SOCL

I hope no one minds if I interject a quick idea, but in reference to the original topic (i.e. the name of the thread), is the saving to be done from Lucas or from fan-critics?

The White Stripes - There's No Home For You Here (Go, Go `way)

I find your aggressiveness disturbing... Do you pull other people's arms out of their sockets when you lose at chess? Hmm...perhaps you're right. Actually (since I'm in a long-winded and despressed mood), when I was a kid I had a huge temper problem to the point that I would sometimes get in fights over menial things...almost anything would set me off. Losing at a game, though, was not one of them...not to sound arrogant, but I have pretty good sportsmanship (I know when I've lost). The problem was that when someone insulted my father, or my mother, or just said something wrong to me--"You stupid idiot, what the heck is wrong with you? Any moron can put a ball in the basket/can catch a football/can do math/can spell correctly!" Yeah, it was those sort of comments that would set me off, and I guess over time I just started getting angrier and angrier about everything to the point where I actually told my homeroom class in middle school (7th grade) that I hated them all and wish I had never met them. I attempted suicide at age 13 but was stopped when a student mentioned it to that same homeroom teacher, who in turned called the head counselor, who in turn called home (I had faked sick that day). My dad came home and stayed with me the rest of the week, not going to work and barely ever letting me leave his sight. When I was finally let free into the world again, I knew that everyone looked at me like an outsider and I was very much disliked around school. Groups of guys would gang-up on me and push me around; I fought back, of course, but it was hard to win against five guys bigger than you (I was pretty scrawning back then). The beating-up finally ended when I was knocked unconscious in showers by beating; the teachers found out when one of the guys I had down my best to kick his ass was questioned by a gym teacher. After that, I was agreed to talk to a psychiatrist.In 8th grade, I attempt suicide again, but stopped myself and went to the Emergency Room by my own will. I made sure they knew I wanted to be admitted somewhere, and after my distressed parents showed up and did some arguing (they were afraid of letting me be admitted to a psych-ward; not that they didn't want the best, they were just freaking out over the state taking control of me), they agreed and I was put into the care of a psych-ward where I wasn't allowed to do anything without being watched by cameras or someone there. The worst part, though, was the fact that I wasn't allowed to have some to write with and on, so I started using the chalkboard in the common's place as my own space to write, threatening to beat-up anyone who touched it or erased it. After this, I don't remember (or don't want to remember) much other than taking many pills and losing everything I had written, which realy through me off. I lived in the ward for about two weeks total, then went home and picked-up my life again. By now, though, we had moved somewhere new and I basically started life anew. Towards the end of high school, I started having a whole hell of a lot of problems with myself. I'm still not sure what it was, but I really hated everything (not everyone, mind you, just everything). When I turned 18, I self-admitted myself to another psych-ward as a preventative measure, a way of stopping problems from escalating again as they had before. I was there only three days before they declared me fine and let me out. I've been pretty much straight since--except, of course, Kelly's death and the snowboarding accident. Sorry, guys, I should have put that in the Warehouse (if you don't know where that is, don't ask because I don't know either), but I...well...I just really don't know. I suppose here at SWRebellion.Com I feel 'at home' in a way, a place where everyone doesn't judge me just by the way I act or look or something else like that.... You know, my brothers would be Scath, Jahled, and Trej; my sister dinochick, my half-brothers LaForge, Mad, Elvis, mask, Wormie, dude21; my cousins...my half-illegitmate-step-parent... You know (sorry if your name wasn't directly mentioned, but this is what immediately comes to mind). Phew. Sorry, I kind of needed to get that off my chest.

I can't say I had a problem finding a ticket for the midnight screening of AOTC, nor did I have a problem with...children. Then again, though, here where I live, there aren't as many Star Wars fans as, say, Nashville, which is an hour south of us, or Knoxville three hours east, or Memphis three hours west, or even Louisville 3.5 hours north in Kentucky. Most of the fans congregate there, so I find myself being able to show up at 10PM and get a ticket for a midnight screening in the local area theaters. I mean, when people can show up to see the midnight screening at 11PM, then you know you needn't worry about seating. Additionally, kids don't really go to the midnight screening unless there parents take them, and then the parents are probably hard-core fans who will throw their children in front of an eighteen-wheeler before they let them talk during one of the movies. I was talking to my 501st garrison's recruiting officer, and he tells me that the Southern Outpost (our garrison) was invited for AOTC to attend a free screening in Nashville as long as they wore their costume and stood outside, welcoming people. Additionally, they got to keep movie posters and other such stuff, as well as get free drinks and foods, and then they got a private screening the next day! Then, not long after, they were invited to do the same, but this time it was LucasFilm that asked them to do it, and it was at an I-MAX theater (and yes, they got the free screening, too). Hopefully this year the same thing will happen. I've already started work on my costume (Death Star/fleet trooper, as this is the easiest to make and most functional for new recruits) and will hopefully have it ready in time for ROTS.

It sounds very intriguing. Will the Empire of the Hand's 501st Stormtrooper Legion ("Vader's Fist"), as seen in Survivor's Quest and the ebook novella "Fool's Bargain", be making or have already made an appearance? If they haven't, and no one minds, I would be very happy to join in and put in that subplot, the only problem is I'm not up-to-date on the Vong and other NJO. Hmm...perhaps I shouldn't since I could turn out to be a bigger problem than contributer.... By the way (I know, another one-liner, but I haven't read far enough in the EU to know and any resource other than my friends will give away more than I want), what becomes of the Empire of the Hand during the later NJO? Do they join the Chiss Consortium or...? (please, try not to give away too much plot) And don't worry, once that question is answered, I'll stop posting off topic here (sorry, I don't mean any disrespect to this thread, especially since I'm not in it or anything).

This is quite true, which adds to my idea as to why the Empire does not necessarily have a huge force on the sort of galactic scale we would expect. I think that by equating a ratio of Earth-forces to galaxy-wide forces, we expect the militaries in Star Wars to be enormous, yet the opposite seems to be true. Again, as Scathane saids, according to all indictions (esp. the fact that the Galactic Republic--the most central government in all the galaxy--hadn't had an army "since the formation of the Republic", and even then, it probably would have been relatively small), the military forces as galaxy-wide, but not to the point where everywhere you turn you'll find a Star Destroyer. I think this is something the EU has got wrong in many places, especially the X-Wing novels where it seems there's always a frigate or cruiser or Star Destroyer around the corner waiting for our super-rogue-alliance-squadron to show up. In the movies we get the indication that the Empire did indeed have a large fleet ("With their fleet spread throughout the galaxy in a vain effort to engage us..."), but that a rather nice portion of it showed up at Endor (Ackbar's exclamation of "It's a trap!", having gone from only fighting the Death Star II to being overwhelmed, which--though--could be attributed to the smaller, weaker Rebel fleet). The way the Clone Wars were spoken of, though, it seemed as though the galaxy had not experienced such a military arms' race before or since, and that the Empire had filled the void, but not with as large a military force as the Grand Army of the Republic. This would also make sense from a political standpoint. If we take Palpatine's false declaration of "I love democracy", then we get the notion of a politician who knows how to manipulate the masses. By downsizing the military in the wake of the Clone Wars--the most bloody and devastating war probably up until that time--the masses might be inclined to side with Palpatine's New Order. By keeping a smaller fleet and surface forces--most especially the infamous image of stormtroopers--he would be able to control the galaxy where political manipulation could not do the trick. Just an idea.

Yet, wouldn't your statment "we're still discovering new things every day" counter this notion?

I agree on the point of Obi-Wan, he wasn't quite how I or much anyone else had imagined him...I think most expected an older, wiser Obi-Wan than the one presented in the prequels, but at the same time I rather like Obi-Wan in the prequels because of the character changes from Obi-Wan to Ben; it makes for a very complex and human persona. How's this? Aren't Maul and Qui-Gon purely prequel characters? I ask because it seems as though they were meant to have been portrayed differently...yet, if they were made for the prequels, then isn't that how they're supposed to be? I'm just a little confused by your statement, I'm not questioning your reasoning.

The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry, dude. I mean, it sucks what happened, but almost doesn't seem real. Don't get me wrong, I do believe it happened, it's just...wow. Again, I chuckle because of the series of events and how they conspired against you, but at the same time I feel much pity for you. Well, at least you got the beat the shit out of that guy...were i in your position, I can't say I wouldn't have done the same. Sorry about your day, though, I hope everything's getting better.

Yes; I've made a few entries. Actually, I've always wondered why we haven't (not that I'm complaining or anything)?

Ouch...I actually felt that one. Man, have I regressed that much?

I wonder if we would have preferred to be addressed as a General or as a Master... Ben Kenobi seemed pretty peaceful for the most part, so I doubt he would want to be known as 'General Kenobi' all the time unless it were people simply calling him by that title for honorary reasons and in no way calling him general do to being a subordinate. Additionally, the character of Ben* seemed like someone who would prefer to be called by his first name or nickname than by "master". *Notice my usage of the name 'Ben'. I did so to make a comparison/contrast between the Kenobi of the Classic Trilogy--wise, aged man--and the character of the prequels--brash, confident conformist. I believe Anakin's change to Vader affected Kenobi so much that the names 'Obi-Wan' and 'Ben' express not only a change in basic identity and lifestyle, but a complete turn-around on how to look at life. Ben Kenobi strikes me as the type who wouldn't be angry about being called General Kenobi at public/official functions, but would prefer to be called "Ben" in private. Compare that to the cocky youngester from TPM who seems afraid to question the Council and the young, sometimes tactless (i.e. scowling Anakin in front of Padme) master in AOTC who seems to be weary of not going against the will of authority. It's not a far stretch to say that Obi-Wan would have enjoyed being called General and/or Master, whereas Ben wouldn't have minded, but would have prefered something a little less formal.

No worries, too many years of Spelling and Language Arts teachers screaming at you and sending you to detention for not spelling "favorite" and "color" correctly (I used to spell it favourite and colour...as I type them, I worry a ruler will smack me over the head) will drill correct spelling into your head. I wonder, though, if the Empire has any clone officers left-over from the Clone Wars? Old generals, perhaps? If the growth-acceleration continues (which it probably does) and/or if Jahled's life-span idea is correct, then any clones would be way too old by even as early as ANH. I suppose the clone officers were there as stands-in until 'normal' could be recruited, trained, and fielded.

I suppose this makes more sense, and true, I was thinking in modern terms (when I shouldn't have). I suppose the title "Jedi Knight" should be all the proof I needed. I guess I was assuming that non-civilian meant military, but this is not true. I stand corrected. Oh yeah, I in no way thought that had anything to do with Kenobi being a civilian. Just as we call retired generals and admiral today by their rank, I'm sure people would still call Ben by his rank (as a way of honoring his deeds and persona).

Other than being typed in such a way that if you do not speak Jahled (or is it Zoot? ), yes, I think this is the basic conclusion. Have we at last agreed and concluded a debate? ...if we have...this scares me.

Yep it's true. About the storyline: there's an article in the In-Site Encyclopeida and a Encyclpedia Thread in RPG - 1 have a look into them and you'll get the basics of the Rapora Wars. The point was posting the question was to avoid having to be...lazy.

Okay, so it looks like a lot of people have Rapora Wars ads and quote all over the place, yet I've never heard of it. By what I understand, this is either or both an RPG in the forums and a TC for Rebellion. Is this true? Also, I'm curious now, what's the storyline/plot?

The White Stripes - Oh, I guess we love one another...

Actually, knowing American commericalism (which I don't), this doesn't sound so far-out as you might think. Actually, they would be perfect ideas with ROTS coming out (just like they did when the OT Special Edition came out in `97)...play off the hipe, gain the favor of a few Star Wars geeks, make more money. It's the American way.

I suppose you're right. But I'm part of Order of the Arrow (some Boy Scout secret association I used to pay lip-service, but now could care less), does this mean I'm not a civilian? Or what about Zen monks? They are part of a spiritual order, so does that make them not-civilians? I mean, I always viewed the Jedi as a spiritual order that happens to teach some fighting (in other words, the Force is primary, the lightsaber is secondary).

I had never thought of that. These are kids going into combat within the body of...well...Jango Fett. Consider: "Hey, Tee-Kay Five-Six, lay down some fire for me!" "Will do!" "So, you want to play with Legos later?" "Yeah, sure, I just got the awesome Deep Freeze Hoth Defender! It's so cool! Gat! Damned droids!" Okay, maybe not Legos, but you get the idea. Okay, the fact that they're so young and have been training since childbirth to fight, kill, and see death leads me to believe that even if they did have emotions, killing and so forth wouldn't mean much to them. I mean, they've been basically brainwashed to consider it basically normal, so a conversation about going to a bar after a battle while destroying droid after droid doesn't seem too unreasonable. I mean, these are people who have trained for at least five years to do nothing but kill and destroy, so I'm sure they could probably be ordering some cover-fire while moving to flank the enemy along the ridge and be wondering if they left the oven on...fighting is second nature, nearly instinctive. So, I suppose what I'm trying to say is that with training drilled into their heads, they don't have to really worry about standard fighting as much as they do devising a tactic to get around some droid outpost and surprise them from the rear (again, while wondering if they fed the cat).

Sounds like my mathematics grades since about the 6th grade. I did okay with B's in Geometry and A's in Pre-Calculus, but low C's in Algebras I and II. Currently, I want to destroy Statistics and anyone who dares tell me it's easy.

What, me? Of course not, I just...put pieces together until 2AM. Dude, the Deep Freeze Defender! I remember when I lived in Virginia, this punk across the street had it, and when he got it he liked to rub it in my face. One day, we were out playing with Legos in my backyard (I had the Space Police's Rebel Hunter) and then he decides to start bragging about his super-cool Ice Planet set. I warned him and told him to stop because I was getting very annoyed (this had been going on since Christmas and it was by now JUNE!), but he kept on...and kept on...AND KEPT ON! So I let him have it. Sure, I got in trouble, but with a pair of broken lips, that punk just wasn't quite able to brag any more.

Whoa, ha-ha, are we talking about preference in the game or over-all preference? If in the game, I would go with the Strike-class simply due to its decent firepower, yet relatively low cost. If you simply mean an over-all preference, no doubt the Imperator-class Star Destroyer, Mark II. Nothing beats a battlecruiser that is called a "Star Destroyer" and carries enough firepower to beat the crap out of nearly anything or anyone (yet, for some reason, four of the Mark I's can't catch a single YT-1300 flying relatively slow speed away from Tatooine, nor can a Mark II survive an asteroid collision ).