Diplomacy

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Today I’d like for you to tell me what conditions you think encourage diplomacy and which conditions make it difficult.

For your homework, please pick one of each condition and explain further. Use true scenarios or if you cannot think of one that fits, make one up. Papers should be two pages, typed.

Comments

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

What makes diplomacy difficult? Trying to talk to a race that wants to eat you. And I don't mean in 'bite me' sense. I mean eat you. Suck your life right out of your chest.

Do you ever try to negotiate with the cow before making hamburgers? Or an ear of corn? (Want to see the situation from the corn's perspective? http://www.musicoutfitter.com/store/item/753701001929/alonelygrainofcorn.html - click on "Lonely Grain of Corn")

Anyway, you don't debate with your meals. It's lunch, you win.

Now imagine being the cow or the corn. There's just not a lot of wiggle room. "I want to eat you." "Let's compromise... you can take 20 years off my life." No, that's just not going to fly. You have to compromise and there's just not much to give to a race who wants to make a snack of you and your friends.

Diplomacy works better when you can get to know the other side. Have tea, talk about ferris wheels, find out what else you have in common and build on that.

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Diplomacy is difficult when the person you are talking to is insane. Or if there is a culture clash. Or if they think you're a guy and are lusting after the same guy as you are.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Ms. Padme,

I'm a spacer-brat. I've been handling high-level trade negotiations (and wearing entirely inappropriate clothes) for four or five years now. I don't have room in my schedule to take your classes, but I'd like to hone my negotiation skills.

Would you be willing to undertake an Independent Study with me, like the one you're doing with Cameron Mitchell? Or perhaps he and I could work together to save you the effort? If it's all right with you, I could speak to him about it.

Respectfully,

Beka Valentine

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

Oh, forcryin'outloud! Would the two of you just get a room already???

And not the classroom, 'cause, you know...

Yo, Prof, not to be undiplomatic or anything, but I think she's just trying to stalk weasel more time with Cam in a low body-count setting. In fact, she'd probably be just fine if you couldn't make it. Sheesh!

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

*stalks after WraithBait with weapons drawn and hot*

And this would be your concern because?

Answer carefully. I am not the only heavily-USTed Alpha-fem in this school. You don't want me for your enemy.

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

I would like to encourage diplomacy when the people you're dealing with can still work on levels of logic and are still sentient enough to converse and debate matters with you. If they're shooting first and asking questions after... be glad that you have Kara as a sniper behind you. Otherwise, be sure to know your enemy's logic enough to twist it to your benefit.

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

Heeeeyyy, flyboy! Be nice to Beka. She's having a hard time of it.

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

I know my way around a few weapons myself. And I don't need a posse to help me out of a scrape.

As for why it's my concern... 'cause I'm in this class to learn something. Not so you can use the prof to help you put the make on Cam.

I have no desire to be your enemy. I also have no desire to be a voyeur.

(See this is Diplomacy class. I'm being all diplomatic now. :)

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm all for people getting laid. Seriously. I am. But leave the poor prof out of it.

And from the scuttlebutt around the dorms... she's not having a very hard time of it at all. Cam on the other hand... You know?

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

Oh, and while I'm at it...

"Flyboy"?

Pot, kettle much?

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

No one will be "making" anything on my time. Contrary to some opinions, I'm not slow. You don't get elected ruler of a planet at the age of 14 by just being cute... although that helps.

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

*is all virginal and blushes and hates on John, omg, for reminding him of his VIRGINALNESS*

... no really, what do you hear in the scuttlebutt around the dorms, John boy?

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

Oh bite me, gate boy.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Name calling is hardly diplomacy, children.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

*snorts* I don't need a posse to get out of scrape. Only to watch your ass when I'm not around.

I asked for an INDEPENDENT study. Hear? Like, by myself. Or by myself with Cam.

*smiles sweetly* If you need a lab partner someone to cheat off of I'm available. My homework might not be quite as excellent as Potter's. But it's quite good.

(See I can negotiate. Threats on the one hand. Enticement on the other.)

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

...sorry, MOM.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

*intervenes before John loses a limb...or appendage*

Whoa, Beka, easy girl!

*mutters*

He's right, though. You are coming on strong with the Ameron-Cay Itchell-May. There's pursuing and then there's hunting. Ease back the throttle, girl.

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm just trying to be helpful. You know... keep the non-academic stuff out of the classroom. It's not that you can't take care of yourself - I'm sure you can. I'm just on to this one.

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much.

Even the girls agree with me.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the gesture.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

What's that? i didn't quite hear you. *idly fingers the detention slips*

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

Sandbox diplomacy?

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

*quietly*

John.

Do you really want to get reamed out? Again?

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

*straighens up at once* I'm very sorry, ma'am. And OMG, I called you mom cuz you ARE...in a weird sorta way! oldskool!BSG being a SW rip off, ya know...errr...*is all diplomatic, yo*

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Hey. He's the one who told me I should come take the class. See? (http://www.livejournal.com/users/cameronmitchell/2242.html?thread=90818#t90818)

Or set up an independent study. The part about us working together... maybe.

*mutters*

I'm not stalking him. We *are* together, you know. We're just not... having sex doing anything untoward.

*mutter*

Lucky you're a friend. *grumbles* Thanks for getting my back. Even if it's a weird way to do it.