From: kanamori@Xenon.Stanford.EDU (Atsushi Kanamori)
Subject: Re: Locarno's actions.
Organization: Computer Science Department, Stanford University.
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 13:19:28 GMT

In article <1992Apr5.142206.3281@cs.mcgill.ca> doctor@cs.mcgill.ca (Howard PICAIZEN) writes:
>Spoilers for First Duty...

>
>To all those claiming that Mr. Locarno is an asshole for what he
>did... UP YOURS!  

I think he is an asshole for what he did, and he projected "asshole"
all the way through.

>Forgive my strong words, but I sympathize with
>Locarno. He did what he did for the benefit of his friends, not for
>himself. 

Or he did it to look like a martyr, knowing that he would be expelled in any
case so he had nothing to lose. We have no way of knowing for sure.

>He was convinced that if they would step forward and admit
>the truth, that they would all be expelled. He was frightened; not
>only for himself but for his friends as well. 

Or his concern for his friends could have been feigned to gain their
cooperation. We have no way of knowing.



>Way back in season 1, Captain Picard said to
>Troi: "Friendship must dare to risk, Counselor, or it isn't
>friendship." 

And I said, "Friendship need not be explicated, or it isn't friendship" :-)

>Well, friendship cannot simply be discarded, even if it
>means having to hide the truth. What gain was there for anyone in
>revealing what really happened? 

Captain Albert would not have to live with the knowledge that his
son's incompetence caused the tragedy. Next question?


>It would not bring Josh back. The only
>benefits would be to honor and duty. And what honor is there in
>letting down your friends?

Personally, I think letting down your friends in the name of justice
is perfectly honorable.


>As for performing the maneuver in the first place, I don't believe
>that he forced anyone to do anything. If they would not have wished to
>do it, as a good friend, he would have agreed. Wesley admitted that
>they ALL pressured Josh into doing it. It wasn't simply Locarno. I'm
>sure a lot of you understand the feeling of peer pressure. Even if
>they weren't pushing him, he'd get the feeling that he was letting
>them down by refusing.

I'm with you here. They're all at fault for letting an asshole like Lacarno
pressure them.


>Mr. Locarno, as well as the others, got in a bit over their heads. I'm
>sure everyone has done that in one way or another in their lives. They
>should not be shunned for making a mistake. Their crime was in
>performing the maneuver. Of that they are ALL guilty. So, if you wish
>to put the blame on someone, put it on all of them. Locarno does not
>deserve to be singled out. He did what he had to do for the safety of
>his crew. And THAT's the sign of a damn good commander.

Again, we don't know that he "singled" himself out or that he
made a last minute attempt to salvage at least some of his reputation.
His move is bound to be interpreted as a noble sacrifice by at least
some cadets (and some r.a.s.er's :-) -- that would be a net gain for him.

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TNG Lifelines: From "Yesterday's Enterprise" To "Cause & Effect" --
  "Captain, we are getting unusual readings 20,000 km off the
   starboard bow." -- Worf, Worf, Worf and Ensign Ro.