Janissary wrote:Just like psychics were considered not true Humans before the Coalition War Campaign book came out but now are considered to be ok. The Coalition HAS changed it's policies in the past. It once accepted magic then changed it's mind. It can do so again and I think that with a new emperor it is likely.
The view coalition had on pychics has always been skewed. It's still pretty much the same unless the pychic is part of psi-squad or works for the CS in some way. After all, psi-stalkers have always been a part of cs, and were pychic. They are still second class citizens, but for the most part they are accepted. In cs book, it also describes that any pychic not part of the CS military are still treated rather badly. Now magic on the other hand has always been looked down upon. There has never (save before the war with FoM) been a magic user in cs since then. It can change it's policies, but the two things that have always made cs what cs is, is it's anti-magic, anti-dbee policies.
I would like to point out to anyone not familiar with my posts that I am a moderate on the Coalition States. I do not subscribe to the notion that they are the soul of all that is Evil nor do I consider them to be Holy knights in the defense of all that is Good.
duely noted, and so am I.
To be perfectly honest, I take comfort in the fact that the Coalition IS anti-magic. If they were to embrace magic but keep the Human supremacy and the hunger for conquest, I would be more worried about them. In such a case(as I mentioned elsewhere) I could see them dominating the ENTIRE North American continent in no more then 30 years. Not just the small portion they control now.
He wouldn't waist time with "alliences" with lazlo or the like
I already stated my reasons for why a PEACE treaty would be in the Coalition's interest and not a "waste of time". I mentioned nothing of an alliance, I said non-aggression pact. NOT the same thing. I also went on to suggest that the Coalition ATTACK in due time.
they would expect an attack with any non-aggression pact or anything. Not only that, lazlo isn't an aggressive state. Other minor kingdomes may pose terrorist threat, but anyone who makes a deal with cs will probably expect them not to hold their end of the deal, and probably won't hold their end of the deal either.
Regarding literacy, in my initial post I anticipated that some would have an opposing view. I,(apparently correctly) thought it might draw more fire then the magic or D-bee issue. I have said why I think they should change that bit of policy and a small amount of the benefits for them. I guess more benefits need to be listed.
Here is something else to consider. IF the Coalition were to adopt a literacy program for citizens and the standardized schooling that it would require, it would increase the chances of them finding the Einsteins, Teslas or Edisons among their population. With out such a school program, to identify the "gifted" individuals of the population, they are wasting resources. Worse they are breeding resentment among the have nots which could lead to problems in the future.
as I said before, they seem to be doing fine with that at the moment. no need to give them more than what they need.
Something it HAS definitely done though is create an avenue for the natural rebellious attitudes of many young, poor people. We see evidence of this in the world of Rifts with the "City Rat OCC". To quote" They crave adventure and find it by bucking the system" Pg.73 Rifts main book. By restricting such basic knowledge as reading, by making it illegal, the Coalition government actually ENCOURAGES this kind of behavior. It's simple logic, since reading is forbidden, the City Rat rebels by learning to read. He begins to educate himself and then uses that education for one of two things. 1, he seeks others ways to "fight the system" and creates more problems for the government. 2, he uses his knowledge to further his own personal goals. Hacking for fun and profit anyone?
True, but eventually that natural rebellion phaze goes away. besides, a city rat may try to educate themselves, but I don't see a group of friends hanging together reading "hop on pop" just to spite the CS. Some may, but not enough to worry about.
In either case it would be avoided by simply making reading legal. Think about, who here would think of being able to read as a form of rebellion against the government? Nearly everyone can read so it's not that exciting. It's not forbidden. Now remember what I said about finding the gifted individuals as early as possible? By finding, selecting and then training them at an early age you create a useful resource. With the totalitarian dictatorship the CS has this would be easy. What parent would object to their child being chosen to further the "great cause of Humanity" by serving in a special research center? The CS would pay all the child's bills, clothes, food, medical, retirement. In exchange the young ones will be making great strides in science, technology and yes perhaps even in magic if it is allowed.
In exchange for possible genious, your risking the stability (in their mind) of the government. Even with restricted reading and having to pour MORE money into propoganda and now schooling, your giving your people a window to the world. I know of 3 books I've read in my life time that have changed my view on the world. Now, if erin tarn is as great a writer as they make out, then now those city rats who want to stick it to CS get a hold of her book and now with their city payed for education and now they have more fire for their anti-cs ways and a logical well written book.
If you want to look at a "real world" example you need only to look at some of the great minds of history. Einstein was actually considered an idiot when he was young! He wasn't very good at math you see. Yet now he is thought of as one of the most brilliant men of all time. If he had never been allowed to read and study how would the world have ever known?
At the risk of sounding egotistical, I am a product of public education. I was raised on welfare by a single parent. Yet I was on the honor roll frequently, was put in advance classes, even jumped grades. I now have the honor to serve in the US military as a communication specialist. WITHOUT that public education I would not be where I am now. My innate intelligence would still be there though and instead of being put to use serving the USA, it would be wasted.
That's fine, but on the other end of the spectrum, I have/had a friend who graduated as validitorian. 4 years after having graduated, she has failed in every endever she has tried for various personal reasons. Now we take another friend who bearly passed through highschool. At the time we were in school, D's were concidered passing (today I think they are concidered nearly as bad as an F). Now that he's out, he makes great money fixing cars, and I wouldn't trust my car with any other person. He's got magic hands for cars.
I hope this helps to explain why I feel it is in the best interests of the Coalition to educate their citizens.
no offense to CS fans) would be less interested in military expansion and focus more attention on diplomatic means. If you turn your enemy in to an ally do you not defeat him? I think Joe realizes that and would devote his energy towards that goal. He is after all THE master of propaganda and manipulation. 