We're not killing "people" in SE4, we're killing aliens! Well, OK, I'm being sarcastic; yes, it's a little unnerving that the best way to win the game is to commit mass genocide of multiple sentient races. Even the "peaceful" game options usually involve killing off the more radical empires.
I usually justify the whole thing by waiting until the AI declares war on me, and even then I frequently wait until one of my planets has been attacked before I start whuppin' 'em. Makes me feel a little better about glassing those colonies. My motto is "Retaliate and escalate". It used to be "Retaliate first", but that was a little cold-blooded and quite anti-social
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My only problem with the bullet is that it doesn't have much place on the SE4 forum. Oughta be something a little more futuristic-looking. But then the other game Boards here would want _their_ own icons, and that would require even _more_ work on Shrapnel's part...