>I never liked the Prime Directive. My ST knowledge is a bit rusty,
>but when I see it invoked, nine times out of time, it is usally an
>excuse to avoid getting one's hands dirty.

The Prime Directive is often mis-interprteted. To quote one of the books: "The Prime Directiive is not the words 'don't butt in' in mile high letters on the side of StarFleet HQ."

It applies only to races that have no knowledge of other sentient races - and to a lesser degree those that do but don't have ftl tech yet. The object is 'don't let them know we're around until they're ready to deal with us'. In the comet example, a StarFleet crew could blow up the comet - but they couldn't go down and let the natives know they did it, and they'd better not be seen.

Otherwise it's just a general respect for local laws etc.

In the Lensmen books the Arisians had a similar position, they had to minimise their contact with Civilisation or they'd cause it to collapse from an inferiority complex. Go figure.

drakensisthered

SHE'S the 'Pirate Killer,' 'Klingon Spooker,' 'Big Trouble in a Little Package,' 'She Who Must be Avoided,' and 'Go Around the Other Side of the Nebula.' I'm the dumb blonde comic relief.