Gene Roddenberry: 15 Years Later

There's a great editorial up over at StarTrek.com commemorating the 15th anniversary of Gene Roddenberry's death.

I feel that Gene would not be happy with the state of Trek right now... we live in such a politically charged time, and yet studio executives have decided that the time is not right for a pensive, intelligent show like Star Trek. If Gene were still alive, I'd like to believe he would still be fighting for its renewal in any way possible, just because we need shows like Star Trek right now, more than ever. I love 24 and House as much as anyone, but the utter lack of intelligent political commentary in the entertainment media right now is disturbing.

Also, let me point out what I feel is an important part:

Speaking of individual choices, we might mention — at the risk of being political for a moment (but not partisan) — that there is an election coming up in two weeks in the U.S. It's a midterm, which usually means voter turnout is shamefully low. If you're tempted not to vote, that is not acceptable. We want your voice, as a member of the Star Trek community, to be heard. If you are eligible, you must register and you must take the time on Nov. 7 to visit your polling place. It is the only way to ensure that our elected leaders are responsive to the citizenry. We won't make any endorsements here, but we urge you to not just go along with what some authority figure has told you, but to carefully evaluate the issues and candidates of the day against the broader picture of a better future for all mankind. Listen. Read. Discern. And for God's sake, think for yourself.

It's probably what Gene Roddenberry would say.