[Gave her that impression? He flat-out stated it. Ari's rolling her eyes at that, but she plays along, and taps out her answer.]
Yes, I'd say that's an uncontroversial assessment. I suppose it makes it a bad idea for any of us to make generalised statements about leadership.
[Those next messages are just plain confusing. She's going to have to pull it back to first principles.]
It's a military rank, yes. The Tradelines defend the freedom of the colonies, protect their people, and facilitate trade up and down the lines. Being military doesn't mean it was just handed to me along with a fancy uniform. I had to work hard for it. It also doesn't mean that anyone using it is putting himself under my command or conceding that I have some authority over him. My authority is limited to a certain sphere and I have no interest in exceeding it. I hold liberty as the highest of values.
[Yes, by joining the military she's giving up a good deal of her own to protect other people's. That's how it goes.]
Now, I mentioned the Ricans to you? They're a society in my sector, and they don't believe in the use of titles of any sort. So you can be a lieutenant, a doctor, a director, a king - and on Rica you're just plain citizen. If that's your philosophy, I respect it, and I'll support your right to it. But if you've just decided that my particular title is meaningless in your eyes, even though you know nothing about me or my people, then yes, I'll be offended. You needn't be a trained diplomat to see why.
no subject
Yes, I'd say that's an uncontroversial assessment. I suppose it makes it a bad idea for any of us to make generalised statements about leadership.
[Those next messages are just plain confusing. She's going to have to pull it back to first principles.]
It's a military rank, yes. The Tradelines defend the freedom of the colonies, protect their people, and facilitate trade up and down the lines. Being military doesn't mean it was just handed to me along with a fancy uniform. I had to work hard for it. It also doesn't mean that anyone using it is putting himself under my command or conceding that I have some authority over him. My authority is limited to a certain sphere and I have no interest in exceeding it. I hold liberty as the highest of values.
[Yes, by joining the military she's giving up a good deal of her own to protect other people's. That's how it goes.]
Now, I mentioned the Ricans to you? They're a society in my sector, and they don't believe in the use of titles of any sort. So you can be a lieutenant, a doctor, a director, a king - and on Rica you're just plain citizen. If that's your philosophy, I respect it, and I'll support your right to it. But if you've just decided that my particular title is meaningless in your eyes, even though you know nothing about me or my people, then yes, I'll be offended. You needn't be a trained diplomat to see why.