F for fascism

[Andreus]

I watched the movie V for Vendetta a few nights ago, and one speech from that movie has stuck in my mind.

it has stuck because its more honest than any politician in our day and age will ever dare to be.

Its amazing that art and film can speak to us in ways that we are afraid to

just read this speech and tell me what you think.

Good evening

I thought it was time we had a little talk. Are you sitting comfortably? Good, then I'll begin.

Right now, I imagine there are hundreds of soldiers rushing here to kill me because someone does not want us to talk.

They are afraid that I am going to say the things that are not supposed to be said.

They are afraid that I am going to say the truth.

The truth is that there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?

If you look about, you witness cruelty, injustice and despotism.

But what do you do about it? What can you do? You are but a single individual. How can you possible make any difference? Individuals have no power in this modern world.

That is what you've been taught because that is what they need you to believe.

But it is not true. This is why they are afraid and the reason that I am here; to remind you that it is individuals who always hold the power.

The real power.

Individuals like me.

And individuals like you.

And who are they? how did this happen? who is to blame? certainly there are those more responsible than others and will be held accountable, the truth is if you are looking for the guilty parties, you need only to look in the mirror to see who the real culprit is.

I know why you did it.

I know you were afraid.

Who wouldn't be...war, terror and plagues.

there were a myriad of things that transpired to corrupt your reason and robb you of your common sense.

Fear got the best of you.

They offered you order and in exchange you gave them your silent obedient consent.

I have come to offer you a deal. If you accept, I will give you a different world. A world without curfews, without soldiers and surveillance systems. A world that is not run by other men but that is run by you. I am offering you a second chance. Four hundred years ago, a great citizen made a most significant contribution to our common culture. It was a contribution forged in secrecy and stealth although it is best remembered in noise and bright light. To commemorate that glorious night at precisely the stroke of midnight, the edifice of their world will erupt with enough sound and fury to shake the earth.

All I ask is that you join me at the gates to watch as the past is erased, the pathway cleared so that together we can start toward a new day. But, you ask, who am I to make such promises? A fair question but hardly necessary as you know me already. To know me any more you need only look to a mirror. Truth be told, this wasn't even my idea, was it? If you think back, you'll remember that night, whispering in your lover's arms. I became a part of your plan just as you have now become part of mine. Give me the line of the queen and I'll give you your secret dream. On the twelfth stroke of the fifth day of the eleventh month, I hope we shall all meet again. Until then, I bid you goodnight.

 

[antdak]

That is an excellent movie. I seen it 3 times in the theater and bought the dvd. The best line I like is " People should not be afraid of their government, the goverment should be afriad of the people." I can see a lot of today in the film. What was also interesting, was some of the background, like news clips and audio, like one said the former United States. . . that made me take notice!! V for Vendetta is a good movie!
"Remember, Remember the 5th of November. . .the gunpowder treason and plot! I see no reason why the gunpowder treason should be forgot."

 

[Andreus]

my only gripe with the flick is that it advocates violence as an answer

Gandhi proved that peacefull resistance not only reduces your own casualties, it deprives your opressors of the propagandist methods of claiming self defence.

 

[Andreus]

do you guys think the western world is teetering on fascist techniques?

its scary to consider, but I think we owe it to our next generation to ask

For the first time in american history, the governing party tried to alter the american constitution to take away civil rights with the anti gay marriage ordeal

its already happened in countless states.

guantanaom is full of people without representation or any clear path to the legal proccesses that our nation has been built on. I dont agree with the terrorists and their tactics, but i want my peers to decide that, not the government, behind locked doors.

the methods of spying on the public are also scary.

just too many things to mention.

have we lost our way?

 

[Oden_grey]

my only gripe with the flick is that it advocates violence as an answer

Gandhi proved that peacefull resistance not only reduces your own casualties, it deprives your opressors of the propagandist methods of claiming self defence.

I will have to differ with you in your view on violence. Violence is the one true language of humanity. The smarter we get, the more reasons we have to kill each other. Peace is simply the time we take to lick our wounds because the history of humanity and our very advancement is built upon islands of war-dead and seas of war drawn blood. War is the only certainty these days. Until words can reach the heart swiftly like a pointed arrow... the bloodletting will continue.

I loved V for Vendetta. It is no doubt the best movie of the year in my book. I'm surprised it just quietly disappeared without opening much social dialogue.

 

[Centexfarmer]

my only gripe with the flick is that it advocates violence as an answer

Gandhi proved that peacefull resistance not only reduces your own casualties, it deprives your opressors of the propagandist methods of claiming self defence.

Isn't manipulated and coerced fear a form of violence? Violence of words, of the spirit, of the heart are just as violent as a knife, or a stick are they not?

I haven't seen V is for Vengence yet, but I will check it our for sure.

I like the speach that you quoted, but in reality every machine within the government's power would have been ripping that person's character to shreds the instant that the transmission completed, and those who he was speaking too would rally to the governments defense.

That's why it's called "a movie." Because that's the only place that type of stuff happens. In the real world government PR takes place with a predetermined outcome. Variables are already taken into consideration if for no other reason than to give pause that things "might have gone a different way."

Self-awareness is the key. Learn to know when you're saying "bah" instead of "bullshit!" Always Question Authority, no matter disquise it manifests itself in!

 

[Andreus]

thats kind of what happened in the movie too

you ought to rent the flick

 

[tbonez]

I know reading a book isn't quite as much fun as watching a movie, but....

Confessions Of An Economic Hit Man by John Perkins is something everyone who is interested in why the world is currently such a mess might take a look at:

"Perkins, a former chief economist at a Boston strategic-consulting firm, confesses he was an "economic hit man" for 10 years, helping U.S. intelligence agencies and multinationals cajole and blackmail foreign leaders into serving U.S. foreign policy and awarding lucrative contracts to American business."

He talks about major economic powers useing trillions of dollars and fraudulent financial reports to rig elections, Prop up governments and horde resources to maintain the status-quo and protect 'big business'.

 

[Andreus]

I know reading a book isn't quite as much fun as watching a movie, but....

Confessions Of An Economic Hit Man by John Perkins is something everyone who is interested in why the world is currently such a mess might take a look at:

"Perkins, a former chief economist at a Boston strategic-consulting firm, confesses he was an "economic hit man" for 10 years, helping U.S. intelligence agencies and multinationals cajole and blackmail foreign leaders into serving U.S. foreign policy and awarding lucrative contracts to American business."

He talks about major economic powers useing trillions of dollars and fraudulent financial reports to rig elections, Prop up governments and horde resources to maintain the status-quo and protect 'big business'.

is this a non fiction book or a novel?

 

[Andreus]

Isn't manipulated and coerced fear a form of violence? Violence of words, of the spirit, of the heart are just as violent as a knife, or a stick are they not?

the film advocates terrorism.

unfortunately

and i do not believe in violence in any form.

but the speech is worthy of a read or two.

 

[mexamor]

i agree andreus i don't like violence and i would call it a reality of humanity rather than a language. we don't have to be violent we just continually choose to be. I havn't seen the movie but now I will have to. I do not like terrorism and I really don't think violence is necessary but this country (us) was built on violence, so there you go, that is who we are.