"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Obama Farm
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.
Animal Farm, as you are no doubt aware, portrays the history, in the form of a fable, of a revolutionary movement that hardens into a totalitarian state, with many of the characteristics of the cult of personality. One of the features of this regime is its reliance on propaganda, which quickly evolves into ever-more egregiously self-serving slogans that facilitate the leader's consolidation of power. The slogans, themselves, represent distortions of language and sense that seek to make words into mere tools in the hands of the rulers (admittedly, 1984 provides better examples of this phenomenon). My post was simply an attempt to show an analogous reliance by our present administration - and its allies in the media - on propaganda, especially of thr type that distorts objective reality in order to create a picture at variance with the truth.
OK - thanks for the clarification. It confirms my suspicion that you are a Stalinist.
Orwell, you see, was writing about a totalitarian dictatorship. You think that's relevant to the political process in a free democracy. In other words, you think a Stalinist society is no different to a democracy which was Stalin's view as well. In a democracy partisans are free to provide their own interpretations of events - and the voters decide who's right.
So, in conclusion: Workers of the World Unite, Comrade!
No, I'm not implying that Obama is a Stalinist. I do believe that there is a strong tendency toward smiley-face fascism in this administration. The issue is the ascendency of the power of the state at the expense of individual liberty, whether or not it results in gulags or merely in the dreary, sheep-like complacency of the typical social democracy.
I can explain it to you, old top, but I can't understand it for you.
Orwell, you see, was writing about a totalitarian dictatorship.
Which describes Communism in general, and Stalin in particular. Stalin viewed democracy as a competitor. Or as prey, depending on his mood and vodka consumption.
But, as Paco says, I can explain it to you. I can't understand it for you.
Don't forget:
ReplyDelete"All Animals Are Created Equal, But Some Are More Equal Than Others."
What's Animal Farm got to do with anything? You're not even trying to make sense are you?
ReplyDeleteAh, how cute! I've finally got my own troll - and a pommie, at that.
ReplyDeleteNo, but seriously, what has Animal Farm got to do with this?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteA pommie! Maybe he's part of the Barmy Army and mistook the Super Bowl for The Ashes. You are the American go to site for all things cricket.
Animal Farm, as you are no doubt aware, portrays the history, in the form of a fable, of a revolutionary movement that hardens into a totalitarian state, with many of the characteristics of the cult of personality. One of the features of this regime is its reliance on propaganda, which quickly evolves into ever-more egregiously self-serving slogans that
ReplyDeletefacilitate the leader's consolidation of power. The slogans, themselves, represent distortions of language and sense that seek to make words into mere tools in the hands of the rulers (admittedly, 1984 provides better examples of this phenomenon). My post was simply an attempt to show an analogous reliance by our present administration - and its allies in the media - on propaganda, especially of thr type that distorts objective reality in order to create a picture at variance with the truth.
Neuro, you obviously never read Animal Farm. Or, if you did, you thought it was just a fairy tale about farm animals. Now shush, and be educated.
ReplyDeleteIt's worth noting that George Orwell wrote Animal Farm as a condemnation of Communism.
ReplyDeleteHere's an on-line copy.
OK - thanks for the clarification. It confirms my suspicion that you are a Stalinist.
ReplyDeleteOrwell, you see, was writing about a totalitarian dictatorship. You think that's relevant to the political process in a free democracy. In other words, you think a Stalinist society is no different to a democracy which was Stalin's view as well. In a democracy partisans are free to provide their own interpretations of events - and the voters decide who's right.
So, in conclusion: Workers of the World Unite, Comrade!
No, I'm not implying that Obama is a Stalinist. I do believe that there is a strong tendency toward smiley-face fascism in this administration. The issue is the ascendency of the power of the state at the expense of individual liberty, whether or not it results in gulags or merely in the dreary, sheep-like complacency of the typical social democracy.
ReplyDeleteI can explain it to you, old top, but I can't understand it for you.
Orwell, you see, was writing about a totalitarian dictatorship.
ReplyDeleteWhich describes Communism in general, and Stalin in particular. Stalin viewed democracy as a competitor. Or as prey, depending on his mood and vodka consumption.
But, as Paco says, I can explain it to you. I can't understand it for you.