"This is how liberty dies -- to thunderous applause."

[whistle]

<snip>
The Empire Strikes Bush

By Dan Froomkin
Special to washingtonpost.com
Monday, May 16, 2005; 12:48 PM

So observes Queen Amidala of Naboo as the galactic senate grants dictator-to-be Palpatine sweeping new powers in his crusade against the Jedi in the final "Star Wars" movie opening this week.

It's just one of several lines in "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith," that reveal the movie to be more than just a sci-fi blockbuster and gargantuan cultural phenomenon.

"Revenge of the Sith," it turns out, can also be seen as a cautionary tale for our time -- a blistering critique of the war in Iraq, a reminder of how democracies can give up their freedoms too easily, and an admonition about the seduction of good people by absolute power.

Some film critics suggest it could be the biggest anti-Bush blockbuster since "Fahrenheit 9/11."

<more>
<link> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2005/05/16/BL2005051600615.html?referrer=emailarticle

[malaise]

1. Between the new Star Wars movie

the quagmire in Iraq, the knockout punch from Galloway, the inversion of reality re Newsweek, Frist and the filibuster and Social Security, the neo-cons are now on the defensive. Should be fun watching the tide turn.

[anarchy1999]

3. It is a lot to wish for, let us all not be dissappointed once again.

We can only hope and wish for soemthing to break through the masses/Christian Fundamentalist mindset. I've given up hope, but maybe, we shall see.

[Clark2008]

4. I'm actually seeing a shift this time.

Sure, there have been bigger stories and more discusting issues that should have caused the shift at least two or three years ago, but there is something happening now that wasn't happening then: the media is becoming appalled by BushCo. and the Republican Congress.
That's what it takes - that's what it always takes. It's not an issue in the minds of the marching morons until the media pounds it home.
And, with Galloway's bitch-slap of Coleman, the trashing of the Constitution, the shock of moderate Republicans and the people of this country taking the hit - in the pocketbook and in the gut - the media can no longer ignore this.

[malaise]

6. True but that Newsweek

mess has really pissed off journalists. The few sensible ones see a pattern with CBS. Cracks are opening up all over the place. Star Wars will reach peeps that F9/11 didn't. Peeps are waking up slowly.

[PAdem2]

11. This will take all of 2 seconds for the NRA

to say that the the scene shows how a government that disarms the public "for their own security" is a parallel to the anti-gun movements around the world. And that Star Wars shows the importance of being able to defend yourself against these lying politicians. This kind of projection from left and right is a silly waste of time.

[Tesla]

2. I know what I'm doing this weekend!!!!

George Lucas is awesome!!!

[dbt]

9. Tesla! They told us you were dead!

And they've spent the last fifty years telling us how your discoveries do not work. I am SO not surprised to find you on DU, just like Dr. Franklin!

;)

PS: About that Tunguska Explosion...

[Tesla]

13. How do you know I didn't just "time-travel" for awhile???? aka Titor!

As to my experiments.....they still haven't figured out the math!!

As you know, it's not about the money.....it about the good of the people!!


p.s. So sorry, bad aim!!!!

[LightningFlash]

5. "If you're not with me--You're against me"

George Bush and his friends to the Media. If you don't print exactly what we want to hear, you are against me and must be raped and destroyed.

Such a shivering, tell-tale moment. Let's get the truth out there and pound for a full senate investigation into the IRAQ coverups, the real alternate media available through radio and internet only is waking AMERICA UP!

Join the resistance.

[Clark2008]

7. There are more reporters than there are Bush Administration officials.

And there are more reporters than publishers.

Time for them to take back their profession.

Afterall, according to Bush, the majority rules, so the journalism professon has the mandate.

[LightningFlash]

10. If only they would fight back for their profession....

But a billion dollars seems to go a much longer ways.

[ariellyn]

8. I'm surprised Carlyle-owned Leows theatres is running it--

Oh I forgot, they are nothing if not beholden to the dollar. (Plus, their minions won't get the connection to reality anyway.)

[TahitiNut]

12. That people can see the applicability to the Bushoilini Regime ....

... proves that they, including Republicans, agree that this Regime is an "Evil Empire" and our individual liberties are being decimated. There's nothing in the movie that overtly draws a parallel - that parallel can only be seen when one is aware of the essential similarities. Rather than associate the plot with the abuses of the Nazis in Germany or the Fascists in Italy, people are drawing the parallels to the contemporary abuses of the current Regime. It's a choice. This is very telling, imho.

[Tesla]

14. Mantra.....