   Current Post On Trae’s Blog:
So I'm just going to come out and say it: My favorite episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation is "Conundrum." It's episode fourteen of season five, and I just deeply love it.
I don't know if it's because I literally just assumed Erich Anderson's Commander McDuff was a random Enterprise officer of the week (which we saw quite often during the show) when I watched it as a kid during the original run, so the twist actually worked on eleven year old me. I don't know if it's because I just like a good "everyone has amnesia" story. I don't even know if it's just because it's a good Ro Laren episode. I don't know if it's just because we learn that Starfleet doesn't give a crap about lasers.
I just like it. It's neat.
And I rewatched it last night, and feel that it holds up -- which is why I found it deeply weird that the folks who wrote the episode actually think it's not that good. My favorite episode of the entire seven season run of the show was a failure according to the folks who wrote it.
And maybe, as a writer and creator, I should remember that.
Like the hardest part of releasing creative works to the public is that often, after a while, I'll start to judge those things far more harshly than when I first made them. Or I'll compare it to the potential I thought an idea had in my head. And if I don't reach that potential, I'll think of it as "bad" -- when it might just be slightly different than that idea. I have one hundred percent published stories that I thought were just sort of okay and later had someone tell me how much it meant to them to read it.
*cough*I Hate November*cough*
So I should make sure I remember Conundrum. That one of my favorite things to rewatch is considered one of those failures by its creators. That the things I make might have value, just not in the way I originally thought they should.
It's just sort of how things work out.
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YES! YES! GO FOR THE BALLS NEXT!
Endlessly satisfying.
Certain to have problematic ramifications, but endlessly satisfying.
Oh boy, this will make a for an interesting police report. Who would would the police side with? I’m honestly going to believe they will side with Lynn for multiple reasons.
No, that’s battery, anywhere from a month to a year in jail.
Garner was doing to appropriate thing. If Terrence persisted in not following the rules, you call hotel/convention center/venue security and have them trespass him. If he returns and persists, then you have the venue call the police, who will invite him to leave or go to jail.
I understand the desire to physically deal with the problem; but Lynn just committed a violent criminal act. And as she was acting as a representative of the convention, Terrence can sue both Lynn and the convention for injuries. Congratulations, Terrence wins and provides a recruitment story for real Neo-Nazis and Alt-righters
I came across a relevant webcomic page from 2008
http://www.bahala-na.co.uk/catgirl-crisis/daffy-and-ginger-vs-the-zombie-nazis/
Freedom of speech only restricts some government activity. A non-government group can tell you to leave, and your speech rights do not stop police from enforcing trespassing laws.
*gasp* Are you suggesting that Terrence out of all characters might be completely wrong about something? đŸ˜›
Unfortunately, battery charges exceed con policies.
Indeed they do
The 1st Amendment protects your freedom of speech from the government and unreasonable or unconstitutional abridgment.
You still have a freedom of speech vis a vis other citizens, they just don’t have to listen, hang around, or let you stay in a private location not your own. A hotel doesn’t have to let you stay if you’re an asshole to other guests, a convention renting the convention space of a hotel doesn’t have to let you into that area.
Hmmm lets see…..
1. T make a ‘threatening move’ towards Gamer, Lynn was acting as a good samaritan and defending Gamer
2. Lynn has a known history of anger issues, with the con so busy she forgot her medication and the uniform triggered an episode.
3. Lynn ‘tripped’ and T was in the way
4. Given this is the mid-west, cops don’t mind what happened to T
Seeing how Lynn’s knee is in the air, she should have also given Terrence a knee kick to his family jewels. That would be hilarious because it’s always funny to see a guy hit below the belt, if it wasn’t, then comedy shows and movie wouldn’t include it.
Reality you’d definitely have assault charges. Most likely be a minimal sentence though. Community service/etc. Any decent lawyer would bring up the whole “Well, she’s unlikely as hell to re-offend, given the general lack of asshats running around in full nazi regalia.” thing. She’d be internet famous for a while of course – which is fair enough. I’d buy her a drink/cookie/whatever the heck in a heartbeat, and shake her hand. Sometimes, “It’s not right, but I understand.” is a very valid concept**. This is one of those times.
**Not claiming nazis don’t need punching – the “not right” part only comes in due to his not actually doing anything other than existing as a highly visible jackhole. For that level of offense, just dragging him outside would be more like “right” but punching… yeah I can understand that too.
As a private citizens you can’t touch him unless he attacks you first. Touching him constitutes battery. Threatening to hit him in a “convincing way” constitutes assault: raising your fists and swinging but not connecting is assault. Actually connecting is battery. If he attacks first it’s self-defense and you can respond “appropriately” and proportionately.
Yes, as I noted – it’s going to result in charges – or at least it would in reality. That doesn’t mean that it never needs to happen. See “It’s not right, but I understand.
Eh, he was given a chance, and refused to leave. He is now being removed by force… focused on his face.
Terrence’s eyes are closed! Maybe he didn’t see Lynn!
Yeah, that’s the ticket!
C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!