Tuesday, April 06, 2003
(Updated Monday, December 15, 2003)

So I sat down in front of the telly the other day to watch the live coverage of the latest conflict in the mideast. The previous night I had seen the latest edition of the Sci-fi channel's excellent dramatization of the Dune series of books. Suddenly, it occured to me as I watched the news just how many coincidences there are between the story of Dune and that of the war in Iraq. Bear in mind that some of these may be a strech but in no way is this a blatent lie. Those of you who are familiar with the books can back me up on this. Let me explain...

(Arrakis)

- (Iraq)

Desert Planet subject to deadly sandstorms

- Desert Country subject to crippling sandstorms.

One Export: Spice, which is critical to universal commerce and transportation

- One Export: Oil, which is critical to international commerce and transportation.

Catchphrase: "The Spice must flow (from Arrakis)"

- "The Aid must flow (to Iraq)."

"Still suits" must be worn to reclaim lost water vapor in the arrid environment

- "Chemical suits" must be worn to protect soldiers from chemical vapor.

Emperor Shaddam

- President Saddam. (Not a Joke!)

Sardukar Guards: Personal bodyguards of the Emperor, highly skilled in combat

- Republican Guard: Personal bodyguards of the President, (reportedly) highly skilled in combat.

Baron Harkonnen, tyrant ruler of Arrakis, has two nephews as heirs. One is cunning, the other is barbaric.

- President Hussein, tyrant ruler of Iraq, has two sons as heirs. One is cunning, the other is barbaric.

(Both heirs are eventually killed in both cases)

Baron Harkonnen is assasinated, but later returns in subsequent vloumes as a spectre, controlling the mind of the current ruler.

- President Hussein is presumed to have been assasinated, but later returns in television broadcasts, attempting to control the minds of his former citizens.

A protective ring of mountains, the "Shield Wall", eventually broken through by the invaders, surrounds the capitol, Arrakeen

- A protective ring of soldiers, eventually broken through by the invaders, surrounds the capitol, Baghdad.

A coalition of villages is formed to overthrow the government

- A coalition of nations is formed to overthrow the government.

Transportaion for the liberating army consists of riding on long, crawling, giant sandworms, which are steered by pulling on two hooks in the worm's skin

- Transprtation for the liberating army consists of riding in long, winding convoys of tanks (crawling on treads), which are steered by pulling on two levers.

"Fedayken" soldiers: geurilla warriors

- "Fedayeen" soldiers: geurilla warriors.

The conflict is opposed by the Spacing Guild: an overseeing body with noone to anwser to

- The conflict is opposed by the United Nations: an overseeing body with noone to anwser to.

In both, the natives rise up against their corrupt rulers with the help of people from outside their planet/country.
In both, the southern reigons of the planet/country are the first to be liberated.
In both, short raids were performed on the capitol city early in the conflict.
In both, propaganda is put out by the people in power, claiming the opoposing force is weak and will crumble if they attempt to attack.

And finally, the weakest connection between the two, though it gives you something to think about:

The leader of the oppostioin to the evil rulers: Paul "Muad'Dib"(pronunced: moo-ahh-deeb) Atreides, with an "M"

- The leader of the oppostioin to the evil rulers: George Walker Bush, Knicknamed "W"

it's an upside-down "M"...
At least it made sense at the time... I guess...

Then again...

Emperor Shaddam had Paul Atreides' father, Leto, assasinated. Paul later led a force which removed the evil dictator from power

- President Saddam attemped to assasinate G.W. Bush's father, Bush Sr! G.W. has led a force which (since Dec. 14, 2003) has removed the evil dictator from power!

Anyway, that's all I could think of. If anyone can think of more, email me at WindexWarriors at aol.com

Thanks,
K.F.



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