The Prophet Mohammed Was A Karl Rove Setup

I've just seen Revenge Of The Sith. Visually stunning, emotionally powerful, and the worst moments were not too bad. Engaging throughout, and well worth seeing. After I saw it, I started reading reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. It's amazing how many of these ignoramus, knee-jerk, left-wing know-nothing reviewers have to find a parallel with George Bush and the Iraq war. Oh yes, it's parallel all right. You see, Bush has a master plan. He used the force to create the Muslim religion fourteen centuries ago. That whole knocking down the WTC on 9/11 was just a feint. And when I went into the voting booth last November, a voice in my head said "John Kerry is not the candidate you're looking for." I felt a strange compulsion to pull the lever for Darth Dubya. Yes. The parallels are eerie.

Idiots.

Here's one example:

But there's more to "Revenge of the Sith" than just the carefully crafted surface: fairy tales have morals, and myths carry practical meaning. The original trilogy led up to a happy ending complete with fireworks and dancing bears. The prequels tell a similar hero's journey, but instead of an affirming story about believing in oneself, it is a dire warning about the dangers of arrogance and greed. In a country more and more divided by talk about "moral values," "Star Wars" isn't subtle about the values it considers important; again and again, we are reminded that fear, hatred, greed, pride and "a failure to listen" lead to the Dark Side. Compassion, love, and non-violence are the real way to peace and justice. In this final chapter, George Lucas does not hesitate to make the connections explicit.

The broader story of the prequels is based on Roman history and the rise of the Third Reich—the story of a democracy that slips into dictatorship. It was easy to overlook the political plot during episodes I and II, when it consisted mainly of confusing talk of trade federation taxation of outlying trade routes, separatists, and the squabbling space aliens who filled the floating pods of the Galactic Senate. But now, it becomes obvious that the strange dealings all amounted to a concerted power grab by Palpatine to become Chancellor, secure emergency powers for himself, and build an army of clones. Using a fabricated threat, he launched a fraudulent war to extend his grip on power. Sound like anyone you know?

With familiar rhetoric, Palpatine declares the end of the Republic: in the name of peace, freedom, democracy, and security, he must accept the burden of power. Devastated, Padme remarks: "So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause." It is a shockingly serious moment, bitter and real. But the film's bluntest political statement comes when Anakin, lightsaber in hand, paraphrases George W. Bush's first State of the Union Address: "If you're not with me, then you're my enemy!" Obi-Wan, representing the forces of good, doesn't flip-flop. His damning answer? "Only a Sith deals in absolutes!" Mark my words: somebody is going to put that on a bumper sticker.

Deep. Pass the bong.