Bin Laden Blames U.S. for Global Warming in New Tape
How must have Gore felt when he heard this news?
Not that I agree with Media Matters' progressive spin, in fact I hope they fail. I do however agree with Glenn Beck that terrorists are winning the propaganda war by using popular entertainment venues which still try to suggest they retain the underground image. Muslims are in turn used for that edgy extremism scene.
The Mandalore Plot
A long time ago when the muslims weren't up in your face about it...
At the park on Mandalore, the peaceful day is suddenly shattered by an explosion that rocks the memorial shrine. Satine and Obi-Wan are shaken, as are many civilian victims. Guards try to secure the area, and Kenobi spots the holographic mark of the Death Watch floating above the bomb-site. Kenobi tries to collect all the witnesses, but one Mandalorian makes a break for it, revealing his guilt.
Obi-Wan chases the bomber to a dead end platform. The desperate terrorist fires at Kenobi with a hand blaster, but Obi-Wan deflects the blasts, knocking the weapon from the criminal's hand. The terrorist then leaps over the balcony, plunging to his shocking death. With his dying breath, he reaffirms his loyalty to Death Watch.
Should UBL be held accountable to the same popular media double standard as Al Gore? Not that I necessarily mind Mandalore artfully presented as Saudi Arabia cubed, I just don't want fans to have to sort through the same confused rationale that presents Dick Cheney as evil as Darth Vader. Personally I'm having trouble seeing clearly where the line is drawn as Jango Fett uses the same plot device to bomb Amidala's tranport in AOTC:
What are pop culture fans supposed to do during the pending terror trials, celebrate Death Watch and Jango Fett as more effective plotters than the panty bomber? If KSM is found innocent should he wear a Ric Ole costume to the opening ceremonies at Celebration VI?
The problem with giving any non-force using faction in Star Wars the pretext of terrorism is the risk in creating a contradiction in a universe that is controlled by very few beings born with the power to topple empires. Non-Force users can't hope to self-givern unless they turn against their own. If supercommandos would be expected to target and maximize civilian casualties for political intimidation then the Rebel Alliance would be expected to do the same.
However like Chewbacca beheading a local pacifist in order to influence a native population in a contested region, it doesn't make sense for the good guys do terrible things. If they're going to inject the subject of terrorism into Star Wars make the Sith be the allegory for the muslim faithful with their rule by fear doctrine. At least then Jedi can be the Christian standard and the Sith can use Force-sensitive acolytes in the role of espionage, infiltration, and sabotage.
