Open Letter to George Lucas
Wylie Wilde
Dear Mr Lucas
This might be a good opportunity to thank you for many hours of
entertainment that your two "Star Wars" trilogies have provided for me with.
I'm not one of the "Star Wars" fanatics, but I've watched the five films so
far several times over the years. I most fondly remember watching the first
trilogy in the late 1970s and the early 80s at the movies, when I was a boy
living in the then communist Poland. Your space saga of Luke Skywalker and
his fight against Darth Vader, the Empire and the Dark Side has proved as
big a hit on the other side of the Iron Curtin as it did in the West.
You might be aware that all of us who saw the "Star Wars" trilogy throughout
the communist world saw it as an entertaining, yet still nonetheless
powerful commentary on the current world events. We simply couldn't escape
the conclusion that the militaristic and freedom-crushing Empire with its
legions of stormtroopers is a futuristic version of the Soviet Empire, which
had conquered and enslaved hundreds of millions of people like myself. For
us, of course, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and all the others fighting to
restore the Republic were brave freedom fighters in the truest sense of the
word. Like the Western movie goers, we too cheered when the Death Star was
destroyed (twice), but whereas for our counterparts in the Free World this
was just a great cinematic climax, for us it embodied the hope ("A New
Hope", if you pardon the pun) that one day the specter of totalitarianism
will vanish and we will be free again.
Apparently, however, we were wrong - we didn't read your movies correctly.
I noted with interest your recent remarks in Cannes:
"Star Wars" director George Lucas says that although he wrote the original
film during the Vietnam War, his six-part saga could apply to the war in
Iraq.
"In terms of evil, one of the original concepts was how does a democracy
turn itself into a dictatorship," Lucas told a news conference at Cannes,
where his final episode had its world premiere.
"The parallels between what we did in Vietnam and what we're doing in Iraq
now are unbelievable.
"On the personal level it was how does a good person turn into a bad person,
and part of the observation of that is that most bad people think they are
good people, they are doing it for the right reasons."
Yes, we were very wrong indeed - to you, the Empire was the United States of
America, and if that's the case, then the brave rebels could only be all
those people around the world fighting the American Empire - the Castros,
Che Guevaras, Ho Chi Minhs, Pol Pots, and by extension, the Brezhnevs and
the Mao Tse Tungs of this world. You, of course, live in the Free World, and
as such you have the right to believe that your country is the most powerful
force for evil operating in the world.
But just for the sake of completeness and historical accuracy, can I just
mention that whatever the sins of the United States - and I certainly
understand well enough that no country is perfect - your rebels, both when
fighting for power and when finally in power, ended up being responsible for
the death of tens of millions and enslavement of hundreds of millions; the
Luke Skywalkers and Han Solos of the last century gave us gulags and
re-education camps, terror famines and political prisons; they
institutionalized cults of personality, stifled every human freedom and
impoverished whole nations.
May I also add that whatever your thoughts about the United States and its
supposed descent from a democracy into empire, had the Rebels won, you would
have never had a chance to film a critical allegory on your own government.
At best, your artistic output would have consisted of short features about
the 150% increase in the wheat harvest, and at worst - if you had stayed
true to your conscience - you would be dreaming your "Star Wars" trilogy
from behind bars.
Over the course of the last three years, the United States and her allies
have managed to depose two truly despicable regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq
and today are trying to bring the gift of freedom and democracy - things
that you enjoy every day probably without giving them much thought - to tens
of millions of people who have never known them before. You might well think
that Anakin Skywalker's painful transformation into Darth Vader is somehow a
perfect analogy for the political journey of George W Bush, but I have a
sneaking suspicion that movie fans in Baghdad will have already recognized
Darth Vader as one of their own - with a moustache rather than a black
helmet. He, too, had two children, although they didn't turn up quite as
cute as Luke and Leia. They names were Uday and Qusay.
I will still go and see "The Revenge of the Sith" when it opens in Australia
in a few days' time, and I will not stop enjoying the other five films just
because I read their message differently to what you intended.
But if in your mind, it's the United States that has slowly transformed
itself into an evil Empire, and therefore, logically all those who stand up
to it are our story's true heroes, than I have to say that the Dark Side is
very strong indeed, and I have crossed over a long time ago. If America is
the Empire, then please prepare a black helmet and uniform for me too.
# posted by Arthur : 6:53 AM
--
Regards,
Wilde
___________________________
Classic Humor
www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail117.html
Ritchie
"Wylie Wilde" <wylywylde.lucas...@singnet.com.sg> wrote in
message news:d6n7mo$ufd$3...@mawar.singnet.com.sg...
Very well said.
Nobody
> But if in your mind, it's the United States that has slowly transformed
> itself into an evil Empire, and therefore, logically all those who stand up
> to it are our story's true heroes, than I have to say that the Dark Side is
> very strong indeed, and I have crossed over a long time ago. If America is
> the Empire, then please prepare a black helmet and uniform for me too.
Nice work. Although, I see it the exact opposite:
Even if you are not a Star Wars fan, you've probably been hearing the
noise from the liberal media how George Lucas space epic parallels the
Bush administration. This is, of course, complete hogwash. Lucas has
already stated how he wrote the outline of the story during the Vietnam
war, so allusions to Bush are just wishful thinking by our liberal
"friends."
I'd like to offer an alternative point of view. I see the Star Wars
story as one where the REPUBLICAN Rebel Alliance is fighting for FREEDOM
and TRADITION against an evil LIBERAL empire who is trying to TAKE
freedom and support tyranny.
First of all, let's start with Palpatine. He wants to turn a free
society into a dictatorship. Forgive me, but isn't it the DEMOCRATS who
are promoting SOCIALISM (more social programs, health care, welfare,
more taxes, etc) instead of democracy? Isn't in the DEMOCRATS who try to
tax your freedoms away? Isn't it the DEMOCRATS who despise the TRIED and
TRUE TRADITIONAL methods of government in favor of turning the United
States into some kind of social experiment?
Not to mention the ARROGANCE of the Emperor. Especially in the final
film, Return of the Jedi. He talks down to Luke (a farm boy) just as our
LIBERAL friends talk down to everyone else (especially "redneck, yokel"
Republicans.) Have you ever heard a liberal say, "You might be right
about that." No? Me neither. Emperor Palpatine also ignored a key
component: The perceived "weak." He ignored the strengh of the Ewoks
(hicks, yokels, rednecks, etc.) just as the LIBERALS ignore the red
states. Oh for shame.
And lets talk about genetics for a moment. Isn't it the LIBERALS who
embrace genetic research like CLONING for the "betterment of mankind?"
Which party would be more likely to want to create a CLONE army? Why, a
LIBERAL of course! And look at the "promises" Palpatine made in regards
to said army. It was created to "help" the Republic, right? Of course we
learn in Episode III that "helping the Republic" was a LIE and they were
really created to protect his own interests. Reminds me of LIBERALS who
"claim" their programs are for the greater good, but it's only ever to
shore up their own power.
And while were on the subject of life, let's talk about how Anakin
Skywalker tried to kill his unborn children by strangling his wife.
Kinda makes you wonder if he supports the killing of the unborn via
ABORTION like the LIBERALS do. Darth Vader is a mass murderer who shows
no regard for life at all. Kinda like that dictator guy
Hussein-somethingorother.
Then we get to Luke Skywalker who was hidden from the evil empire on a
backwater planet. Luke was a FARMER, working his ass off every day to
feed his family. Meanwhile, the Emperor is *SITTING* on his ass doing
nothing all day in his mega-city. Seems to me that Luke being a FARMER
is like living in a red state such as Kansas whereas the Emperor living
in a mega-city is like living in a blue state mega-city like New York,
Boston, Los Angeles, or Chicago. Ah yes, those evil LIBERAL Emperors
always discount the importance of the farmers, don't they?
And how about the force? Lucas has admitted that it's meant to be a
religion. And it's always the LIBERALS who are trying to destroy
religion in america, especially Christianity. It is the EMPEROR who is
trying to destroy the Jedi (or good) religion while supporting his own
(evil) religion. That evil religion is, of course, the hunger for power.
Finally, we get to war. This is probably the easiest one to cover. Who
exactly is more willing to FIGHT for FREEDOM? Who is more likely to
FIGHT against an EVIL DICTATOR like Palpatine? Democrats or Republicans?
Liberals or Conservatives? Who, to this day, thinks we should NOT have
diposed Saddam Hussein, an evil dictator? If you said the LIBERALS, you
win a cigar.
The fact of the matter is, it is the LIBERALS who would rather sit on
their asses than fight for freedom. It is the LIBERALS who attack their
own country (like Palpatine attaked his own Republic) trying to turn it
into a dictatorship. It is the REBEL ALLIANCE (Republicans) fighting for
FREEDOMS and TRADITION rather than tyranny and oppression.
So put that in your pipe and smoke it, LIBERAL MEDIA!
--
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall
pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend,
oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of
liberty. This much we pledge—and more.
- President John F. Kennedy, Jan. 20, 1961
Carin
"Wylie Wilde" <wylywylde.lucas...@singnet.com.sg> wrote in
message news:d6n7mo$ufd$3...@mawar.singnet.com.sg...
Zanzibar High
pose as a profound poster but fail miserably. Star Wars is as foremost a SF
movie made for entertainment and nothing more. Finding anything like
analogies or messages in this piece of celuloid turd is like to play with my
balls and try to search a deeper meaning to it. The only purpose has it is
entartainment (from watching Shit Wars) or pleasure (playing with my family
jewels). Actually to try something like that you have to be a complete moron
(like yourself).
Kersey@nospamaol.com Paul Kersey
PK
"Wylie Wilde" <wylywylde.lucas...@singnet.com.sg> wrote in
message news:d6n7mo$ufd$3...@mawar.singnet.com.sg...
TJM
we Americans welcome you to the Good Side!!!
Now, let's go blow up France and Canada like the Death Star....those 2 countries
are spineless traitors and need to be vaporized like Alderaan.
"Wylie Wilde" <wylywylde.lucas...@singnet.com.sg> wrote in message
news:d6n7mo$ufd$3...@mawar.singnet.com.sg...
Carin
news:d6nkqk$kg5$1...@ss405.t-com.hr...
Actually, your post has my vote for "most stupidest"
Zanzibar High
"> Actually, your post has my vote for "most stupidest"
I from my deepest bowels of soul sincerely DON'T GIVE A FLYING
FUCK!!!!!!!!!!
Ritchie
"Carin" <wave...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:XxJje.643$oT1...@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Actually, your post has my vote for "most stupidest"
I second your vote.
Drude
ab...@microsoft.com says...
Bullshit. Pure and Simple.
-Drude
Zanzibar High
"Ritchie" <n...@noplace.com> wrote in message
news:syJje.26$XB2....@twister.nyc.rr.com...
Not only are u un-original "Ritchie-suck-my-dick" (yawn),
"Carin-giving-anus-for-money" (Double Yawn), you're very boring. I dont care
what u think of my ficking post or that Polish cocksucker, infact my reply
was not intended for u, but since u want 2 join in ur 2 cents, I'll throw in
mine. I alleviated the boredom of reading ur pathetic post to some small
degree by playing with my testicles for a few minutes - an activity at which
you are no doubt familiar and highly adept. You are a sputum-filled piece of
distended rectum - an incompetent of the highest order in the filthy
pussed-filled mire of your limitless inadequacy.
Drude
wylywylde.lucas...@singnet.com.sg says...
> An open letter to George Lucas
> Dear Mr Lucas
>
> This might be a good opportunity to thank you for many hours of
> entertainment that your two "Star Wars" trilogies have provided for me with.
> I'm not one of the "Star Wars" fanatics, but I've watched the five films so
> far several times over the years. I most fondly remember watching the first
> trilogy in the late 1970s and the early 80s at the movies, when I was a boy
> living in the then communist Poland. Your space saga of Luke Skywalker and
> his fight against Darth Vader, the Empire and the Dark Side has proved as
> big a hit on the other side of the Iron Curtin as it did in the West.
>
> You might be aware that all of us who saw the "Star Wars" trilogy throughout
> the communist world saw it as an entertaining, yet still nonetheless
> powerful commentary on the current world events. We simply couldn't escape
> the conclusion that the militaristic and freedom-crushing Empire with its
> legions of stormtroopers is a futuristic version of the Soviet Empire, which
> had conquered and enslaved hundreds of millions of people like myself. For
> us, of course, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and all the others fighting to
> restore the Republic were brave freedom fighters in the truest sense of the
> word. Like the Western movie goers, we too cheered when the Death Star was
> destroyed (twice), but whereas for our counterparts in the Free World this
> was just a great cinematic climax, for us it embodied the hope ("A New
> Hope", if you pardon the pun) that one day the specter of totalitarianism
> will vanish and we will be free again.
>
> Apparently, however, we were wrong - we didn't read your movies correctly.
>
Oh, knock off the horseshit!
First off, reading a whole lot of politcal commentary into these films
is ridiculous! It's like reading political commentary into The Goonies.
These are FICTIONAL films about FICTIONAL circumstances. Remember
people: these are NOT deep, philosophical pieces of art -- they are
westerns in space. Good guys wear white, bad guys wear black, and
people shoot each other and blow things up... all because it looks cool.
End of story.
Secondly, if GL IS making a *small* political statement, then so be
it... he has a right to his opinion as much as anyone else, and can
write wahatever he wants into HIS movie.
Thirdly... I could, without ANY statement by GL, read whatever politcal
statement I want into this film, and I, a Canadian (if it's important),
definitely can see parallels between what is going on in the world right
now, and certain events in the SW films...
I believe that the United States ARE on a road to Empire, that Bush and
his cronies would love to see the eventual 'Americanization' of the
world. You can't honestly tell me that you think that every political
and (especially) MILITARY move that the U.S. makes is purely for
humanitarian, PEACEFUL purposes???? That's idiotic! You'd have to be
blind!
The U.S. hasn't even done a very good job of covering up the fact that
the war in Iraq and their unwelcome involvement in other parts of the
world are wholly unethical, immoral and illegal.
Not EVERYONE who opposes the US is a Pol Pot or Ho Chi Minh! And I
would argue that Che Guevara was a hero to many, and Castro has done far
more for his people than any American (or other country's) leader ever
has (0% illiteracy, anyone? Guaranteed housing, employment and
education for everyone? I'm a proud Canadian, and I think that our
Democratic Socialist way of life is the way to go --- but we haven't
managed anything NEAR that!).
Have there been brutalities under the Castro reign? -- yup, sure have.
Have you looked at America's record on Human Rights abuses? Probably
not... because most Americans don't want to know. Too busy waving
flags and watching Fox Propaga- I mean, 'NEWS'. Fact is, the U.S. has
just as censored a media as China, Cuba and North Korea... but it's
DISGUISED as freedom of speech! At least the Chinese KNOW they're not
getting the whole story... most Americans I speak to are completely
oblivious to the fact!
One of these days or years, the rest of the world will get fed up and
pissed off and do something about the Red, White and Blue Menace, OR,
the US is going to wake up and actually cooperate with the rest of the
world, and become one of us. But until one of these things happens, the
main threat in this world is NOT going to be 'The Terrorists'... it's
going to be the United States Military Machine.
I'm just glad that there are some Americans who aren't towing the line,
and are fighting this from within.
So, maybe GL DID make a political statement... Hmmm...
I know that, here in Canada, when Anakin/Vader said, 'If you're not with
me, then you're my enemy', there was a murmur and applause in the
audience... and it wasn't PRO-American.
The leaders of the US are busily stamping out Democracy around the world
and in their own country, all the time calling it a 'Fight For
Democracy'... Just like a certain leader of a certain Rebublic did in
this movie I just recently watched...
Hey, wait! This movie WAS a political statement against American
Policy!!! Way to go Lucas!!!! You've regained my respect!
I gave it an 8 out of 10 before... let's make it a 10!
-Drude
Drude
> In article <8oGje.31521$VH2....@tornado.tampabay.rr.com>,
> ab...@microsoft.com says...
> > Wylie Wilde wrote:
> >
> > > But if in your mind, it's the United States that has slowly transformed
> > > itself into an evil Empire, and therefore, logically all those who stand up
> > > to it are our story's true heroes, than I have to say that the Dark Side is
> > > very strong indeed, and I have crossed over a long time ago. If America is
> > > the Empire, then please prepare a black helmet and uniform for me too.
> >
> > Nice work. Although, I see it the exact opposite:
> >
In article <d6n7mo$ufd$3...@mawar.singnet.com.sg>,
wylywylde.lucas...@singnet.com.sg says...
> An open letter to George Lucas
> Dear Mr Lucas
>
> This might be a good opportunity to thank you for many hours of
> entertainment that your two "Star Wars" trilogies have provided for me with.
> I'm not one of the "Star Wars" fanatics, but I've watched the five films so
> far several times over the years. I most fondly remember watching the first
> trilogy in the late 1970s and the early 80s at the movies, when I was a boy
> living in the then communist Poland. Your space saga of Luke Skywalker and
> his fight against Darth Vader, the Empire and the Dark Side has proved as
> big a hit on the other side of the Iron Curtin as it did in the West.
>
> You might be aware that all of us who saw the "Star Wars" trilogy throughout
> the communist world saw it as an entertaining, yet still nonetheless
> powerful commentary on the current world events. We simply couldn't escape
> the conclusion that the militaristic and freedom-crushing Empire with its
> legions of stormtroopers is a futuristic version of the Soviet Empire, which
> had conquered and enslaved hundreds of millions of people like myself. For
> us, of course, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and all the others fighting to
> restore the Republic were brave freedom fighters in the truest sense of the
> word. Like the Western movie goers, we too cheered when the Death Star was
> destroyed (twice), but whereas for our counterparts in the Free World this
> was just a great cinematic climax, for us it embodied the hope ("A New
> Hope", if you pardon the pun) that one day the specter of totalitarianism
> will vanish and we will be free again.
>
> Apparently, however, we were wrong - we didn't read your movies correctly.
>
(SNIP!)
not... becuase most Americans don't want to know. Too busy waving
flags and watching Fox Propaga- I mean, 'NEWS'. Fact is, the U.S. has
just as censored a media as China, Cuba and North Korea... but it's
DISGUISED as freedom of speech! At least the Chinese KNOW they're not
getting the whole story... most Americans I speak to are completely
oblivious to the fact!
One of these days or years, the rest of the world will get fed up and
pissed off and do something about the Red, White and Blue Menace, OR,
the US is going to wake up and actually cooperate with the rest of the
world, and become one of us. But until that happens, the main threat in
this world is NOT going to be 'The Terrorists'... it's going to be the
United States Military Machine.
I'm just glad that there are some Americans who aren't towing the line,
and are fighting this from within.
So, maybe GL DID make a political statement...
I know that, here in Canada, when Anakin/Vader said, 'If you're not with
me, then you're my enemy', there was a murmur and some applause in the
audience... and it wasn't PRO-American.
The leaders of the US are busily stamping out Democracy around the world
and in their own country, all the time calling it a 'Fight For
Democracy'... Just like this Republic in this movie I just watched...
Hey, wait! This movie WAS a political statement against American
Policy!!! Way to go Lucas!!! You've regained my respect!!!!
TJM
> statement I want into this film, and I, a Canadian (if it's important),
> definitely can see parallels between what is going on in the world right
> now, and certain events in the SW films...
>
> I believe that the United States ARE on a road to Empire, that Bush and
> his cronies would love to see the eventual 'Americanization' of the
> world.
God, I would love it if America dropped a hundred nukes on Canada and blew it to
hell just like Alderaan!
When is the last time Canada did anything that required courage? Oh
wait....there's a lot of French people living in Canada......that explains
everything.
Nobody
> When is the last time Canada did anything that required courage?
Um... Never?
> Oh
> wait....there's a lot of French people living in Canada......that explains
> everything.
Pretty much.
Drude
another country, he always has to fall back on the French. Hilarious.
-Drude
Drude
What's this about courage? What is America doing right now that takes
any courage? Going into a mostly unarmed country and dropping bombs on
thousands of civilians...from a distance... while the leaders of this
force sit in cushy offices back home and smile (and act) for the
cameras?
Wow, courageous!
Actually... I WILL say this.... The actual SOLDIERS over there
(American, British, whatever...) ARE courageous, as they have a tough
job and are constantly in danger... I know I wouldn't want to be in that
situation. And they volunteered! THAT'S courageous.
However, I don't have to agree with the stupid POLICIES that put them
there... I don't believe that they are fighting for democracy... I
think they're fighting for OIL and AMERICAN SUPREMACY. They are
puppets.
-Drude
Torminalis
> Not only are u un-original "Ritchie-suck-my-dick" (yawn),
> "Carin-giving-anus-for-money" (Double Yawn), you're very boring. I
dont care
> what u think of my ficking post or that Polish cocksucker, infact my
reply
> was not intended for u, but since u want 2 join in ur 2 cents, I'll
throw in
> mine. I alleviated the boredom of reading ur pathetic post to some
small
> degree by playing with my testicles for a few minutes - an activity
at which
> you are no doubt familiar and highly adept. You are a sputum-filled
piece of
> distended rectum - an incompetent of the highest order in the filthy
> pussed-filled mire of your limitless inadequacy.
These lines are plagiarised. As a complete outsider strolling through
in the search for some meaning to fill the void left by ROTS, I have
stumbled across you. Those lines are from an old complaint letter
(email forwardy type things) to some supplier or other but you seem not
to have acknowledged the original author.
Euh
>have managed to depose two truly despicable regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq
>and today are trying to bring the gift of freedom and democracy -
I guess you watch the news on FOX ?
M'sieur l' curé de Saint-Viaud
Qu'a un' vache et point de taureau;
Il fait le taureau lui-même
Ca fait des p'tits viaux quand même.