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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Victim" data-source="post: 3570715" data-attributes="member: 78">I'm not going to defend sterilization.  It's not moral.  Moreover, it's also stupid.  Since elite birthrates were already mentioned by the UN doctors as being low due various incompatibilities (apparently ranging from the small to turning into rock/crystal), and elite powers being spread by infection, sterilization seems to be largely ineffective at best.  And people will be really pissed if they find out.Since elites are dangerous, the UN (and other responsible governments) needs to create effective anti-elite measures.  I feel that even a gov acting justly would do so, to say nothing of actual countries or the fictional groups in question.  We can suppose that No Return didn't pan out as hoped, since it does kill the subject and can be reverse engineered into a deadly contagious bio(nano?) weapon.  The program was also canceled secretly by Paragon in light of controversy and ineffectiveness - of course, it's possible that someone else reinstated it, but in light of cutscenes to UN geniuses discussing its disappointing results far earlier, that seems unlikely - bureacratic inertia and the fallacy of sunk costs were likely a major reason for its continued existence.  Considering the apparent collabaration between a major UN figure and Red Witch, it might be reasonable assumption that a sample was dug out of storage to use as part of their plot, and not because of any large scale UNJE strategy.  I can't see Paragon for instance being happy about No Return coming back from the burial he performed.Besides, James' ability blows warp suits away.  Sure, those are great for small, elite forces.  But James can deliver far greater force, with more flexibility, at far lower costs.  He can deliver large numbers of conventional troops or vehicles quickly.  His biggest portals can let SHIPS pass through!  Even if he doesn't want to directly support combat operations, he's still a logistical godsend.  The ability to connect any 2 places in the world in seconds would be a great help in dealing with the current crisis for instance.  Even where people willing and able to help or needed supplies are available, getting them to the right place in a timely fashion can be difficult.Registration was part of the Pantheon game plan too.  IMO, that's the probably the biggest strike against it as a matter of policy.  Not to say that the situation is entirely zero sum, but events desireable to an enemy may not be the best option often for you.  The morality (and legality) of registration seem to be hotly debated whenever the issue comes up discussing supers AND heavily dependent on the exact law.  Draft provisions, sentences, incentives, etc are huge deal.  For instance, a registration act with a no escape draft, harsh penalties, and no advantages is pretty much an entirely different beast than one with no draft, uses non-registered status as an aggrevating factor if the person is involved in a crime (since it shows intent), and which provides much needed training for free or a nominal cost.  From what we've seen, the UN act doesn't seem too terrible (no draft, they pay you to train).  Except for them acting in bad faith and using the incentives to round up elites for sterilization thing.  But considering the hyperconnectedness of the Legacy universe, the privacy issue is probably moot anyway, cause unless you take extreme measures (like never doing anything online or via cell), it doesn't exist.  Not to pick on Cassie, but she probably throws away more information via her blog (both in posts, and in the maintainence of it) than could be obtained from registration, without really complaining or thinking about it.  In this case, registration is more of a formality - they'll have all information one way or another, and at least with the act you know about it.Besides, one could argue that the basic conflict is which elites are in charge, not baseline protection versus the oppression of elites (those are mere pretenses to frame the conflict).  You have the Pantheon terrorists versus the super INT/CHA/mentalist cabal that's taken control of the UN from the inside.  At that point, which is side is better is a stupid question.</blockquote>

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