To answer your question, there is no doubt that large amounts of planetary resources are expended in these conflicts. That is why, as I said, they are unfortunate. That is also why the Empire should, of course, encourage the resolution of these conflicts. However, as long as a world—or two worlds at war with one another—continue to pay the taxes and tributes to Imperial Center that are expected of them, and as long as commerce with these worlds remains at least notionally possible, it is and should be the prerogative of the Empire to choose whether it wishes to become involved. Your question referred to planetary resources, which I have addressed, and also to Imperial resources which I think I addressed earlier. That is to say, the expense of Imperial time, resources, and credits in bringing these conflicts to an end would be far more, in most cases, than the cost of leaving them be. Especially considering the sheer number of worlds that are in conflict with each other. Hundreds, if not thousands. You have said that your measure provides for "the focusing of resources on true enemies of the Empire," but it does precisely the opposite; it will mire the Empire in the centuries old conflicts of its planets for centuries to come.

Planets that, incidentally, may be enthusiastically loyal to the Empire and still have nothing but enmity for one another.

There is, incidentally, an economic case to be made for these interstellar conflicts, which I do not mean to sound morbid in mentioning here. But as long as there is demand among worlds for warships, and weapons, and munitions, arms, etc., these things will be manufactured. Volus may have built its own warship simply for its own defense, but there are many, many beings in this galaxy for whom the production of warships, and other weapons of war, is their livelihood. The Empire is a prolific customer in this regard, but so are many Imperial worlds. I do not mean to give this argument undue attention, however, but to make note of it.

Finally, I believe the most reasonable solution to the disagreement over mines is to amend the wording of the measure to prohibit the placing of mines in the vicinity of another world's sovereign space such that the placement of mines substantively impedes commercial traffic to that world. This would permit what Senator Domon pointed out would have been Vjun's prudent use of mines to defend its sensor array in the vicinity of Volus. However, even if this is a provision that I would support under the circumstances—I did say before that certain articles of this measure deserve to pass—I still feel that the measure, as a whole, does not deserve to pass for the reasons I have mentioned.

Needless to say, Senators, Brentaal would not suffer the indignity of having criminals in de facto control of another Imperial world preventing its goods from being sold on that world, as is Brentaal's right to do so. Brentaal would not suffer this indignity nor this damage to the livelihoods of its people whose income comes from exported goods. Under these circumstances, I, as Senator of Brentaal, have certain options available to me; I may petition the Empire to use its time, resources, and money—on Tatooine, mind you, Imperial time, resources, and money are appreciably limited—to resolve this small, planetary dispute for me. Or, alternatively, I may suggest to my world that we resolve it ourselves. With force. In this case, Brentaal and Tatooine would be in a armed conflict with one another. This conflict would be brief, it would be justified, and it would not waste the Empire's time and resources.

This is but one example among many of a right—a right that is thousands of generations old—of planets to resolve their own disputes being put to good, justified, and practical use. I do second, however, Senator Ordan's call for appropriate rules of engagement.

I'm willing to respect a Senator who supports this measure because he, she, or it believes it is the right thing to do. But I'm not willing to respect a Senator who makes a demonstrably wrong argument for it. The argument that this measure will free up more resources to be used to combat the enemies of the Empire is demonstrably wrong. Let us not be inconsistent, either. Senator Chakrei, for a Senator who once voted simply on the principle of wanting your world's "options to be open" on a subject of no relevance to Aeeq whatsoever, your vote today does not follow at all from that principle.

This is the problem with arguing that "war is bad, it should never happen." The fact, Senators, is that sometimes war is good, and it should happen. For those who support this measure on that basis, and vote with their hearts instead of their heads, I feel compelled to quote Supreme Chancellor Jadams, one of the founders of the Old Republic, who said that "facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." This measure, Senators, is one based entirely on wishes, inclinations, and passions, and it is not consonant with reality.