I appreciate the contribution that you make to the New Republic, and I thank you for it. You have, undoubtedly, joined the Jedi Academy for all the right reasons, and this is commendable. While it is true that I am, as you know, critical of the Academy's faults, understand that I am only as critical of its faults as I am of my own, and of the faults of anyone in a position of power and responsibility. I hope, then, that you will not regard my answer to you as biased in any respect.

The lightsaber, as you know well, is a weapon that rends flesh and bone in a most painful and permanent manner. While this is, of course, efficient, it is not by any means humane compared with weapons such as stun blasters or stun batons—which render suspects unconscious without causing permanent impairment (except in rare instances). Also, while I recognize that some swordsmen are more proficient than others—and some, such as yourself, more well intentioned than others—the statistics do show, undeniably, that over 90% of recorded lightsaber wounds are fatal.

I believe we can do better than this, and do so with weapons that are representative of the principles of the New Republic which we defend (and in your case, the principles which you defend with your life). I refuse to believe that the Jedi cannot apply their formidable talents to stun weapons in place of the lightsaber, or sword, and be just as effective. Other tools, such as fusion cutters and energy shields, can substitute for the lightsaber's other uses.

Thus, I disagree with your statement that the lightsaber is a "necessary evil," because I do not believe it is necessary; there are alternatives, harmonious with our shared principles, that are proven to work.

I hope I've answered your question. Thank you for writing.

Regards.