America have taken over the world? (in Futurama I mean)

[on:]

This might have been covered already, but how come Earth's flag has the 13 red and white stripes, and instead of 50 stars, a picture of the world?

I guess the makers put this in so American viewers would recognise this as 'their' flag at first sight, but since the US flag always has the 13 stripes (the number of states America owned originally), with stars to represent how many states there are in the union currently.
But maybe America took over the whole world, so instead of putting stars, just put the picture of the world?
It's certainly heading that way at the moment...

[Reply #1 on:]

Yes, America does take over the world. That's why Nixon (formally McNeal in the first season) is the president of Earth...

[Reply #2 on:]

Half of me would have prefered it if they had a more Star Trek ish near UN ish Earth Flag type thing rather than a American flag representing all of earth, but at the same time I admire the possible cynical view the writers have that eventually America will turn and conquer the world. 

In A Taste of Freedom, when "old freebie" is lowered and the people cheer, the people behind Zoidberg look quite depressed, or unhappy. Maybe they come from abroad? 

[Reply #3 on:]

That means that America is the real axis of evil!

[Reply #4 on:]

LOL yeah, can someone tell me what IS wrong with a startrek stlye socialist utopia?

Do you think theyll be another movie after Nemesis? After Insurrection, It was hinted at that the federation may fall because of all outside forces hostile to it. It just wouldnt sem right without Data. We may be in for the biggest war yet

Socialist Utopia's and indeed Utopia's of all kind can only exist at the mercy of other states, or in this case quadrant  You better belive that communism would have won if it hadnt been for democratic countrys making things difficult for them. So perhaps the Federation will fall.

[Reply #5 on:]

 

Originally posted by Australian Guy:
Do you think theyll be another movie after Nemesis? After Insurrection, It was hinted at that the federation may fall because of all outside forces hostile to it. It just wouldnt sem right without Data. We may be in for the biggest war yet

Socialist Utopia's and indeed Utopia's of all kind can only exist at the mercy of other states, or in this case quadrant    You better belive that communism would have won if it hadnt been for democratic countrys making things difficult for them. So perhaps the Federation will fall.

Watch Enterprise and take a look at the 31st Century!

[Reply #6 on:]

I guess america technechly has taken over the world, All foriengers bow down to our superior overlords.

[Reply #7 on:]

That confuses me, isnt enterpris set before the 23rd?

[Reply #8 on:]

Yeah,

Looks like the American military machine overpowers the Arabian states that harbor the terrorists and American diplomacy wins.  I guess it makes sense.  That and general not-caring seems to be higher in the future.  Oh well, at least Ford has the ThunderCougarFalconBird in the future.

[Reply #9 on:]

American's.  I am sorry to say, you may just be obliterated by.. FUTURAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.. ok.. OTT..OTT

[Reply #10 on:]

 

Originally posted by Australian Guy:
That confuses me, isnt enterpris set before the 23rd?

It is, but that didn't stop them to go to the 31st Century...

[Reply #11 on:]

Well that sucked. Maybe Matt can work on that and make a Revouloution episode if Futurama can survive.

[Reply #12 on:]

 

[Reply #13 on:]

Yeah! They survive. mmmm, I wonder what that ep would be like.... *Thinks*

[Reply #14 on:]

 

Originally posted by Nurdbot:
Well that sucked. Maybe Matt can work on that and make a Revouloution episode if Futurama can survive.

Didn't they have several Revolutions already in their history...

Look, Nurdbot, R e v o l u t i o n.   

[Reply #15 on:]

That doesnt count, the whole temporal thing never was great.

[Reply #16 on:]

 

Originally posted by Gocad:
 Didn't they have several Revolutions already in their history...

Look, Nurdbot, R e v o l u t i o n.   

Where..?

Damn.

[Reply #17 on:]

Well, we at least know that America took over France.  during the year 3000 countdown in the pilot, all the French people spoke english.

[Reply #18 on:]

Welcome to PEEL,Gunn 

[Reply #19 on:]

 

Originally posted by Gunn:
Well, we at least know that America took over France.  during the year 3000 countdown in the pilot, all the French people spoke english.

Welcome Gunn, however I doubt that the Americans took over France. It were the Britsh who got their Land back after several centuries. The Britsh of course were then taken over by the Americans...

Details, details, details...
 

[Reply #20 on:]

We devour all!

I think it happened around the time the Super Villian was elected mayor of NNY

[Reply #21 on:]

 

Originally posted by MuscaDomestica:
We devour all!

I think it happened around the time the Super Villian was elected mayor of NNY

Maybe, we don't know.  There is the Eiffel Tower in the Aliens Attack episode aroud NNYC, but maybe he just got the tower and not the country?  I don't know.

[Reply #22 on:]

would be cool if america did.

DEATH TO COMMUNISTS!!!

DEMOCRACY FOREVER!!!

[Reply #23 on:]

Whoa, whoa, you forgot to put 'democracy' in inverted commas. As in:
America is the greatest 'democracy' on Earth
George Dubb-ya was 'democratically' elected
and so on.

[Reply #24 on:]

But think that they changed the design of the Earth flag after "When Aliens attack". There you could see it in the background while President McNeal gives his speech. It looks different compared to flag seen in Episodes like "War is the H-Word" or "A taste of Freedom"

[Reply #25 on:]

In what way?

[Reply #26 on:]

Not the best grab to support my theory. Better watch the episode if that is possible.

Edit - I just watched the episode. The difference is that the world is in the middle of the flag. In subsequent episodes the "world" is located were the stars would be.

 http://www.gotfuturama.com/cgi-bin/imageview.cgi?/Multimedia/FrameGrabs/1ACV1   2/Grabs/pic00184.jpg
------------------
This post made no sense?
Well, don't expect me to apologize for that!

[Reply #27 on:]

I think this is also why people from Earth are called "Earthicans" -- because it sounds like "Americans."  I can't see any other reason why they wouldn't have gone with "Earthlings," "Earthers," "Earthmen," "Terrans" or whatever instead.  It could be that America is the "capitol" of Earth in the 31st century.

[Reply #28 on:]

Question: Why was the Enterprise called USS Enterprise?

Answer: So that the american viewers wouldn't be to scared of the future!

!Sarcasm warning!
"Oh my god. There is a Commie on the bridge. And a black woman that speaks! And now she kissed the captain!"

edit: USS does in this case not stand for United States Ship

[Reply #29 on:]

Actually, Gocad, what does USS stand for? Because United Star Ship or Starfleet Ship sounds rubbish. I hope you have a good answer otherwise I'll be disillusioned.

[Reply #30 on:]

I'm afraid I'm pretty sure it's either United Star Ship or United Space Ship (both have been used). NCC, however, does not mean anything in particular (although presumably the X in NX means experimental).

To put this in context, in the alternate reality Kirk visited, the ship was the ISS Enterprise, meaning Imperial Star Ship.

[Reply #31 on:]

 

Originally posted by reverend:
Actually, Gocad, what does USS stand for? Because United Star Ship or Starfleet Ship sounds rubbish. I hope you have a good answer otherwise I'll be disillusioned.

Ok, stand by to be disillusioned.
CyberKnight is right. There is no definite explanation what the 'U.S.S.' stands for. All that we know is what it doesn't stand for.

[Reply #32 on:]

 

Originally posted by Gocad:
 Welcome Gunn, however I doubt that the Americans took over France. It were the Britsh who got their Land back after several centuries. The Britsh of course were then taken over by the Americans...

Details, details, details...
   

Well then agian, as we can see fomr The Honking and Love and Rocket, the Eiffel Tower in the 4th Millennium still has a French flag on it. My personal opinion is that while America is the seat of government, you still have many or most countries that have some feeling of singleness ( )
Another example is the includance of the UN in AOI II with countries like G Britain and of course Italy, still there. So it's not quite as bad as saying the whole of Earth is all America.

[Reply #33 on:]

Many be it was some sort of "friendly" takeover. Something like "We (the US of A)rule and you (rest of the world) can act like you were still an independent country, which you aren't anymore, of course." 

[Reply #34 on:]

Three words:

True Manifest Destiny.

[Reply #35 on:]

 

Originally posted by CyberKnight:
I'm afraid I'm pretty sure it's either United Star Ship or United Space Ship (both have been used). NCC, however, does not mean anything in particular (although presumably the X in NX means experimental).

Matt Jefferies, art director on TOS, came up with the NCC precode. Being a pilot he based the code on 20th century aircraft registrations.  And here's the kick in the teeth: an N first letter indicate that the aircraft is registred in United States Of America, a C second letter mean it's a civilian (non-military) vehicle. Matt added a second C to make it looky more futuristc and cool.

Incidently, he's the guy the term "Jefferies' Tube" is named after, and was the designer of the original Enterprise.

Some think it stands for "Naval Construction Contract", making NX stand for "Naval Experimental", but it has never been confirmed.

I think the term "United Space Ship" have only been used in "The Cage". Whether you consider that episode canon is entirely up to you. Most do.

[Reply #36 on:]

"The Cage" is not only canon, it is sacred.  "The Menagerie" is a farce.

[Reply #37 on:]

 

Originally posted by Chanukah Zombie:
I think this is also why people from Earth are called "Earthicans" -- because it sounds like "Americans."  I can't see any other reason why they wouldn't have gone with "Earthlings," "Earthers," "Earthmen," "Terrans" or whatever instead.  It could be that America is the "capitol" of Earth in the 31st century.

They are called "Earthicans" precisely so that they are NOT "Earthlings," "Earthers," "Earthmen" or "Terrans," which have been used ad nauseum.

IT'S FUNNY, AND IT'S CREATIVE!!!  THAT'S WHY!!!

*mumble, mumble* forest, meet trees *mumble, mumble*

[Reply #38 on:]

 

Originally posted by Teral:
 Matt Jefferies, art director on TOS, came up with the NCC precode. Being a pilot he based the code on 20th century aircraft registrations.  And here's the kick in the teeth: an N first letter indicate that the aircraft is registred in United States Of America, a C second letter mean it's a civilian (non-military) vehicle. Matt added a second C to make it looky more futuristc and cool.

Incidently, he's the guy the term "Jefferies' Tube" is named after, and was the designer of the original Enterprise.

Some think it stands for "Naval Construction Contract", making NX stand for "Naval Experimental", but it has never been confirmed.

I think the term "United Space Ship" have only been used in "The Cage". Whether you consider that episode canon is entirely up to you. Most do.

The NX term was used on purpose, at least the 'X' was intended to designate a Experimental vessel. -> Excelsior (not in ST6!), Defiant and Prometheus.
That's right out of the ST Encyclopedia, therefore it can be considered semiofficial.

[Reply #39 on:]

"Freedom Day" is an Earthican holiday yet its celebration is seemingly centered on the White House lawn.  If the President of Earth has his office in the White House, then that's probably telling us something.  Besides, Freedom Day seems to be an amalgam of Independence Day and all those other American patriotic holidays that no one can tell apart, like Labor Day, Memorial Day, Presidents' Day, Thanksgiving Day, Columbus Day, Armed Forces Day and perhaps most importantly, Flag Day.