{"data":{"id":18149,"title":"Showdown: \"United In Purpose\"","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/comm-link\/spectrum-dispatch\/18149-Showdown-United-In-Purpose","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-links\/18149","api_public_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/comm-links\/18149","channel":"Undefined","category":"Undefined","series":"News Update","images":[{"id":4593,"name":"Showdown_FI3.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/giq0zrj0fs26sr\/source\/Showdown_FI3.jpg","alt":"","size":617227,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2016-02-02T21:46:47+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4593","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4593\/similar"},{"id":26463,"name":"source.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/media.robertsspaceindustries.com\/weozjmuuh3hwh\/source.jpg","alt":"","size":843046,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2019-09-19T15:49:32+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/26463","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/26463\/similar"},{"id":27892,"name":"source.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/media.robertsspaceindustries.com\/w3o9r4zgppm77\/source.jpg","alt":"","size":900916,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2021-09-06T14:48:40+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/27892","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/27892\/similar"}],"images_count":8,"translations":{"en_EN":"SHOWDOWN!\nAuto-Transcript for S&P and NFSC Submission\n\nEP:65:11: \u201cUnited In Purpose\u201d\nWelcome to Showdown, the debate show focused on the day\u2019s most pressing issues. I\u2019m your moderator in the middle, Eria Quint. Coming up later on the show we\u2019ll dig into what might be causing the labor shortage in Magnus; is the system\u2019s reputation as an outlaw haven still valid and is it discouraging qualified workers from seeking employment there?\n\nBut first, we\u2019re only days away from the launch of annual Invictus celebrations across the UEE. Introduced in 2542 as a way for the Navy to pick up new recruits during the First Tevarin War, it became an annual event in 2581 and expanded its festivities to include a showcase of the latest technological additions to the Naval fleet. Invictus celebrations have become a beloved event for many, but others wonder if the festivities are bad for the empire.\n\nHere to discuss Invictus are two guests who view the event from very different perspectives. Arthur Warro is an economist and political consultant best known for helping craft the Polo Initiative. Gavin Vidyapith is an author and activist with Safe & Strong, a pro-military political action committee devoted to ensuring all UEE systems receive proper protection.\n\nI\u2019d like to welcome both of them back to the show. Let\u2019s start with you, Gavin. You recently wrote that Invictus ranks as \u201cthe most important and vital celebration held by the UEE every year.\u201d Why do you believe that?\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Because our empire is only as strong as those who defend it. This includes politicians dedicated to upholding the rule of law, Ark historians focused on preserving the incredible history of Humanity\u2019s achievements, and, most importantly, the brave starmen who put their lives on the line to defend the empire every day. Invictus puts that last group front and center so we can honor and celebrate their sacrifice.\nDo you have any Invictus traditions?\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: The family and I always spend a day checking out the ships. If there\u2019s fireworks and a fly-by, we\u2019ll stick around for that even if it\u2019s after some of our bedtimes.\nI\u2019ll assume yours.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: [laughter] As they say, early to bed, early to rise\u2026 Oh, I always, always buy that year\u2019s Invictus hat and t-shirt. Not sure if everyone knows this, but all proceeds from Launch Week go towards supporting the Navy. I like knowing that my family\u2019s fun funds are going towards something so worthwhile.\nHow about you, Arthur? How many Invictus hats do you own?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: None, since I never wear hats or attend Invictus. But now that I think about it, everyone who attends should be given one since our tax credits pay for them. Doubt the Navy would be into that since it\u2019s got a nice little scheme going. Use taxpayer funds to manufacture a hat and then turn around to sell them to the people who really paid for them.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Would you prefer Navy starmen on street corners ringing a charity bell?\nARTHUR WARRO: I know you\u2019re kidding, Gavin, but I actually like that idea. It would definitely humanize the Navy by having starmen interacting directly with the public.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Which is basically Invictus. Here I thought you were against it, but now you\u2019re advocating for a version of it on every street corner.\nARTHUR WARRO: I\u2019m all for more transparency, people actually getting to know the brave starmen defending our empire, which is part of the reason why Invictus rubs me the wrong way. Invictus doesn\u2019t represent the real Navy, it represents what the Navy wants people to think of it. Some starman on a street corner asking for support or talking directly to a potential recruit would be way more honest about what military service is like than during some scripted Invictus ship tour with their CO monitoring everything they say.\n\nLet\u2019s step back for a second, Arthur. Your main issue is that Invictus feels like a misrepresentation?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: It\u2019s not my main issue, just one of many.\n\nThen, please, elaborate?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: First and foremost, who do you think is paying for the event? That\u2019s right, taxpayers. From my time in government, the annual budget for the event was consistently astronomical. Those are a lot of taxpayer credits going towards what\u2019s effectively a parade rather than education programs or vital infrastructure projects that fight every year for a fraction of those costs.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: The Navy has every right to spend its budget however it wants, whether that be on a new line of new ships or by putting on these events celebrating their starmen.\nARTHUR WARRO: Last year, the Navy specifically listed rising Invictus costs as one of the reasons it was seeking a 7% increase to its budget. This cost isn\u2019t coming out of its general fund, it\u2019s a specific line item that\u2019s been used as an excuse to inflate its budget for years.\n\nWhat do you think, Gavin? Is all the money spent on the event worth it?\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: I think looking at it through a strictly monetary lens is a bit simplistic. The Navy considers Invictus a net positive, not only because it drives recruitment, but it also generates goodwill with the public. Most people love seeing the power of the Navy up close and personal.\nARTHUR WARRO: Yeah, I agree. The event makes war tourism fun and acceptable.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Oh, come on now\u2014\nARTHUR WARRO: Don\u2019t worry about the specifics of what\u2019s happening on the Vanduul front. Don\u2019t ask what benchmarks must be reached before we consider the war against the Vanduul \u201cwon.\u201d Don\u2019t worry that one out of every fifteen children in the UEE is living in poverty. Give us more taxpayer money so we can keep building massive ships that maybe someday you\u2019ll get to tour after watching some colorful explosions in the sky.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Invictus has been a cherished tradition in this empire for 370 years. Last I checked we haven\u2019t been engaged in a war that entire time. Have we, Arthur?\nARTHUR WARRO: Never said we were.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Yet you imply that the Navy wishes we were for their own benefit.\nARTHUR WARRO: I\u2019m not implying that either.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: And now you just are going to sit here and deny, deny\u2014\nGavin, please. Let me interject to ask you, Arthur, what point were you trying to make?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: Simply that no matter what the Navy or Gavin here wants you to believe, Invictus isn\u2019t about the brave starmen of the Navy. The real beneficiaries of Invictus are the ship manufacturers that are capitalizing on the free publicity the Navy is giving their ships. The clear implication being that if you don\u2019t fully fund the Navy to allow it to buy these ships then you won\u2019t be safe. It\u2019s just so ingrained in the fabric of this empire that we can\u2019t see it anymore.\n\nWe need to take a quick break\u2014\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Hold on, Eria, I need to respond to that.\nDon\u2019t worry, you\u2019ll have your chance, but first we do need to step away for a quick commercial break. When we return Gavin Vidyapith and Arthur Warro will continue this spirited conversation around Invictus. Then we\u2019ll look into what\u2019s going on in Magnus. The economy is booming but does the system have enough workers to make this success sustainable. Don\u2019t go anywhere, there\u2019s more Showdown coming back shortly.","de_DE":"SHOWDOWN!\nAuto-Transkript f\u00fcr S&P und NFSC Einreichung\n\nEP:65:11: \"Vereint im Ziel\"\nWillkommen bei Showdown, der Diskussionssendung zu den dr\u00e4ngendsten Themen des Tages. Ich bin Ihre Moderatorin in der Mitte, Eria Quint. Im weiteren Verlauf der Sendung werden wir der Frage nachgehen, was die Ursache f\u00fcr den Arbeitskr\u00e4ftemangel in Magnus sein k\u00f6nnte; ist der Ruf des Systems als Zufluchtsort f\u00fcr Ge\u00e4chtete immer noch g\u00fcltig und h\u00e4lt er qualifizierte Arbeiter davon ab, dort Arbeit zu suchen?\n\nAber zun\u00e4chst sind es nur noch wenige Tage bis zum Start der j\u00e4hrlichen Invictus-Feierlichkeiten in der gesamten UEE. Eingef\u00fchrt im Jahr 2542 als eine M\u00f6glichkeit f\u00fcr die Marine, neue Rekruten w\u00e4hrend des Ersten Tevarin-Krieges zu gewinnen, wurde es im Jahr 2581 zu einem j\u00e4hrlichen Ereignis und erweiterte seine Feierlichkeiten um eine Pr\u00e4sentation der neuesten technologischen Erg\u00e4nzungen der Marineflotte. Die Invictus-Feierlichkeiten sind f\u00fcr viele zu einem geliebten Ereignis geworden, aber andere fragen sich, ob die Feierlichkeiten schlecht f\u00fcr das Imperium sind.\n\nHier, um \u00fcber Invictus zu diskutieren, sind zwei G\u00e4ste, die das Ereignis aus sehr unterschiedlichen Perspektiven betrachten. Arthur Warro ist ein Wirtschaftswissenschaftler und politischer Berater, der vor allem f\u00fcr seine Mitarbeit an der Polo-Initiative bekannt ist. Gavin Vidyapith ist ein Autor und Aktivist bei Safe & Strong, einem pro-milit\u00e4rischen politischen Aktionskomitee, das sich daf\u00fcr einsetzt, dass alle UEE-Systeme angemessen gesch\u00fctzt werden.\n\nIch m\u00f6chte beide wieder in der Sendung begr\u00fc\u00dfen. Lassen Sie uns mit Ihnen beginnen, Gavin. Sie haben k\u00fcrzlich geschrieben, dass Invictus als \"die wichtigste und wichtigste Feier, die die UEE jedes Jahr veranstaltet\" gilt. Warum glauben Sie das?\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Weil unser Imperium nur so stark ist wie diejenigen, die es verteidigen. Dazu geh\u00f6ren Politiker, die sich der Aufrechterhaltung der Rechtsstaatlichkeit verschrieben haben, Arche-Historiker, die sich darauf konzentrieren, die unglaubliche Geschichte der Errungenschaften der Menschheit zu bewahren, und, was am wichtigsten ist, die tapferen Sternenm\u00e4nner, die jeden Tag ihr Leben aufs Spiel setzen, um das Imperium zu verteidigen. Invictus stellt diese letzte Gruppe in den Mittelpunkt, damit wir ihr Opfer ehren und feiern k\u00f6nnen.\nHaben Sie irgendwelche Invictus-Traditionen?\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Die Familie und ich verbringen immer einen Tag damit, die Schiffe zu besichtigen. Wenn es ein Feuerwerk und einen Vorbeiflug gibt, bleiben wir dabei, auch wenn es f\u00fcr einige von uns nach der Schlafenszeit ist.\nIch nehme an, Ihre auch.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: [Gel\u00e4chter] Wie man so sch\u00f6n sagt: Fr\u00fch ins Bett, fr\u00fch aufstehen... Oh, ich kaufe immer, immer den Invictus-Hut und das T-Shirt des Jahres. Ich wei\u00df nicht, ob das jeder wei\u00df, aber alle Erl\u00f6se der Launch Week gehen an die Navy. Ich mag es, zu wissen, dass die Spa\u00dfgelder meiner Familie in etwas so Sinnvolles flie\u00dfen.\nWie sieht es mit Ihnen aus, Arthur? Wie viele Invictus-H\u00fcte besitzen Sie?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: Keine, da ich nie H\u00fcte trage oder an Invictus teilnehme. Aber jetzt, wo ich dar\u00fcber nachdenke, sollte jeder, der teilnimmt, einen bekommen, da unsere Steuergutschriften sie bezahlen. Ich bezweifle, dass die Navy darauf eingehen w\u00fcrde, da sie ein nettes kleines Schema am Laufen hat. Verwenden Sie Steuergelder, um einen Hut herzustellen und drehen Sie sich dann um, um sie an die Leute zu verkaufen, die wirklich daf\u00fcr bezahlt haben.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: W\u00fcrden Sie es vorziehen, wenn Navy-Soldaten an Stra\u00dfenecken eine Wohlt\u00e4tigkeitsglocke l\u00e4uten w\u00fcrden?\nARTHUR WARRO: Ich wei\u00df, dass Sie scherzen, Gavin, aber ich mag diese Idee tats\u00e4chlich. Es w\u00fcrde die Navy definitiv vermenschlichen, wenn die Sternenm\u00e4nner direkt mit der \u00d6ffentlichkeit interagieren w\u00fcrden.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Was im Grunde genommen Invictus ist. Hier dachte ich, Sie w\u00e4ren dagegen, aber jetzt pl\u00e4dieren Sie f\u00fcr eine Version davon an jeder Stra\u00dfenecke.\nARTHUR WARRO: Ich bin f\u00fcr mehr Transparenz, daf\u00fcr, dass die Leute die tapferen Sternenm\u00e4nner, die unser Imperium verteidigen, kennenlernen, und das ist ein Teil des Grundes, warum mich Invictus st\u00f6rt. Invictus repr\u00e4sentiert nicht die echte Navy, sondern das, was die Navy m\u00f6chte, dass die Leute von ihr denken. Ein Starmann an einer Stra\u00dfenecke, der um Unterst\u00fctzung bittet oder direkt mit einem potenziellen Rekruten spricht, w\u00e4re viel ehrlicher dar\u00fcber, wie der Milit\u00e4rdienst ist, als w\u00e4hrend einer geskripteten Invictus-Schiffstour mit ihrem CO, der alles \u00fcberwacht, was sie sagen.\n\nLassen Sie uns f\u00fcr eine Sekunde zur\u00fccktreten, Arthur. Ihr Hauptproblem ist, dass Invictus sich wie eine falsche Darstellung anf\u00fchlt?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: Das ist nicht mein Hauptproblem, nur eines von vielen.\n\nDann f\u00fchren Sie es bitte aus?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: In erster Linie, was glauben Sie, wer f\u00fcr die Veranstaltung bezahlt? Das ist richtig, die Steuerzahler. Aus meiner Zeit in der Regierung war das j\u00e4hrliche Budget f\u00fcr die Veranstaltung durchweg astronomisch. Das sind eine Menge Steuergelder, die in etwas flie\u00dfen, das effektiv eine Parade ist, anstatt in Bildungsprogramme oder wichtige Infrastrukturprojekte, die jedes Jahr f\u00fcr einen Bruchteil dieser Kosten k\u00e4mpfen.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Die Navy hat jedes Recht, ihr Budget auszugeben, wie sie will, sei es f\u00fcr eine neue Reihe von neuen Schiffen oder indem sie diese Veranstaltungen zur Feier ihrer Starm\u00e4nner veranstaltet.\nARTHUR WARRO: Letztes Jahr hat die Navy speziell die steigenden Invictus-Kosten als einen der Gr\u00fcnde aufgef\u00fchrt, warum sie eine 7%ige Erh\u00f6hung ihres Budgets anstrebt. Diese Kosten kommen nicht aus dem allgemeinen Fonds, sondern sind ein spezifischer Posten, der seit Jahren als Vorwand benutzt wird, um das Budget aufzubl\u00e4hen.\n\nWas denken Sie, Gavin? Ist das ganze Geld, das f\u00fcr diese Veranstaltung ausgegeben wird, es wert?\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Ich denke, es durch eine rein monet\u00e4re Linse zu betrachten, ist ein wenig vereinfachend. Die Navy betrachtet Invictus als Netto-Positiv, nicht nur, weil es die Rekrutierung vorantreibt, sondern auch, weil es einen guten Ruf in der \u00d6ffentlichkeit erzeugt. Die meisten Menschen lieben es, die Macht der Navy aus n\u00e4chster N\u00e4he zu sehen.\nARTHUR WARRO: Ja, ich stimme zu. Die Veranstaltung macht Kriegstourismus lustig und akzeptabel.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Ach, kommen Sie schon...\nARTHUR WARRO: K\u00fcmmern Sie sich nicht um die Einzelheiten dessen, was an der Vanduul-Front passiert. Fragen Sie nicht, welche Benchmarks erreicht werden m\u00fcssen, bevor wir den Krieg gegen die Vanduul als \"gewonnen\" betrachten. K\u00fcmmern Sie sich nicht darum, dass eines von f\u00fcnfzehn Kindern in der UEE in Armut lebt. Geben Sie uns mehr Steuergelder, damit wir weiterhin riesige Schiffe bauen k\u00f6nnen, die Sie vielleicht eines Tages besichtigen k\u00f6nnen, nachdem Sie einige bunte Explosionen am Himmel beobachtet haben.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Invictus ist seit 370 Jahren eine gesch\u00e4tzte Tradition in diesem Imperium. Soweit ich wei\u00df, waren wir in dieser ganzen Zeit nicht in einen Krieg verwickelt. Stimmt's, Arthur?\nARTHUR WARRO: Ich habe nie behauptet, dass wir das w\u00e4ren.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Und doch unterstellen Sie, dass die Marine sich das zu ihrem eigenen Vorteil w\u00fcnscht.\nARTHUR WARRO: Das unterstelle ich auch nicht.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Und jetzt sitzen Sie einfach hier und leugnen, leugnen-\nGavin, bitte. Lassen Sie mich unterbrechen, um Sie zu fragen, Arthur, was wollten Sie damit sagen?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: Einfach, dass, egal was die Navy oder Gavin hier Sie glauben lassen will, es bei Invictus nicht um die tapferen Sternenm\u00e4nner der Navy geht. Die wahren Nutznie\u00dfer von Invictus sind die Schiffshersteller, die aus der kostenlosen Werbung, die die Navy f\u00fcr ihre Schiffe macht, Kapital schlagen. Die klare Implikation ist, dass Sie nicht sicher sind, wenn Sie die Navy nicht voll finanzieren, damit sie diese Schiffe kaufen kann. Es ist einfach so tief in die Struktur dieses Imperiums verwurzelt, dass wir es nicht mehr sehen k\u00f6nnen.\n\nWir m\u00fcssen eine kurze Pause einlegen.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Warten Sie, Eria, ich muss darauf antworten.\nKeine Sorge, Sie werden Ihre Chance bekommen, aber zuerst m\u00fcssen wir f\u00fcr eine kurze Werbepause weggehen. Wenn wir zur\u00fcckkehren, werden Gavin Vidyapith und Arthur Warro dieses lebhafte Gespr\u00e4ch \u00fcber Invictus fortsetzen. Dann werden wir uns ansehen, was in Magnus vor sich geht. Die Wirtschaft boomt, aber hat das System genug Arbeiter, um diesen Erfolg nachhaltig zu machen. Gehen Sie nicht weg, es gibt bald wieder mehr Showdown.","zh_CN":"SHOWDOWN!\nAuto-Transcript for S&P and NFSC Submission\n\nEP:65:11: \u201cUnited In Purpose\u201d\nWelcome to Showdown, the debate show focused on the day\u2019s most pressing issues. I\u2019m your moderator in the middle, Eria Quint. Coming up later on the show we\u2019ll dig into what might be causing the labor shortage in Magnus; is the system\u2019s reputation as an outlaw haven still valid and is it discouraging qualified workers from seeking employment there?\n\nBut first, we\u2019re only days away from the launch of annual Invictus celebrations across the UEE. Introduced in 2542 as a way for the Navy to pick up new recruits during the First Tevarin War, it became an annual event in 2581 and expanded its festivities to include a showcase of the latest technological additions to the Naval fleet. Invictus celebrations have become a beloved event for many, but others wonder if the festivities are bad for the empire.\n\nHere to discuss Invictus are two guests who view the event from very different perspectives. Arthur Warro is an economist and political consultant best known for helping craft the Polo Initiative. Gavin Vidyapith is an author and activist with Safe & Strong, a pro-military political action committee devoted to ensuring all UEE systems receive proper protection.\n\nI\u2019d like to welcome both of them back to the show. Let\u2019s start with you, Gavin. You recently wrote that Invictus ranks as \u201cthe most important and vital celebration held by the UEE every year.\u201d Why do you believe that?\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Because our empire is only as strong as those who defend it. This includes politicians dedicated to upholding the rule of law, Ark historians focused on preserving the incredible history of Humanity\u2019s achievements, and, most importantly, the brave starmen who put their lives on the line to defend the empire every day. Invictus puts that last group front and center so we can honor and celebrate their sacrifice.\nDo you have any Invictus traditions?\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: The family and I always spend a day checking out the ships. If there\u2019s fireworks and a fly-by, we\u2019ll stick around for that even if it\u2019s after some of our bedtimes.\nI\u2019ll assume yours.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: [laughter] As they say, early to bed, early to rise\u2026 Oh, I always, always buy that year\u2019s Invictus hat and t-shirt. Not sure if everyone knows this, but all proceeds from Launch Week go towards supporting the Navy. I like knowing that my family\u2019s fun funds are going towards something so worthwhile.\nHow about you, Arthur? How many Invictus hats do you own?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: None, since I never wear hats or attend Invictus. But now that I think about it, everyone who attends should be given one since our tax credits pay for them. Doubt the Navy would be into that since it\u2019s got a nice little scheme going. Use taxpayer funds to manufacture a hat and then turn around to sell them to the people who really paid for them.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Would you prefer Navy starmen on street corners ringing a charity bell?\nARTHUR WARRO: I know you\u2019re kidding, Gavin, but I actually like that idea. It would definitely humanize the Navy by having starmen interacting directly with the public.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Which is basically Invictus. Here I thought you were against it, but now you\u2019re advocating for a version of it on every street corner.\nARTHUR WARRO: I\u2019m all for more transparency, people actually getting to know the brave starmen defending our empire, which is part of the reason why Invictus rubs me the wrong way. Invictus doesn\u2019t represent the real Navy, it represents what the Navy wants people to think of it. Some starman on a street corner asking for support or talking directly to a potential recruit would be way more honest about what military service is like than during some scripted Invictus ship tour with their CO monitoring everything they say.\n\nLet\u2019s step back for a second, Arthur. Your main issue is that Invictus feels like a misrepresentation?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: It\u2019s not my main issue, just one of many.\n\nThen, please, elaborate?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: First and foremost, who do you think is paying for the event? That\u2019s right, taxpayers. From my time in government, the annual budget for the event was consistently astronomical. Those are a lot of taxpayer credits going towards what\u2019s effectively a parade rather than education programs or vital infrastructure projects that fight every year for a fraction of those costs.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: The Navy has every right to spend its budget however it wants, whether that be on a new line of new ships or by putting on these events celebrating their starmen.\nARTHUR WARRO: Last year, the Navy specifically listed rising Invictus costs as one of the reasons it was seeking a 7% increase to its budget. This cost isn\u2019t coming out of its general fund, it\u2019s a specific line item that\u2019s been used as an excuse to inflate its budget for years.\n\nWhat do you think, Gavin? Is all the money spent on the event worth it?\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: I think looking at it through a strictly monetary lens is a bit simplistic. The Navy considers Invictus a net positive, not only because it drives recruitment, but it also generates goodwill with the public. Most people love seeing the power of the Navy up close and personal.\nARTHUR WARRO: Yeah, I agree. The event makes war tourism fun and acceptable.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Oh, come on now\u2014\nARTHUR WARRO: Don\u2019t worry about the specifics of what\u2019s happening on the Vanduul front. Don\u2019t ask what benchmarks must be reached before we consider the war against the Vanduul \u201cwon.\u201d Don\u2019t worry that one out of every fifteen children in the UEE is living in poverty. Give us more taxpayer money so we can keep building massive ships that maybe someday you\u2019ll get to tour after watching some colorful explosions in the sky.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Invictus has been a cherished tradition in this empire for 370 years. Last I checked we haven\u2019t been engaged in a war that entire time. Have we, Arthur?\nARTHUR WARRO: Never said we were.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Yet you imply that the Navy wishes we were for their own benefit.\nARTHUR WARRO: I\u2019m not implying that either.\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: And now you just are going to sit here and deny, deny\u2014\nGavin, please. Let me interject to ask you, Arthur, what point were you trying to make?\n\nARTHUR WARRO: Simply that no matter what the Navy or Gavin here wants you to believe, Invictus isn\u2019t about the brave starmen of the Navy. The real beneficiaries of Invictus are the ship manufacturers that are capitalizing on the free publicity the Navy is giving their ships. The clear implication being that if you don\u2019t fully fund the Navy to allow it to buy these ships then you won\u2019t be safe. It\u2019s just so ingrained in the fabric of this empire that we can\u2019t see it anymore.\n\nWe need to take a quick break\u2014\n\nGAVIN VIDYAPITH: Hold on, Eria, I need to respond to that.\nDon\u2019t worry, you\u2019ll have your chance, but first we do need to step away for a quick commercial break. When we return Gavin Vidyapith and Arthur Warro will continue this spirited conversation around Invictus. Then we\u2019ll look into what\u2019s going on in Magnus. The economy is booming but does the system have enough workers to make this success sustainable. Don\u2019t go anywhere, there\u2019s more Showdown coming back shortly."},"links_count":0,"comment_count":18,"created_at":"2021-05-19T02:00:00+00:00","created_at_human":"4 years ago"},"meta":{"processed_at":"2026-05-07 20:05:48","valid_relations":["images","links"],"prev_id":18148,"next_id":18150}}