From Newsgroup: alt.tv.star-trek.tos   
   From Address: sdlitvin@earthlink.net   
   Subject: Re: Explanation to Graeme about A Piece of the Action   
      
      
      
   "ToolPackinMama"  wrote in message    
   news:j2jnpa$5vp$1@dont-email.me:   
      
   > On 8/18/2011 11:19 AM, Steven L. wrote:   
   >   
   > > As we saw in "A Private Little War," Kirk has a preference for   
   > > maintaining the status quo on a less advanced planet, rather than trying   
   > > to reshape it to his liking or the Federation's liking.   
   >   
   > That's generally correct, but remember that in POTA that planet's   
   > culture and advancement had already been messed with... as in the case   
   > with PLW.   
   >   
   > In those cases, Kirk didn't actually have the choice of maintaining the   
   > ~original~ status quo.  What he was trying to do was to keep a bad   
   > situation (tainted culture) from getting worse.   
      
   There's more to it:   
      
   SPOCK:  "I'm also curious   
   as to how you propose to explain to Starfleet Command   
   that a starship will be sent each year to collect our 'cut.'"   
      
   KIRK:  "I propose our cut be put into the planetary treasury   
   and used to guide the Iotians into a more ethical system.  Despite    
   themselves, they'll be forced   
   to accept conventional responsibilities."   
      
   Pretty good way to handle it.  The status quo will remain--but the    
   Iotians will eventually change it themselves, aided with funding from    
   the Federation's "cut."   
      
      
      
   -- Steven L.   
      
      
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