This is to the members who don't post very much: come on in. The water's fine. Given what sometimes happens on this show, and the questions we have about the science depicted in it, and that we have a couple hundred members, there should be people with the technical qualifications to comment. Especially when there are serious howlers. I'd like to hear from people who can tell us something about electronics and robotics, or about the (im)plausibility of the various mecha, or what really happens with the slipstream effect. Maybe speculations about the effects of Galactor attacks on the world's economic and political balance. Would insurance cover damage from a Galactor attack? That sort of thing.

Insurance can cover the darndest things! One of the most fascinating things I found out in 1984 when I joined SGIO (State Government INsurance Officer in Queensland. It became Suncorp - I then stayed there until 2002) was that the flight path to the (then) Brisbane Domestic and the INternational airport went down Queen Street - the main street of the city. All of the buildings in the CBD at that stage automatically had insurance to cover if they were hit by a plane! This was not their normal insurance, but a special insurance by SGIO that the Government gave free of charge because they were responsible for the planning of the airport location and flight path to approach. Not long after that, new Domestic and International airports were built and plans now go around the city so the insurance no longer exists.

Thanks UW. That's a great idea. Let's hear from the quieter members of the group. I'll throw in two things. At the time, I didn't want to equate anything dealing with the terrorist attack with Gatch, but Galactor/Spectra are terrorist organizations. The world really hasn't united against terrorism, so would it really against Galactor? Two, how the heck do they safely pick up the G-2 and G-3 on narrow roads and roads with telephone poles, power lines and bridges? I've looked around the WDC area and I'm not sure where it would be possible.

You forgot G4. Yeah, they'd need some serious clearance for the GP's wings. I think that attacks with big mecha would do quite a bit to unite people. Especially after some of Galactor's more genocidal antics. I can't see someone defending them, and since they don't follow any existing ideologies, there aren't people out there willing to turn a blind eye to their violence.

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter You forgot G4. Yeah, they'd need some serious clearance for the GP's wings.

Only G4 can fly/hover so if the clearance was not appropriate it could rise up above the terrain to meet the Phoenix. It would not need the "ground" pick up.

BTW: since there is talk about insurance have you seen these done by Sosai X?

Those are great!!! Katse needed a sideline business.

Hi all!

Those are great!!! Katse needed a sideline business.

Perhaps he was already doing that. It would explain how Gallactor could afford to build all those mecha... James

Originally posted by tatsunokofan Hi all!

Those are great!!! Katse needed a sideline business.

Perhaps he was already doing that. It would explain how Gallactor could afford to build all those mecha... James

Right! I don't think Katse would have invested the funds in a life insurance policy offered to the Goons in their contracts as Galactor employees!

Originally posted by Becky RockTwo, how the heck do they safely pick up the G-2 and G-3 on narrow roads and roads with telephone poles, power lines and bridges? I've looked around the WDC area and I'm not sure where it would be possible.

All the "alphabet soup"/Roosevelt funds from the 30's that are slowly making their way out to us again (despite the fact that the federal and most state governments are broke) is being used to put all power lines underground. -- Ya, I know I'm not exactly a stranger/newbie anymore, but I've felt very absent for the last month or so.

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter Would insurance cover damage from a Galactor attack? That sort of thing.

In the first series alone, Galactor destroys a ton of city buildings and ISO mantle project installations. I would think that cities and ISO facilities would try to get insurance coverage, but I think insurance policies and premiums traditionally vary tremendously depending on how "acts of war" and "acts of terrorism" are defined. At any rate, I would think that any uranium mining facility, ISO mantle project research institute, or city running on non-polluting energy would soon have to pay very high insurance premiums! I can just imagine analysts at Lloyds of London or other such entities, part way through the first series, trying to calculate what they should be charging cities/countries/industries for insurance coverage against the likelihood of Galactor attacks. I'm sure the premiums would be very high and would, in a climate of such uncertainty and risk, stifle development and expansion -all part of Galactor's master plan, no doubt (leading to "side with us and you won't get damaged...")

That, or simply refusing to pay out for any mecha attack. And woe betide the poor schmuck who just happens to have some sort of accident at the same time as a mecha attack (even though s/he's miles away from the events and it really was unconnected).

Or the companies would do what they did in Florida in the early 1990s when Hurricane Andrew did so much damage - throw in the towel and not give any insurance to those in harm's way. They've started a program around here to put lines underground, too, but its very slow going. In the meantime, Tiny would have to do some fancy flying.

Originally posted by Becky Rock At the time, I didn't want to equate anything dealing with the terrorist attack with Gatch, but Galactor/Spectra are terrorist organizations. The world really hasn't united against terrorism, so would it really against Galactor?.

It didn't. In the series, there are a number of countries under the control of Galactor, and others whom Galactor is in the process of taking over. Then of course, there are also those like the man in Episode 96, who just think anyone fighting (whether they be Galactor or Science Ninja) is wrong.