The Space Force
Greetings and salutations from the Pacific Northwestern U.S. everyone. I have an interesting little commentary for you. This one focuses around a crazy idea that President Trump had. I’m going to explain how this idea is not so farfetched. And the ethical and moral ramifications of it.
Be advised, what you’re about to hear is speculation, please feel free to take this with a grain of salt. I’m a writer, I’m no scientist. Also, I wrote this before Trump got the funding for the Space Force. But, the questions asked here are still relevant. The Space Force is still in the hypothetical stage. Now, on with the commentary.
When he was a candidate, Donald Trump has talked about the idea of creating a Space Force. He even continued to talk about it after his election. There are those who will scoff at the idea. But when you step away from the Internet to think on the idea it’s actually inevitable.
So, let’s explore why we need a Space Force, as well as the ethical and moral ramifications of such.
1. Why do we need a Space Force?
Why a Space force, indeed? Let me take a line from the late actor Michael O’ Hare, who played Jeffery Sinclair on Babylon 5. “Ask ten different scientists about the environment, population Control, genetics. And you’ll get ten different answers. But there's one thing every scientist on the planet agrees on. Whether it happens in a hundred years, a thousand years, or a million years our sun will grow cold and go out.”
So, this is not only about expanding human knowledge, this is also about survival of the species. Out there in the cosmos, you can bet that the good and the bad in humanity will come out. So, we need a Space Force to not only protect the populace, but also enforce the law.
2. What could a Space Force possibly do?
Out there in the cosmos, there’s a whole heap of a lot they could do. As mentioned earlier, the Space Force could help protect the populace and enforce the law.
History has shown, time and time again, that human beings are capable of both good and evil. A Space Force would be a good way of letting those bad elements know, break the law, will be consequences. Reading up on the Frontier law of the Old West, reveals things were gritty and harsh. But, this had to be. Out in the final frontier of space, the law could be much the same way, until things become more civilized.
Watch out lawbreakers, the law is ready for troublemakers.Also, the Space Force could protect the planets humanity populates from off-world threats. There’s always the threat of space debris like the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. I myself am in no mood to see humans get wiped out, I’d prefer to see us continue to grow and advance as a species. Using laser or gravity technology for military purposes could create a viable defense. It oculd destroy, chuck it back out into space. Or it could set the debris into a safe orbit so for mining purposes..
Space stations armed with laser and/or gravity weapons. Good insurance in case of space debtris. The late Dr. Carl Sagan said this. “It is the epitome of human arrogance to think we are the only sentient species in the universe.”
R.I.P. Dr. Carl Sagan, a charismatic man and brilliant scientist.This is one to which the scientist/Cosmos host, and I are in full agreement. It would be great to think all alien lifeforms are like the Vulcans from Star Trek, peaceful and logical. Yet it should stand to reason, that all sentient species are capable of both good and evil.
We'd all love to think all aliens are like this.Humanity could come across an alien race that sees us as slave labor and/or food, or a “inferior race”. This is another reason why a Space Force would be good, to protect us from that kind of threat. The best policy when going into the galaxy would be Ronald Reagan’s policy of peace through strength. That is, we act like we’re living in peace but be on our guard in case humanity runs into a hostile alien civilization.
There's a possibility the aliens could be like this.
Or they could be like this. Not very friendly looking ,huh?3. But what if the Space Force goes rogue?
Therein, lay a terrifying and interesting question. A Space Force would have to have massive technological capabilities. That kind of advanced technology would give them tremendous power. The late Stan Lee, wrote “With great power, there must always come great responsibility.”
You can't deny the possibility of the Space Force going rogue.The idea of our defenders turning against us is something that we should discuss, and debate. Best we do it now while the Space Force is still in the hypothetical stage. By asking these questions now, we can ponder solutions/prevention to that problem.
A behavioral code, like the one The U.S. Armed Forces have, and enforced, will promote discipline. That would keep megalomaniacs from turning humanity’s interplanetary protection into subjugators.
4. Hey, what about the cost?
The cost of a Spcae FOrce, espciallyas we expand into space, won't be cheap.Ah yes, one of the great inevitabilities of this, how much is this going to cost? Creating a Space Force to protect Earth and all colony worlds, it’s not going to be easy. But, it’s going to have to need funds somehow. This is where the power of old-fashioned-capitalism comes into play.
For all its faults and flaws, capitalism is still the best system for creating the Space Force. Mining companies could gather resources from asteroids. That would help, and provide some very lucrative contracts for said companies. We could mine other worlds for resources, as long as humanity takes care of them. After all, we do have a responsibility as stewards to any colonized worlds of ours.
Any alien planet we colonize, we'd better take care of.ech companies that could provide computers, weaponry, and various other pieces of equipment. There are many possibilities.
Plus, as colony worlds would develop they could uld contribute their own resources. Thereby expanding the budget of the Space Force. That would allow the force to gather more equipment, and recruits from the local populace.
Lots of potential recruits and resources for the Space Force here.5. Who should be able to join the Space Force?
This is an interesting question, I’m a bit divided on this one.
On the one hand, a draft would provide plenty of recruits. But, in fairness, not everyone's meant for the rigors of space. Like life, it’s merciless and very hardcore. So, those not meant for space could receive differing duties. Some examples are the ground crew to keep everything in shape. Or dealing with paperwork. after all, bureaucracy is one of the great inevitabilities of things.
But, a completely volunteer Space Force would mean that everyone who is part of it wants to be there. Which means, they’d only get the best of the best, and on critical missions, they’d be more likely to succeed.
Bring back the draft or strictly volunteer, what do you think?About who should join? Anyone who has the temper, the stamina, and the ability regardless of who they are, or where they come from. A meritocratic system would be the best for a military unit like this.
Let the Space Force be open to all regardless of race, religion, or Gender as longa sthey're mentally healthy.
While this is all speculation, it’s better to contemplate this stuff now while the Space Force is an idea. It’s for the best in the long run.
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I hope you enjoyed this commentary. I’m Animeman73, until next time stay true to yourselves, stay classy, and God bless you all.