Each week The Source highlights a letter that stands out from the rest of the mailbag. We’re rewarding those who put a little more effort, thought and passion into their missives with a $25 gift certificate from Dinner’s Ready. This week’s winner is Bob Jeremiah who points out what he sees as the disturbing similarities between George Orwell’s dystopian vision and our all-too-real world. Thanks for the letter Bob. You can pick up your gift certificate at our office, 704 NW Bond, anytime this week. Bon Appetit.
It is hard to believe that the year 1984 happened 24 years ago.
George Orwell’s story is a powerful and relevant metaphor for the informed (brainwashed?) world we now share.
1984 depicts a world where torture is condoned or ignored, war is peace, ignorance is strength and freedom is slavery. Officially controlled messages of terror from external threats and reports of imperialistic conquest pervade the news.
A large television screen to manipulate, monitor and control each individual occupies every home or apartment. It is never turned off. An endless parade of Enemies of the State (as determined by the State), foreign and domestic, are mercilessly put on trial and executed.
In 1984 to think for oneself is to be a thought criminal. To express individuality (even in a personal diary) is considered a threat to the State. Conformity to State propaganda is the only mindset the State and its corporate-controlled media (Big Brother) will tolerate.
Orwell’s protagonist, Winston Smith, becomes a suspect as a thought criminal. He has written in his diary that freedom in part is the right to look at two plus two and conclude that it equals four. The State soon discovers and confiscates Winston’s threatening diary.
Once arrested, there is a poignant scene in which Winston is shown four fingers by his State-sponsored interrogator and told he must see five. As he resists State authority, he is repeatedly subjected to electric shock treatment and is verbally browbeaten until he will repeat anything the State tells him to believe.
It is apparent from the current state of political confusion that various Americans see this oligarchic American government as holding up different numbers of fingers.
However, with this corrupt administration and its corporate media parrots, there should be little doubt. It is holding up just one, the middle one. And unless you are part of the wealthiest and most privileged class of Americans, this monstrous middle finger is being poked, like that of a goliath New York cab driver, smack dab in your face.
Bob Jeremiah, Bend
This article appears in Feb 14-20, 2008.
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So Bob, what can’t you do now that you could do then? You can easily get a permit to carry a concealed hand gun now. Sure doesn’t sound very Orwelian to me Bob. You can rant to millions via the computer with little fear of reprisal. No Orwell there either me thinks. They can’t even draft you into the military Bob. Maybe you are thinking Animal Farm rather than 1984. Could that be it Bob?
Perhaps Animal Farm is indeed more apt, closing with: [paraphrased from memory] ‘The Pigs stood on their hind feet and were to the Cows and other animals indistinguishable from their former masters’.
Me thinks, Blackcloud, thou dost protest to much.
Ten Beers: Pointing out the obvious, as Blackcloud clearly did, is hardly protesting too much, it’s not protesting at all.
Perhaps it is thou that doth protestith over the topith.
As for Jeremiah, he is entitled to his opinion, even though his fix on the current state of reality is seriously flawed and completely inaccurate.
To some, no matter the age or time, it is always 1984. The sky is always falling; their view, through a glass darkly.
Personally, I prefer to see ‘things’ as they are, and not skew reality to suit some bent preconception, no matter how dramatic or award winning.
Is-ness just is, and that is good enough for me.
Isn’t this country great? Where but in America can someone publicly make claims that our federal government is Orwellian and controls thought, and yet still be walking the streets a free man? And then they even get a free meal for making a stupid comparison.
God Bless America!
If the corporate controlled media is part of the ‘thought police,’ isn’t it odd that roughly 85% of the American media is measurably left of center…and the left is clearly anti-corporation? Edwards made his whole stand as one of anti-corporation, Obama is not far behind in corporation bashing and the tax hikes these political delusion junkies would like to enact are obviously anti-corporation. Both of these wet behind the ears idiots got wide spread ‘corporate’ media coverage. So, is this corporate controlled media masochistic, or just suicidal?
Not a very logical ass-umption.
Thus, Jeremiah’s meal winning propaganda spiel, appears to be one powered by his own personal delusion and clearly not a function of any recognized reality.
Perhaps the Source might consider future awards be limited to those that have at least one toe of one foot still on the ground.
Jeremiah is correct about the middle finger being held up. But, it appears he is brandishing his own digit while contemplating his prophetic image in the mirror, whilst in the midst of an Orwellian delusional rant.
No, Bob. The room should not be spinning that violently. Perhaps that is why you percieve the ordinary current conditions as “political confusion.” Let me be among the first to advise you that no political confusion exists.
Put the book down. Take a deep breath. Get a life.