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The United States of Oceania?

23:13 / 29.07.02

Stumbled over this San Fran Chronicle article and am curious just how distinct Barbelithers believe the parallels are.

As President Bush wages his war against terrorism and moves to create a huge homeland security apparatus, he appears to be borrowing heavily, if not ripping off ideas outright, from George Orwell. The work in question is "1984," the prophetic novel about a government that controls the masses by spreading propaganda, cracking down on subversive thought and altering history to suit its needs. It was intended to be read as a warning about the evils of totalitarianism -- not a how-to manual.

With Dubya's support in the polls flagging, the public confidence in his ability to take care of corporate crime shakey and his knack of gloating how great the country is with him at the helm contradictory to the state of things at present, is this comparison a bit much? We nearly impeached the last person who abused their presidential powers. We can do it again. Besides, presidents who don't win the popular vote NEVER make a second term. So why the paranoia?

Discuss.

00:31 / 30.07.02

1984 was a critique of the existing Soviet government by a man who felt that the leadership cadre of the USSR had in every way, shape, and form violated the ideals of socialist and Marxist thought. There is nothing "prophetic" about 1984: it is an accurate description of the policies and zeitgeist within Stalinist Russia. The book isn't "prophetic" - it's protest lit.

A more carefully considered analysis would be whether the US government - which extends far beyond the monolithic-attribution tendency that finds Bush responsible for all policy changes - has begun to adapt the internal/external paranoia techniques successfully used in the USSR (for the entirity of that nation's history) to maintain national "stability"...at least for its own hegemonic forces...in spite of critical flaws in its economic and foreign policy.

But people don't want a more carefully considered analysis...they want an emotive position that makes them feel superior to others. And this article seems to be less interested in careful consideration than in reinforcing a particular sense that Bush is eevil and those who didn't vote for him aren't. And there are plenty of media sources that serve the same ego-feeding function for other ideological systems.

The great thing about 1984 is it's about a government that controls every aspect of it's citizens lives and therefore it can be deployed as a "prophetic literary work" by any ideological system to bash the controlling aspects of their opposition: there's something for every ideological group to bitch about, and accused their opposition of. It's like the Hylean Grail of smear tactics.

01:27 / 30.07.02

According to Anthony Burgess in his book 1985, 1984 was also Orwell's description of what Britian was like in 1948 when he wrote the book. Rations, proles, Big Brother posters, etc.

Anyways, the 'eternal war' bit does seem to be taken up by them. Every time I hear them say on the news "we're at war" I always think, 'we are? No we're not.'

He's no infallable leader though. He may lose control of congress in 3 months, and his ratings are falling.

17:17 / 30.07.02

I read this article a few days ago off a MOCA list I'm on. Reminded me of the VERY similiar articles I've read from liberal sources comparing the various members of the Right to 1984. I know I've seen one that was for Bush senior and one for Reagan. I'd bet Nixon had one as well. Just input the name of choice, a few specific facts to give it that feeling of 'truth,' and you've got instant propaganda.

19:21 / 30.07.02

As I recall (?) didn't some right-wingers crank out the Orwellian artillery for issues fairly recently...say in the last decade?

21:46 / 30.07.02

You mean against the Democrats? Sounds familiar. Deffinetly wouldn't surprise me. 1984 has turned into the instant propaganda machine for all sides. Orwell would probably roll over in his grave.

03:31 / 03.08.02

"As I recall (?) didn't some right-wingers crank out the Orwellian artillery for issues fairly recently...say in the last decade?"

"You mean against the Democrats? Sounds familiar. Deffinetly wouldn't surprise me. 1984 has turned into the instant propaganda machine for all sides. Orwell would probably roll over in his grave."

Yup. Janet Reno was going to personally come to your house and take away all your guns. Bill Clinton was going to sell the country out to the U.N. and we'd all have electronic ID cards, etc.

Now Dubya is watching you and the Homeland Security Force wants to know everything you do and we'll all have to have electronic ID cards, etc.

Conspiracy theories work for everyone. Fear is a great motivator. Paranoia is a way of life.

Not for me, I'm just having a beer and watching. To quote the Coen Brothers, "The Dude abides."