Batman and Bush

anyone that knows me (all 5 of you) or anyone that reads this blog (i think that is 2 of you, on a good day) know that i love Batman. I love the character for lots of reasons but one of those reasons is precisely because he is dark and cynical, yet he yearns to be hopeful. he wants good things to happen for his city. The Dark Knight was the best example of what i have garnered from the comic books that i collect for years. the raw, visceral emotions that you feel as you watch this movie left me feeling breathless and on edge. the portrayal of moral choices with unintended consequences.... simply amazing.

but here is the most recent Epiphany for me. i was reading in the Wallstreet journal (and if i was more computer literate i would put a link to the article "HERE," but i am not so look it up yourself) and read Andrew Klaven's article about what Bush and Batman have in common. at first i started to read cause i was pissed that my favorite person could be associated with someone that i don't think exceptionally highly of. but here is the thing: he has a point and it is a good one.

at the end of the film Gordon sends the cops after Batman because that is what the city needs. they need someone to hate, so that they can have that hope that was Harvey Dent. and only Batman can do that because he has the moral courage and fortitude to do what he feels is right regardless of what others think and say against him. could it not be similar to what Bush has chosen to do? he has stayed the course. he has fought on even when others have yielded to the easier path of compromise. frankly terrorism is a horrible pox on the human condition. regardless of race or religion it is a socially unacceptable behavior. reminiscent of a toddler throwing a tantrum to get what he/she wants. They don't like America or the Western culture, so they will throw things and curse and scream till someone gives them what they want. and the best way to cure a toddler of this behavior is to ignore it or punish it. any thing else only encourages the bad behavior. but some parents feel bad once they have punished a child and they re neg. we can't do that or they win. Bush seems to understand that. and he has chosen to have a country that more or less dislikes his decisions so that he can help them. even though they don't want the help. much like Batman can be the 'bad guy' so that Gotham can cure itself and have hope for a brighter future.

I may not have the best opinion of Bush, but he has certainly moved up a few spots on my list.