[realmof_themuse] 2009.1.A.5 - Mobbed

[arrow_of_apollo]

2009.1.A.5 - You walk out of your home, or your business, and are mobbed by a crowd who are protesting something you do or are. How would you deal with that?

As much as I'd like to say I've got no clue how that might feel, but I'm part of the government. Any given decision I happen to make is bound to make at least a few dozen of my constituents angry, and that's plenty of mob for anyone.


These days, though, it doesn't seem like many people are up for mobbing. That kind of behavior takes some planning, and a lot of effort on the part of a big group of people, and everyone down here on Earth is probably just too damn busy to mob. It's a tough road, all of us trying to carve out a life down here, and everywhere I look, people seem a lot more interested in doing just that than it making trouble.

If it were to happen, though, it'd likely have something to do with the Cylons. The official line from those of us here in the Colonial Government-- which, come to think of it, is finally governing over an actual colony for the first time in years-- is that the remnants of humanity live here under a flag of truce and cooperation with the dissenting half of the Cylon race that arrived here at Earth with us.

The reality, well, it's a little more complicated. While there's none of the broken and beaten mentality that I've been told reigned over most of New Caprica, I wouldn't say the sides are blending just yet. Most of the humans still don't trust Cylons and most of the Cylons want to trust us, it seems, but aren't sure how to go about it.

But if something were to happen, like say, President Roslin decides to grant full citizenship status to our ally Cylons? That'd probably get enough dander up to start some mobbing.

I've faced down plenty of people who want to kill me, so people who just want to scream at me are no problem. More than anything, people want to know that they're being heard and that their opinions are being truly valued and can make a difference. The most important thing to do with groups this potentially and historically disparate is to bring them to the table and listen.

We're in an impossible situation, one that won't be resolved and survived without communication and compromise. What is best for everyone has to be the priority, but not at the sacrifice of anyone's dignity or respect.

It's a difficult line to walk, and I'm glad I only have to walk it every now and then. I don't envy President Roslin for having to live on it.


(433)

Comments

[burnandrave.livejournal.com]

Wait--Sam's not a citizen? Is that true?

This is nothing like New Caprica. Nothing.

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

No, Sam should still be one. I don't think anything would have been revoked.

That's what I thought.

[burnandrave.livejournal.com]

I would hope not. No one was born here, Lee. We're all citizens, aren't we? I mean, we came here together.

I don't know why your answer to Leoben is making me angry, but it is.

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

Citizen of the Colonies is different than of Earth. It's the first one I was talking about.

Maybe you better talk to him about that?

[burnandrave.livejournal.com]

We don't live there anymore.

It's like you're saying he has no right to be here.

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

But the government still exists. Look, this was just an example.

I never said anything of the kind.

[notmyfate.livejournal.com]

"Should be?"

What the frak does that mean? No one was a citizen until we got here.

Is this because I'm a Cylon?

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

I specifically meant citizen of the Colonies.

It has nothing to do with it. You're still in the Fleet, aren't you? That requires Colonial citizenship. It's official.

[notmyfate.livejournal.com]

Oh. I thought you meant a citizen of here, of Earth.

Sorry. I'm a little--it's just weird to think about, is all.

I'm not in the Fleet anymore, remember? I'm coaching Pyramid. I'm leaving the flying to Kara.

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

It's okay. Clearly, a lot of people assumed the same.

No, I agree. It is.

Right, right. Well, I still would say the officialness counts.

[cylon-prophet.livejournal.com]

most of the Cylons want to trust us, it seems, but aren't sure how to go about it.

That's an apt way of describing it.

Why precisely are you withholding citizenship from us? You didn't find this planet by yourselves.

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say the government is so much "withholding" citizenship so much as it's not a subject that's come up. It was just an example I came up with.

[cylon-prophet.livejournal.com]

I'm just curious as to why you think if there is some question of "citizenship", that humans are the ones who automatically have the right to grant it.

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

We do in regards to Colonial citizenship.

[cylon-prophet.livejournal.com]

What does that matter, here? There are no more colonies.

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

But the government does exist. We need its structure, if nothing else, to keep ourselves organized and focused.

[number-eight.livejournal.com]

Do you need my help on this one, Lee?

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

If I just inadvertently started a citizenship movement among our allies, yes, I think so.

[number-eight.livejournal.com]

Not a problem. Since I'm considered a citizen (at least, the last time I checked), I'll talk to Roslin, too. And come see you later.

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a good plan. And so does that.

[laura-muse.livejournal.com]

That line's a little more visible now.

Earth citizenship isn't a matter of human or Cylon or in between. We're here, therefore we're new Earth citizens. If there turn out to be survivors somewhere, they might have something to say about that, but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it.

As for Colonial citizenship, you're opening a can of worms. It's not something that I can decide unilaterally and I don't think we're quite ready for a referendum on the issue.

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

That's a good point when it comes to the planet. My intention was just to mention an example when it comes to Colonial citizenship. I don't think it's a particular priority at the moment, not when we're still figuring out how to live here.

[laura-muse.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping it doesn't become a priority any time soon.

[locked to Lee]

The four we just discovered have records and numbers saying they are who they think they are. As far as I can tell, they've actually spent their lives believing they are human, Colonial citizens. Technically and legally, their identities don't simply vanish because they discover they're Cylons.

The others, on the other hand... Many of them still go by their numerical designations. Very few of them have names or identities separate from their model numbers. Even those who do, they simply appeared at some point after the first war. It's difficult to know what we can, or should, do.

This is not something I want to allow a public vote on. If a referendum to designate the Cylons as Colonial citizens fail, it could do serious harm to the alliance.

I wish your father would put his two cents in. It's difficult to know what to do under these circumstances.

[arrow-of-apollo.livejournal.com]

Of course.

[locked to Laura]

Agreed, on all counts. Also, I think it might not be a bad idea to quietly see if we can determine if there's even interest on this matter from the Cylon side.