Jedi Council Forums - SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)

Post Reply | Active Topic Notification | Previous Active Topic | Next Active Topic

« 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 » - Previous | Next | Reload

Author	Topic: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
DarthGeist Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 4/17/08 9:47pm Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	I agree with Starry about Luke supporting the GA. It's almost as if he were in the Empire instead of the Rebellion (which, technically, he was). But on all this talk about the Invinceable blurb: I would actually prefer it if he stayed out of the finale. It's almost like the Shimra fight in NJO. Luke took care of Lumiya, and now it falls on Jainia to take out her brother. What DOES bother me is how he's going to be portrayed again apparently. This is the man that faced Darth Vader and brought him back from the abyss. He saves his father but what about his nephew? C'mon farmboy... -----signature----- "Women are like wookies: Let the wookie win." - My personal philosphy on conflict resolution in relationships "Not a good idea to tell a woman she's like a wookie. Doesn't translate" - My personal philosphy on avoiding relationship conflicts
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Charlemagne19 Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 4/17/08 9:49pm Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3) - Date Edited: 4/17/08 9:50pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Charlemagne19
	NewStaryknight posted: Are you saying what the GA did in retaliation to Corellia's secret weapon factory was O.K.? Let's keep it on topic with Luke and forget about the G.A.'s reaction. I think Luke Skywalker is no more guilty here than Solid Snake when he attempted to sabotage Metal Gears all over the world in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Is the United States perfectly justified in building its own weapons to defend itself? Certainly it is. However, Luke is like Snake in that he KNOWS Centerpoint's power is TOO GREAT for anyone to wield. It's like if Corellia was building a Death Star or the Galactic Alliance.... Or Alpha Red, for that matter (though Alpha Red I argue had some legitimate uses). Luke would blow it up because Luke knows that if you have a Suncrusher or planet destroyer, KRIFF THE RULES, you're dead. You get blown up without trial and the universe can breathe a sigh of relief. Seriously, what kind of PSYCHOTIC LUNATIC would Luke be to allow ANYONE to have a Planet Buster. It's such a horrific and destructive weapon he has an OBLIGATION to destroy it and any government that would employ such a device. If the Galactic Alliance HADN'T ordered him, then Luke should have gone and blown it up.
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Havac Title: Lit Mod of War Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 4/17/08 10:07pm Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	ChildOfWinds posted: Just a quiet reminder that we need to get back to discussing Luke before Havac shows up. Peeks in, shakes his stick around, and leaves. -----signature----- "Is there a captain's hat involved in this?"
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
DarthGeist Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 4/17/08 10:08pm Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	Anybody else just see that stick? -----signature----- "Women are like wookies: Let the wookie win." - My personal philosphy on conflict resolution in relationships "Not a good idea to tell a woman she's like a wookie. Doesn't translate" - My personal philosphy on avoiding relationship conflicts
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
DurronFan Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 4/17/08 10:52pm Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	COW "Well, I don't believe Luke ever truly fell to the dark side. Yes, he was foolish to think he could defeat Palpatine by learning about the Dark side in DE, but he never truly did evil things, so I don't think Luke was ever a darksider. I do think that Luke has done some isolated dark acts, as he did when he used the doppleganger; when he used anger to fuel the Force; and when he killed Lumiya, but I don't think Luke has ever truly fallen. Anakin Skywalker wasn't even considered a darksider yet after killing the Tusken women and children, and I certainly think that was VERY evil. So what are the other times that you think Luke fell to the dark side?" I remember us having this debate before about what constitutes a fall to the dark side so let's not go through all those same arguments again. When I said that Luke has fallen 2 or 3 times, I was referring to a) when lashes out in anger at the end of ep. 6, b) DE and c) when he kills Lumiya. I also noted in my last post, COW, that these cases are very debatable as to whether or not they can be concluded as a fall in the first place. I feel they were but this is due to my interpretation of what constitutes a fall to the dark side but I concede that I might be completely wrong and you might be completely right, as I understand your point of view about it. "I will concede that promoting Luke to general was probably pretty unrealistic, but then again, the Rebel Alliance seemed to award Generalships rather liberally. Both Lando and Han were made generals rather quickly too." Well awarding Lando, a guy who didn't learn how to fly a ship until his mid 20's-early 30's, is also rather odd. Han, on the other hand, had graduated as an officer from the Imperial Academy and had had proper military training, so I don't have as much problems with that (but even his case is very stretched). You have to understand, you're not really supposed to become a Colonel before your 40's (Jacen Solo?) and you're not supposed to become a General (or an Admiral) before the age of 50, most don't before the age of 60. There are of course exceptions in human history (Franco became a general in his mid-late 20's I recall and Napoleon became general by his 30's as well) but those were from days way back when proper military structure wasn't always followed. What the creators of SW don't seem to understand about the military is that you can always create "special titles" that might parallel with ranks such as Colonel, General or Admiral. For example, a military pries is considered as high ranked as a Major but luckily, that priest doesn't have to be responsible for a whole company like a Major would. They could have easily done so for Luke or Han or Lando. My only real qualm with this whole issue is giving Luke, a kid with no leadership experience, the responsibility of leading other human beings, as a leader is responsible for the lives of those beings. A leader's rank (whether it be a petty officer or a General) should never be given so lightly. At best it's clumsy, at worst it's immoral. "But I do think that Luke was a great Squadron leader. He and Rogue Squadron were VERY successful, and it takes a good leader to create and maintain a legendary flying force." This is true. And I'm sure that over time Luke learned how to become if not good at least a better leader. It's just that if his so-called learning and experience was acquired at the cost of lives he was responsible for, then I'd a little disgusted. I concede to not knowing much of Luke's Rogue Squadron days so I hope this is not the case. I know I'm being stupidly demanding on military structure here. This is Star Wars after all, not everything has to make sense. It's more about entertainment than realism after all. "Well, I would actually prefer a fifty/fifty deal, with Luke being Clark Kent 50 percent of the time and Superman 50 percent of the time. I'd like him to be Lex Luthor 0 percent of the time. I've always liked the combination of Jedi Knight and Farmboy in Luke. But 80 percent Farmboy and 20 percent Jedi is too unbalanced, in my opinion. 50/50 is a far better ratio." Ok then. "DF, Luke ISN'T real! He's a fictional character!" Quite frankly, COW, I don't think I'm the one here who needs to be reminded of this. "And as long as he isn't real, I'd like to have him be a cool superhero with a strong moral compass!" I see your point, I really do. For me, I don't care how realistic or unrealistic the SW universe is (which is real rich, after my whole rant about the military I know ), I ultimately care about whether or not the characters as human beings feel real or not. Now this doesn't have to be at odds with Luke being the one to save the day. It's not like the more heroic he gets, the less human he feels. All human beings are capable of great heroism so in that sense Luke with his great compassion and courage (being strong with the Force helps too) always has that potential of being that great superhero you dream about. It's just that for me, him being an interesting human being takes precedence over that. Which is actually a bit hypocritical of me to say since Luke has never been one the most interesting characters for me anyway. He is at times with Zahn though. "And I would take Yoda's word over slippery, twisted Vergere's ANY day!" I feel exactly the same way but can't help but feel like I'm talking a little in hindsight here, with everything that has happened with Jacen. My point was that Luke, in spite of mastering the Force in so many ways by the NJO, still had many gaps that he couldn't understand since he had to learn most of the stuff himself. So when a old Jedi Master of the extinct Old Republic comes along and shares a few ideas about the Force, of course the guy is gonna listen, even if the witch bird tortured his nephew! Cause those gaps in his understanding of the Force had haunted him ever since he started teaching with his limited education. And those gaps only became larger when the Vong arrived. -----signature----- Luke Skywalker: I'm not afraid! Yoda: Good... You will be. You will be.
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Emperor_Time Registered: Aug '07	Date Posted: 4/18/08 12:29am Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	DurronFan posted: Instead of Save Our Skywalker, it'd become Bring Back our Skywalker. But let's not dwell on such possibilities, nobody here wants Luke to die. Especially COW. I agree completely. -----signature----- Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Charlemagne19 Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 4/18/08 12:46am Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3) - Date Edited: 4/18/08 12:51am (2 edits total) Edited By: Charlemagne19
	DurronFan posted: What the creators of SW don't seem to understand about the military is that you can always create "special titles" that might parallel with ranks such as Colonel, General or Admiral. For example, a military pries is considered as high ranked as a Major but luckily, that priest doesn't have to be responsible for a whole company like a Major would. They could have easily done so for Luke or Han or Lando. My only real qualm with this whole issue is giving Luke, a kid with no leadership experience, the responsibility of leading other human beings, as a leader is responsible for the lives of those beings. A leader's rank (whether it be a petty officer or a General) should never be given so lightly. At best it's clumsy, at worst it's immoral. I'm confused, how is Luke as a General in any way immoral? He's already served two and half years with the Rebellion by the Battle of Endor with distinction above and beyond the Call of Duty that any human being could possibly have served. The period of the Shadows over Mindor is 5 years into Luke Skywalker's service. While that seems like a short period, the simple fact is this. 1. Luke Skywalker by being accepted as a pilot is automatically a lieutenant in most sane Navies. Let's remember that these gureillas are handing out titles left and right. 2. Luke logs, more or less, more combat and flight time than any other pilot in the history of the Rebellion. 3. Luke leads Rogue Squadron with distinction and warrants the title Commander by Yavin. Luke is a natural leader that certainly commands the respect of Rogue Squadron more than Wedge Antilles or other Academy Graduates do plus frankly can outfly them. 4. Frankly, simple ATTRITION will make Luke Skywalker the most experienced pilot they have rather rapidly. 5. The defeat of the Emperor means that the Rebellion must expand its services rapidly. That means also placing Rebellion loyalists in charge of the major posts. As Star Wars Adventure Journals points out, they have Barristers as Generals because they need ANYONE who has ANY form of administrative experience. 6. Defections will mean you need to preserve the officer corps of rebel defectors than Imperials post-Endor. Who the Hell are you going to put in command of your ever expanding Naval force, a newly defected Imperial Major or Luke Skywalker? 7. The Force is something that's concrete. Frankly, it's awkward to have a Commander know the future and the enemies movement better than any normal General. 8. The Chain of Command is going to be shot to Hell if you try and put anyone in charge of Luke Skywalker. It's a legend of World War One that Eddie Rikkenbaker only flew two months but by the end of it, the Majors and Colonels HATED him because effectively no one was listening to them whenever he walked into a room. You literally cannot bust into Luke Skywalker because all it's going to do is RUIN YOUR ability to command because Luke Skywalker is a superhero. You'll just humiliate yourself because when the battle comes to shove, you won't be able to keep up with him. You might as well promote him. 9. Luke Skywalker is a national icon. Call it self-serving or not but any army commanded by Luke Skywalker is going to have a serious morale boost. 10. I've implied this before in 5 but the fact is again, the Rebellion is lead by politicians not military leaders. Luke Skywalker would hardly be the only man with less than standard military experience promoted to that role. Actually, what galls me is why the HELL would they promote Han who isn't even A PART of the Rebellion over Luke Skywalker? Why wasn't Luke leading this attack? durronfan posted: There are of course exceptions in human history (Franco became a general in his mid-late 20's I recall and Napoleon became general by his 30's as well) but those were from days way back when proper military structure wasn't always followed. Franco was hardly that long ago. Muammar al-Gaddafi was 27 when he was promoted to Colonel by the Revolutionary Government of Libya.
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
DurronFan Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 4/18/08 4:30am Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	Charlemagne, I will admit that due to the nature of the war and the way the Rebellion was structured, things were not going to according to the book. But to your points, "I'm confused, how is Luke as a General in any way immoral? He's already served two and half years with the Rebellion by the Battle of Endor with distinction above and beyond the Call of Duty that any human being could possibly have served." It's at worst immoral for the simple fact that even the lowliest officer's rank is NEVER gained through merit in battle or ability to fly. It is a title people are TRAINED for or so the proper procedure is. In most militaries it's a year's worth of training, a petty officer is half a year. Granted, when the Rebellion is at war with the Empire, it's not exactly going to be able to set up any officer/cadet school. Modifications and exceptions, especially with a shortage of officers are, inevitably, going to be made. But these "shortcuts" are going to cost lives. Fact. "The period of the Shadows over Mindor is 5 years into Luke Skywalker's service." I'm looking forward to it, if not for any other reason than because it's written by Stover. "Luke Skywalker by being accepted as a pilot is automatically a lieutenant in most sane Navies." Well, jumping out of the SW universe, most pilots receive a year's worth of training that is usually somewhat comparative to an officer's training and then for those who don't get cut, they do become lieutenants. Well apparently Luke's flying abilities were so good when he joined the Rebellion that he received an officer's rank rather easily. Flying school is not for whimps. On a side note, I wonder how much harder or easier it is to be a pilot in the SW universe than in real life? Comparing X-wings to f-16's...hmmm "Luke Skywalker is a national icon. Call it self-serving or not but any army commanded by Luke Skywalker is going to have a serious morale boost." Any army that has Luke on its side is going to have a morale boost, absolutely. But whether he's on the bridge leading the whole thing or out flying in battle won't make that much of a difference. That is of course unless the person on the bridge happens to be somebody that not everybody trusts. Then it would make a difference. "The Chain of Command is going to be shot to Hell if you try and put anyone in charge of Luke Skywalker." The Chain of Command just breaks when you have subordinates that fly better than you? If the Chain of Command was constructed purely on hierarchy of ability to fly, it wouldn't last or probably battles would be lost in the process. "The Force is something that's concrete. Frankly, it's awkward to have a Commander know the future and the enemies movement better than any normal General." I'm willing to concede this point. "Luke is a natural leader that certainly commands the respect of Rogue Squadron more than Wedge Antilles or other Academy Graduates do plus frankly can outfly them. " Even the most naturally gifted leader in the army without training might not stand a chance against another with substantially less natural ability but with proper training. Natural ability to lead and proper training on how to lead, neither is an absolute prerequisite to becoming an effective leader but having decent records of both make you better than by being really good with just one of the two. "Defections will mean you need to preserve the officer corps of rebel defectors than Imperials post-Endor. Who the Hell are you going to put in command of your ever expanding Naval force, a newly defected Imperial Major or Luke Skywalker?" I concede this as well. "Actually, what galls me is why the HELL would they promote Han who isn't even A PART of the Rebellion over Luke Skywalker? Why wasn't Luke leading this attack?" You don't seem to give Han's background (graduating as an Imperial officer) much credit. Han being promoted to General is a lot less extreme in my opinion. You don't seem to hold officer training in that high regard either, correct me if I'm wrong. Some say you can't teach leadership, that you either have it or you don't. But there really is a lot of theory behind the concept of leading that can make a world of difference really. There's a reason they gives lectures about it in Cadet/Officer school. You've made a lot of good arguments and have forced myself to re-evalute my stance on the military of the Rebellion and their system of ranks. But I still hold the position that it's very risky to promote Luke to General at such a young age, in spite of all his battle experience, flying ability and prowess with the Force. Leading is a completely seperate concept that is not enhanced by those attributes, except for the experience part. But anyway, it's SW, it's a Galactic Civil War with guerrilla tactics so unconventional methods will be used. -----signature----- Luke Skywalker: I'm not afraid! Yoda: Good... You will be. You will be.
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
DeJade_Vu Registered: Jul '02	Date Posted: 4/18/08 6:11am Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	Welcome back, DJV! It's been a LONG time! Have you been reading the LotF books? What do you think of Luke's characterizations in them? Thanks for the welcome. No, I haven't been reading them, so I really have no idea what's going on in them...is Luke's character being as bipolar-ish as usual? Good ol' NJO... -----signature----- I'm a PBS mind in an MTV world. ~Eschew Obfuscation~ Pope Benedict XVI Owns You I want it--I want my phonecall. --the Joker Mara Jade Forever
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
J_K_DART Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 4/18/08 10:33am Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	I agree with NSK; I think Luke shouldn't have played it as he did. The Jedi attempting to surgically remove planetary leaders? No. The Jedi taking Centerpoint out? Yes. Ironically, the only attack I considered appropriate for Jedi in the initial strategy was the one conducted by Jacen and Ben. -----signature----- "Victory without risk is like a pizza without pepperoni." "I like my pizzas without pepperoni." "Sir master of the long post" - Excellence
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
AnnLouise Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 4/18/08 11:52am Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	DeJade_Vu posted: ...is Luke's character being as bipolar-ish as usual? Good ol' NJO... Actually, he's acting more in the Clinically Depressed with Mistaken Vengence Killing mode, alternating with Plot-Driven Catatonic State. -----signature----- http://outerrimsieges.com We're a fun group http://thehungersite.com http://www.endabuse.org http://www.librarything.com Catalog Your Books Online Violence Against Women Is Always Wrong
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
ChildOfWinds Registered: Apr '01	Date Posted: 4/18/08 1:06pm Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	NewStaryknight The only real thing I think Luke did in this whole series that he really should have known was wrong was his continuing support for the GA. Well, I do think that something had to be done about Centerpoint Station. But I think that's ALL Luke should have agreed to help take care of. That superweapon in the hands of unstable people was a real danger to many citizens of the galaxy. But beyond that, like DG (Darth Geist) said, I think it would have been better if Luke would have taken a neutral position for the Jedi in the conflict. I think both Luke himself and the Jedi would have been more useful and effective as mediators and go-betweens. The Jedi then may not have become targets of Jacen/Caedus, and perhaps Luke could have kept his thumb on Jacen better. Jedi Ben : I too don't see Luke as ever being interested in personal power. He was offered rule of the galaxy with his father and with Palpatine, and he refused both times. So I don't see Luke being corrupted by power. Jacen has been seeking power for a long time now. I think that's part of the reason why he went on his 5 year journey. He was seeking more and more Force knowledge that would lead to him becoming more and more powerful. While Luke probably knows as many Force skills as Jacen does, he has never seemed to be interested in using those powers to have control over others. DarthGeist , Luke keeps getting portrayed as flip-flopping about whether the Jedi should work for the government or not. Just when he makes up his mind...again... that the Jedi shouldn't be doing the bidding of the government, we read about the Jedi serving the government again. He (Luke) just should have made the calls he made in Inferno, two or three books beforehand. Right, and he shouldn't have kept taking two steps backward after Inferno either. It's very frustrating. Just when it looks like Luke is on the right track and has made the right decisions, he slides backwards again in the next book. Charlemagne19 I thinks its important the Jedi be a powerful tool for diplomacy and enforcing law & order in the galaxy. They shouldn't just be vigilantes running around beating up whoever they feel like. I agree completely. That's what Luke should be doing and what he should be having his Jedi do. DarthGeist What DOES bother me is how Luke's going to be portrayed again apparently. This is the man that faced Darth Vader and brought him back from the abyss. He saves his father but what about his nephew? C'mon farmboy... I'm worried about the way that Luke is going to be portrayed in Invincible as well, DG. I'm really afraid that his only role again is going to be one in which he beats himself up about how he killed Lumiya, and that he'll use that as his reason for not getting involved. And I fear that Luke will actually do nothing else in the book. Well, except put the illusion of his face on Jaina, which sounds really odd and silly to me. What can that possibly accomplish??? If that is indeed Luke's entire role in Invincible, that would be a huge disappointment for me. I really wanted to see Luke confront and defeat Jacen/Caedus and strip him of the Force...And then I wanted to see Luke forgive Jacen. Because that's who Luke is : the Great Redeemer who forgives even the worst transgressions. It's heroic to forgive someone who has betrayed and hurt you as much as Jacen has betrayed and hurt Luke. Yet I think Luke is enough of a hero to do just that. More later...
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Jedi Ben Registered: Jul '99	Date Posted: 4/18/08 1:23pm Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	NewStaryknight posted: Jedi Ben posted: Stary, Was going to reply but you've given me an idea for a thread. JB I did? Hooray, I'm useful!! Whats it called? It's here: http://boards.theforce.net/literature/b10003/28340655/p1/?19 Concerns the nature of surprise in the EU. -----signature----- Excellence: "You are the forum's Quick Ben." SW EU fans: John Ostrander needs your help! http://www.comix4sight.com
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
Charlemagne19 Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 4/18/08 1:36pm Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	DurronFan posted: The Chain of Command just breaks when you have subordinates that fly better than you? If the Chain of Command was constructed purely on hierarchy of ability to fly, it wouldn't last or probably battles would be lost in the process. As I was illustrating, Luke Skywalker's skill as a pilot is immaterial. In Rogue Squadron, yes, it's important but mostly it's the fact that people look to him as a natural leader. Wedge Antilles and the other Rogue Squadron members automatically deferred to Luke after the Death Star despite their greater experience and that made him natural to lead it. Frankly, if Luke Skywalker was a Major in a Major Battle, unless it's Admiral Ackbar commanding then I would honestly put his advice over whoever was the actual leader because Luke Skywalker has proven THAT miraculous in his planning ability/ability to carry off anything he wants. DurronFan posted: You don't seem to give Han's background (graduating as an Imperial officer) much credit. Han being promoted to General is a lot less extreme in my opinion. You don't seem to hold officer training in that high regard either, correct me if I'm wrong. Some say you can't teach leadership, that you either have it or you don't. But there really is a lot of theory behind the concept of leading that can make a world of difference really. There's a reason they gives lectures about it in Cadet/Officer school. My brother was a Navy officer (for an unfortunately very brief time thanks to a mistake that ruined his life for about 10-12 years before he figured it out). So I'm actually more familiar with the issue than you might think. Naval Academy training provides you with a lot of the discipline and understanding of the system that allows you to function in a unit. However, modern United States navies at least, actually tend to treat newly graduated officers with a fair amount ot disdain actually because your whole point is that experience is what is necessary for command. It's actually part of the stated goal of Non-Comissioned Officers to train newly graduated low-level officers as part of their job to experience. Han Solo certainly was a graduated Lieutenant and, all points agree, and outstanding officer with a career ahead of him. However, the majority of what Han Solo learned in the Imperial Academy during his years there is not going to be "How to run an Imperial Naval Battleship" (which wouldn't help that he was a General in the Army either) It's.... 1. How to fly a TIE fighter. 2. Rank, Rules, Regulations. 3. Discipline (words cannot describe how this is the major thing you're expected to learn). 4. The basics of the various jobs on a Star Destroyer 5. Imperial history. Luke Skywalker already knows how to pilot a X-wing and the Rebellion's rank structure is fairly fluid as is. Most of the other lessons a Lieutenant must learn aren't really going to be that helpful since Imperial idealogy is something they're against and Academy graduates are outnumbered by those of Non-Academy recruits. If the Rebellion had its own Annapolis, Luke probably never had time to attend it since he was too busy rescuing Jan Dodonna from the fleet of Darth Vader days later. Really, the question isn't whether Luke going to the Academy would qualify him as an officer but whether 5 years of constant small combat experience mixed with the occasional Mid-Level Command (Squadron level and the Truce at Bakura) warrants him being made a General. Of course, his status as a Jedi Knight may have also done this as people automatically assume Jedi are Generals. Your point has some serious validity I confess, I don't think Luke would have been a General in any world where basically superheroes aren't expected to have special privileges.
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History
J_K_DART Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 4/18/08 2:15pm Subject: RE: SOS: Save Our Skywalker, Luke Skywalker (v3)
	I think we're underestimating the nature of Luke's relationship with the Rebellion. The first thing I'd point out is that the Rebellion was no carefully-structured organisation. The day-to-day running of the Rebellion, on ground level, seems to have been more of a 'cell' system of organised protest, gradually becoming more militant - but, as a result, with people gaining 'rank' through experience. Luke, as a front-line starfighter pilot, gained more experience than many. It's also worth noting that the Rebellion seems to have recognised, and maintained, a sense of continuity here; those who are good at starfighting, at combat in a microcosm, include many people who will develop clear leadership skills of a macroscale. The reason, I suspect, is that a good starfighter develops skills of spatial awareness that lend themselves perfectly to the coordination of a larger battle, while also learning what it is to lead by being under leadership himself. And there is a third variable. It seems to me that Luke Skywalker was, in many sense, a symbol of the Rebellion. Bearing a lightsaber, the mark of the ancient heritage of the Republic, and the destroyer of a Death Star, the Rebellion could use that symbol powerfully. The more prominently they display the symbol, the better - and so they would naturally tend to 'push' Luke, especially because, if truth be told, those symbols were few and far between. That Luke is himself responsible for the formation of another Rebel symbol, the Rogue Squadron unit, is in itself testament to his own nature. And so I don't see it surprising that Luke was escalated to the position of General in the Rebellion. I also don't believe we can assess his skills and/ or deficiencies until we've read Stover's book. -----signature----- "Victory without risk is like a pizza without pepperoni." "I like my pizzas without pepperoni." "Sir master of the long post" - Excellence
	Post Reply \| Quote Reply \| Active Topic Notification \| Private Message \| Post History

« 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 » - Previous | Next | Reload