Note: Comments are full for this blog. You may post additional comments to the following link: JVC: Jedi vs. Clone - continued

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The Jedi
Sought out as children, they are practically raised from birth to grow in knowledge, skill, and wisdom of the Force. The sole mission of the Jedi is to protect and promote peace and justice in the galaxy.

The Clones
Genetically altered humans, they are raised from birth to fight and succeed on an ever-changing battlefield. Efficient and expedient in completing the their mission, they fight to protect peace and justice in the galaxy.

Now, for those of you who read my blog with any regularity, you know I have a chip on my shoulder when it comes to the clones. I find their ability to adapt and learn on the battlefield to be amazing, but that this creativity and desire for victory goes no further than the distance of a blaster bolt. They fight for others, but not for themselves - ever. The clones serve at the pleasure of the Republic/Empire and can be dismissed at anytime. Despite their overwhelming skill and firepower, no one is ever worried they will strike back at the ruling entity. Whatever your bent in this regard, you cannot deny this.

I cannot say much more about the Jedi. Despite, or perhaps because of, their age, the Jedi follow a rather strict adherence to their beliefs and perceptions of the Force and it's 'will'. Assured of their place and position in society, they serve the Republic as they believe best. Despite their impressive abilities, they lose touch with the citizenry and a 'freely' elected government. Their failure is so complete, that they assume war powers and authority when their commandments so clearly state that the Force is to be used for knowledge and defense, never for attack. Acting as Generals for an army they don't understand and are unprepared to lead, they allow for their own betrayal and destruction at the hands of their subordinates.

In neither instance is either side acting out of belligerence towards the society, the people, they believe they serve. Both the Clones and the Jedi are acting on the belief that they are serving a higher purpose: the public good. They are fighting and dying to ensure 'the public' is protected from terrorism, abuse, and war. The clones battle against incredible odds, both actual and perceived, to achieve complete victory against a virtually mindless war machine. The Jedi fight against the same foe and the same odds with the same hope: to win and stop the fighting.

It's amazing that both are fighting for the same goals, suffering the loss of beloved comrades on both sides, but that each believes the other is capable of such a cold betrayal. Despite 3-years of war, fighting side by side, against a foe said to be virtually impossible to put a number on, a single order turns blood brothers into indifferent enemies. It's sad that in neither case is their any evidence (outside of an anomaly or two) that either questions this development. The clones assume, without question, the Jedi are conducting a calculated coup against the Chancellor, while the Jedi assume that the Clones are mindless puppets, incapable of reason or thought beyond following military orders. I'm not saying raising a white flag would have changed the minds of the Clones, but did any Jedi attempt to deal with the Clones as men, instead of, well, clones?

What's troubling about this? Does the fact that two fighting groups turn on each other really bother me? Is it annoying that neither side respects the time, effort, suffering, and blood, the other side has put in cause either side a moment's thought as to why one would betray the other, or both? Again, I reiterate, for all the Clones understood about fighting they knew little about the Jedi, but assumed much. The Jedi too assumed much about the clones, but never really considered moving beyond the role of 'master and student' with these newcomers to the galaxy.

My answer to the above questions is simply...No. No, it does not bother me that either side ended up fighting each other. I find it sad and shortsighted that neither side was capable of understanding how they were being used, but it's not surprising either. When life and limb are on the line, not much thought is spared on why...until those costs begin to affect EVERYONE. No, what bothers me is this: Each side is fighting for the so-called public good, but neither side has any attachment or real relations with THE PUBLIC...and the public doesn't seem to care.

Both the clones and the Jedi are seeking to restore various values and beliefs to society but the society they are serving has no say in these matters. You could claim they have this through their elected representatives (and forget the chancellor)...but do they really? I don't think so. The Jedi consult with the Senate, but they are under no obligation to accept the Senate's desires. Like children, the Senate can be dismissed quite easily, and no Jedi are voted on - ever. The clones' only relationship with the citizenry is through the shadowy figure of the Chancellor/Emperor and the Jedi, another group that doesn't really answer to the Public. Clones do what they're told as that is all they've ever known, seen, or been instructed to do.

Now I realize that this kind of criticism might fall beyond the scope of the SW saga, but I still think it speaks volumes about citizens and the forces that fight for them. Referring to the beginning of Matt Stover's novel (ROTS), we read as children revel in the names of their heroes, Anakin and Obi-Wan. It's both precious and sad at the same time. Because of the lack of participation on the part of the citizenry in their own defense and the 'questions' related there-to, these 'heroes' of the Republic become nothing more than celebrities, with all the shallow feelings that brings. They are virtual gladiators really, to be played and replayed on a holo-screen fighting in bloodless battles with countless lives to fall back on. No citizen is asked, offered, or accepted to participate in the galactic defense, alongside these heroes, despite their very lives being on the line. The government has provided a ready-made force of Jedi and Clones to fight and die for them, and the public should be happy they are so well cared for. It's exactly what Palpatine counted on, and it's exactly what occurred. With the public watching the Jedi and the Clones fighting droids, then each other, the public stopped thinking about why this fighting, or this betrayal occurred, and only focused on the glorious colors overhead. I guess the Republic never considered the fact that if two brothers born in battle could be made to turn on each other, they could be made to turn on society as well.

I'll end by quoting a famous saying referencing certain card games: If you're playing amongst a group of people and you don't know who the sucker is...it's you. Good luck!