On Thursday August 17 the Hermetic Hour with host Poke Runyon will present a review and discussion of Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 science fiction novel Starship Troopers and the 1997 film version. Poke will be joined by Max Paul (Frater SithMeth)in the discussion of this controversial cult classic. Set in a future interstellar time period where Earth is the center of a Federation (similar to Star Trek) With a government which appears to be based on Plato's Republic. The Earth is attacked by a race of intelligent insects who control meteors as weapons of mass destruction. The Federation must fight to survive. The story of the war is told from the viewpoints of young people who join the military, serving in all branches. They come together in the climax in a final battle which turns the tide in favor of the Federation.The Federation is presented as an authoritarian state that appears superficially fascist, more so in the film than in the novel. Actually its concepts of Citizenship are more socialist than fascist. Heinlein was a liberal democrat who had come to believe that liberal democracy had failed. Like J.F.Kennedy he seemed to be saying: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country." As a former paratrooper, this is one of my favorite novels and films. I hope you enjoy our exploration of this Classic.