I think that's as much a product of the viewpoint as any failings of the Author and writers. Keep in mind that for Mid-Chlidia, Magic is like electricity to them, and the use of which is refined to the point that we do with electrical power.Kamikage wrote:While I agree that the TSAB can do what you suggest, it's just that the impression I get from them is that they are somewhat used to being the top of the dogpile when it comes to Lost Logia and stuff, plus there's also the whole "replacing the various magical systems of Earth with our own" thing that I just don't like (I think that their system of magic is somewhat limited in application than what you can do with some of the other systems that are on Earth, for example; in the Nanoha series the fights are just slash/blast at each other whilst dodging, and in the Harry Dresden books magical combat generally requires more basic strategy than that.)
Plus, the TSAB is pretty much a powered-up Police/Counter-terrorism force. Busters, Shields, and Binds are ultimately all they need in their line of work. That isn't to say that Earth Mages aren't necessarily going to be able to teach the TSAB a few new, missed, or forgotten tricks. By the time Lindy says that they'll be able to drop the Masquerade Terran Magic, even if it takes up Mid-Chlidian patterns, will still be as distinctive as Belkan magic, if not moreso.
Oh, there's a lot of room for political maneuvering and cultural differences. Since pretty much the first Mission, for example, I've been imagining a talk between Jack and Lindy about the relative safety of Magic vs. Mass-Based weapons (regular guns, explosives and such). When Lindy mentions the ease at which anybody can use a Mass-Based weapon, Jack points out that a certain ten-year-old girl set off no suspicions whatsoever when walked into the base and rode an elevator with the President of the United States, until she gave SGC a new hallway renovation that they're still trying to figure out what to do with.And finally, if you want the name of the fic where I got the idea for the whole "plotitical intrigue" thing search TVtropes.org for "Infinity" (Nanoha fanfics). P.S. Is it just me or is Nanoha the "Ranma" of the Magical Girl genre?