From: crl0195@hertz.njit.edu (Curt R Lindmark)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: Re: STVI
Date: 10 Sep 92 15:28:03 GMT
Organization: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, N.J.

In article <rawdon.716058446@cs.wisc.edu> rawdon@colby.cs.wisc.edu writes:
>In <1992Sep8.181245.13819@njitgw.njit.edu> crl0195@hertz.njit.edu (Curt R Lindmark) writes:
>>In article <1992Sep8.110422.5157@gw.wmich.edu> 91babik@gw.wmich.edu (Lisamarie Gemma Babik) writes:
>>>In article <24660@oasys.dt.navy.mil>, cmiller@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Catherine Miller) writes:
>>>> In one episode of ST:TNG, I heard Troi referred to as "Sir".  Does any
>>>> one know why "sir" instead of "ma'am"?0
>
>>>Because she is an officer, and presumably Star Fleet is the military.  All
>>>officers are referred to as "Sir."
>
>>Technically, Star Fleet is not a military service, it is an exploration 
>>service.  They use a miltaristic chain of command becuase that is the most
>>effective in a "hot" situation.  They are also trained in "military" matters
>>becuase sooner or later those skills are going to be needed.
>
>I disagree.  The organization is defined not, I believe, by what it *claims*
>to be, but by what it *does*.  Starfleet *is* the functional military arm of
>the Federation.  That may not be its main purpose, but it *is* one of its
>purposes, as we have seen time and again in *both* series where Starfleet is
>essentially the *only* arm of the Federation which engages in war.
>
>Starfleet *is* a military organization.  Moreover, a lot of its organization
>is based on 20th century military institutions.

I think I misrepresented myself.  What I meant to say was that Starfleet is
not *meant* to be a military service.  They aren't out in the stars picking
fights and causing trouble.  They (now the Federation) doesn't believe in
galactic conquest, like the Romulans, Cardassians, and whatnot.  I do agree
that Starfleet is the military arm of the Federation, but it is not their
*main* purpose. 

>(Picard has claimed that Starfleet is not a military organization.  I find 
>this
>statement impossible to reconcile in any productive way with Starfleet's
>actions in TNG, and tend to look at it as either Picard spouting Starfleet
>propaganda, or else just some wishful thinking and denial on his part.)
Of course it is, but it still sounds good.

>
>>								The usage of 
>>"sir" really has to do addressing someone holding a higher rank than yourself,
>>just as "Mr." can be used to address someone of a lower rank.
>
>Sort of like all those lieutenants in Trek Classic referring to Spock as
>"Mr. Spock", even though he was a commander?
I had noticed that discrepency right after I sent it.  I think (blind guessing)
that Mr. Spock preferred that title compared to "Commander".  Spock was the
exception to the rule (and there always is at least one).

O========|>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<|========0
 Curt R Lindmark      crl0195@hertz.njit.edu         Defender from ages past

Picard: "Mr. Worf, fire at will."
Worf: "With pleasure, sir." (draws hand phaser, takes aim)
Riker: "Oh no, not again" (ducks for cover)

Disclamier: NJIT is responsible for nothing I don't say which isn't mine.