Posted by
Diorite Gabbro on
URL: https://www.shado-forum.com/Conflict-tp1510316p1510334.html
> davrecon <
[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
--------------------------------------------------------
>
> I've always had trouble wrapping my head around the
> feud between Henderson & Straker. I prefer to think
> of it as just plain bad writing that the whole thing
> looks so silly and incomprehensible.
> I like to think that, yes, it is because they are so
> much alike that there is occasional friction between
> them....but for the most part (meaning that in the
> background where we don't necesarily see them most
> of the time), they are BOTH very competent
> professionals and have the ultimate respect for each
> other. [snip]
--- zerg harry <
[hidden email]> wrote:
> I thought it was quite clearly spelled out that
> Henderson and Straker both believe they are the one
> who is in the right and Henderson's position is that
> he's not prepared to spend millions and millions of
> dollars unless Straker proves beyond any SHADO of a
> doubt that they're justified. After all, a man in
> Straker's position could easily get out of hand
> without a watchdog.
>
> Z.
I've seen that this question of the conflict between
Straker and Henderson has generated a bit of
discussion before. Dave goes for bad writing (always
a possibility). I could just assume that there was
never any intent of the stories having continuity. Z.
tells us it's spelled out in Henderson thinks Straker
is wasting money.
I don't know, to me it seems like there is something a
little more personal to it. After all, Henderson
helped plan SHADO, monstrous security costs, fleet of
submarines, moon bases and all - they are mention in
Confetti Check. Straker may be executing the plan,
but the initial abitious plan was presented with
Henderson's name on it. Now he thinks too much money
is being spent? And what if he's wrong? "Sorry,
Straker, I was wrong. We really needed to prevent a
massive attack, but now the aliens have taken over
earth, and millions of people have died. We'll try to
fix it." When faced with an alien invasion is that a
risk you want to take?
Straker was the man put in charge. I know some think
Henderson recommended him, but the only thing on film
is that the committee picked Straker. Straker is the
one whose job it was to track exactly what the aliens
had been doing and try to anticipate them. It seems a
little peevish to gripe about the money that way.
The point is well taken that Straker's position is one
that could invite abuse. If I take the story as
realistic, that's one of the reasons Straker was the
absolute best choice because of his certitude of duty
- he is absolute in duing his duty and nothing more.
Diorite