Politics Make Strange Bedfellows

One of the things I like about being an Intergalactic Gladiator is the opportunity that being one gives me to reach out to the fans. I can't do this a lot (the universe is a big place, after all), but when I do, it really does feel great to see what a positive role model I can be for them.




I was speaking at a high school yesterday. It was the typical "stay in school, don't do drugs" type of speech that I like to give, and the kids really responded to it. I always felt that if I could reach out to one kid and make his or her life better, it's all worth it.




After my speech, I used my time there to walk around the halls a bit to meet the teachers and students. I saw a T-shirt on one that really caught my eye.




"Does that shirt say what I think it says?" I ask.

"What does it look like? Gosh!"

"You want Palpatine to be the Chancellor of the senate?" I asked

"Heck yeah," the student replied. "Palpatine's got all kinds of skills, like nunchuck skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills... People only want Chancellors who have great skills."

"Don't you know his dark secret? His connection to the Sith?"

"He's a Sith?" he asked. "That's flippin' awesome! They're known for their skills in magic."

"But Sith are evil," I insisted. "He wants to kill all the Jedi and take over the universe."

"Really? I drew a picture of him for art class," he answered. "It took me like three hours to finish the shading on his upper lip. It's probably the best drawing I've ever done."

I felt like there wasn't anything else I could say to him. Sometimes, I just don't get these kids.