Comments on: 7 Things Star Wars Can Teach You About Life and Politics

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 03:32:37 +0000

On Han Solo’s quote, Sparknotes actually put it “Han’s claim of never having seen evidence of the Force in his travels is clearly self-serving. That is, Han sees no evidence of the Force affecting his life precisely because he does not wish to see such a force affect his life. Han wants to shape his own destiny apart from others, which requires that he be cut off from the Force, which, as we have been told by Ben, penetrates us all and binds us together. Even after Luke is able to defeat the remote with his eyes shielded, Han would much rather trust in his own skill, and even in “luck,” than accept that his own fate is contingent on anyone or anything outside of himself.”. Han is originally out for himself, but he helps Luke twice when he is in need, and when he is frozen in carbonite, his friends save him. He learns that he has to trust and rely on others. He goes from a selfish loner to a loyal friend.

By: Doug

Doug — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:21:52 +0000

You can talk or debate all you want about the election in 2000, but the “truth” you cling to is not a truth that is the same for everyone.

By: alex

alex — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 01:55:57 +0000

ugh who ever likes star wars and is like a teenager is such a nerd!!!! lol people, btw the guy that plays as anikan skywalker is actouly kinda hot.

By: Gaynor

Gaynor — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:25:53 +0000

One of the reasons that Star Wars was so successful was its ability to communicate on several different levels, and tell several stories at the same time, which appealled to different age groups. Excellent article.

By: radicalist commy

radicalist commy — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 04:13:58 +0000

actually, Anakin died when he was named Vader. Vader’s death he accepted. Anakin had long been dead.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:38:43 +0000

A good one to include in this article is a quote form Liam Neeson’s character from the Phantom Menace:

Your focus determines your reality.

By: Dre

Dre — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:48:03 +0000

Amazingly well written, and compelling article. I loved the analyzation of each quote and how you interpreted them, job well done

By: Rosie

Rosie — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:36:35 +0000

“Will you die happy and laughing like Yoda or screaming like Anakin?”

Anakin did not die screaming. He accepted his death . . . quite peacefully, I might add.

By: The Daily Minder

The Daily Minder — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 05:41:22 +0000

Hi Jim.

Thank you for taking the time to write such a fantastic comment!

I agree with you 100% about what Lincoln said.

I think what bothers me (other than Bush) is the American Democratic system itself. It is not as democratic as one might think. This issue of Presidential Veto is one such example. Congress members are directly elected but the President institution is swayed by super delegates who have more than one electoral vote when appointed the nominee after the primary elections. So why should he have the final check if he got there by a less-than-democratic method? I’m not sure.

The second thing that bothers me is that once he is in he just appoints his golf buddies as his cabinet. Very strange.

If you get a chance you might be interested in the Australian system. Here we have an election where we elect the members of parliament (congress). The party who gets the most representatives in the congress forms the Government and they appoint a Prime Minister from the party. So not only is the PM elected to a seat by the people, he is also selected by the representatives of the people. And unlike the USA he sits in Congress and has to defend/promote his Bills if he wants them passed.

Anyway – thank you for your comment. I really enjoyed it!

TDM

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:56:42 +0000

“What about allowing one (dubiously elected) man to veto a Bill passed by your representatives that would permit scientists to use eggs (that would never become babys) to produce treatments that could potentially relieve the suffering of millions because his religion might not like it?”

While I agree with your sentiment, I must add something: the veto power is a check on Congress. One may believe that a President should or should not be in office, but once in office he has the power to veto legislation. This power is unquestionably a Constitutionally delegated presidential power. If a bill has broad based support throughout the country it could get passed through a two-thirds supermajority of both houses of Congress over the president’s veto.

I find it abhorrent that stem-cell research is not pursued vigorously by our government. I do not agree with the current president’s politics. With that said, we must respect the laws and work to effect change however we can: be it at the community, local, state, or federal level. Lincoln said (and Socrates would agree): “When I so pressingly urge a strict observance of all the laws, let me not be understood as saying there are no bad laws, nor that grievances may not arise, for the redress of which, no legal provisions have been made.–I mean to say no such thing. But I do mean to say, that, although bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible, still while they continue in force, for the sake of example, they should be religiously observed.” Even though W. is a hated and embarrassing dolt to most of us we should not undermine the authority granted him by the Constitution because we want that power reserved for future, good presidents (Senator Obama perhaps?).

Great article. I agree wholeheartedly and in total with the rest of it!