Why was there “no proof” that Naboo was being invaded?
In Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Queen Amidala tries to tell the Senate that Naboo is being invaded, but her claim is called into doubt by a Trade Federation representative.
Queen Amidala: Honorable representatives of the Republic, distinguished
delegates, and Your Honor Supreme Chancellor Valorum, I come to you under
the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by force.
Invaded...against all the laws of the Republic by the Droid Armies of the
Trade...
Lott Dodd: I object! There is no proof. This is incredible.
As "How it Should Have Ended" pointed out, Queen Amidala had a great deal of proof:
- Video evidence of the Trade Federation attacking their ship as they left Naboo
- Video testimony of the governor of Naboo, Sio Bibble, telling the Queen that people were being killed by the Trade Federation's droid army (sent after they had left the planet)
- The personal testimony of multiple witnesses, including two Jedi (who, as the opening crawl tells us, were dispatched by the Supreme Chancellor to investigate this very issue)
Why was none of this brought forward as proof that the invasion was occurring?
star-wars the-phantom-menace
|
show 5 more comments
In Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Queen Amidala tries to tell the Senate that Naboo is being invaded, but her claim is called into doubt by a Trade Federation representative.
Queen Amidala: Honorable representatives of the Republic, distinguished
delegates, and Your Honor Supreme Chancellor Valorum, I come to you under
the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by force.
Invaded...against all the laws of the Republic by the Droid Armies of the
Trade...
Lott Dodd: I object! There is no proof. This is incredible.
As "How it Should Have Ended" pointed out, Queen Amidala had a great deal of proof:
- Video evidence of the Trade Federation attacking their ship as they left Naboo
- Video testimony of the governor of Naboo, Sio Bibble, telling the Queen that people were being killed by the Trade Federation's droid army (sent after they had left the planet)
- The personal testimony of multiple witnesses, including two Jedi (who, as the opening crawl tells us, were dispatched by the Supreme Chancellor to investigate this very issue)
Why was none of this brought forward as proof that the invasion was occurring?
star-wars the-phantom-menace
6
The Jedi were on a secret mission.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
44
Because while Lucas created an epic sci-fi universe, his ability to write realistic people with realistic intelligence is highly flawed. It's not unusual for films for writers to ignore the obvious.
– Tim
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
5
Because video evidence can be easily faked.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
2
@Valorum After all, it has been faked - our view of the events is "fake" video evidence :P Sure, our suspension of disbelief is higher, knowing we've intentionally gone to the movies to see a space opera, but a true investigation of the validity of the video evidence might be impossible, or at least take more time than they are willing to spend. This is a very serious accusation, and needs considerable proof to be considered. Just think that somebody came to Microsoft and said "stop everything, we're investigating a claim that you invaded Sudan; we'll get back to you in a year or ten".
– Luaan
Feb 2 '17 at 13:00
5
I'm not sure if that is so unrealistic. As far as I remember, it's not so long ago when certain country said there is no proof of their military presence in another country. There was also great deal of proof.
– Tomáš Zato
Feb 2 '17 at 14:43
|
show 5 more comments
In Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Queen Amidala tries to tell the Senate that Naboo is being invaded, but her claim is called into doubt by a Trade Federation representative.
Queen Amidala: Honorable representatives of the Republic, distinguished
delegates, and Your Honor Supreme Chancellor Valorum, I come to you under
the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by force.
Invaded...against all the laws of the Republic by the Droid Armies of the
Trade...
Lott Dodd: I object! There is no proof. This is incredible.
As "How it Should Have Ended" pointed out, Queen Amidala had a great deal of proof:
- Video evidence of the Trade Federation attacking their ship as they left Naboo
- Video testimony of the governor of Naboo, Sio Bibble, telling the Queen that people were being killed by the Trade Federation's droid army (sent after they had left the planet)
- The personal testimony of multiple witnesses, including two Jedi (who, as the opening crawl tells us, were dispatched by the Supreme Chancellor to investigate this very issue)
Why was none of this brought forward as proof that the invasion was occurring?
star-wars the-phantom-menace
In Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Queen Amidala tries to tell the Senate that Naboo is being invaded, but her claim is called into doubt by a Trade Federation representative.
Queen Amidala: Honorable representatives of the Republic, distinguished
delegates, and Your Honor Supreme Chancellor Valorum, I come to you under
the gravest of circumstances. The Naboo system has been invaded by force.
Invaded...against all the laws of the Republic by the Droid Armies of the
Trade...
Lott Dodd: I object! There is no proof. This is incredible.
As "How it Should Have Ended" pointed out, Queen Amidala had a great deal of proof:
- Video evidence of the Trade Federation attacking their ship as they left Naboo
- Video testimony of the governor of Naboo, Sio Bibble, telling the Queen that people were being killed by the Trade Federation's droid army (sent after they had left the planet)
- The personal testimony of multiple witnesses, including two Jedi (who, as the opening crawl tells us, were dispatched by the Supreme Chancellor to investigate this very issue)
Why was none of this brought forward as proof that the invasion was occurring?
star-wars the-phantom-menace
star-wars the-phantom-menace
edited Feb 1 '17 at 20:07
Thunderforge
asked Feb 1 '17 at 19:42
ThunderforgeThunderforge
30.3k23141296
30.3k23141296
6
The Jedi were on a secret mission.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
44
Because while Lucas created an epic sci-fi universe, his ability to write realistic people with realistic intelligence is highly flawed. It's not unusual for films for writers to ignore the obvious.
– Tim
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
5
Because video evidence can be easily faked.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
2
@Valorum After all, it has been faked - our view of the events is "fake" video evidence :P Sure, our suspension of disbelief is higher, knowing we've intentionally gone to the movies to see a space opera, but a true investigation of the validity of the video evidence might be impossible, or at least take more time than they are willing to spend. This is a very serious accusation, and needs considerable proof to be considered. Just think that somebody came to Microsoft and said "stop everything, we're investigating a claim that you invaded Sudan; we'll get back to you in a year or ten".
– Luaan
Feb 2 '17 at 13:00
5
I'm not sure if that is so unrealistic. As far as I remember, it's not so long ago when certain country said there is no proof of their military presence in another country. There was also great deal of proof.
– Tomáš Zato
Feb 2 '17 at 14:43
|
show 5 more comments
6
The Jedi were on a secret mission.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
44
Because while Lucas created an epic sci-fi universe, his ability to write realistic people with realistic intelligence is highly flawed. It's not unusual for films for writers to ignore the obvious.
– Tim
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
5
Because video evidence can be easily faked.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
2
@Valorum After all, it has been faked - our view of the events is "fake" video evidence :P Sure, our suspension of disbelief is higher, knowing we've intentionally gone to the movies to see a space opera, but a true investigation of the validity of the video evidence might be impossible, or at least take more time than they are willing to spend. This is a very serious accusation, and needs considerable proof to be considered. Just think that somebody came to Microsoft and said "stop everything, we're investigating a claim that you invaded Sudan; we'll get back to you in a year or ten".
– Luaan
Feb 2 '17 at 13:00
5
I'm not sure if that is so unrealistic. As far as I remember, it's not so long ago when certain country said there is no proof of their military presence in another country. There was also great deal of proof.
– Tomáš Zato
Feb 2 '17 at 14:43
6
6
The Jedi were on a secret mission.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
The Jedi were on a secret mission.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
44
44
Because while Lucas created an epic sci-fi universe, his ability to write realistic people with realistic intelligence is highly flawed. It's not unusual for films for writers to ignore the obvious.
– Tim
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
Because while Lucas created an epic sci-fi universe, his ability to write realistic people with realistic intelligence is highly flawed. It's not unusual for films for writers to ignore the obvious.
– Tim
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
5
5
Because video evidence can be easily faked.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
Because video evidence can be easily faked.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
2
2
@Valorum After all, it has been faked - our view of the events is "fake" video evidence :P Sure, our suspension of disbelief is higher, knowing we've intentionally gone to the movies to see a space opera, but a true investigation of the validity of the video evidence might be impossible, or at least take more time than they are willing to spend. This is a very serious accusation, and needs considerable proof to be considered. Just think that somebody came to Microsoft and said "stop everything, we're investigating a claim that you invaded Sudan; we'll get back to you in a year or ten".
– Luaan
Feb 2 '17 at 13:00
@Valorum After all, it has been faked - our view of the events is "fake" video evidence :P Sure, our suspension of disbelief is higher, knowing we've intentionally gone to the movies to see a space opera, but a true investigation of the validity of the video evidence might be impossible, or at least take more time than they are willing to spend. This is a very serious accusation, and needs considerable proof to be considered. Just think that somebody came to Microsoft and said "stop everything, we're investigating a claim that you invaded Sudan; we'll get back to you in a year or ten".
– Luaan
Feb 2 '17 at 13:00
5
5
I'm not sure if that is so unrealistic. As far as I remember, it's not so long ago when certain country said there is no proof of their military presence in another country. There was also great deal of proof.
– Tomáš Zato
Feb 2 '17 at 14:43
I'm not sure if that is so unrealistic. As far as I remember, it's not so long ago when certain country said there is no proof of their military presence in another country. There was also great deal of proof.
– Tomáš Zato
Feb 2 '17 at 14:43
|
show 5 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
There were no third-party, independent accounts of the invasion - just the word of the ruler of a planet that was having a dispute with the Trade Federation. If we look a little further in the script:
LOTT DOD (delegate from the Trade Federation): I object! There is no proof. This is incredible. We recommend acommision be sent to Naboo to assertain the truth.
VALORUM: Overruled.
LOTT DOD: Your Honor, you cannot allow us to be condemned without
reasonable observation. It's against all the rules of procedure.
A third box representing Malastare moves into the center of the room. AKS
MOE, the Ambassador, addresses the convention.
AKS MOE: The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate
from the Trade Federation. A commision must be appointed...that is the law.
Notice that nobody's saying that Padme's accusations should be ignored or forgotten, but that they must be investigated by an independent commission. Yes, such a commission would have found that the Trade Federation had invaded illegally - if it ever got off the ground, with Palpatine slowing everything down.
This is what was meant earlier in the film when Sidious was talking to Gunray:
DARTH SIDIOUS: Good. I have the Senate bogged down in procedures. By the time this incident comes up for a vote, they will have no choice but to
accept your control of the system.
Most of the evidence the Queen has with her could easily be fabricated; the only independent evidence she had was the testimony of the Jedi, and they weren't there. If she'd been thinking clearly, she probably would have called them, but she wasn't thinking clearly. She had been carefully prepped and manipulated by Palpatine:
PALPATINE: ...the Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of
greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves and
their home sytems. There is no interest in the common good...no civility,
only politics...its disgusting. I must be frank, Your Majesty, there is
little chance the Senate will act on the invasion.
AMIDALA : Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope.
PALPATINE : If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real
power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A
manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now.
AMIDALA : What options do we have?
PALPATINE : Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger
Supreme Chancellor. One who will take control of the bureaucrats, enforce
the laws, and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence
in Chancellor Valorum.
AMIDALA : He has been our strongest supporter. Is there any other way?
PALPATINE : Our only other choice would to be to submit a plea to the
courts...
AMIDALA : There's no time for that. The courts take even longer to decide
things than the Senate. Our people are dying, Senator...more and more each
day. We must do something quickly to stop the Federation.
PALPATINE : To be realistic, Your Highness, I'd say we're going to have to
accept Federation control for the time being.
AMIDALA : That is something I cannot do.
Palpatine has prepared her to see the exact situation they do see - squabbling senators, no interest in the public good, a request that she delay and let her people suffer...so she moves forward with the dramatic move nobody (except Palpatine) had expected.
EDITED TO ADD:
I forgot to address this when I first answered, but the description of the Jedi's mission from the question:
The personal testimony of multiple witnesses, including two Jedi (who, as the opening crawl tells us, were dispatched by the Supreme Chancellor to investigate this very issue)
...is not correct. The opening crawl says:
While the congress of the Republic endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, to settle the conflict.....
The Jedi were sent to negotiate the end of the blockade, not to investigate reports of a Trade Federation invasion. The testimony of the Jedi would have helped strengthen Padme's case, certainly, but it would not have been the same as sending a commission specifically to see if there really was an invasion.
So you're saying that had she brought in the Jedi, she might have had a case in the Senate?
– Thunderforge
Feb 1 '17 at 20:49
5
She would have had a stronger case; most likely, though, the Senate would still have wanted to appoint a commission to be sure, since that's apparently a legal requirement. Remember that the Jedi's mission was to negotiate the end of the Trade Federation's blockade, not to investigate an invasion.
– Werrf
Feb 1 '17 at 21:02
Why were they required to send a commission, and why did the Trade Federation have any particular standing to object? Send ships, if there is no invasion there will be no-one for them to fight. The only grounds for objection is the cost, and it should be suspicious that it's the Trade Federation that raises the objection.
– Random832
Feb 2 '17 at 20:22
2
@Random832 As the script says, they were required by law to appoint and send a commission to investigate the accusations. Notice that the Trade Federation are not objecting to sending a commission to investigate - they're the ones proposing that a commission be sent. It's a stall tactic, designed to buy Sidious time to "Make it legal". It wouldn't have worked in the long run, but it wasn't supposed to - it was supposed to push Padme into calling for a vote of no confidence.
– Werrf
Feb 2 '17 at 20:39
It's possible that I'm mis-remembering, but I really don't think all of these lines were present in the film. "If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now." I will have to confirm later, but I am quite certain the emphasized phrase did not appear. What is the source of this script?
– TechnoSam
Jun 19 '18 at 16:16
|
show 2 more comments
First of all this is politics. Even in a galaxy far far away, there are alternative facts.
Second, communications were cut. This means it was particularly difficult to get news from the planet. Few sources are easy to fake, few informants are easy to deny. Especially when proofs come only from the accusation side. There are clues but it is all about being convincing. For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedi.
9
This answer doesn't really make sense, if communications were cut, that in itself is reason to believe something is terribly wrong.
– Jared Smith
Feb 2 '17 at 15:23
2
"For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedis." - Must be all that "from a certain point of view" stuff. (Also, slight nitpick, but plural of Jedi is Jedi)
– TVann
Feb 2 '17 at 19:19
1
@JaredSmith One of Padmé's advisors even says it: "Communications disruption can only mean one thing: Invasion."
– Flambino
Feb 2 '17 at 22:08
Yes: that's an argument. Anyone is free to agree or not.
– Tom
Feb 3 '17 at 10:02
add a comment |
The second part of your question was addressed by Steve Sansweet, (former) Lucasfilm Head of Content/Head of Fan Relations on the old "Ask the Jedi Council" feature on the official Starwars.com website.
In short, the Jedi involvement was a secret. Chancellor Valorum was worried that if Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan testified about the blockade, presumably the next question they would be asked is "Why were you there and who sent you?" the answer to which ("We were there to pressure the Trade Federation into ending the blockade at the secret behest of the Chancellor") would result in a massive political row.
Q. Why didn't Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan testify on the Queen's behalf during the senate hearings? They had proof of the Trade Federation
invasion. They were there!
A. In the opening crawl to the The Phantom Menace, you'll note that it specifically says that "Chancellor Valorum has secretly
dispatched two Jedi". There's the key word: secretly.
The Jedi didn't testify because they weren't really supposed to be there. ("The chancellor should never have brought them into this,"
says Sidious). Valorum, knowing full well of the Senate's
inefficiencies, didn't bring the matter of sending Jedi ambassadors to
a vote. So, he took it under his own authority to send the Jedi to
Naboo.
Already mired in "scandal and baseless accusation," Valorum couldn't bring up the unauthorized Jedi mission for fear of political
recrimination. As it turned out, Valorum was ousted from office
anyway, and the Jedi were preoccupied with Qui-Gon's claims of finding
the Chosen One of ancient prophecy.
Starwars.com - Ask the LucasFilm Jedi Council
add a comment |
There are at most 3 independent witnesses to the invasion, two Jedi (one of whom is still a padawan) who may have been bought off or have ulterior motives for their allegiance and a Gungan of questionable intellect who would likely say whatever he is told to. Video evidence can easily be fabricated and the loss of communications can be faked.
It is far from unreasonable to request that the situation be investigated by an impartial commission before deploying a military force strong enough to fend off a full scale invasion.
Imagine the egg on the Senate's faces when they have to explain to the public how millions of credits were wasted because of a petty squabble on some far off planet. I for one would demand the immediate resignation of my planets' representative!
2
Welcome to Sci-Fi Stack Exchange! Good point about Jar-Jar being an independent witness since he's not part of the Naboo government being attacked, although I could see the Senate still seeing him being from Naboo and thus biased.
– Thunderforge
Feb 2 '17 at 18:06
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
There were no third-party, independent accounts of the invasion - just the word of the ruler of a planet that was having a dispute with the Trade Federation. If we look a little further in the script:
LOTT DOD (delegate from the Trade Federation): I object! There is no proof. This is incredible. We recommend acommision be sent to Naboo to assertain the truth.
VALORUM: Overruled.
LOTT DOD: Your Honor, you cannot allow us to be condemned without
reasonable observation. It's against all the rules of procedure.
A third box representing Malastare moves into the center of the room. AKS
MOE, the Ambassador, addresses the convention.
AKS MOE: The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate
from the Trade Federation. A commision must be appointed...that is the law.
Notice that nobody's saying that Padme's accusations should be ignored or forgotten, but that they must be investigated by an independent commission. Yes, such a commission would have found that the Trade Federation had invaded illegally - if it ever got off the ground, with Palpatine slowing everything down.
This is what was meant earlier in the film when Sidious was talking to Gunray:
DARTH SIDIOUS: Good. I have the Senate bogged down in procedures. By the time this incident comes up for a vote, they will have no choice but to
accept your control of the system.
Most of the evidence the Queen has with her could easily be fabricated; the only independent evidence she had was the testimony of the Jedi, and they weren't there. If she'd been thinking clearly, she probably would have called them, but she wasn't thinking clearly. She had been carefully prepped and manipulated by Palpatine:
PALPATINE: ...the Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of
greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves and
their home sytems. There is no interest in the common good...no civility,
only politics...its disgusting. I must be frank, Your Majesty, there is
little chance the Senate will act on the invasion.
AMIDALA : Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope.
PALPATINE : If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real
power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A
manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now.
AMIDALA : What options do we have?
PALPATINE : Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger
Supreme Chancellor. One who will take control of the bureaucrats, enforce
the laws, and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence
in Chancellor Valorum.
AMIDALA : He has been our strongest supporter. Is there any other way?
PALPATINE : Our only other choice would to be to submit a plea to the
courts...
AMIDALA : There's no time for that. The courts take even longer to decide
things than the Senate. Our people are dying, Senator...more and more each
day. We must do something quickly to stop the Federation.
PALPATINE : To be realistic, Your Highness, I'd say we're going to have to
accept Federation control for the time being.
AMIDALA : That is something I cannot do.
Palpatine has prepared her to see the exact situation they do see - squabbling senators, no interest in the public good, a request that she delay and let her people suffer...so she moves forward with the dramatic move nobody (except Palpatine) had expected.
EDITED TO ADD:
I forgot to address this when I first answered, but the description of the Jedi's mission from the question:
The personal testimony of multiple witnesses, including two Jedi (who, as the opening crawl tells us, were dispatched by the Supreme Chancellor to investigate this very issue)
...is not correct. The opening crawl says:
While the congress of the Republic endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, to settle the conflict.....
The Jedi were sent to negotiate the end of the blockade, not to investigate reports of a Trade Federation invasion. The testimony of the Jedi would have helped strengthen Padme's case, certainly, but it would not have been the same as sending a commission specifically to see if there really was an invasion.
So you're saying that had she brought in the Jedi, she might have had a case in the Senate?
– Thunderforge
Feb 1 '17 at 20:49
5
She would have had a stronger case; most likely, though, the Senate would still have wanted to appoint a commission to be sure, since that's apparently a legal requirement. Remember that the Jedi's mission was to negotiate the end of the Trade Federation's blockade, not to investigate an invasion.
– Werrf
Feb 1 '17 at 21:02
Why were they required to send a commission, and why did the Trade Federation have any particular standing to object? Send ships, if there is no invasion there will be no-one for them to fight. The only grounds for objection is the cost, and it should be suspicious that it's the Trade Federation that raises the objection.
– Random832
Feb 2 '17 at 20:22
2
@Random832 As the script says, they were required by law to appoint and send a commission to investigate the accusations. Notice that the Trade Federation are not objecting to sending a commission to investigate - they're the ones proposing that a commission be sent. It's a stall tactic, designed to buy Sidious time to "Make it legal". It wouldn't have worked in the long run, but it wasn't supposed to - it was supposed to push Padme into calling for a vote of no confidence.
– Werrf
Feb 2 '17 at 20:39
It's possible that I'm mis-remembering, but I really don't think all of these lines were present in the film. "If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now." I will have to confirm later, but I am quite certain the emphasized phrase did not appear. What is the source of this script?
– TechnoSam
Jun 19 '18 at 16:16
|
show 2 more comments
There were no third-party, independent accounts of the invasion - just the word of the ruler of a planet that was having a dispute with the Trade Federation. If we look a little further in the script:
LOTT DOD (delegate from the Trade Federation): I object! There is no proof. This is incredible. We recommend acommision be sent to Naboo to assertain the truth.
VALORUM: Overruled.
LOTT DOD: Your Honor, you cannot allow us to be condemned without
reasonable observation. It's against all the rules of procedure.
A third box representing Malastare moves into the center of the room. AKS
MOE, the Ambassador, addresses the convention.
AKS MOE: The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate
from the Trade Federation. A commision must be appointed...that is the law.
Notice that nobody's saying that Padme's accusations should be ignored or forgotten, but that they must be investigated by an independent commission. Yes, such a commission would have found that the Trade Federation had invaded illegally - if it ever got off the ground, with Palpatine slowing everything down.
This is what was meant earlier in the film when Sidious was talking to Gunray:
DARTH SIDIOUS: Good. I have the Senate bogged down in procedures. By the time this incident comes up for a vote, they will have no choice but to
accept your control of the system.
Most of the evidence the Queen has with her could easily be fabricated; the only independent evidence she had was the testimony of the Jedi, and they weren't there. If she'd been thinking clearly, she probably would have called them, but she wasn't thinking clearly. She had been carefully prepped and manipulated by Palpatine:
PALPATINE: ...the Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of
greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves and
their home sytems. There is no interest in the common good...no civility,
only politics...its disgusting. I must be frank, Your Majesty, there is
little chance the Senate will act on the invasion.
AMIDALA : Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope.
PALPATINE : If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real
power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A
manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now.
AMIDALA : What options do we have?
PALPATINE : Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger
Supreme Chancellor. One who will take control of the bureaucrats, enforce
the laws, and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence
in Chancellor Valorum.
AMIDALA : He has been our strongest supporter. Is there any other way?
PALPATINE : Our only other choice would to be to submit a plea to the
courts...
AMIDALA : There's no time for that. The courts take even longer to decide
things than the Senate. Our people are dying, Senator...more and more each
day. We must do something quickly to stop the Federation.
PALPATINE : To be realistic, Your Highness, I'd say we're going to have to
accept Federation control for the time being.
AMIDALA : That is something I cannot do.
Palpatine has prepared her to see the exact situation they do see - squabbling senators, no interest in the public good, a request that she delay and let her people suffer...so she moves forward with the dramatic move nobody (except Palpatine) had expected.
EDITED TO ADD:
I forgot to address this when I first answered, but the description of the Jedi's mission from the question:
The personal testimony of multiple witnesses, including two Jedi (who, as the opening crawl tells us, were dispatched by the Supreme Chancellor to investigate this very issue)
...is not correct. The opening crawl says:
While the congress of the Republic endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, to settle the conflict.....
The Jedi were sent to negotiate the end of the blockade, not to investigate reports of a Trade Federation invasion. The testimony of the Jedi would have helped strengthen Padme's case, certainly, but it would not have been the same as sending a commission specifically to see if there really was an invasion.
So you're saying that had she brought in the Jedi, she might have had a case in the Senate?
– Thunderforge
Feb 1 '17 at 20:49
5
She would have had a stronger case; most likely, though, the Senate would still have wanted to appoint a commission to be sure, since that's apparently a legal requirement. Remember that the Jedi's mission was to negotiate the end of the Trade Federation's blockade, not to investigate an invasion.
– Werrf
Feb 1 '17 at 21:02
Why were they required to send a commission, and why did the Trade Federation have any particular standing to object? Send ships, if there is no invasion there will be no-one for them to fight. The only grounds for objection is the cost, and it should be suspicious that it's the Trade Federation that raises the objection.
– Random832
Feb 2 '17 at 20:22
2
@Random832 As the script says, they were required by law to appoint and send a commission to investigate the accusations. Notice that the Trade Federation are not objecting to sending a commission to investigate - they're the ones proposing that a commission be sent. It's a stall tactic, designed to buy Sidious time to "Make it legal". It wouldn't have worked in the long run, but it wasn't supposed to - it was supposed to push Padme into calling for a vote of no confidence.
– Werrf
Feb 2 '17 at 20:39
It's possible that I'm mis-remembering, but I really don't think all of these lines were present in the film. "If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now." I will have to confirm later, but I am quite certain the emphasized phrase did not appear. What is the source of this script?
– TechnoSam
Jun 19 '18 at 16:16
|
show 2 more comments
There were no third-party, independent accounts of the invasion - just the word of the ruler of a planet that was having a dispute with the Trade Federation. If we look a little further in the script:
LOTT DOD (delegate from the Trade Federation): I object! There is no proof. This is incredible. We recommend acommision be sent to Naboo to assertain the truth.
VALORUM: Overruled.
LOTT DOD: Your Honor, you cannot allow us to be condemned without
reasonable observation. It's against all the rules of procedure.
A third box representing Malastare moves into the center of the room. AKS
MOE, the Ambassador, addresses the convention.
AKS MOE: The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate
from the Trade Federation. A commision must be appointed...that is the law.
Notice that nobody's saying that Padme's accusations should be ignored or forgotten, but that they must be investigated by an independent commission. Yes, such a commission would have found that the Trade Federation had invaded illegally - if it ever got off the ground, with Palpatine slowing everything down.
This is what was meant earlier in the film when Sidious was talking to Gunray:
DARTH SIDIOUS: Good. I have the Senate bogged down in procedures. By the time this incident comes up for a vote, they will have no choice but to
accept your control of the system.
Most of the evidence the Queen has with her could easily be fabricated; the only independent evidence she had was the testimony of the Jedi, and they weren't there. If she'd been thinking clearly, she probably would have called them, but she wasn't thinking clearly. She had been carefully prepped and manipulated by Palpatine:
PALPATINE: ...the Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of
greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves and
their home sytems. There is no interest in the common good...no civility,
only politics...its disgusting. I must be frank, Your Majesty, there is
little chance the Senate will act on the invasion.
AMIDALA : Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope.
PALPATINE : If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real
power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A
manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now.
AMIDALA : What options do we have?
PALPATINE : Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger
Supreme Chancellor. One who will take control of the bureaucrats, enforce
the laws, and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence
in Chancellor Valorum.
AMIDALA : He has been our strongest supporter. Is there any other way?
PALPATINE : Our only other choice would to be to submit a plea to the
courts...
AMIDALA : There's no time for that. The courts take even longer to decide
things than the Senate. Our people are dying, Senator...more and more each
day. We must do something quickly to stop the Federation.
PALPATINE : To be realistic, Your Highness, I'd say we're going to have to
accept Federation control for the time being.
AMIDALA : That is something I cannot do.
Palpatine has prepared her to see the exact situation they do see - squabbling senators, no interest in the public good, a request that she delay and let her people suffer...so she moves forward with the dramatic move nobody (except Palpatine) had expected.
EDITED TO ADD:
I forgot to address this when I first answered, but the description of the Jedi's mission from the question:
The personal testimony of multiple witnesses, including two Jedi (who, as the opening crawl tells us, were dispatched by the Supreme Chancellor to investigate this very issue)
...is not correct. The opening crawl says:
While the congress of the Republic endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, to settle the conflict.....
The Jedi were sent to negotiate the end of the blockade, not to investigate reports of a Trade Federation invasion. The testimony of the Jedi would have helped strengthen Padme's case, certainly, but it would not have been the same as sending a commission specifically to see if there really was an invasion.
There were no third-party, independent accounts of the invasion - just the word of the ruler of a planet that was having a dispute with the Trade Federation. If we look a little further in the script:
LOTT DOD (delegate from the Trade Federation): I object! There is no proof. This is incredible. We recommend acommision be sent to Naboo to assertain the truth.
VALORUM: Overruled.
LOTT DOD: Your Honor, you cannot allow us to be condemned without
reasonable observation. It's against all the rules of procedure.
A third box representing Malastare moves into the center of the room. AKS
MOE, the Ambassador, addresses the convention.
AKS MOE: The Congress of Malastare concurs with the honorable delegate
from the Trade Federation. A commision must be appointed...that is the law.
Notice that nobody's saying that Padme's accusations should be ignored or forgotten, but that they must be investigated by an independent commission. Yes, such a commission would have found that the Trade Federation had invaded illegally - if it ever got off the ground, with Palpatine slowing everything down.
This is what was meant earlier in the film when Sidious was talking to Gunray:
DARTH SIDIOUS: Good. I have the Senate bogged down in procedures. By the time this incident comes up for a vote, they will have no choice but to
accept your control of the system.
Most of the evidence the Queen has with her could easily be fabricated; the only independent evidence she had was the testimony of the Jedi, and they weren't there. If she'd been thinking clearly, she probably would have called them, but she wasn't thinking clearly. She had been carefully prepped and manipulated by Palpatine:
PALPATINE: ...the Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of
greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves and
their home sytems. There is no interest in the common good...no civility,
only politics...its disgusting. I must be frank, Your Majesty, there is
little chance the Senate will act on the invasion.
AMIDALA : Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope.
PALPATINE : If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real
power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A
manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now.
AMIDALA : What options do we have?
PALPATINE : Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger
Supreme Chancellor. One who will take control of the bureaucrats, enforce
the laws, and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence
in Chancellor Valorum.
AMIDALA : He has been our strongest supporter. Is there any other way?
PALPATINE : Our only other choice would to be to submit a plea to the
courts...
AMIDALA : There's no time for that. The courts take even longer to decide
things than the Senate. Our people are dying, Senator...more and more each
day. We must do something quickly to stop the Federation.
PALPATINE : To be realistic, Your Highness, I'd say we're going to have to
accept Federation control for the time being.
AMIDALA : That is something I cannot do.
Palpatine has prepared her to see the exact situation they do see - squabbling senators, no interest in the public good, a request that she delay and let her people suffer...so she moves forward with the dramatic move nobody (except Palpatine) had expected.
EDITED TO ADD:
I forgot to address this when I first answered, but the description of the Jedi's mission from the question:
The personal testimony of multiple witnesses, including two Jedi (who, as the opening crawl tells us, were dispatched by the Supreme Chancellor to investigate this very issue)
...is not correct. The opening crawl says:
While the congress of the Republic endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, to settle the conflict.....
The Jedi were sent to negotiate the end of the blockade, not to investigate reports of a Trade Federation invasion. The testimony of the Jedi would have helped strengthen Padme's case, certainly, but it would not have been the same as sending a commission specifically to see if there really was an invasion.
edited 5 hours ago
answered Feb 1 '17 at 20:04
WerrfWerrf
13.9k45375
13.9k45375
So you're saying that had she brought in the Jedi, she might have had a case in the Senate?
– Thunderforge
Feb 1 '17 at 20:49
5
She would have had a stronger case; most likely, though, the Senate would still have wanted to appoint a commission to be sure, since that's apparently a legal requirement. Remember that the Jedi's mission was to negotiate the end of the Trade Federation's blockade, not to investigate an invasion.
– Werrf
Feb 1 '17 at 21:02
Why were they required to send a commission, and why did the Trade Federation have any particular standing to object? Send ships, if there is no invasion there will be no-one for them to fight. The only grounds for objection is the cost, and it should be suspicious that it's the Trade Federation that raises the objection.
– Random832
Feb 2 '17 at 20:22
2
@Random832 As the script says, they were required by law to appoint and send a commission to investigate the accusations. Notice that the Trade Federation are not objecting to sending a commission to investigate - they're the ones proposing that a commission be sent. It's a stall tactic, designed to buy Sidious time to "Make it legal". It wouldn't have worked in the long run, but it wasn't supposed to - it was supposed to push Padme into calling for a vote of no confidence.
– Werrf
Feb 2 '17 at 20:39
It's possible that I'm mis-remembering, but I really don't think all of these lines were present in the film. "If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now." I will have to confirm later, but I am quite certain the emphasized phrase did not appear. What is the source of this script?
– TechnoSam
Jun 19 '18 at 16:16
|
show 2 more comments
So you're saying that had she brought in the Jedi, she might have had a case in the Senate?
– Thunderforge
Feb 1 '17 at 20:49
5
She would have had a stronger case; most likely, though, the Senate would still have wanted to appoint a commission to be sure, since that's apparently a legal requirement. Remember that the Jedi's mission was to negotiate the end of the Trade Federation's blockade, not to investigate an invasion.
– Werrf
Feb 1 '17 at 21:02
Why were they required to send a commission, and why did the Trade Federation have any particular standing to object? Send ships, if there is no invasion there will be no-one for them to fight. The only grounds for objection is the cost, and it should be suspicious that it's the Trade Federation that raises the objection.
– Random832
Feb 2 '17 at 20:22
2
@Random832 As the script says, they were required by law to appoint and send a commission to investigate the accusations. Notice that the Trade Federation are not objecting to sending a commission to investigate - they're the ones proposing that a commission be sent. It's a stall tactic, designed to buy Sidious time to "Make it legal". It wouldn't have worked in the long run, but it wasn't supposed to - it was supposed to push Padme into calling for a vote of no confidence.
– Werrf
Feb 2 '17 at 20:39
It's possible that I'm mis-remembering, but I really don't think all of these lines were present in the film. "If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now." I will have to confirm later, but I am quite certain the emphasized phrase did not appear. What is the source of this script?
– TechnoSam
Jun 19 '18 at 16:16
So you're saying that had she brought in the Jedi, she might have had a case in the Senate?
– Thunderforge
Feb 1 '17 at 20:49
So you're saying that had she brought in the Jedi, she might have had a case in the Senate?
– Thunderforge
Feb 1 '17 at 20:49
5
5
She would have had a stronger case; most likely, though, the Senate would still have wanted to appoint a commission to be sure, since that's apparently a legal requirement. Remember that the Jedi's mission was to negotiate the end of the Trade Federation's blockade, not to investigate an invasion.
– Werrf
Feb 1 '17 at 21:02
She would have had a stronger case; most likely, though, the Senate would still have wanted to appoint a commission to be sure, since that's apparently a legal requirement. Remember that the Jedi's mission was to negotiate the end of the Trade Federation's blockade, not to investigate an invasion.
– Werrf
Feb 1 '17 at 21:02
Why were they required to send a commission, and why did the Trade Federation have any particular standing to object? Send ships, if there is no invasion there will be no-one for them to fight. The only grounds for objection is the cost, and it should be suspicious that it's the Trade Federation that raises the objection.
– Random832
Feb 2 '17 at 20:22
Why were they required to send a commission, and why did the Trade Federation have any particular standing to object? Send ships, if there is no invasion there will be no-one for them to fight. The only grounds for objection is the cost, and it should be suspicious that it's the Trade Federation that raises the objection.
– Random832
Feb 2 '17 at 20:22
2
2
@Random832 As the script says, they were required by law to appoint and send a commission to investigate the accusations. Notice that the Trade Federation are not objecting to sending a commission to investigate - they're the ones proposing that a commission be sent. It's a stall tactic, designed to buy Sidious time to "Make it legal". It wouldn't have worked in the long run, but it wasn't supposed to - it was supposed to push Padme into calling for a vote of no confidence.
– Werrf
Feb 2 '17 at 20:39
@Random832 As the script says, they were required by law to appoint and send a commission to investigate the accusations. Notice that the Trade Federation are not objecting to sending a commission to investigate - they're the ones proposing that a commission be sent. It's a stall tactic, designed to buy Sidious time to "Make it legal". It wouldn't have worked in the long run, but it wasn't supposed to - it was supposed to push Padme into calling for a vote of no confidence.
– Werrf
Feb 2 '17 at 20:39
It's possible that I'm mis-remembering, but I really don't think all of these lines were present in the film. "If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now." I will have to confirm later, but I am quite certain the emphasized phrase did not appear. What is the source of this script?
– TechnoSam
Jun 19 '18 at 16:16
It's possible that I'm mis-remembering, but I really don't think all of these lines were present in the film. "If I may say so, Your Majesty, the Chancellor has little real power...he is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now." I will have to confirm later, but I am quite certain the emphasized phrase did not appear. What is the source of this script?
– TechnoSam
Jun 19 '18 at 16:16
|
show 2 more comments
First of all this is politics. Even in a galaxy far far away, there are alternative facts.
Second, communications were cut. This means it was particularly difficult to get news from the planet. Few sources are easy to fake, few informants are easy to deny. Especially when proofs come only from the accusation side. There are clues but it is all about being convincing. For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedi.
9
This answer doesn't really make sense, if communications were cut, that in itself is reason to believe something is terribly wrong.
– Jared Smith
Feb 2 '17 at 15:23
2
"For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedis." - Must be all that "from a certain point of view" stuff. (Also, slight nitpick, but plural of Jedi is Jedi)
– TVann
Feb 2 '17 at 19:19
1
@JaredSmith One of Padmé's advisors even says it: "Communications disruption can only mean one thing: Invasion."
– Flambino
Feb 2 '17 at 22:08
Yes: that's an argument. Anyone is free to agree or not.
– Tom
Feb 3 '17 at 10:02
add a comment |
First of all this is politics. Even in a galaxy far far away, there are alternative facts.
Second, communications were cut. This means it was particularly difficult to get news from the planet. Few sources are easy to fake, few informants are easy to deny. Especially when proofs come only from the accusation side. There are clues but it is all about being convincing. For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedi.
9
This answer doesn't really make sense, if communications were cut, that in itself is reason to believe something is terribly wrong.
– Jared Smith
Feb 2 '17 at 15:23
2
"For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedis." - Must be all that "from a certain point of view" stuff. (Also, slight nitpick, but plural of Jedi is Jedi)
– TVann
Feb 2 '17 at 19:19
1
@JaredSmith One of Padmé's advisors even says it: "Communications disruption can only mean one thing: Invasion."
– Flambino
Feb 2 '17 at 22:08
Yes: that's an argument. Anyone is free to agree or not.
– Tom
Feb 3 '17 at 10:02
add a comment |
First of all this is politics. Even in a galaxy far far away, there are alternative facts.
Second, communications were cut. This means it was particularly difficult to get news from the planet. Few sources are easy to fake, few informants are easy to deny. Especially when proofs come only from the accusation side. There are clues but it is all about being convincing. For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedi.
First of all this is politics. Even in a galaxy far far away, there are alternative facts.
Second, communications were cut. This means it was particularly difficult to get news from the planet. Few sources are easy to fake, few informants are easy to deny. Especially when proofs come only from the accusation side. There are clues but it is all about being convincing. For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedi.
edited Feb 2 '17 at 21:24
RedCaio
22.7k19115234
22.7k19115234
answered Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
TomTom
31917
31917
9
This answer doesn't really make sense, if communications were cut, that in itself is reason to believe something is terribly wrong.
– Jared Smith
Feb 2 '17 at 15:23
2
"For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedis." - Must be all that "from a certain point of view" stuff. (Also, slight nitpick, but plural of Jedi is Jedi)
– TVann
Feb 2 '17 at 19:19
1
@JaredSmith One of Padmé's advisors even says it: "Communications disruption can only mean one thing: Invasion."
– Flambino
Feb 2 '17 at 22:08
Yes: that's an argument. Anyone is free to agree or not.
– Tom
Feb 3 '17 at 10:02
add a comment |
9
This answer doesn't really make sense, if communications were cut, that in itself is reason to believe something is terribly wrong.
– Jared Smith
Feb 2 '17 at 15:23
2
"For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedis." - Must be all that "from a certain point of view" stuff. (Also, slight nitpick, but plural of Jedi is Jedi)
– TVann
Feb 2 '17 at 19:19
1
@JaredSmith One of Padmé's advisors even says it: "Communications disruption can only mean one thing: Invasion."
– Flambino
Feb 2 '17 at 22:08
Yes: that's an argument. Anyone is free to agree or not.
– Tom
Feb 3 '17 at 10:02
9
9
This answer doesn't really make sense, if communications were cut, that in itself is reason to believe something is terribly wrong.
– Jared Smith
Feb 2 '17 at 15:23
This answer doesn't really make sense, if communications were cut, that in itself is reason to believe something is terribly wrong.
– Jared Smith
Feb 2 '17 at 15:23
2
2
"For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedis." - Must be all that "from a certain point of view" stuff. (Also, slight nitpick, but plural of Jedi is Jedi)
– TVann
Feb 2 '17 at 19:19
"For some reasons, not everybody trust Jedis." - Must be all that "from a certain point of view" stuff. (Also, slight nitpick, but plural of Jedi is Jedi)
– TVann
Feb 2 '17 at 19:19
1
1
@JaredSmith One of Padmé's advisors even says it: "Communications disruption can only mean one thing: Invasion."
– Flambino
Feb 2 '17 at 22:08
@JaredSmith One of Padmé's advisors even says it: "Communications disruption can only mean one thing: Invasion."
– Flambino
Feb 2 '17 at 22:08
Yes: that's an argument. Anyone is free to agree or not.
– Tom
Feb 3 '17 at 10:02
Yes: that's an argument. Anyone is free to agree or not.
– Tom
Feb 3 '17 at 10:02
add a comment |
The second part of your question was addressed by Steve Sansweet, (former) Lucasfilm Head of Content/Head of Fan Relations on the old "Ask the Jedi Council" feature on the official Starwars.com website.
In short, the Jedi involvement was a secret. Chancellor Valorum was worried that if Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan testified about the blockade, presumably the next question they would be asked is "Why were you there and who sent you?" the answer to which ("We were there to pressure the Trade Federation into ending the blockade at the secret behest of the Chancellor") would result in a massive political row.
Q. Why didn't Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan testify on the Queen's behalf during the senate hearings? They had proof of the Trade Federation
invasion. They were there!
A. In the opening crawl to the The Phantom Menace, you'll note that it specifically says that "Chancellor Valorum has secretly
dispatched two Jedi". There's the key word: secretly.
The Jedi didn't testify because they weren't really supposed to be there. ("The chancellor should never have brought them into this,"
says Sidious). Valorum, knowing full well of the Senate's
inefficiencies, didn't bring the matter of sending Jedi ambassadors to
a vote. So, he took it under his own authority to send the Jedi to
Naboo.
Already mired in "scandal and baseless accusation," Valorum couldn't bring up the unauthorized Jedi mission for fear of political
recrimination. As it turned out, Valorum was ousted from office
anyway, and the Jedi were preoccupied with Qui-Gon's claims of finding
the Chosen One of ancient prophecy.
Starwars.com - Ask the LucasFilm Jedi Council
add a comment |
The second part of your question was addressed by Steve Sansweet, (former) Lucasfilm Head of Content/Head of Fan Relations on the old "Ask the Jedi Council" feature on the official Starwars.com website.
In short, the Jedi involvement was a secret. Chancellor Valorum was worried that if Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan testified about the blockade, presumably the next question they would be asked is "Why were you there and who sent you?" the answer to which ("We were there to pressure the Trade Federation into ending the blockade at the secret behest of the Chancellor") would result in a massive political row.
Q. Why didn't Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan testify on the Queen's behalf during the senate hearings? They had proof of the Trade Federation
invasion. They were there!
A. In the opening crawl to the The Phantom Menace, you'll note that it specifically says that "Chancellor Valorum has secretly
dispatched two Jedi". There's the key word: secretly.
The Jedi didn't testify because they weren't really supposed to be there. ("The chancellor should never have brought them into this,"
says Sidious). Valorum, knowing full well of the Senate's
inefficiencies, didn't bring the matter of sending Jedi ambassadors to
a vote. So, he took it under his own authority to send the Jedi to
Naboo.
Already mired in "scandal and baseless accusation," Valorum couldn't bring up the unauthorized Jedi mission for fear of political
recrimination. As it turned out, Valorum was ousted from office
anyway, and the Jedi were preoccupied with Qui-Gon's claims of finding
the Chosen One of ancient prophecy.
Starwars.com - Ask the LucasFilm Jedi Council
add a comment |
The second part of your question was addressed by Steve Sansweet, (former) Lucasfilm Head of Content/Head of Fan Relations on the old "Ask the Jedi Council" feature on the official Starwars.com website.
In short, the Jedi involvement was a secret. Chancellor Valorum was worried that if Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan testified about the blockade, presumably the next question they would be asked is "Why were you there and who sent you?" the answer to which ("We were there to pressure the Trade Federation into ending the blockade at the secret behest of the Chancellor") would result in a massive political row.
Q. Why didn't Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan testify on the Queen's behalf during the senate hearings? They had proof of the Trade Federation
invasion. They were there!
A. In the opening crawl to the The Phantom Menace, you'll note that it specifically says that "Chancellor Valorum has secretly
dispatched two Jedi". There's the key word: secretly.
The Jedi didn't testify because they weren't really supposed to be there. ("The chancellor should never have brought them into this,"
says Sidious). Valorum, knowing full well of the Senate's
inefficiencies, didn't bring the matter of sending Jedi ambassadors to
a vote. So, he took it under his own authority to send the Jedi to
Naboo.
Already mired in "scandal and baseless accusation," Valorum couldn't bring up the unauthorized Jedi mission for fear of political
recrimination. As it turned out, Valorum was ousted from office
anyway, and the Jedi were preoccupied with Qui-Gon's claims of finding
the Chosen One of ancient prophecy.
Starwars.com - Ask the LucasFilm Jedi Council
The second part of your question was addressed by Steve Sansweet, (former) Lucasfilm Head of Content/Head of Fan Relations on the old "Ask the Jedi Council" feature on the official Starwars.com website.
In short, the Jedi involvement was a secret. Chancellor Valorum was worried that if Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan testified about the blockade, presumably the next question they would be asked is "Why were you there and who sent you?" the answer to which ("We were there to pressure the Trade Federation into ending the blockade at the secret behest of the Chancellor") would result in a massive political row.
Q. Why didn't Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan testify on the Queen's behalf during the senate hearings? They had proof of the Trade Federation
invasion. They were there!
A. In the opening crawl to the The Phantom Menace, you'll note that it specifically says that "Chancellor Valorum has secretly
dispatched two Jedi". There's the key word: secretly.
The Jedi didn't testify because they weren't really supposed to be there. ("The chancellor should never have brought them into this,"
says Sidious). Valorum, knowing full well of the Senate's
inefficiencies, didn't bring the matter of sending Jedi ambassadors to
a vote. So, he took it under his own authority to send the Jedi to
Naboo.
Already mired in "scandal and baseless accusation," Valorum couldn't bring up the unauthorized Jedi mission for fear of political
recrimination. As it turned out, Valorum was ousted from office
anyway, and the Jedi were preoccupied with Qui-Gon's claims of finding
the Chosen One of ancient prophecy.
Starwars.com - Ask the LucasFilm Jedi Council
edited Sep 6 '17 at 11:35
answered Sep 6 '17 at 10:39
ValorumValorum
402k10529233149
402k10529233149
add a comment |
add a comment |
There are at most 3 independent witnesses to the invasion, two Jedi (one of whom is still a padawan) who may have been bought off or have ulterior motives for their allegiance and a Gungan of questionable intellect who would likely say whatever he is told to. Video evidence can easily be fabricated and the loss of communications can be faked.
It is far from unreasonable to request that the situation be investigated by an impartial commission before deploying a military force strong enough to fend off a full scale invasion.
Imagine the egg on the Senate's faces when they have to explain to the public how millions of credits were wasted because of a petty squabble on some far off planet. I for one would demand the immediate resignation of my planets' representative!
2
Welcome to Sci-Fi Stack Exchange! Good point about Jar-Jar being an independent witness since he's not part of the Naboo government being attacked, although I could see the Senate still seeing him being from Naboo and thus biased.
– Thunderforge
Feb 2 '17 at 18:06
add a comment |
There are at most 3 independent witnesses to the invasion, two Jedi (one of whom is still a padawan) who may have been bought off or have ulterior motives for their allegiance and a Gungan of questionable intellect who would likely say whatever he is told to. Video evidence can easily be fabricated and the loss of communications can be faked.
It is far from unreasonable to request that the situation be investigated by an impartial commission before deploying a military force strong enough to fend off a full scale invasion.
Imagine the egg on the Senate's faces when they have to explain to the public how millions of credits were wasted because of a petty squabble on some far off planet. I for one would demand the immediate resignation of my planets' representative!
2
Welcome to Sci-Fi Stack Exchange! Good point about Jar-Jar being an independent witness since he's not part of the Naboo government being attacked, although I could see the Senate still seeing him being from Naboo and thus biased.
– Thunderforge
Feb 2 '17 at 18:06
add a comment |
There are at most 3 independent witnesses to the invasion, two Jedi (one of whom is still a padawan) who may have been bought off or have ulterior motives for their allegiance and a Gungan of questionable intellect who would likely say whatever he is told to. Video evidence can easily be fabricated and the loss of communications can be faked.
It is far from unreasonable to request that the situation be investigated by an impartial commission before deploying a military force strong enough to fend off a full scale invasion.
Imagine the egg on the Senate's faces when they have to explain to the public how millions of credits were wasted because of a petty squabble on some far off planet. I for one would demand the immediate resignation of my planets' representative!
There are at most 3 independent witnesses to the invasion, two Jedi (one of whom is still a padawan) who may have been bought off or have ulterior motives for their allegiance and a Gungan of questionable intellect who would likely say whatever he is told to. Video evidence can easily be fabricated and the loss of communications can be faked.
It is far from unreasonable to request that the situation be investigated by an impartial commission before deploying a military force strong enough to fend off a full scale invasion.
Imagine the egg on the Senate's faces when they have to explain to the public how millions of credits were wasted because of a petty squabble on some far off planet. I for one would demand the immediate resignation of my planets' representative!
answered Feb 2 '17 at 17:56
Lord Jebus VIILord Jebus VII
423147
423147
2
Welcome to Sci-Fi Stack Exchange! Good point about Jar-Jar being an independent witness since he's not part of the Naboo government being attacked, although I could see the Senate still seeing him being from Naboo and thus biased.
– Thunderforge
Feb 2 '17 at 18:06
add a comment |
2
Welcome to Sci-Fi Stack Exchange! Good point about Jar-Jar being an independent witness since he's not part of the Naboo government being attacked, although I could see the Senate still seeing him being from Naboo and thus biased.
– Thunderforge
Feb 2 '17 at 18:06
2
2
Welcome to Sci-Fi Stack Exchange! Good point about Jar-Jar being an independent witness since he's not part of the Naboo government being attacked, although I could see the Senate still seeing him being from Naboo and thus biased.
– Thunderforge
Feb 2 '17 at 18:06
Welcome to Sci-Fi Stack Exchange! Good point about Jar-Jar being an independent witness since he's not part of the Naboo government being attacked, although I could see the Senate still seeing him being from Naboo and thus biased.
– Thunderforge
Feb 2 '17 at 18:06
add a comment |
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6
The Jedi were on a secret mission.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
44
Because while Lucas created an epic sci-fi universe, his ability to write realistic people with realistic intelligence is highly flawed. It's not unusual for films for writers to ignore the obvious.
– Tim
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
5
Because video evidence can be easily faked.
– Valorum
Feb 1 '17 at 19:56
2
@Valorum After all, it has been faked - our view of the events is "fake" video evidence :P Sure, our suspension of disbelief is higher, knowing we've intentionally gone to the movies to see a space opera, but a true investigation of the validity of the video evidence might be impossible, or at least take more time than they are willing to spend. This is a very serious accusation, and needs considerable proof to be considered. Just think that somebody came to Microsoft and said "stop everything, we're investigating a claim that you invaded Sudan; we'll get back to you in a year or ten".
– Luaan
Feb 2 '17 at 13:00
5
I'm not sure if that is so unrealistic. As far as I remember, it's not so long ago when certain country said there is no proof of their military presence in another country. There was also great deal of proof.
– Tomáš Zato
Feb 2 '17 at 14:43