Heheh...hehehehehehe....hehehehehehehehehe.... ahhh Mike Wong. Valid on some points with an equally intollerant ego on everything else. Also very fond of oversating SW tech, understating ST tech, and ignoring anything he doesn't like.
Going by sheer numbers (ships verus ships and materials versus materials) a war between the Federation and Empire would be disasterous for the Federation (unless able to use thier plot devices >_>).
In the same token an Imperial invasion of the Milkyway Galaxy would be IMPOSSIBLE for ages as no Hyperspace Charts and routes exist and non-hyperspace travel is rediculously slow. This would allow for a good amount of time for preparation which in the end I still deem as irrellevent for the Federation.
If anyone is actually interested in this topic and wants to read a good Character DRIVEN (ergo not OMG TREK BASHES WAR or vice versa) check out TFC maybe post on the boards and join our crazy community
. Remember we are focused on an intelligent story and not a senseless wankfest for fans.