Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Pre-release)

[CB2001]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

J.J. Abrams Says He Has No Idea What He's Doing With 'Star Wars' - Yahoo! Finance

 

[Bryancd]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

J.J. Abrams Says He Has No Idea What He's Doing With 'Star Wars' - Yahoo! Finance

Wow, that's a pretty misleading title for that story. :thumbsdown

 

[Riceball]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

A pretty small percentage actually serve which is par for course for all volunteer militaries and countries like Japan have an even smaller percentage than most because of the stigma associated with serving in their military.

Sorry for veering off topic a bit, and for intruding on your debate, but why is it considered a stigma to serve in the Japanese military...?

It has a lot to do with WW II and a sort of collective guilt for what they did back then, so much that they didn't rebuild their military to the same degree that Germany did. Instead of a military along the lines of what they used to have they have instead created a Self Defense Force which is all that they're allowed to have as per their constitution. This means no offensive weaponry like bombers, ballistic missiles, carriers, and any else that could be used to launch an offensive against another country, I think that they're also forbidden to operate outside of Japan. Basically, they've channeled all of their previous military/martial spirit from the military to business and were so successful that the military isn't the honorable profession that it once was.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Wow, that's a pretty misleading title for that story. :thumbsdown

No kidding! But it made me click and that's all they want. :lol

 

[Riceball]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

All very sound points, but in my example there was only 0.35% of the population in the military and if you're on your own as a planet in a post Empire universe full of instability I'm sure that % would be higher for most independant planets. Let's say the SD requires 100,000 personel to make full use of it, it's still a drop in the hat of a military of almost 14 million if it's going to be your big deterrent.

Of course there are planets out there that wouldn't have the population or resources to make use of one of these but there would most certainly be plenty that could.

It's exactly those small planets that I was thinking of in my arguments, the Koreas, Hollands, Taiwans, Costa Ricas, & Jamaicas of the Star Wars universe. The sorts of planets that, if they were nations, would have a frigate navy at best with even a destroyer being a very large and expensive ship for them, and for the smallest/poorest would consider themselves lucky if they could even afford a frigate.

Even for planets with larger populations a Star Destroyer might not be feasible simply because of cost alone. There have to be poor planets in the Star Wars universe who couldn't afford to buy, operate, and maintain something as large as an Imperial Star Destroyer even if they had the manpower to man and support it. Even used I don't think that a Star Destroyer would go for very cheap and that's not counting the cost of keeping it fueled, armed, stocked with provisions and medical supplies, and all of the spare parts that you'd need in order to keep it tip top running shape. A ship the size of a Star Destroyer is going to require a lot of spare parts if you want to keep in optimal running condition, you have shield generators, guns, tractor beams, concussion missile & proton torpedoes and launchers, environmental systems, sublight engines, hyperspace engines, and the myriad of sensors for targetting, navigation, etc. That's a lot of systems that require maintenance which mean lots of spare parts when they wear out, and all that means a lot of extra money on top of what it costs to buy the SD in the first place.

 

[jlee562]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

It has a lot to do with WW II and a sort of collective guilt for what they did back then, so much that they didn't rebuild their military to the same degree that Germany did. Instead of a military along the lines of what they used to have they have instead created a Self Defense Force which is all that they're allowed to have as per their constitution. This means no offensive weaponry like bombers, ballistic missiles, carriers, and any else that could be used to launch an offensive against another country, I think that they're also forbidden to operate outside of Japan. Basically, they've channeled all of their previous military/martial spirit from the military to business and were so successful that the military isn't the honorable profession that it once was.

Not to veer too off topic, but in point of fact, the Japanese post-war Constitution was effectively written by the U.S.

Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The JSDF is not "forbidden" to operate outside of Japan per se, but it causes a huge political controversy whenever it is suggested that they do. The Japanese government, for example, had wanted to contribute forces to the first Iraq war, but pulled back after public outlash. They did contribute non-combat forces (engineers and the like) to the second Iraq War effort, but again, there was considerable public outcry over the deployment.

 

[DARTH SABER]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Not to veer too off topic, but in point of fact, the Japanese post-war Constitution was effectively written by the U.S.

Was just about to post this.

 

[jme3]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

It has a lot to do with WW II and a sort of collective guilt for what they did back then, so much that they didn't rebuild their military to the same degree that Germany did. Instead of a military along the lines of what they used to have they have instead created a Self Defense Force which is all that they're allowed to have as per their constitution. This means no offensive weaponry like bombers, ballistic missiles, carriers, and any else that could be used to launch an offensive against another country, I think that they're also forbidden to operate outside of Japan. Basically, they've channeled all of their previous military/martial spirit from the military to business and were so successful that the military isn't the honorable profession that it once was.

Thanks for the clarification.

I was aware, as others have pointed out also, that Japan's military was pretty much constricted by US mandates after the second world war. What is surprising, though, is to hear that the Japanese have actually stigmatized involvement with the military/self defense force...

 

[jme3]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Wow, that's a pretty misleading title for that story. :thumbsdown

Agreed.

I'm sure he has the general idea of things, but I hope he keeps them to himself until the movie's out.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

BTW, loving this debate!

It's rare on here that there's an actual civil discourse on something people disagree about but when it happens it's awesome. Thank you for that! :thumbsup

Well we can't let that stand...


Jar Jar is the best character in the entire Star Wars Trilogy. That ought to do it.

The thing is though, she *is* a dignitary... She's a princess, her foster father was their planet's representative on the galactic senate and a high ranking official at that, and she was one of the leaders of the Rebellion.

For those of you who haven't read the 'Thrawn trilogy' by Timothy Zahn, do yourselveves a favor and pick it up... If they incorporate even a tiny amount from those books into the movies they'll be great!

Yeah, but I'm guessing Episode VII will be set around 20 years after ROTJ since it supposedly deals with their kids fighting the new battles. So if they aren't going to totally bulldoze the existing EU, then they would have skipped past her phase as a diplomat and into when she becomes a Jedi.

 

[Jet Beetle]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Thanks for the clarification.

I was aware, as others have pointed out also, that Japan's military was pretty much constricted by US mandates after the second world war. What is surprising, though, is to hear that the Japanese have actually stigmatized involvement with the military/self defense force...

Godzilla and Gamera keep them busy anyway, I mean, Ultraman can only do so much.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Well we can't let that stand...


Jar Jar is the best character in the entire Star Wars Trilogy. That ought to do it.

I respectfully point out that you're full of crap. lol:lol

 

[Zombie_61]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

lol I do too, actually! But if it's between something Star Wars and the old Pirates, I'm afraid they'd have to walk the plank...!

That's a tough call for me, but I was interested in pirates long before Star Wars came along so the pirates would capture the prize.

 

[CB2001]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Well we can't let that stand...


Jar Jar is the best character in the entire Star Wars Trilogy. That ought to do it.

Yeah, and The Star Wars Holiday Special was the best film out of the entire series and should have one an Academy Award. :lol

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Yeah, and The Star Wars Holiday Special was the best film out of the entire series and should have one an Academy Award. :lol

Shows what you know. It was a TV special. It should have won an Emmy. :lol

 

[Edraven99]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Yeah, and The Star Wars Holiday Special was the best film out of the entire series and should have one an Academy Award. :lol

Too bad Bea Arthur passed away... I could totally see the Ackmena character worked into the new trilogy with the pivotal role of singing nursemaid to the Solo and Skywalker children :cry

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

 

[seelsa73]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Not exactly Episode VII, but that's funny.

 

[jme3]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Godzilla and Gamera keep them busy anyway, I mean, Ultraman can only do so much.

^lol

That's a tough call for me, but I was interested in pirates long before Star Wars came along so the pirates would capture the prize.

You know, I knew nothing of POTC when I was growing up. I've been to Disney World once and I honestly don't recall if I even saw the attraction there or not. I've seen the movies, which were very good, but that's about the limit of my exposure to it. I was eight years old when Star Wars hit the scene, though, and it's been a SW buffet for me ever since.

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Not exactly Episode VII, but that's funny.

Saw it on Facebook, thought I would share.