Author: Tom Darby

Nevadan Robert Beadles has intensified his legal battle with the Nevada Supreme Court, filing a Rule 40 Petition for Rehearing and a motion to expedite the process.

It comes after the court, comprising Justices Pickering, Parraguirre, and Stiglich, affirmed a lower court ruling to dismiss his case, a decision Beadles and several legal experts find perplexing. His latest filing includes several binders filled with exhibits and disclosures, reinforcing his argument that the previous ruling failed to address critical points of his appeal.

He asserts that the dismissal overlooked substantial evidence he presented, which directly countered the reasons cited for the initial dismissal.

The Nevada Supreme Court upheld the decision of the First Judicial District Court to deny Robert Beadles’ motion to change venue and to dismiss his complaint. The ruling, involving a pro se appeal from Beadles, addressed allegations of election law violations in the 2020 election.

Beadles had informed the respondents of his belief in ongoing breaches of legal procedures related to the election. When the respondents did not respond to his claims, Beadles filed a complaint.

He alleged that the respondents violated several sections of the Nevada Constitution and state law, and he sought their removal from office due to their failure to address his allegations. The Supreme Court noted that it considered Beadles’ pro se brief and found that no response was necessary from the respondents.

The appeal was decided on Beadles’ brief, a supporting amicus brief, and the case record.

It first addressed Beadles’ motion to change venue. Beadles had filed the action in the Second Judicial District Court and successfully had the venue changed. However, instead of moving the case to the Third Judicial District Court as Beadles requested, they transferred it to the First Judicial District Court, for “the convenience of witnesses.”

The Supreme Court agreed with the district court’s decision, noting that Beadles failed to demonstrate a need for another venue change and that the First Judicial District Court could hold an impartial trial.

It then examined the dismissal of Beadles’ complaint. It concluded that, even when assuming all the factual allegations in the complaint were true, Beadles could not prove any facts that would entitle him to relief. The Justices also upheld the district court’s decision to deny Beadles’ alternative request for a writ of mandamus, agreeing that the respondents had no duty to respond to his allegations as required by the cited constitutional and statutory provisions.

Specifically, the Justices explained that Article 1, Section 10 of the Nevada Constitution, which guarantees the right to petition, does not obligate the respondents to reply to Beadles’ claims. Additionally, Article 2, Section 1A, Subsection 11 of the Nevada Constitution, and NRS 293.2546(11) allow voters to file complaints about elections but do not mandate responses from the respondents.

Further, Article 15, Section 2 of the Nevada Constitution, which requires public officers to take an oath of office, does not extend to the respondents’ obligation to answer Beadles’ allegations. It also found that Beadles misinterpreted NRS 266.430 and NRS 283.440, which outline procedures for removing certain public officers, noting that none of the respondents fell under these categories.

The Supreme Court concluded that Beadles’ complaint did not present grounds for removing the respondents from office. Moreover, any allegations of election law violations should go to the Secretary of State.

Finally, it addressed Beadles’ assertion regarding the district court’s award of attorney fees to the respondents. It noted that the district court had withdrawn this order, and Beadles had not appealed any subsequent order regarding attorney fees.

He emphasizes the gravity of the case, which alleges severe election violations by three Nevada officials, and outlines potential remedies to ensure electoral integrity. Beadles has made it clear that if Justices Pickering, Parraguirre, and Stiglich do not correct their decision, he is prepared to take the matter to the full bench of the Nevada Supreme Court via an En Banc review, which involves all seven justices.

He urged the justices to follow the law and rectify what he sees as a gross oversight. In his appeal, Beadles highlighted numerous election violations and proposed court-enforced measures to hold officials accountable for ineptitude and safeguard future elections.

The case has garnered attention due to its implications for the electoral system in Nevada and public trust in judicial processes. He expressed frustration over the procedural hurdles and financial burdens he has faced, which he believes should not have been necessary for a straightforward trial.

If need be, he plans to file a Rule 40a, ensuring all seven justices review the decision if the current justices do not grant his rehearing request. The legal community and public are watching closely to see whether Justices Pickering, Parraguirre, and Stiglich will adjust their ruling in light of the new evidence presented.

Beadles has also made his recent filings publicly available for those following the case. Here it is in a nutshell:

The Nevada Supreme Court continues processing an appeal filed by Robert Beadles on Thursday, November 30, 2023. The case involved multiple procedural steps and filings as the appellant, Beadles, navigated the appeals process.

On that date, Beadles submitted a Notice of Appeal in proper person (pro se), and the Supreme Court issued notices regarding deadlines and filed the necessary documents, including the Case Appeal Statement and Docketing Statement for Civil Appeals. On Friday, December 1, 2023, Coral Bay paid the $250 filing fee on behalf of Beadles.

Beadles then filed a Certificate of No Transcript Request on Monday, December 4. Subsequently, on the following Monday, he submitted his Opening Brief, and the court issued a procedural order to transmit the record from the district court, which was due in 30 days.

Beadles filed a motion to transfer exhibits to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. A motion for “leave to file an amicus brief” was submitted by Oscar Williams, Janice Hermsen, Lena Alexander, and David Chamberlain six days later.

By Friday, January 5, 2024, the district court record on appeal, consisting of multiple volumes, was filed with the Supreme Court. On the same day, the Supreme Court issued a procedural order denying the motions to transfer exhibits and to file an amicus brief, citing insufficient detail in the exhibit request and procedural deficiencies in the amici’s motion.

The following Friday, Beadles and the proposed amici filed additional motions related to transferring exhibits and expediting the ruling. Two weeks later, on Friday, January 26, 2024, the Supreme Court granted the motion to file the amicus brief but denied the motion to transfer exhibits without prejudice. It also agreed to expedite the ruling as much as its docket allowed.

Beadles made further expedited ruling requests on Tuesday, March 5, and Friday, March 8, 2024, but it denied the requests, reaffirming it would expedite it as much as possible within its schedule. Finally, on Friday, May 15, 2024, the Supreme Court issued an order affirming the district court’s judgment.

Subsequently, on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Beadles filed a petition for rehearing, including exhibits, and paid the rehearing fee.

Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen is gearing up for her reelection campaign, aiming to highlight her bipartisan credentials as she faces a tough battle for her seat. Rosen, who launched her campaign in April 2023, emphasized her commitment to working across party lines to address the needs of Nevada families.

Nevada’s electorate presents a unique challenge for candidates due to its diverse and independent nature. With frequent population shifts, candidates must constantly adapt their strategies to connect with voters.

Senate Republicans view Nevada as an opportunity to gain a majority in the Senate. With Democrats holding a slim 51-49 majority, Republicans are eyeing seats like Rosen’s as potential pickups, making it a battleground for both parties.

Rosen’s bipartisan approach, which has seen her vote 93.5 percent of the time with the Biden administration according to the online polling of FiveThirtyEight Interactives, has seen her stray from her party’s stance on issues. In May 2023, she joined Senate Republicans in passing a resolution aimed at police accountability, breaking ranks with her Democratic colleagues. Additionally, Rosen called on the Biden administration to freeze Iranian assets following a Hamas attack against Israel.

Despite Rosen’s efforts to appear bipartisan, Senate Republicans have linked her to President Joe Biden, whose approval ratings remain lukewarm.

In the Republican primary, Sam Brown is the frontrunner, with Jeff Gunter also vying for the nomination. Both candidates position themselves as alternatives to Rosen, touting their conservative credentials and commitment to Nevada’s interests.

Most veterans signed up for the need of a job, the promise of a career, educational opportunities, and medical care. Once in combat, each immediately forgot everything promised, including our duty, “the red, white, and blue,” and even the Constitution.

Instead, frightened but well-trained and armed, each fought only to survive, as did the soldier, sailor, Marine, and airman at their side. Each came away humbled yet ashamed of selfishness and fear, growing a sense of guilt around “why me?” upon returning to the World.

Those who survived the battle understand they have never been unsworn from the initial duty “to protect and defend…from all foreign and domestic enemies.” And should an uncivil war come, each will again forget the flag and the Constitution, leaning on the other and their experience to fight for what is dear — family.

Washoe County’s election integrity is in question following the discovery of Albert Sensors within its closed electronic election system.

At issue is technology in a system purportedly designed to be secure and isolated. An Albert Sensor is designed to prevent cyber intrusions within the election system and is back-engineered to transmit data.

The sensor transmits data packets to the Center for Internet Security (CIS) and other entities. If the election systems are not connected to the Internet and are air-gapped and closed-looped, there should be no need for an Albert Sensor.

However, the existence of the sensor contradicts the stated security measures and raises questions about its purpose. Also concerning is the involvement of CIS and its political connections, including The Democracy Fund, which provides partial financing to the so-called non-profit.

“We can also collaborate with you to write custom signatures to detect specific types of malicious activity on your network,” reads the CIS website regarding its Albert Sensors.

As the Albert Sensor introduces vulnerabilities, no one wants to answer why a device that creates a new pathway to the Internet is part of a system that is supposed to be isolated. Additionally, there are concerns about the limited access to the Election Management System (EMS) and whether the Albert Sensor undermines these security protocols.

Then there is the matter of the law as the use of an Albert Sensor appears to violate the Voter Bill of Rights, the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC), and Nevada Revised Statutes 197, 281A, 283.440, 293, and 293B.

Tragedy struck in Yerington as a late-night house fire claimed the life of Jessica Canterbury, 36, on Monday, May 5, at approximately 11:49 p.m. on Spence Lane.

Upon receiving a 9-1-1 call reporting the residential structure fire, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Communications Division dispatched emergency services. First responders, including the Yerington/Mason Valley Fire Department, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Southern Command Patrol Division, and the Yerington Police Department, arrived to find the single-family home fully engulfed in flames.

While one adult woman and two juveniles managed to escape without harm, a male individual suffered severe burns and needed airlifting to Reno for medical treatment. Unable to escape the blaze, Jessica Canterbury remained trapped inside the burning home.

Following the extinguishing of the fire, investigators from the Nevada Department of Public Safety and State Fire Marshal’s Office launched an inquiry into the blaze’s cause. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division, aided by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Investigation Section, is conducting a thorough investigation into Canterbury’s death.

Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward by contacting the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division via email at detective@lyon-county.org or by phone at 775-463-6600.

Starfleet’s Commander Pelia has a surprising history that ties her to 20th-century Earth. Known for her longevity and psychic abilities as a member of the Lanthanite race, Pelia once lived under the alias Simka Dahblitz-Gravas, the wife of Latka Gravas, a taxi driver in New York City during the late 20th century.

Lanthanites and El-Aurians resemble humans but possess extraordinarily long lifespans and psychic capabilities. Pelia, with her mischievous nature, Eastern European-like accent, and multilingual prowess—including fluency in Klingon—fits this description perfectly.

Pelia’s dual identity as Simka Dahblitz-Gravas sheds light on her unique life journey. She lived incognito among humans in New York City in the 1980s, where she embraced the life of an immigrant housewife. It was before humans made First Contact with extraterrestrial life, in this case, the Vulcans, allowing Lanthanites like Pelia to blend in seamlessly.

The connection between Pelia and Simka grows clearer when considering the longevity of the Lanthanites. Pelia stated that she can live “almost forever,” echoing the El-Aurian Guinan’s claim that El-Aurians only age “if they want to.” The El-Aurians are known as the “listeners” of the galaxy, while the Lanthanites are the “watchers,” both roles involving close observation and interaction with other species.

Pelia’s decision to live as Simka highlights the lengths to which Lanthanites went to hide their true identities on Earth. Pelia’s eventual revelation as a Lanthanite marked her as one of the first of her kind to acknowledge her true heritage.

Reflecting on her time in New York, it’s evident that Pelia’s life was more than just a cover; it was a genuine part of her long and varied existence. She and Latka, both Lanthanites, maintained their secret to protect their identities and assimilate into human society.

The revelation that Starfleet’s Commander Pelia once lived as Simka Dahblitz-Gravas, wife to the late 20th-century New York City taxi driver Latka Gravas, has intrigued many. While Pelia’s longevity and hidden identity have come to light, the fate of her husband, Latka, remains a compelling aspect of her story.

Latka Gravas, remembered by many as the quirky and lovable mechanic on the New York City taxi scene, was also a Lanthanite. As a member of this long-lived and secretive race, Latka shared Pelia’s extraordinary lifespan and abilities. Together, they navigated the complexities of living incognito among humans when Earth had not yet made First Contact with the Vulcans.

However, unlike Pelia, Latka did not transition into a future Starfleet career. Over time, as Earth advanced towards its first interactions with alien species, many Lanthanites chose different paths. While some, like Pelia, eventually revealed their true identities and integrated into broader interstellar society, others opted for quieter, more obscure lives.

Latka’s fate is a story with a larger narrative of the Lanthanites on Earth. As humans began to discover the existence of these hidden alien races, some Lanthanites, including Latka, decided to maintain their low profiles.

It’s believed that Latka chose to continue living quietly, away from the burgeoning spotlight on alien beings. Whether he lived out his years in peaceful anonymity or moved on to other ventures remains part of the mystery surrounding the Lanthanites’ history.

Pelia’s emergence as a Starfleet officer highlights her willingness to embrace her heritage and contribute to the future of interstellar relations. Latka’s story, while less public, shows the varied responses of Lanthanites to the changing dynamics on Earth. His decision to stay hidden or retire from the public eye reflects the personal choices made by many of his kind during this transitional period.

How Commander Pelia became embroiled in a plot to steal the U.S.S. Enterprise is unclear. Captured and held as a prisoner awaiting court-martial, Pelia managed to escape using her psychic abilities, setting off a dramatic chain of events that culminated in her time-traveling to Earth in 2027.

Pelia overwhelmed her two guards mentally, escaping her cell with ease.

“I never thought I’d have to use my abilities against fellow officers,” Pelia remarked, reflecting on her bold escape. “But desperate times call for desperate measures.”

Brady, now isolated and under state surveillance, was removed from the facility he entered while falling through a time loop from the 1870s by the government.

“Where are you taking me?” Brady demanded as they dragged him away.

“To a place where we can find out who and what you really are.”

Over the following weeks, they subjected Brady to a series of brutal interrogations and invasive medical procedures.

“Hold still,” a technician barked at Brady while strapped to a gurney, with needles and scanners probing his body.

“We need to understand why we can’t find a genetic match for you.”

“I’ve told you everything I know,” Brady insisted, his voice strained with pain.

Authorities, however, remained unconvinced.

“Nothing about you adds up,” one of them muttered. “No family records, no genetic matches. You might not even be human.”

When the state could not determine his origins, they relocated him to some land 15 minutes from the nearest neighborhood. The former cryptid-killer was closely monitored by wiring embedded in the sidewalk surrounding his shack, ensuring he remained within the designated perimeter.

Despite the oppressive surveillance, Brady maintained a low profile. He confined his activities to some woods behind his house, where he hunted and trapped small game to supplement the meager supplies of food and coffee provided by the state.

Brady found solace in simple pleasures, such as sipping coffee on his front step when the weather allowed. Otherwise, he kept to himself, avoiding unnecessary trouble with the state.

Unbeknownst to the authorities, Brady was meticulously planning his escape. He was secretly stockpiling supplies in a small bunker he created in the wooded area, waiting for the right moment to disappear.

The moment came unexpectedly with the appearance of Commander Pelia. When Pelia materialized near Brady’s home, she was desperate for help.

Making her way to Engineering, Pelia ingeniously utilized a transporter as a makeshift time machine. Arriving near a solitary house occupied by Brady, Pelia found an unlikely ally.

Without hesitation, she swiftly removed her composite Starfleet uniform insignia and dropped it onto the hard-packed ground. With a determined stomp, she shattered the emblem into three pieces, the sound echoing in the quiet surroundings.

Seated on his step, Brady watched in stunned silence as Pelia’s defiant act unfolded. Her sudden appearance had caught him off guard, his mouth half open in surprise at the unexpected turn of events.

The insignia lay broken at Pelia’s feet. As she turned to face Brady, there was a fire in her eyes—a determination to break free from the constraints of her past and forge a new path forward.

Brady’s surprise slowly gave way to curiosity and admiration for the stranger before him. In Pelia’s bold defiance, he saw echoes of his desire to break free and reclaim his independence.

Brady, a dissident living under the radar of a repressive State regime, was taken aback when he saw her materialize out of thin air.

“Who are you?”

“No time to explain. I need your help. Starfleet officers are right behind me.”

“Who?”

Sensing her urgency, Brady gave Pelia his hat and coat to disguise herself. Just as two Starfleet officers arrived at their location, Brady misled them, directing them away from Pelia’s true path.

“She went that way, towards the main road,” Brady said, pointing in the opposite direction of his cabin.

With Brady’s assistance, Pelia slipped through the back of his cabin, and the pair vanished into a nearby tree line.

“Thank you,” Pelia whispered as they ran. “Why are you helping me?”

Brady glanced at her, determination in his eyes. “I’ve been preparing a hideout to escape the state’s watchful eye. Looks like we both need to stay hidden.”

The pair ran to a line of trees a quarter mile behind the place Brady had called home for nearly two years.

“What’s the plan now?” Brady asked as they reached his hidden shelter.

“First, we stay out of sight. Then, I figure out how to fix this mess.”

KOLO-TV recently aired a segment about the election process in Washoe County, featuring the new Deputy Registrar, Andrew McDonald. Previously in charge of election systems in San Diego County, McDonald will oversee election centers, personnel, equipment, and training in Washoe County.

However, the segment mistakenly referred to the upcoming primary as occurring on June 11, 2023, rather than 2024, raising concerns about accuracy. The new appointment of the ROV and Deputy ROV have also prompted skepticism about potential changes in the election process.

Critics argue that the planned observation of the election process is inadequate. Despite the county population exceeding 500,000, only two representatives from each of the Republican and Democratic parties, along with four from other parties, will be permitted to observe the ballot processing center. It has led to accusations of secrecy and non-compliance with state laws and court orders that require public observation.

In previous elections, Washoe County violated laws and court orders by counting votes in private. Although cameras are in place and limited party representatives can observe, critics insist this does not meet legal standards.

In previous elections, Washoe County violated laws and court orders by counting votes in secret, although cameras are in place and limited party representatives can observe. Critics insist this does not meet legal standards.

The recent KOLO segment has received criticism for being a propaganda piece, misleading the public into believing that the election process will be fully transparent. Observers argue that simply watching figures on video is inadequate for ensuring compliance with laws regarding signature verification, chain of custody, and ballot tabulation.

Reports about improper handling of ballots, including multiple versions of a ballot sent to the same registered voter, are emerging throughout Washoe County, raising concerns about potential double voting. Despite assurances from the Secretary of State that this has not happened, witnesses claim fraudulent votes are preventing legitimate voters from casting new ballots to correct these errors.

The issues, combined with the significant financial expenditure on elections, cast doubt on the integrity of the process. Critics argue that the election system must be more transparent and accountable to restore public trust.

In response to these concerns, there have been calls for legal action. The county could face injunctions for failing to follow election laws, with the added demands for criminal charges against those responsible for the breaches.

The recent Nevada Supreme Court ruling against Robert Beadles’ grievances has further fueled the controversy. He argued that election officials, including the Secretary of State, improperly dismissed his grievances and that the ruling undercuts the enforcement of court orders and public accountability.

Beadles plans to appeal, emphasizing that selective enforcement of laws threatens the foundation of democracy in Nevada.

A rare and powerful solar storm glorified the skies over the Comstock on Friday, May 10, treating people to an extraordinary display of the northern lights, or aurora borealis.

Virginia City resident Mckensie Greenwalt said she was amazed by the sight.

“I’m a born and raised northern Nevadan.” she said. “I’ve wanted to see the aurora borealis for a long time, but never did I think I’d see them from my front yard. We sure are lucky.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch on Thursday, May 9, marking the first such alert since 2005. The storm, triggered by a series of solar flares and eruptions from the Sun, created severe geomagnetic storms and led to auroras throughout the weekend.

Forecasters anticipated the storm’s arrival as early as 11 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, even though the exact timing remained uncertain given the distance of approximately 93 million miles between the Sun and Earth. However, to enhance accuracy, NASA’s Advanced Composition Explorer spacecraft stationed about one million miles from Earth aided in measuring the solar wind, helping predict the storm’s timing and impacts.

The northern lights result from charged particles emitted by the Sun during solar storms. The particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, creating luminous displays primarily observed at higher latitudes.

Since Wednesday morning, May 8, the Space Weather Prediction Center detected several “moderate to strong” solar flares, each accompanied by coronal mass ejections directed toward Earth. The eruptions, prolonged by geomagnetic storm conditions, cause the southern viewing throughout the weekend.

While the mesmerizing auroras offer celestial splendor, geomagnetic storms can pose risks to power grids and satellites. Notably, a geomagnetic storm in 1989 left approximately six million people in Montreal without power for nine hours, and in 2002, a coronal mass ejection disrupted 38 commercial satellites.

As scientists monitor the Sun’s 11-year activity cycles, the current cycle, initiated in late 2019, is anticipated to peak with maximum activity in July 2025, according to NOAA and NASA.

Star Wars was released 47 years ago today, on Wednesday, May 25, 1977.

When it first came out, and though I saw many of my friends and neighbors lined up around the block and at the drive-in to see it, I did not see the film until after working on the third sequel, Return of the Jedi.

For years now, I have been saving small notes about Star Wars, with plans to do something with them in the future. Since I am not getting any younger, I figure that the anniversary of Star Wars opening in a galaxy far, far, away, or a theater near you, today is the future.

The first film George Lucas filmed was THX-1138 in 1971, a box office bomb, but it did get the interest of several studios.

United Artists offered Lucas a two-film deal, the first being American Graffiti. His second was what Lucas called, “A space opera, that’s a bit like a western, a bit like James Bond.”

His first idea was to adapt the Flash Gordon TV series he loved as a kid, but he could not get the rights, yet still took from Flash Gordon in the Star Wars prologues.

Star Wars was titled The Journal of the Whills at first, with the main characters robots then all dwarves. Luke was Starkiller, a 60-year-old general, and Han Solo, a green-skinned monster with no nose and gills.

Inspired by history, Lucas used the Roman Empire to create the Empire; took “May The Force Be With You” from the Catholic liturgy, “May Peace Be With You;” developed the space battles from war films like The Battle of Britain, while taking the Imperial uniforms and Stormtroopers from the Nazis.

Lucas also found inspiration in classic science fiction, including Moisture farms and spice mines from Dune, R2-D2 from the robots in Silent Running, C-3PO from Maria in Metropolis, and the spaceships from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Japanese filmmaking legend Akira Kurosawa was an influence.

The Hidden Fortress is a film about rescuing a princess, told from the point of view of two peasants. He changed peasants to droids and started the story in Star Wars from their perspective.

Lucas wanted Toshiro Mifune, the star of 16 Kurosawa movies, to play Obi-Wan Kenobi. Of her father, Mika Mifune said, “He was concerned about how the film would look and that it would cheapen the image of samurai…so he said no.”

Lucas wrote a treatment, The Star Wars, and United Artists, Universal, and Disney each passed on it, then gave it to Francis Ford Coppola and William Friedkin, who owned a studio.

“What’s this shit?” Friedkin said later. “I didn’t believe George could pull it off. I was wrong.”

Finally, Lucas pitched the idea to the Head of 20th Century Fox, Alan Ladd, who said, “I had no idea what George was talking about, but I knew he was talented, so invested in him.

Art from Ralph McQuarrie got the idea past the board, and the film started with an $8 million budget.

Lucas agreed to be paid $150 thousand for writing and directing the film if he got the rights to any sequels and full rights to merchandise, including toys. That deal, the first of its kind, has made Lucas over $6 billion.

Lucas wanted unknown actors for the part of Luke Skywalker. William Katt, Charles Martin Smith, and Robert Englund auditioned for the role. It was Englund who told his friend, Mark Hamill, about it.

Hamill auditioned, and Lucas said, “Mark threw himself into it like nobody else.”

Thousands of actresses auditioned to play Leia, including Karen Allen, Farrah Fawcett, and Margot Kidder. Jodie Foster was offered the role but said no, as she was under contract to Disney at the time.

When Carrie Fisher came in to audition, she was asked, “Are you Debbie Reynold’s daughter?”

“No,” she said. “Debbie Reynolds is my mother,” wishing to get the role without the aid of her famous parents, including singer and actor Eddie Fisher.

Lucas would not let Fisher wear underwear on set, telling her they did not wear underwear in space, as she explained in her book Wishful Drinking.

“Anyway, George comes up to me the first day of filming, and he takes one look at the dress and says, ‘You can’t wear a bra under that dress.’
So, I say, ‘Okay, I’ll bite. Why?’
And he says, ‘Because…there’s no underwear in space.’
I promise you this is true, and he says it with such conviction too! Like he had been to space and looked around and he didn’t see any bras or panties or briefs anywhere.”

Fisher, 19, and a married Ford, 33, had a three-month affair during production. She published her thoughts on it years later in her memoir, The Princess Diarist, where she printed a poem written back at the time.

“Auctioning myself off to the lowest bidder,
Going once, going twice,
Gone,
Sold to the man for the price of disdain,” she wrote.

Meanwhile, Billy Dee Williams, Christopher Walken, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, and John Travolta auditioned for the part of Han Solo. Al Pacino turned the role down, saying, “It was mine, but I didn’t understand the script.”

Lucas turned to Ford, who was thinking about quitting acting and who had found employment as a carpenter after garnering no more roles since his work in American Graffiti. Lucas based the personality of Han Solo on Francis Ford Coppola.

Lucas took inspiration from his dog, Indiana, for Chewbacca.

When the studio saw dailies, they were worried Chewie was naked and asked, “Can he wear Bermuda shorts?”

“It’s okay,” Lucas said. “Chewie doesn’t have a penis,” and the studio was okay with it.

Lucas eventually cast Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan, who said he would not do any publicity for the film, and the studio agreed, on the condition they reduce his salary and give him two percent of the profits instead. Lucas gave Guinness, not a fan of the film, another point-25 percent, which ended up worth $18 million.

Darth Vader was played by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones. Prowse was not happy about it, claiming it smacked of racism.

“It was reverse racism,” Prowse said. “Because of the lack of black actors, they were scared of losing some of their audience.”

Kenny Baker, R2-D2, and Anthony Daniels, C-3PO, did not get along, as Daniels would call Baker, at three foot, eight inches, “little man.”

Later, when asked to go to a convention as a guest of honor, Baker said, “If his lordship is going – the one with golden balls – count me out.”

When Lucas offered Peter Cushing the role of Tarkin, Cushing asked, “What’s a Grand Moff? Sounds like something that flew out of a cupboard.”

Furthermore, Cushing did not find the uniform comfortable and would wear fluffy slippers during filming instead of knee-high black boots unless the scene required it.

On working with Lucas, Mark Hamill said, “If he could make movies without actors, George would.”

With this background, Lucas’ direction would be one of two things, “faster” or “more intense.”So, when Lucas lost his voice, the crew gave him two boards.

One said, “faster,” and the other, “more intense.”

Lucas had planned to use classical music as the score. He mentioned this to Steven Spielberg, who said, “You’re making a very original film, you need original music to go with it.”

Spielberg had just worked with John Williams on Jaws and introduced him to Lucas. Taking inspiration from a 1942 movie called Kings Row, composed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Williams won another Oscar for Star Wars.

Another person responsible for the sound on Star Wars was sound designer Ben Burtt. He created the iconic effects in the film – the lightsabers, TIE Fighters, blasters, R2-D2, Chewbacca, and such.

Lucas knew he needed to do things with special effects, things never done before.

He approached Doug Trumbull of 2001: A Space Odyssey fame. Unable to get Trumbull, Lucas brought in John Dykstra to head up a new company called Industrial Light and Magic (ILM.)

The Director of Photography was Gilbert Taylor. He and Lucas clashed over how to shoot the film.

Lucas tried to replace Taylor, but the crew said they would go, too. Taylor said, “I hated every second of my time in the picture.”

Taylor then shot Flash Gordon, the movie Lucas wanted to make in 1980.

The project ran out of money, halting production for two weeks and making Lucas ill. He was diagnosed with hypertension and exhaustion and hospitalized. Fox finally greenlit a further $3 million.

The editor was John Jympson. Lucas called his first cut “an absolute disaster” and replaced Jympson with his wife, Marcia, who said, “We sped it up, and made it tighter.”

She is often called the person who saved Star Wars. She won an Oscar for Best Editing.

Lucas screened a test cut for his filmmaking pals without the special effects. It did not go well.

After seeing the cut, Brian DePalma criticized the opening crawl, which Lucas wrote. “It looks like it was written on a driveway,” DePalma said. “Let me write it for you.”

In creating the crawl, they used a 6-foot-long piece of black paper with yellow text at the top, passed the camera over the paper, and filmed it in such a way as to make it look like the words were moving away. So, the opening crawl seen in the film is the work of DePalma.

Lucas had to deal with several production issues on the first day in Tunisia, where they filmed the Tatooine scenes when the region had its first major rainstorm in 50 years. Meanwhile, R2-D2 would often break down, and Elstree Studios refused to let Lucas shoot past 5 p.m., causing weeks of delays.

It all came together in the end, and the film took $530 million, toppling Jaws to become number one at the box office. Star Wars is still the second-most attended movie of all time, selling 178 million tickets behind Gone With The Wind.

The Empire Strikes Back would be released in the U.S. on Wednesday, May 21, 1980, earning $549 million. Four days and three years later, on Wednesday, May 25, 1983, Return of the Jedi would reach theaters, earning $482 million.

Her voting record closely aligns with that of Democrats, raising questions about her true political allegiance. Despite being a Republican, Democrats are financing the campaign of appointed Washoe County Commissioner Clara Andriola, following the distribution of two mailers across County Commission District 4, funded by the New Day Nevada PAC.

Affiliated with Riley Sutton, founder of Changing Dynamics, The New Day Nevada PAC, a campaign management firm with a history of working for Democrats. Their clients include Angie Taylor for State Assembly, Hillary Schieve for Reno Mayor, Beth Smith for School Board, Mariluz Garcia for County Commission, Devon Reese for Reno City Council, and Alexis Hill for Washoe County Commission.

Given these connections, the heavy financial backing for Andriola suggests a concerted effort by Democrats to influence her candidacy. It is especially puzzling considering no Democrats are running for County Commissioner District 4. The absence of Democratic candidates, combined with the support from Democratic-aligned PACs, raises the question of whether Andriola is a Democrat masquerading as a Republican.

Further, the “Conservatives For Clara” campaign gets its funding from “Every Eligible Nevadan,” a PAC sharing an address with numerous Democratic PACs in Washington, D.C., run by Owen Berger, a political consultant for Democrats. The support from Democratic operatives and the lack of Democratic challengers suggest that Andriola may not be the conservative Republican her campaign claims.

If Andriola truly represents Republican values, why are Democrats investing so heavily in her campaign, and why are there no Democrat candidates opposing her?

The pattern of support and the financial investments from Democrat-linked organizations suggest that Andriola could be a Democrat in all but name. Her voting record and the backing of RINOs and Democrats point to this conclusion.