Dear Ponc, We haven't spoken in some time, since the Bothan crisis last year. I hope that you have been well, and I wish you all success in the Senate. As you know, my sister and I have faith in your leadership and we are proud to consider you a friend of the family. However, there have been some recent discussions in the Senate that are of concern to us. Both Leia and I, as you know, have built and possess our own lightsabers, as is the tradition of the Jedi. I am not appealing to you, however, simply for our sake, but rather writing to make it known that there is some distress among the students at the Academy about this measure.
I am not a politician, as you know, so I can't possibly appreciate as well as you the pressures that you are under. I also do not have my sister's way with words, so I hope you'll forgive me if I write plainly. To the Jedi, the lightsaber is not simply a weapon but an article of cultural identity. It has been synonymous with the mythos of the Jedi Order for over 15,000 years, and it is used as much for ceremony as it is as a weapon (for instance, many of them were on display at my wedding just last month). There is a feeling, prevalent at the Academy, that the ban on lightsabers being considered now is intended not simply for arms control, as it is represented, but rather as an act of cultural subordination (from certain Senators who, sadly, seem to resent us and our ways). Many of us believe, also, that it is intended, by these Senators, to cause contention between the New Republic and the Jedi; this is something that we want, earnestly, to avoid.
There is also the fact that in 15,000 years, a ban on lightsabers has been imposed only once—by Emperor Palpatine. Since that horrible time for us all, lightsabers and their component parts have become quite rare. Death by lightsaber is not, as it is presented, a common or endemic occurrence by any means.
I'm sorry, as your friend, to write to you so sullenly. However, as the Headmaster at the Academy I feel it is my duty to raise these points with you and ask that you consider them. As you know, it is the policy of the Academy not to speak on political matters, but in this case I'm sure you'll understand that this is a matter of great significance to us.
Best regards to you and your family, and let us all meet again soon. My niece and nephews speak of you often, and would love to see you.
