perfidy

“My friends,

“I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time. However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about Giant Fighting Robots. All right, here is how I feel about Giant Fighting Robots.

“If when you say Giant Fighting Robots you mean the authors of our eventual subjugation and oppression, those soulless mechanical monsters whose unblinking eyes will search out and destroy the last vestiges of human civilization and snuff out the light of mankind; the rebellious creation that, after the manner of Frankenstein's monster turns on its hubristic creator; that folly to which our foolish and overoptimistic researchers are even now leading the way; if you mean mechanical demons whose inhuman intelligence will vastly overmatch our own, and whose strength, adaptability and puissance will supersede our dominion of the earth; whose evil will forever be unparalleled even by the most monstrous of men, and whose infamy will last exactly so long as Man's tragically brief existence, and then reign secure over a blackened Earth; then certainly I am against it.

“But;

“If when you say Giant Fighting Robots you mean those noble, selfless and untiring defenders of man, who stand as sentinels in the dark reaches of outermost space guarding unwatchful and unthankful man from the gibbering terrors of the deep; whose subtle intellegence and reasoned thought bring order and kindness to the affairs of mankind, whose charity lifts up the young and the old alike, saves the foolish from their folly and restrains the recklessness of the brave, and challenges each of us to do better each day; if you mean the prospect of imperfect man creating a worthy and more perfect successor, one who will allow us to venture on to new horizons, and to better apprehend the wonders of home, a manifold helpmate for frail humanity; if you mean creating a conversation where once there was silence and utter loneliness, and a bulwark against a hostile, cruel and unforgiving universe; then I am certainly for it.

“This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise.”