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In reply to the discussion: You want "Nixonian"? This, right here, this is Nixonian, if Nixon had grown up in East Germany [View all]Maedhros
(10,007 posts)House Harkonnen was granted control of the planet Arrakis, the only place in the universe that produced the spice necessary for interstellar travel and trade.
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen dispatched his nephew Glossu "Beast" Rabban to Arrakis with instructions to rule with an iron fist, to oppress and enslave and abuse the native Fremen. According to his plan, after an extended period of brutal rule by the Beast, the Baron would replace him with his other nephew - the dashing and eloquent Feyd Rautha - who would be welcomed as a savior by the oppressed Fremen. The truth was that the Baron would be the real ruler the entire time.
Like his protagonist, Paul Atreides, Herbert was quite prescient. We had our eight years of Beast Rabban, now we've got our Feyd Rautha. What we need to do is get rid of the Baron.