The Difference Between the Death Star and the PentagonCarey Wedler For one, both used to be part of representative republics andboth represent the military wings of the empires in power. In 2007, Alternet reported that the U.S. had 737 bases, 38 of which were major, and that perhaps the optimum number of major citadels and fortresses for an imperialist aspiring to dominate the world is somewhere between thirty-five and forty. The desire of the militarysoperatives to exert control over regions all over the world parallelsthe desire of the Emperor and Vader to rule the galaxy. Another similarity is the desire of both the Death Stars leaders and those at thePentagon to weedout dissent. One of the main objectives of the dark sides adherents is to find the rebels and eliminate them. Though the Pentagon hasnt quite started assassinating political dissidents (or entire planets, though Hiroshima and Nagasaki are an earthlycomparison to Adleraan), it has made its viewscrystal clear: protesters are a form of terrorist and anyone deemed associated with terrorism may be denied his or her rights. Still another commonality between the two ministries of war and destruction is thelevel of decadenceafforded to the galactic and American agencies.The Death Star was a moon-sized, laser-clad behemothfor the dark side. The Pentagon employs 23,000 people in a floor space three times the size of the Empire state building and spawnsdoomsday technology. In both societies, the resourcesdevoted to violence far outweigh those dedicated to promoting peace or the well-being of humanity (or alienhood). It is easy to compare the Death Star and the Pentagon as manifestations of evil thatseek power and rule by force. But there exists at least one stark difference: In theWashington Post this week, it was revealed that the Pentagon is looking for someone to fill its Yoda position. The job ad for Director of the Office of Net Assessment currently reads: The Directors primary function is to develop assessments that compare the standings, trends and future prospects of U.S. military capability and military potential with that of other countries. The job was founded andheld by longtime analyst Andrew W. Marshall, who recently retired. Because of his wisdom and knowledge throughout the years, he came to beknown as Yoda. And therein lies the differencebetween the rulers of the Death Star and the rulers of the Pentagon: at least Darth Vader, the emperor and theircohorts knew they were evil. Vaderrepeatedly spoke of the powers of the dark side, of the great benefit ofcrossing over into evil. In the Empire Strikes Back, he tempted Luke to join the darkside to rule the galaxy with him: Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny, join me and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son. He iterated the slavery of being on the dark side in Return of the Jedi: You dont know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master. Consideringthe empire practices what is called thedark side of the force, itsmembers knew exactly what they signed up for. But to a clearly significant portion of employees at the Pentagon, the irony is lost. It has gone overtheir heads that working for the worlds biggest, arguably most vicious military, isnot working on the side of morality, peace, or freedom. By calling a man who works for the Pentagon Yoda a virtuous practitioner of the force it is clear that many who work for the Pentagon believethey are working fora force of good. Its scary. Itsscarier that the Pentagon likely has employees who know of its evil and yet continue to work there. May all Pentagon employees recognize its evil, quit their jobs at the American Death Star,and work to promote the true meaning of the force (the same goes for soldiers ofgovernments around the world). As the real Yoda said: Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hateleads to suffering. This is exactly how violent governments keep theirpeople and foot soldiers under control and realizing this is the first step to achieving freedom and peace. Carey Wedler writes for TheAntiMedia.org, where this first appeared. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter to receive their latest articles. 