Ok folks... Opinions please...

[ayoub]

And sorry, but it's politics again...

A friend of mine posted this image:



And I was struck by it because to me, the Empire and the death star was always a right wing symbol, and a very left wing symbol superimposed on it made me laugh...

But the person who posted it seemed to think that the Empire and the Death Star embodied liberalism.

So I'm going to put this to the vote, to see what others think:

[Poll #1292525]

Have at it!

Oh, and I might have to make this image into an icon... It's way too amusing not to!

Comments

[uawildcatgrl.livejournal.com]

Ya need to have an "I'm not nerdy enough" option! ;P

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

LMAO!

Come on... Who's not nerdy enough for Star Wars?

;)

[mac-arthur-park.livejournal.com]

Gck! Hit the wrong button!

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

You can change your vote by going here :D

[sabatoa.livejournal.com]

Let me state my argument that the Empire is Liberalism and the Resistence is Conservatism.

Liberalism as an ideal sounds emancipating but in the context of Government, it is often all encompassing and at times can be intrusive into the lives of everyday denizens.

True conservatism lessens the impact of the Government on the lives of the people. My actual political stance isn't conservative, contrary to popular opinion. I'm actually a Libertarian. I want the Government out of my life completely with the exception of military protection.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

You're confusing liberalism with socialism, or worse, communism.

Liberalism is, and I quote:

a political or social philosophy advocating the freedom of the individual, parliamentary systems of government, nonviolent modification of political, social, or economic institutions to assure unrestricted development in all spheres of human endeavor, and governmental guarantees of individual rights and civil liberties.

[fragbert.livejournal.com]

Ok, this is just amazing to me. How could ANYONE think that the Empire was leftist?

1. The Empire supports slavery.
2. The Empire systematically destroys all opposition to it without rule of law or diplomatic precedures.
3. The Empire is a militaristic dictatorship that seeks to suppress culture, individualism, and personal freedoms.
4. The Empire has no Bill Of Rights to protect its citizens.
5. The Empire has subjects, not citizens.

Trust me, I have role-played an Imperial character in the Star Wars MMO for over three years. We own the galaxy. We own YOU.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Exactly!

[phigmentor.livejournal.com]

The Empire was based on Communism/Marxism. Decidedly left, dearest.

To be fair though--- I am an unusually well researched Star Wars Geek. I think the connotation of the Death Star is one of extreme oppression, and therefore a negative connotation- not political sway...

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

The empire oversaw increased trade and capitalism, though, just look at the rise of Coruscant, and the wealth of the supported organisations throughout. It was militant capitalism, where the rich got richer, the army was all there was, and the poor remained poor...

[mattg.livejournal.com]

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

LMAO!

[innerly.livejournal.com]

can you make this public? i have a friend who i'm sure would enjoy this poll and comments

[uawildcatgrl.livejournal.com]

If he doesn't want to I can make it public on mine?

[hippie-geisha.livejournal.com]

I am really ashamed to admit this....but I fell asleep during "Return of the Jedi" in the theater! Carl was not pleased with me....LOL!!!

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

That's just wrong! Return of the Jedi was the best movie of the lot!

[cmerun12.livejournal.com]

Ya just had to stir up trouble, didn't ya?

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

It's FUN... sometimes ;)

[castlelady.livejournal.com]

I can't vote on this. I don't know enough about Star Wars.

[uawildcatgrl.livejournal.com]

Read the comments above...I had to get schooled as well!

[smwright.livejournal.com]

I actually have thoughts, but first I have to bathe... ;)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I'd love to hear your thoughts :D

But then... You bathing... And I'd forget all other thoughts :D

[eithnepdb.livejournal.com]

Is this person making the point that the Obama government, for all it's liberal and centrist leanings, is really The Empire (read dictatorship) in disguise?

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Either that, or that Obama will destroy the world...

[allyra.livejournal.com]

This is something of an ad hominem comment, but...I do so wish so many people didn't misunderstand what Marxist Communism really is. It has nothing in common with what was practiced in the Soviet Union, other than nomenclature.

*The Soviet historian sighs sadly*

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I never knew that about you... I'd love to learn more about the differences...

[mjtheanarchist.livejournal.com]

Whoooooaaaa, that's compelling.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[kelly-pink.livejournal.com]

this should settle it..




the 29 second mark...

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

LMAO!

Awesome :D

[c-woodhaven.livejournal.com]

I suppose it's how you look at the tenants of liberalism vs conservatism.

If conservatism is small government and personal responsibility and liberalism reflects socialistic ideals (ie: the government will take care of you) then the Resistance clearly is conservative and the Empire is liberal.

If, however, you define liberalism as the introduction of radical ideas that buck the system (any system), then the Resistance is liberal.


*hugs*
~calypso

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I'm more of the latter school of thought... :D

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

It was easy answering the question without referring to the picture, but I have to ask, what is it supposed to be? An American flag? Is the creators intent to show the world is about to be exterminated by a liberal American administration? I'm so confused!

[sabatoa.livejournal.com]

That's Obama's campaign logo.

[nadineheather.livejournal.com]

Nothing to do with the post - just to say thank you, and love you to bits :)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I love you too!

[twirlandswirl.livejournal.com]

I say resistance, because they are clearly against big government.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Oddly, I tend to believe that right wing policies bring a bigger government... Especially considering Mr. Bush's contributions to increasing legislation...

But y'know... That's opinion :D

[childeofloki.livejournal.com]

I love my dad. I sent him this picture to see what he'd say about it.
He said, "I didn't even know that liberals had a calling card... Is it for Al Gore's Batman light?"

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

LMAO!

[qt3-14159.livejournal.com]

I'm here via Bren's journal...and I just thought I'd letcha know that I don't have a clue. I've never seen any of the Star Wars movies. ::ducks::

I know...I'm a terrible, terrible American. ;o)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

LMAO!

Not a problem! And it just makes you a terrible geek... ;)

[bmused.livejournal.com]

The Empire is actually fascist -- which is not really on the Left/Right spectrum. I mean, for crying out loud -- the Empire is clearly based on the Nazis...

But if I have to choose, it's definitely right-wing. The Empire operates on authoritarian, imperialistic, and conformist principles, which are far more characteristic of right wing politics than the left. In addition, the Empire symbolized the incumbant power, against which the less well-off and heterogenous resistance was fighting. So if they have to be Democrats or Republicans, the Empire are the Republicans. (Which is absolutely NOT to liken Republicans to Nazis or bad guys in real life.)

I won't even go into the potential Obama/Skywalker analogy here. =c)

In short, that graphic is rather ill-conceived.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

It is indeed... And in a way that I, usually, find amusing :)

And, as far as the Obama / Skywalker thing... That would make Joe Biden Han Solo... And that just doesn't compute :P

[sabotabby]

Hmm, imperialism vs feudalism. I mean obviously the Jedi needed to be overthrown but what replaced them was even worse.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

True!

But then, it's the cycle of life... :D

[jvmatucha.livejournal.com]

I couldn't resist!

:)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

:D

Me neither :D

the death star

[atomb0mb.livejournal.com]

The death star represents the clever masters who created the fake left vs right paradigm to keep their servants so busy fighting each other with meaningless liberal vs conservative rhetoric, that they never noticed that it was all scripted theater used to enslave them.

Re: the death star

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

An interesting point of view!