On Thu, 8 Jul 1999, Mike Allen wrote:

The last group of nobility was created a hundred and fifty years ago in
response to the technological superiority that the European monarchies
held over the people of Nippon.  These are the Technologists. 

Similar to the popularity of physicists in the early 50's, huh?

Actually, I disbelieve the plausibility of this.  From what I was taught,
Japan was content to be isolationist until they were attacked by United
States ironclads demanding that they trade.  It was then that they decided
to increase their technology. 

JK aluded in one part that the United States never formed.  So, just where
did Japan gain their motivation?  Since it's so far to Japan around
Africa, it's unlikely that Europe would have attacked since any ship
willing to make the journey would have rather gone to China.  After all,
Japan might have had some raw materials, but all the trade goods were
flowing from China.

Unless, of course, Europe already occupied the Americas, in which case,
shipping from Japan would be more desirable.  But if that were so, then
there's no way Japan could have waged a sucessful war.  After all, the
amount of raw materials available to its enemies would have been enormous.

Then again, I'm not a history major, so feel free to ignore me.

   The most proper form of address to one of this caste is "Citizen
family name."  Due to a slight relaxing of the forms of address in
recent decades, even a low noble may be referenced in this way, for
example, "Citizen Saotome."

[Greetings, Citizen Saot-O-MEE.  Are you happy?  Thinking any treasonous
thoughts?  Any mutant powers?]

Anyone found with a weapon that belongs to a lower caste
can be summarily executed.

I assume you mean "higher caste."

[Posession of a weapons about your clearance level is treason.]

-Natsume Ranma Ranma
-------
The sardines weren't worth the trouble.  A few more shots, then 
Ryoga-san would overheat and explode.  Ducking around a corner, 
I managed to lose him as I entered the ramshackle residence of 
my Anime supplier.

One look at his face and I knew that I was betrayed.  "Tell me."
I insisted.  He refused, so I slammed him against the wall.
"Last chance.  Where can Ranma-Ranma find good fanfics?"
"Try Jason Liao." he whispered, before he slumped to the floor.
I heard the sounds of a door splintering as I left through the 
window, one step ahead of Tendo Heavy Industries...