The military is communmist, although TB and I had a conversation where he thought the military would do well to follow "free enterprise". Each soldier buying his or her own ammunition, fuel for his or her tank and so on.

I think they've left because the only place their ideas can make sense is if they talk to each other. Bankrupt folks.

I don't think religion would have too much trouble with one or two other civilizations. I believe the humility required to accept 500 or a thousand would stretch them farther than they would want to go.

While it will be slow in coming, a matter of probability crawling slowly toward certainty, I do believe we will be able to establish the presence of other life and then other civilizations.

AND, IN ADDITION, TOO, ALSO, Mankind will be too stupid to hide from them, will attempt to make us as visible as possible. In my opinion that's not too wise.