It's my understanding that George Lucas is getting alot of praise for references to Bush's post 9-11 line "You're either with us or you're against us." I also understand that many conservatives are upset about the new Lucas film.
However, I think they have it wrong. I have long considered the Star Wars epic to be Republicanism in space while Star Trek was the liberalism in space. Star Trek seemed to be pro government while Star Wars operates off of the premise that government with too much power is an evil empire.
Mr. Lucas may have tried to insinuate that only evil (Siths) sees in absolutes, a stigma that liberals have long attached to Republicans, but he seemed to forget the infamous line of absolute chirped by Yoda, "Do, or do not, there is no try." Everybody sees something in black and white, there is definite wrong and right. The left wing organization PETA sees things in absolutes. In the opening paragragh of their mission statement "PETA operates under the simple principle that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment." To them, their is absolutely no reason to kill an animal.
Lucas may have tried to take a jab at Bush with those two lines, but the proof is in the pudding. Although Senator Palpatine looks like a conservative Senator (Joe Lieberman), the two recent senators that won their parties nomination were both Democrats. Like Palpatine, one of those Senators could not step down from power gracefully. When the votes were in, Al Gore would not stop fighting for the presidency, counting only some votes (Democrat counties), excluding others (Military votes), all while saying every vote should count.
Even the Democratic star of 2004 took life lightly during a time of war. As an officer Kerry led attacks on innocent victims much like the newly named Darth Vader led attacks against the Jedi temple, killing the children inside. (Source of Video) For many Democrats an absolute was necessary. Republicans are war criminals never Democrats never are. In the video, Kerry admits to being angry at the time, a trait, according to Lucas, that leads to the dark side.
But it was the Jedi Knights that clearly saw good v. evil, that Jedi's were good and Siths were Evil. It was the Sith (Palpatine that tried to muddy the waters between good and evil. That Anakin should try to understand the dark side, that the dark side could be used for good. That Jedi's and Siths were one in the same and to see a difference was closed minded.
Palpatine and Darth believed government brought peace, and peace was their ultimate goal, while Jedi's understood that war is at times, necessary.
Fear, anger, hatred are traits that led to the darkside. Since 9-11, most of what we have heard from liberals are expressions of the same. Fear of war, of dying, of making terrorist mad. Anger - Florida 2000, and even flat out admittance of hating Bush. Traits that Jedi's should never use, a Sith always.
Even the colors chosen to represent the Dark Side have represented some dictatorial governments. Sure "red staters" are Republicans, but take another look, the red lightsabers and Darth's black outfit happen to be the same colors as both the Nazis and Sandanistas among others (Socialist governments).
"The fear of losing the things you love, will lead one to the dark side."-- Yoda
Fear of losing healthcare, government programs, social security, affirmative action. Things that Democrats have long rallied their forces for. Save these programs from Republican cuts.
There is more, but I am out of time for now. In closing, I just want to thank George Lucas for making a great Republican series!
