Just read George Orwell's "1984"

[joemurphy]

Cheerful stuff. The parallels to today are chilling.

[applegrove]

1. Now rent "Animal Farm". And be prepared to weep.

[joemurphy]

4. I've read Animal Farm...

That was more a critique of Stalin. 1984 rocked me a lot more.

Governmental decisions made in a climate of hermetic secrecy, an insider group of party members running things, pervasive surveillance midst a climate of perpetual war supported by manufactured displays of jingoistic chauvinism. Throw a perversion of the language of political discourse into the mix, spin elevated into reality, a controlled media, hidden prisons, routine torture, and dumbed down mass-pleasures for the laboring proles and what do you have? Strong resemblances to Bush's America.

[Cassandra]

5. Don't forget the two minute hate.

Rush Limbaugh, anyone?

[file83]

9. Should we be so lucky that Rush Limbaugh only lasts 2 minutes a day!

In BushWorld, "two minute hate" lasts for 3 hours!

[Crazy Dave]

13. 6 if you count Hannity immediately following

and if you still can't get enough lies and hate, dessert is served at 8pm ET starting with O'Reilly and then a Hannity encore to tuck you in.

[ChazII]

14. Don't forget

Hugh Hewitt and Michel Medvid.

[Crazy Dave]

22. They must be "wannabees"

I've never heard of them. I forgot to mention Savage. He's on in the evenings here on the east coast.

[file83]

10. True. 1984 to me was a prediction of the future - notice the technologies

used in the plot.

[rman]

23. Animal Farm is about transition to despotism, 1984 shows us

what it's like to live under despotism.

"Lord of the flies" shows the psychology involved in the transition.

on edit:
About half of all movies ever made are about fighting despotism (rebels vs evil ruler).

[Gato Moteado]

2. imagine a boot stomping on a human face...

...forever.

[BlueEyedSon]

7. I do, every day of this admin....

[Cerridwen]

3. "Animal Farm" is online for your perusal

Link to chapter 1:

http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/animalfarm/1/

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. and Brave New World to really top off the list

1984 is chilling.

[ihelpu2see]

19. I had to read BNW as a Soph. in High School 1986... I did not

appreciate it then but it certainly rings true today. I'm not a fan of this nations large political process. The elected officials at state level and federal level do not govern for us.... it is proved time and time again. They govern for special interests with $$$. It is time that all elections be voter subsidized and we get rid of this god awful Electoral College Crap on the Presidential side, where only 3 states count FL., Ohio and may be PA.

[file83]

8. Well then, this DU discussion should be interesting for you to read:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x467535

It's about a blog.salon article concerning the parallels of "Nineteen Eighty Four" to the War on Terrorism.

Also, if you want to see a related concept, check out these movie trailers for "V is for Vendetta":
http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/index2.html

I think we are all beginning to realize that someone in some dark corner is leading us all down a horrible path.

My thoughts on 1984:
"We learned in school that "1984" was a warning. The Neo-Cons saw it as a blueprint."

[Mrspeeker]

11. Down with big brother!

War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength!

Two and Two make Five!
God is Power!

2+2=5

"Under the spreading chestnut tree
I sold you and you sold me"

what is the reality of this?
.....Control and Greed

[AlinPA]

12. Now please read Fahrenheit 451 and The Handmaid's Tale if you

have not already done so. Fahrenheit 451 is very close to the track the US is on today.

[Boomer]

15. And Handmaid's tale is where we're going.

[Vickers]

16. Wanna blow your mind? Read "It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis

If you're the drinking type, have a bottle handy.

[NEDem]

18. Yeah that one freaked me out

Way to real.

[spacelady]

17. You really don't wanna do that--it will dishearten and scare you to death!

But I also hope that it can be something to rail against! Because that's where we are. Letting the status quo continue is the downfall of our ideals. Nay, the downfall of our least expectations, the 60 year-olds who own all the power will cause the rest of us to pay for their garbage for the rest of our lives.

[thebigidea]

20. Tim Robbins is lookin' for money to make a new film version

[joeprogressive]

21. I just had an interesting thought about the whole ignorance is bliss thing

After seeing the Neo avatar on this thread I was just wondering how much this whole situation is like The Matrix. I mean, I have so many friends living in suburbia, making decent money, that don't have a worry in the world when in fact so many things this administration is doing will affect them and especially their kids one day.

Are they the unknowing prey in The Matrix? Are the progressives the only ones that really know what is going on while the administration represents the machines trying to snuff out our lives by creating an alter world?

[pstans]

24. Mike Malloy is reading the book during his show

He reads the book during 1 segment of each show. Here is the link to it...
http://server4.whiterosesociety.org/content/malloy/1984