Friday, August 18, 2006

I wonder...

Has anyone else noticed the similarities between how this leader gathered and horded power and how this leader has gathered and horded power?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmmm... like what similarities? I've yet to see GW organize a slaughter of the Christian church. Nor would Palpatine allow for a Judicial system to rule his actions unconstitutional. I think if one looks hard enough, they can find similarities in fiction and reality just about anywhere, I still remember my grade school teacher requiring we compare/contrast the Lord of the Flies with Star Wars. Castle Rock = Death Star? Come'on.

~ Ricky

Dave said...

I'm mostly referring the way both used a war to build up their authoritative power and stretch the limits of their power. I am not saying that the President is evil or a murder, I just thought the similarities were interesting.

Plus I'm not sure that comparing the Jedi Order with the Christian church is an accurate comparison.

Ross Riley said...

I don't think George Lucas is NECESSARILY trying to compare Palpatine to W. On the other hand, he's not writing in a political vacuum either. He's commenting on how politicians in general, throughout history, have capitalized on national crises as a means of grabbing power. You can go back to various Greek and Roman politicians for early examples, or look at Hitler in the first half of the last century for a more recent example.
Any direct comparison between Palpatine and W. is in the eye of the beholder.