Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

The High Ground (1990)

Brent Spiner: Lieutenant Commander Data

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Quotes 

• Lt. Commander Data : [on the transport device of the terrorists]  Captain, anyone who is willing to transport in this manner would suffer significant internal damage that could be detected.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Hm... It sounds as though they may require the services... of a doctor.

• Lt. Commander Data : I have been reviewing the history of armed rebellion. And it appears that terrorism is an effective way to promote political change.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Yes, it can be. But I have never subscribed to the theory that political power flows from the barrel of a gun.

• Lt. Commander Data : But if that is so, Captain, why are their methods so often successful? I've been reviewing the history of armed rebellion, and it appears that terrorism is an effective way to promote political change.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Yes, it can be. But I have never subscribed to the theory that political power flows from the barrel of a gun.

  Lt. Commander Data : Yet there are numerous examples when it was successful: the independence of the Mexican state from Spain, the Irish Unification of 2024, and the Kenzie Rebellion.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Yes, I am aware of them.

  Lt. Commander Data : Then would it be accurate to say that terrorism is acceptable, when all options for peaceful settlement have been foreclosed?

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Data, these are questions that mankind has been struggling with throughout history. Your confusion is... only Human.