What would the scientists do? Study the aliens?
No, that wasn't what I was implying. Scientists, IMO, would not have an "agenda", so to speak. Given the two choices that Dogmafood provided: the military would make it look like we were either afraid or were trying to be confrontational and ambassadors (again, in my opinion) would have an agenda for
their particular country as we don't seem to, as of yet, have any worldwide ambassadors that are looking out for the best interests of the human race. Scientists, on the other hand, ARE looking out for the best interests of humans and the planet as a whole.
and send people who know or can figure out how to respond to diplomatic or interpersonal communications instead.
That is also a good point that perhaps I didn't take into consideration.
Undoubtedly, we would want some kind of mixed team. Perhaps a biologist or two could provide insights, and somebody from the military should be on-site just in case; but the leader and primary movers of the team should surely be diplomats of some kind.
Good idea....but whose military?
"What can be asserted without proof, can be dismissed without proof."-Hitch.