Revolutions: Week 1 Period 5

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

Aly perched on top of her desk, watching her students enter the classroom with a bit of a smile. She nodded to those she knew before and smiled at the ones who looked like they were probably brand new. Once everyone was seated, she stood up and leaned against the desk.

"Good afternoon. Some of you know me already, but for those of you who don't, I'm Alianne of Pirate's Swoop. You all can call me Aly, but if you're uncomfortable with that, duani is also acceptable." She grinned. "First person to call me Miss Aly, I get to demonstrate on.  This class is 'So You Say You Want a Revolution.'  If you're not interested in revolutions or you thought you were taking Home Ec - that was first period.  You missed it."

"During the term, we're going to talk about why formenting revolution can be a good thing.  We're going to discuss what revolutions can be used for, how they can be put together, and why a failed revolution can be just as effective."  She gazed at all of them with a slight smile.  "And yes, I still hate theory so practicalities will be covered.  Demolitions, weaponry, organisation, magic - or not, tactics."  She grinned.  "And my favourite, intelligence."

"Seven years ago, I helped organise a rebellion that put my Queen in power and have served as her Spymaster ever since.  Almost everything I'm going to be teaching you is what I learned during the rebellion and in the years since.  And if I didn't learn it there, it's something that was useful to me at the time."  She paused thoughtfully, stroking her black beaded necklace.  "In spying, your brain is almost everything - half of spying is half mental as I've said before.  But a single person can't put together an effective revolution.  But a single person can destroy one.  And a failed rebellion feeds only the ravens and Stormwings.  It's a dangerous game.  And one you have to commit to fully if you're going to succeed."

"So today, I'd like to get to know those of you I don't know already, and I'd like to hear what you think about revolutions and rebellions.  When are they appropriate, what would it take to rebel against the current power structure of your home country, society, or even this school."  She smiled mischievously.  "Zuko and Bridge are your TAs for this class.  They'll help me with many of the aspects so if you have any questions and I'm not around, feel free to ask them."

[OOC: And OCD is coming up...]

Comments

Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

When are revolutions appropriate? What would it take you to rebel against current power structures?

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

"It's never appropriate," Zuko replied matter of factly. "Rebels are traitors and should be dealt with as such."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[multi-madrox.livejournal.com]

"What about if the government is just oppressing other people to do their whim?" Jamie asked.

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I dunno about the appropriate thing, but it'd probably take a nuke or a full-scale invasion to do it. Or a really big space ship."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

Aly looked amused. "You'll need a space ship to show up first?"

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[defiantlyyours.livejournal.com]

"Revolutions are appropriate when the current system of rule has proven itself tyrannical," Number 6 said. "Freedom for all people is paramount. Freedom to think, freedom to breathe, freedom to live."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"Who decides when the current system has proven itself tyrannical," Aly asked.

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[can_be_more]

"It's important for a society to have a solid foundation. But sometimes it doesn't work. Things could just be broken," Aeryn says, not thinking too hard about where she first heard that. "In those cases, when it's for the betterment of the people, something needs to be done."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"How would you know if the new government would be better than the old?" Aly asked, less challenging than just inquiring.

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"I'm not sure," said Anders, who'd honestly only signed up because Aly was officially his favorite teacher ever. "Maybe I'll have a better idea in a couple of weeks, but right now I'm not sure."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

She tilted her head towards Anders. "Okay. Answer me this then, do you think that a people have the right to rebel against the government?"

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[morpherboy.livejournal.com]

"I guess when the government or who ever's in charge is making things sucky for people."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"Sucky..." Aly repeated. "Give me something a bit more concrete?"

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[strahl-pirate.livejournal.com]

"Well they say that abosolute power corrupts abosolutely," the pirate shrugged. Even though he was going through a revolution of his own, this was difficult to put into words. "Revolutions are nessacary to keep the rulling power from becomming too corrupt."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"Who has absolute power?" Aly asked, raising an eyebrow. "True, absolute power?"

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[tyler-gone.livejournal.com]

Tyler was either going to be Aly's favorite student or give her a migraine every week. Possibly both. "I don't think revolutions are ever not appropriate," he said, tone as mild as if he were ordering eggs over easy. "As for what it would take me to rebel against current power structures -- I think I would just need a good idea and a couple followers."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[tricksy-spy.livejournal.com]

"Define a good idea," Aly replied, a slight smile playing about her lips.

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[x5-alec.livejournal.com]

"When you've got nothing else left to lose," Alec said, shrugging.

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker took a long minute to think about this, then decided, "When the current government structure is not complying with their own stated aims, has contravened previously guaranteed citizen's rights without sufficient cause, and refuses peaceful elections or a change over in power. At least, that's the beginning of my analysis. I hope to have a better idea through this class. As for me..." Parker frowned, thinking of various Centre atrocities, her mother's death, and then forcing herself to concentrate on government, "The belief that not only would our current power structure be inherently corrupt and unresponsive, but that there is no check or balance, no hope for future reform through the system."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"To restore the rightful government," Isabel said.

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[walter-n-wires.livejournal.com]

"I'm a monarchist," Walter said, uncomfortable with the idea of revolution. "I suppose I would support revoulution if an usurper were on the throne."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"When the government no longer represents the people it governs," Sam said, then added, "And not nearly as much as you might think."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

"Most revolutions occur when people under tyranny think they've been ground to the breaking point. It is never a surprise when it happens but the people in power always seem to think it is a surprise."

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"When the current government fails in it's duty to the people," Bridge says.

Re: Rev 1/9 - What do you think?

[dbiers.livejournal.com]

"Revolutions are appropriate when the general... mass of the public can no longer with stand the demands of their current power structure, or when they find that the structure in place no longer serves its function or purpose." D answered the first question.

Then she continued to the second and may have attracted a teal dear of her own "Where I'm from, it would take a strong concentrated force of cylons will of the people on twelve planets, stealthy but good organization and communication, and a willingness to upset the hard won peace which lead to our federation of colonies into one governmental unit."