In ancient times, far away in the galaxy. All corners of the galaxy have fallen under Emperor Palpatine's grip. However, even though the stability of the galaxy is relatively maintained thanks to the politics of the iron fist run by Darth Vader the Emperor's right hand, a group of rebels still spread terror here and there. And to eradicate the rebel terrorists, the Emperor ordered the building of the destroyer space station, Death Star, which was far greater than the first Death Star that the rebels had destroyed. The construction of the second Death Star was accelerated, so serious, even the Emperor himself planned to come to the location. Preparation was carried out so seriously to welcome the arrival of the Emperor. Clone troops line up neatly, fully armed, with direct inspections by the supreme commander Darth Vader. Fears seemed to grip the field commanders, as if they did not want to make the slightest mistake that could disrupt the Emperor's visit. The scene that I remember was the Death Star commander's dialogue with Darth Vader:
The Emperor's coming here?
That is correct, Commander, and he is most displeased with your apparent lack of progress.
We shall double our efforts.
I hope so, Commander, for your sake. The Emperor is not forgiving as I am.
I became reminded of the scene in the movie Star Wars episode VI above when watching the preparation for welcoming the arrival of George W. Bush. I even imagined George Bush would come in with Emperor Palpatine's robe and head covering, because even without make-up, it happened to look similar! Not only did he look, Bush's behavior also made me a lot of resemblance to Emperor Palpatine. If Emperor Palpatine had a Death Star project, Emperor Bush had a "War Against Terror" (WAT) project. Like the Death Star that was able to devastate an independent planet that refused to join the Emperor. The War Against Terror is also capable of conquering a free country, overthrowing a legitimate head of state, dissolving bureaucracy and security systems, and creating civil chaos and murder. Even Bush and Emperor, both use the same language: "You 're either with us or against us!".
If we follow the prequel episodes of Star Wars, Palpatine before becoming emperor is described as full of cunning. Pretending to be weak, making drama of attacks and kidnappings, before finally having a reason to counter-attack all those who opposed the legitimacy that finally allowed Palpatine to become the sole ruler. Including destroying the Jedi, loyal republican guards. This reminds me of the "prequel" that precedes the War Against Terror. At first Bush was nothing. Many agree that Bush is a product of a democratic accident. Often wrongly speaking, Bush was often described as a weak, stupid, and victorious US President with little luck because of the vote counting controversy. But then came the 9/11 event which gave Bush a reason to appear and hold the WAT project. And the next story we know together. Two countries were invaded. Two governments were overthrown. Prolonged military occupation. New conflict area. The mushrooming of unorganized amateur terrorists. Bush became more popular and elected again. And an increasingly insecure world.
Of course there is a difference between Bush and Emperor Palpatine. If all Emperor's actions are backgrounded by "the dark-side of the force". Meanwhile, according to Bush, as in a statement reported by the BBC, said: "I am driven with a mission from God". Because from God, Bush's mission is so noble: overthrow tyrants, crush terrorists directly into their nests, free Afghan women from the burqa, spend stockpiles of weapons and bombs to turn on the weapons industry, provide mega projects for US giant companies that support it, and give new access to sources oil. Ah, but is that conspiracy theory?
What is not a conspiracy theory might be the calculation of costs that must be incurred by the US government. From a budget of around US $ 200 billion, seeing the endless chaos in Iraq, many estimate that the occupation costs will reach US $ 500-600 billion, this is added to indirect costs, such as for disabled soldiers' benefits, the figure of US $ 1 trillion it will even pass. A trillion dollars and what do we get? As an entrepreneur in the IT field, I immediately imagined, if I bought a PC for 100-200 dollars, the entire population on the face of the earth from newborn babies to grandparents could get one person! Or if it is used as capital for banks such as Garmeen Bank, the poor people around the world will be more empowered. And if that's what is done, Bush, if you want to be given a Nobel prize every year, ten years in a row, we will all support.