We're really Shaka-ing this up...

Ok, so you're mad, I'm mad, we're all mad. A lot of us don't like the current president, while others think he's doing a great job and wish we'd stop asking about all the justice obstructing. Obviously they're wrong, but I think what we all need to keep in mind is the lesson taught to us by Captain Jean-Luc Picard: that violence is never the solution.

Pictured: Picard solving his problems with violence.

"I'm a role model."

-Picard

Ok, there was that one time he shot a bunch of Borg on the holodeck with a holographic tommy gun. But for the most part Captain Picard solved his problems with diplomacy and occasionally by re-routing power through the whatever and then emitting a tachyon pulse through the main deflector, but he did that diplomatically too. And that's why this day, June 16th, is set aside to honor Captain Jean-Luc Picard: space explorer, amateur archeologist and role model. That's right, today is Captain Picard Day. I hope you sent your cards out in time.

Above: Riker playing with one of the
Picard Day entries while seriously
jeopardizing his career in the process.

Introduced in the episode The Pegasus as a way for Commander Riker to fuck with his boss, it's now a real thing for trekkies. While not as well known or widely observed as First Contact Day, or May the Fourth, Captian Picard Day is nevertheless an important geek orthodox holiday. Traditionally, children celebrate by drawing pictures or fashioning crude likeness of the Captain out of household supplies, which are then entered in a contest judged by Jean-Luc himself. Of course, Captain Picard is fictional and as such can't judge your art work, but that doesn't mean you can't mark the occasion.

You heard me.

You see the true meaning of Captain Picard's Day isn't about crayons or macaroni Picard sculptures or even calling out from work-although, feel free to call out from work. Tell them I said it was ok. Anyway, Captain Picard Day is about Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra. You know, cooperation. The simple fact is that that despite our differences, the key to coexistence isn't stunt doubles throwing double punches or even having superior phaser fire, it's a cup of Earl Grey tea and the willingness to talk through our problems.

Whether it's with someone who voted differently from you, or a hive-mind bent on assimilaton, or even just with someone who speaks entirely in impenetrable metaphors drawn from their planet's history with which you couldn't possibly have any familiarity, there is common ground if you look hard enough. That's the lesson of Captain Picard Day and it's especially relevant now because we are seriously Shaka-ing when the walls fell when it comes to getting along with one another.*

"Darmok and Jalad at...Why would you just assume
I, an alien, would get your obscure cultural references?"

-Picard, the reason
for the season

*allow me to nerd'splain: Shaka when the walls fell is Tamarian for complete and disastrous failure.