claim that the Federation had hemmed his people in, strangling their ability to trade (as onlookers to the conflict, the audience had no way to judge the merits, but the pre-World War II Japanese would certainly have recognized the argument), and as said previously, Kirk acknowleged in the end that the Organians were entirely justified in putting a stop to the conflict. In “Arena,” another Coon teleplay (and though based on a short story by Frederick Brown, the antiwar spin his entirely his own), McCoy, Spock and Kirk come to the conclusion that the Federation may very well have appeared as a legitimate threat to the Gorn, allowing Kirk to spare the enemy captain he’d just defeated, even in the face of what had appeared to be a brutal, unprovoked attack on an unarmed base. This episode underscored what actually became a common theme in TOS: that there are two sides to any given conflict, and that judging the right of the matter is often more complex than it seems. (For their part, conservatives find this sort of thinking to be anathema, deriding it as “moral relativism.” Yes, “Balance of Terror” looked to the necessity of sometimes having to fight (I never claimed that Kirk and crew were pacifists, though the Vulcans certainly were), but even here the episode chooses to focus on the inherent tragic consequences of armed conflict, rather than the rightness of the good guys’ cause. (If anyone doubts that Kirk was a most reluctant warrior, whatever his cowboy reputation, just check out his tone and expression when he calls the crew to battle stations, or when he orders the Enterprise into the Neutral Zone.)
As for “A Private Little War,” that’s a subject I wished for years someone had broached to Roddenberry in an interview; unfortunately, it never came to pass. Since anyone who attended his college lectures from the early ’70s on knew of his unambiguous opposition to the Vietnam War, the ahistorical analogies his put in Kirk’s mouth still come as something of a surprise. Much of the episode is pretty silly in any event, but on the plus side, McCoy is allowed to maintain his principled opposition to Kirk’s realpolitik until the (very) bitter end.
Since I never claimed that Trek advocated socialism in the first place (for his part Gene had mixed feelings on the subject, as do I), I readily concede the point about money (though of course socialist nations have currencies just as capitalist ones do). And I am pleased to note you have enough sense to recognize that a society with replicator technology wouldn’t have much use for capitalism, at least in the classic sense.
#169 hartman
did you have a point?
who can’t be everything? did you mean the president of the united states? your dad? shatner?
Oooh, here’s a few thoughts that will hopefully tilt away from the venom.
Honestly, I think that a lot of the heat on this particular topic thread simply comes from a bad article – and yes I intend to honor the ‘no more politics’ taboo – there really has been enough of that.
The Steve Daly article, “We’re All Trekkies Now” starts off by lulling us into a nostalgic read concerning the authors own Star Trek experience, then follows up with a recap of The Original Series’ television run – by this point in the article we’re in full Trek Mode – and then BAM, he attempts some kind of stab at pseudo-political soapboxing that ends up being as cloudy in its portentive vagueness as the rest of the article is in having a point.
So was this really a Star Trek article about the authors nostalgia?
A television history article? A political analysis article? Ahhh editorials…
I mean, just read the by-line, “…the geeks have inherited the earth, and the White House” – dude what are you talking about? Sci-fi and fantasy fans have been around for a LONG time now, and have served, are serving, and will serve in a variety of roles in our society, both big and small. We were here before, and we’re not going away simply because a presidential term begins or ends.
I hope we can at least consider that the author probably slapped the p*litical angle on there as an afterthought to give the article an edge – it’s certainly gotten enough of a rise out of some people, so as an editorial sell tactic – mission accomplished – the author has earned his pay for the week.
Anyone wanting an agenda-less read about Trek – not to mention rinse off some of the bile that’s been tossed around regarding the Daly article really owes it to themselves to read the Leonard Mlodinow article, “Vulcans Never, Ever Smile” – the topic is Trek for Trek’s sake – and let’s face it; that’s why we’re here anyway.
Anywhoo the vodka’s starting to hit meh brain – on another topic entirely – I don’t know how many of you out there like to keep a stocked bar, but Stoli Elite is my absolute fave – it manages to be one of the few 80 proof vodkas that shoots absolutely smooth – no fire – but the distinguishing feature I like is that it doesn’t have the aftertaste that a lot of other top shelf vodkas have because of the filters respective labels use. Don’t get me wrong, I like Grey Goose too, but I think Stoli Elite finishes just a touch cleaner without GG’s chai filter.
-24thCRS – Wouldn’t mind splitting a single malt with Scotty one bit.
Cheers!
22. critch
I hate politics the web, but you continue on with your flavor of rhetoric! That’s just -? I’ll hold my tongue out of respect for the readers.
22. critch “anyone calling Obama a ‘Marxist’ or a ‘Socialist’ doesn’t know what the hell those words mean, and are essentially the equals of the Star Trek in Name Only” crowd. Do you know what “Marxist” is or a Fascist or a coward is – just curious?
22# critch
Who’s picking the fight here critch? #20 You sound like someone at a Tea bagging ceremony (describing me) or in a Sean Hannity audience, also (again describing me)
Here’s a bone to pick over, Hitler, Mussolini and Khan also spoke of hope and optimism; unfortunately it didn’t include everyone?
22# critch…….Uh -Live Long and Prosper!
So is “The Omega Glory” a hawkish message?
I take exception to the article not for its Obama angle but its fuzzy claim that Trek’s strength comes from its “corporate culture.”
I’m really beginning to like you guys. Star Trek fans tend to be intelligent (usually), passionate (often), opinionated (always) – so this was bound to happen.
175:
“Corporate Culture” refers to the ideals which corporations use to foster innovation and teamwork.
Today, the term is used to veil issues to the masses related to corporate financial goals.
However, in “Star Trek,” it refers to the primary ethos of why these diverse individuals come together as a disparate rabble, and end up as a tight and effective team which exceeds expectations in uncertain times. And quickly at that.
Treks always been Liberal. Even 60’s Trek was liberal for its time. I mean you had women in pants as officers. And GASP A Russian on the bridge. Also the Federation is basically the U.N. and earth is a one world Government. Star Trek is basically Alex jones’s nightmare LOL
But I agree this is getting tedious. I am wondering where the Mods went??
remember I.D.I.C. especially on a Trek board
oops I am sorry, I guess the mods finally did show up. Was too busy writing this post I didn’t notice.
#175 – Dunsel Report:
I think AJ in #177 has as good a definition of ‘Corporate Culture’ within context as anyone can get.
As the far as the reference to the quote, the mention of Star Trek Corporate Culture isn’t in the Steve Daly Spockobama article, but in Mlodinow’s article, “Vulcans Never, Ever Smile” – the two quotes you see posted up top are actually from two different articles. The first is the the hotly contested Steve Daly lead article – which has gathered some heated responses of its own on Newsweek.com btw – and is in my opinion a poor choice to take point on Newsweek’s.
Look for the second link which will take you to the Mlodinow article if you fancy a pure Trek (ie sans-politics) editorial. Mlodinow also has writing background on TNG – so naturally, his article is actual hands-on Trek rather than quasi-political fog. Give it a read if the context of Star Trek Corporate Culture interests you, it’s a thoughtful article.
24thCRS!
Deep Space Nine made reference to credits (even Transporter Credits) and Sisko’s father even ran his own business. Unless we assume all those customers (and he called them customers) were eating for free.
“…now that we’ve put a sort of Vulcan in the White House”
*gag* – What is this horsesh;t? Sorry fellas, I did not drink that Kool-Aid.
“corporate culture”
OK where did they get this writer? All science fiction has imagination and most invision a future of some sort. Star Trek had resonance in the 60s because Gene’s vision was one of humanity surviing, not nuking ourselves to extinction; and thriving, coming together as a race in a kind of brotherhood that still escapes us to this day.
That Newsweek cover was so cool!
So, the USA gets a new President, who demonstrates the mental capacity to crack a book (or accept one as a token gift, from a potential enemy) and the right wing faction throws a tizzy over nonsense like that???
This forum is the *last* place where I’d expect to read so much outrage over basic, token acts of diplomacy. James T. Kirk himself would be appalled.
As for the evils of Socialism, a personal visit to Canada, or one of many European countries is much more enlightening than what you hear on Fox News.
(This just in: You can still pay for HMOs there, if you want to. Shhh!!)
#141. TO MARVIN
What are you talking about???? I was saying that if people were comparing McCain to Spock and saying how great McCain is, many of the people on here would get annoyed. Just as they should. I was not saying McCain was like Spock. Try to read a post clearly before responding.
Anyway, my point is this:
Leave politics out of it! Stop trying to push your own viewpoints on stuff. There are many people who love Trek that do not like Obama and his policies. I know its hard for many to believe here, but its the truth.
Many people are so busy slobbering over Obama and dismissing those who have legitimate reasons for not supporting him that its, well…ANNOYING.
Anyway, the partinship is so bad here that there no getting through. I just wanted to try and get another viewpoint in here….
Kirk’s view…
“You’ll learn to build for yourselves, think, work for yourselves, and what you create is yours. That’s what we call freedom. You’ll like it a lot.”
183
“So, the USA gets a new President, who demonstrates the mental capacity to crack a book (or accept one as a token gift, from a potential enemy) and the right wing faction throws a tizzy over nonsense like that??? ”
lol, well said.
185:
As directed to a small, stagnant, neolithic culture, controlled by an artificial god.
Let the analogies fall as they may.
187:
Yes, I always assumed that writer Max Erhlich, speaking through Kirk, was trying to make a point which would resonate specifically for viewers who happened to be members of small, stagnant, Neolithic cultures controlled by artificial gods.
But as the Nielsen ratings seemed to show, the People of Vaal just weren’t the demographic advertisers were looking for in 1967.
To #157, #159 and #160:
I all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind words. Your responses really give me hope that we can aspire to be a more caring, compassionate and understanding people. Isn’t that why we are all here as Star Trek fans, because we believe in what so many of the episodes and films has portrayed, that the can be a better tomorrow and that there can be a great future for us all.
In regards to all of the other negative remarks, this is the time where Kirk’s line near the end of The Undiscovered Country comes at a good time:
“People can be frightened of change”.
Let’s refocus and remember that part of being a Star Trek fan is to have an optimistic outlook on humanity’s future.
Once again, to #157, #159 and #160.
I thank you, truly. Live Long and Prosper
__I’m ignoring the left/right/anti-religion arguments in the posts above.__
“In “Balance of Terror” Kirk must destroy the Romulan ship before it cross the neutral zone. ”
To be fair, the Romulans had been destroying Federation outposts, and violating a century-old treaty by not only entering the neutral zone, but conducting warfare in Federation space. Although Kirk was pursuing the ship, there never was the order given to outright destroy them. Disable and capture, yes, but only Stiles was all gung-ho ready to vaporize the Romulans (and by facial association, Spock).
in response to the Kirk quote, ““You’ll learn to build for yourselves, think, work for yourselves, and what you create is yours. That’s what we call freedom. You’ll like it a lot.”
Apparently there was no taxation structure imposed on those people. :-)
No cover but there is a 2-page article on Trek in the new TIME as well.
184. Your point is a valid one. Maybe it’s just that many don’t feel the reasons ARE legitimate since they often seem silly and beneath serious consideration. (Hand shakes, bowing, not wearing his suit-jacket in the Oval Office, to mention a few), when those same critics were not only silent for the last eight years but issuing similarly silly excuses for worse behavior. Maybe.
Great to see TOS E on the cover. I like Mr. Orci’s story that lets events, charactrers, and the big E to be changed. But it would be nice to see a pic of the TOS E from the “prior” time-line in the new movie. Maybe these guys threw us a cracker? Anthony, you’ve seen the new movie, any chance?
On Sunday I heard “Newsweek On Air” speak with some excitement about the next Star Trek movie. They described the show as “The Original Series plus three follow-on series.” Oh yeah? TAS. TNG. DS9. I’m all the more willing than most to dismiss Voyager, but what about “Enterprise?”
The dingbat who wrote this article was then interviewed, and it’s pretty obvious to me that the only thing he got right was that innovative people behind the theory of the cosmos (Stephen Hawking), the Apple and Windows computer operating systems, and the inventor of the IPod and Padd are all Star Trek fans. No Tribble-trail, Sherlock.
I can’t thank the editors at Newsweek enough for featuring the shape of the ship we all know, and not the abortion of an altered and unrecognizable version of it on the cover.
Even they knew that the new design wouldn’t sell, or be recognizable as Star Trek.
I am truely excited for the new Star Trek movie. I admit I was not a fan of the original series but this movie looks incredible and star-studded. Chris Pine as Captin Kirk does not really look like William Shatner but i so do not care because Chris Pine is gorgeous and that sex scene in the trailer looks very scandalous. And that one bad guy from Heroes playing Spock is like a dead ringer for the original man. And Eric Bana plays the evil enemy, the leader of the Romulans which means the fight sequences will most likely be amazing! And I just saw Anton Yelchin will be in the movie which makes me want to see ten times more! I think that boy is going to be a truely wonderful actor and I feel he is already on his way.I have seen hin in Charlie Bartlet and Alphadog and both performances were incredible. These roles will only show the great range all of the actors that have been cast really have. I have no problem seeing the midnight showing of Star Trek and standing next to a nerd with fake Spock ears on.
It’s always nice to see the Enterprise on the cover of a mainstream mag, like Newsweek, although I could do without the constant Obama references everywhere I turn…that, and I’m hoping this movie cures the world of thinking that just because someone enjoys the medium of science fiction, (i.e., Star Trek), that automatically makes you a nerd or geek.
It’s funny that no one seems to think getting drunk, painting yourself your team’s colors and screaming like a fool from the stands on Sunday for a sports team is nerdy or geeky, but wearing a Sci-Fi related costume to a movie premiere is?
Speaking of the “politics/economics” of Star Trek, I thought that Jacques Fresco’s Venus Project, as seen in the film, Zeitgeist, is very much in tune with the future put forth in Star Trek.
Actually, FWIW, I think the bussard collector is missing because this is an old model of the original Enterprise and it has been played with for so long (maybe it belonged to his parents – who didn’t keep it MIB), it has gotten beat up, like most of our toys over the years.
I think it is really sweet that it is not a perfect pristine model. It adds to the dreamy quality of the whole cover.
Cover looks COOL!!!
#20 GOOD MAN, Great Barrier!
Hat’s off t’ ye, lad!