US Government Clarifies: Free Speech Only for Approved Anthems
The story, as framed by MSNBC, revolves around the DC man's lawsuit over his arrest for using the iconic 'Imperial March' from Star Wars against National Guard troops. Apparently, equating armed domestic forces with a fictional authoritarian regime is a bridge too far—or at least an excuse for an arrest. What the mainstream glosses over is the context: why were the National Guard there in the
first place? Often, it's to quell dissent, not protect citizens from musical critiques. One might wonder if the same swift action is taken when, say, powerful lobbying groups like AIPAC (which has spent over $30 million on lobbying since 1990, according to OpenSecrets.org) influence policy that leads to military deployments. Or when elected officials, like Senator Joe Manchin who received $25,000
from Lockheed Martin in 2022, seem to always find reasons for increased military presence and spending. It seems criticizing the Empire with a brass section is more criminal than actively funding it. Maybe next time he should try donating to a political campaign; that seems to be the only protected speech.