Dear Bernard and Fellow HF Fans,

First I’d like to wish you all a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year for 2018! Now moving on to the issue of ‘moral values’ as mentioned in a reply regarding the Confederate Flag – although there were variations to denote CSA territories and troops such as the First National Flag, the Naval Jack, and Southern Cross. I also know that the ‘General Lee’ Dodge Charger in The Dukes of Hazzard TV series had one emblazoned on the roof, but looking it up on Wikipedia there is no mention of controversy nor complaint whatsoever over its use. I must confess that, although the flag (and variations) were associated with a government that continued to support slavery, I’m not sure whether it was, or continues to be, officially prohibited. Correct me if I’m wrong, but General Robert E Lee released his own slaves, yet loyally went to war as a fully committed and competent general confident of achieving some kind of victory, as if making a statement that he was fighting for the cause of separatism rather than preserve slavery. In the face of such honourable intentions, should the flag at least be remembered for both good and bad deeds? I don’t know, but I’m sure there are those with a more fervent and definite answer to that question. Speaking as somebody born in 1970’s UK, slavery itself didn’t directly affect me. However, while there are many good souls in the former Southern States, such prejudice against individuals shocks me to the core.

However, Bernard’s remark regarding how our descendants a hundred or so years from now would deem our ‘life values’, perhaps to get some idea of the future we should turn to science fiction. I remember Star Trek’s Captain Picard discussing something with a time-travelling person from the past, explained that monetary wealth had eventually made way for personal progress, educational achievements, work merit, and duty to the Federation – which in turn benefitted from these common individual goals. It was in Deus Ex I discovered a curious notion: a government is only as strong based on the values of its individuals, and suppression of such values will gradually weaken the state from inside out. I’m not sure if the financial system fell into disuse, although I can’t recall whether Star Trek ever mentioned financial credit. Perhaps featured alien civilizations still used currency in some form or another?  I would say that corporate society (as depicted in Robocop and Rollerball) would likely do away with credit, instead rewarding or punishing its ‘citizens’ through a measure of rations, entertainment, billeting, and so on. Not quite so forgiving as a prosperous and constitutional Federation. However, pondering past moral compasses all depends on a current political climate. Let’s hope, for future generations, it’s a good and fair one.

Robert Douglas