Re: The Federation
  By: Charles Pierson to All on Sun Nov 22 2020 07:08 am

 CP> As far as I recall, and without giving away spoilers, Picard wasn't
 CP> expelled by the Federation, or by Starfleet for that matter. He resigned
 CP> his commission or retired. From Starfleet, which is not the Federation,
 CP> but a part of the Federation.

That was my understanding as well


 CP> I see two answers posted, both say that the question isn't what happened.
 CP> But neither really address the fact that there is a difference between the
 CP> Federation and Starfleet.

 CP> Is it just me, or is it really that common a thought that they are one and
 CP> the same?

Right, Starfleet pretty much is Earth(realm). Like the 'new' NASA. The
Federation is like NATO... hundreds of planets (?)
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