George Bush’s 1984
I was a sophomore in high school when I first read George Orwell’s novel 1984. Well, he missed it by a few years. Pretty close, though, all things considered, since he did write it in the 1940s, so let’s give him some wiggle room. He did apparently have the gift of prophecy, however, because he did get the story right when it came to the future George. George W. Bush. Of course, the novel was fiction, but still…
In the book: The state remained perpetually at war against a vague and ever-changing enemy. A permanent war. Kind of like the undefined and apparently unending “war on terrorism.”
In the book: The government set up the Ministry of Truth, serving as the propaganda arm of the ruling party to spread lies to suit its strategic goals. Kind of like the Office Of Strategic Influence this administration implemented in 2001 before they shut it down due to public outcry. Not that it has really made a difference, the propaganda is still rampant. FOX News.
In the book: The all-powerful leader, Big Brother, demanded the total, unquestioning support of the people. No one dared speak out against him, lest they be met by the wrath of the state. Or, in the words of our current Big Brother, “You are either with us, or against us.”
In the book: Big Brother kept constant tabs on the citizens, using two-way telescreens to monitor people’s every move while at the same time broadcasting party propaganda. Warrantless monitoring of phone conversations, Internet usage, business transactions and library reading records comes to mind. But, hey, the good news is that law enforcement no longer needs to be burdened with such thing as probable cause. Welcome to 1984, folks. Happy New Year.
george bush, george orwell, 1984, iraq war, security
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