Kate Lockwell - UNN

[Nicol Bolas]

What's makes him a tyrannical dictator by saying that?

Are you kidding? Imagine the uprising if the President of the United States (any of them) ever said, "I will rule this country or see it burned to ashes around me!"

[Pandonetho]

Are you kidding? Imagine the uprising if the President of the United States (any of them) ever said, "I will rule this country or see it burned to ashes around me!"

Well, I imagine that would happen because humanity didn't have more pressing matters to worry about, like two completely foreign and mysteriously dangerous alien species coming to burn every last human to the ground.

People still need to remember that without Mengsk, humanity would have been gone in the blink of an eye.

[mr. peasant]

Agreed. He's definitely the lesser of three evils. Between him, the Confederacy and anarchy (which is what Raynor truly offers), Mengsk is actually the best option. The state of some of the fringe worlds, where Dominion influence is lacking, is proof of this.

Also, it is worth noting that Arcturus is cut from the same cloth as Raynor; both are men who will do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of the future. However, the brighter future is not for them and they leave the rebuilding to their successors; Horner for Raynor, Valerian for Arcturus (hence why he told his son that he doesn't want Valerian to be like him but to be someone he could be proud of).

[Drake Clawfang]

Agreed. He's definitely the lesser of three evils. Between him, the Confederacy and anarchy (which is what Raynor truly offers), Mengsk is actually the best option. The state of some of the fringe worlds, where Dominion influence is lacking, is proof of this.

It isn't that Raynor offers anarchy. He wouldn't be opposed to a government as long as it looks after its people right I think. He was fine with Mengsk's alliance running the rebel worlds until he got out of hand. But yes, the Terrans do need a sector-wide government to organize and protect them. Mengsk is corrupt and power-hungry, but for the time being he's the only guy they've got for the job, unless Valerian wants to take over.

Also, it is worth noting that Arcturus is cut from the same cloth as Raynor; both are men who will do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of the future. However, the brighter future is not for them and they leave the rebuilding to their successors; Horner for Raynor, Valerian for Arcturus (hence why he told his son that he doesn't want Valerian to be like him but to be someone he could be proud of).

That's a good point. I think Mengsk realizes deep down he's a vicious tyrant, but he accepts and embraces that identity because he has to be that way to keep things together among the Terrans. Now that he's used ruthlessness and violence to get the Terran colonies together under his banner, he's looking to leave them in the hands of someone who can look after them right.

[mr. peasant]

It isn't that Raynor offers anarchy. He wouldn't be opposed to a government as long as it looks after its people right I think. He was fine with Mengsk's alliance running the rebel worlds until he got out of hand. But yes, the Terrans do need a sector-wide government to organize and protect them. Mengsk is corrupt and power-hungry, but for the time being he's the only guy they've got for the job, unless Valerian wants to take over.

What I meant was that Raynor doesn't really have a plan beyond toppling Arcturus' government. He doesn't plan on ruling. The power vacuum that would leave would result in anarchy and/or civil war.

[Nicol Bolas]

Between him, the Confederacy and anarchy (which is what Raynor truly offers), Mengsk is actually the best option.

Raynor may offer anarchy, but Horner has actual plans.

And how do we know that Mengsk is the best option? We see precious little of the Confederacy. However, we do know that they were working on the Zerg threat: they did come up with the Psi Emitters and Psi Disruptors, after all.

Swapping the Confederation for Mengsk seemed like a lateral move. Except that billions of people on Tarsonis needlessly died making that move.

[BusinessMonkey]

Are you kidding? Imagine the uprising if the President of the United States (any of them) ever said, "I will rule this country or see it burned to ashes around me!"

Two things.

First I was trying to point out how during SC2 Mengsk is quoted for saying MUCH, MUCH, MUCH more "tyrannical statements", like when the Adjudant runs through Mengsk ordering General Duke to PLAN THE PSI EMITTERS, now THAT would have cost him the seat as Emperor.

Secondly, I tried to point out that that statement doesn't really sound that bad, when you consider it was said during a revolution (the Psi Emitter one, would though), so using your argumentation, what if George Washington said something like that? Would you see it in a bad way, like the SC2 storytelling tries make it look?

(Again, I'm only using these elements to point out how confusing the SC2 storytelling is...)

[Nicol Bolas]

(Again, I'm only using these elements to point out how confusing the SC2 storytelling is...)

Except that it doesn't work.

The reason this quote is so damaging is because it shows that, what Mengsk did to Tarsonis, he could do to your world. It's the "burnt to ashes around me" part. If you don't toe the line, he could unleash the Zerg upon you.

So having the reporter play that one back makes perfect sense.

[BusinessMonkey]

Except that it doesn't work.

The reason this quote is so damaging is because it shows that, what Mengsk did to Tarsonis, he could do to your world. It's the "burnt to ashes around me" part. If you don't toe the line, he could unleash the Zerg upon you.

So having the reporter play that one back makes perfect sense.

How the heck does "burnt to ashes around me" mean he could unleash the Zerg upon you????

Remember, this is SUPPOSED to be journalism, which means bringing in all the facts. If Mengsk ain't saying it straight forward, it can't have any influence on his rule.

My point is that Raynor discovers much more incriminating statements which he for some crazy reason doesn't use.

I mean, how the heck can admitting to use Psi Emitters to lure the Zerg on Tarsonis not be more incrimating than the aforementioned statement?
Why doesn't Raynor use that statement???

[DemolitionSquid]

Remember, this is SUPPOSED to be journalism, which means bringing in all the facts.

AHAHAHA, oh that's rich.