Power
Fear
Freedom
War
Faith
Violence
Faith
Religion
Racism
Terrorism
Coercion
Oppression
Revolution
Strength
Honor
Glory
Love
Unity

Many things have been going on in our world, many terrible and bothersome things, ever since that day in September. Now, as we approach the fifth anniversery of that day, I'd like to take a look at a certain word, a word that has become increasingly familar, yet increasingly stereotyped. That word is terrorism.

Terrorism: the use of terror as a means of coercion.

Coerce: to dominate by force
to achieve by force or fear
to compel into an act or choice


Now, these two words are very powerful. Well, not the words themselves, but for what they stand for. What they mean. They are symbols, pictures that stand for something, and in this case, something very frightning and unnerving. In the past few years, we have witnessed in real life and on the T.V., the power of these two words.

The attacks in the London Underground, the kidnapping and execution of 11 Isreali athletes in Munich, 9/11, and so many other terrible events. As I got thinking about this, I also began to think about the bashing. The stereotyping. The racist things that is going on in this world.

Most of the groups involved in these attacks are from the Middle-East. Since 9/11 in the U.S, there is a lot of anger, sadness, and hatred toward these people. Many people are afraid to go onto a plane and sit next to a Muslim person because of 9/11. Some people won't even look at a Muslim if they see one in the streets. You see what those events has caused. Fear, hatred, sorrow. Now, I'm asking you a question: Could the Rebels have been considered terrorists?

Now, I bet you asking,has he lost his mind? What the heck is he getting at? How could the Rebels be considered terrorists, they were the good guys, right?

Well, think about it. After the Empire was born, a small group of senators created a resistance group. They constantly attacked and sabotaged Imperial installation that affected the building of the Death Star. The massacre on Ghorman, which was when Tarkin ordered ships to land and crush Imperial Taxation protesters, sort of jump-started the Rebellion. Many people began to wonder if the Empire, the new banner of freedom, was actually evil! After the destruction of Aldderaan, the Rebellion knew it was time to step out of the background and fight. Which is just like the present events.

When the Twin Towers fell, The U.S. knew it was time to act. They knew that they couldn't ignore the growing threat of Al-Quada. So, we went to war. We invaded Afghanistan and Iraq. We captured Saddam Hussein. We did many good things, but the war isn't over, and the threat of WW3 is beginning to appear. The activities of Iran's nuclear weapons programs and the conflict between Lebanon and Isreal are starting to tear things apart.

Now that we examined the Rebellion, let's take a look at the Empire. Darth Sidious gave birth to the Empire. He was the creator of it. He was called the savior of the galaxy. After making others believe that the Jedi turned against the Republic, he began Order 66. (No, we are not going inot details about that.) Now that the Jedi were out of the way, he wanted to spread the Empire's banner across the galaxy to every planet.

He wanted every man, woman, and child to join his kingdom. After the destruction of Aldderran, the galaxy knew that the Empire was evil and that the Jedi were good. Unfortionatly, they were gone and there seemed to be no hope. Until the Rebellion began.

They raided and bruised the Empire. Sidious considered them annoying little pests. He hated them, dirtying his newly-born Empire. Thus, an intergalacic war broke out, and all hell broke loose.

To the Empire, the Rebels could have been considered terrorists. To the Rebels, the Empire could have been considered evil and harmful to the galaxy. But which one is right? This, again, is just like the present day.

There are some that believe that the Middle-East is evil and should be wiped out. The terrorists believe America should be destroyed because they do not like our way of life. We can do almost anything we want, but many of them can't.

Because of their governments and the fear and the oppression, they wish to destroy the U.S. with what they suffer with every day: fear. Just like the Empire and what they ruled through. Fear. It is this word that is the outcome of terrorism. With fear comes power.

But which do you believe? The Rebels or the Empire? The terrorists or the free world? Fear or freedom? How do you know which is right?

It is all from a point of view. The U.S thinks countries like Iraq are the enemy, and vice-versa. We think we are doing good, and they think they are doing good. It is all from a person's beliefs. Each and every person has different beliefs. They might not be right, but then again, it is all from a certain point of view. Right, old Ben?

May The Force Be With You.

I created another blog for space for comments. This blog also contains some last thoughts about this subject, so if you want to respond to this, here is the link to it:

http://blogs.starwars.com/TX1138/52