Is Batman the American liberal?

Proletariat

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2004
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I've seen Nolan's Batman a number of times and I just have to wonder - is this movie the ultimate sponsorship of the modern American liberal?

Batman starts out lost and seeking nothing but revenge for his parents death (reference to conservatives after 9/11) but he soon learns that justice and the law are above revenge. This is a direct kick in the face to the ideas and actions of our Conservative leadership and their followers - Guantanomo - Abu Ghraib. When he does finally find the right path he brings the fight back not to the petty thugs and gangsters like Joe Chill (Republicans advocate harsher penalties without seeing the big picture with crime) but to the organized crime element which obviously has an embedded relationship with law enforcement and parts of the government (Reagan and the Cocaine he pumped into New York through the contras - Nixon - a lot of Republican presidents had shady dealings). Towards the end of the movie Ras Al Ghul takes on a Bin Laden-esque role talking about 'purging fires' and the need to destroy a city once it has gone too far out of hand. Batman is caught between - on the one hand - a corrupt city in which the poor are taken advantage of and manipulated - and the Al-Qaeda like organization that Ducard controls.

I sort of see myself in this position, I see a lot of the points Al-Qaeda makes about our civilization - the sex, violence, absurdity, murderous tendencies but I also see a good side to American society that occasionally does show its face. Now I'm in no way comparing myself to a hero (I know some people were going to pull the ego thing in), but I can sympathize with a lot of the movies messages.

There were also a lot of other small things - like the fact that the desert warfare machine (I mean come on) comes back to attack its makers. Or the whole boardroom scene when the guys are arguing about going into Heavy Arms dealing. I think the final straw was when the corrupt executive trying to cover his own ass gets completely owned. Completely reminded me of Bush's pals at Enron and Halliburton.
 

Deudalus

Golden Member
Jan 16, 2005
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Originally posted by: Proletariat
I've seen Nolan's Batman a number of times and I just have to wonder - is this movie the ultimate sponsorship of the modern American liberal?

Batman starts out lost and seeking nothing but revenge for his parents death (reference to conservatives after 9/11) but he soon learns that justice and the law are above revenge. This is a direct kick in the face to the ideas and actions of our Conservative leadership and their followers - Guantanomo - Abu Ghraib. When he does finally find the right path he brings the fight back not to the petty thugs and gangsters like Joe Chill (Republicans advocate harsher penalties without seeing the big picture with crime) but to the organized crime element which obviously has an embedded relationship with law enforcement and parts of the government (Reagan and the Cocaine he pumped into New York through the contras - Nixon - a lot of Republican presidents had shady dealings). Towards the end of the movie Ras Al Ghul takes on a Bin Laden-esque role talking about 'purging fires' and the need to destroy a city once it has gone too far out of hand. Batman is caught between - on the one hand - a corrupt city in which the poor are taken advantage of and manipulated - and the Al-Qaeda like organization that Ducard controls.

I sort of see myself in this position, I see a lot of the points Al-Qaeda makes about our civilization - the sex, violence, absurdity, murderous tendencies but I also see a good side to American society that occasionally does show its face. Now I'm in no way comparing myself to a hero (I know some people were going to pull the ego thing in), but I can sympathize with a lot of the movies messages.

There were also a lot of other small things - like the fact that the desert warfare machine (I mean come on) comes back to attack its makers. Or the whole boardroom scene when the guys are arguing about going into Heavy Arms dealing. I think the final straw was when the corrupt executive trying to cover his own ass gets completely owned. Completely reminded me of Bush's pals at Enron and Halliburton.


I want whatever you are smoking. :eek:
 

Starbuck1975

Lifer
Jan 6, 2005
14,698
1,909
126
You forgot the analogy that liberals like to wear spandex and capes, and parade around wearing masks. :D
 

cKGunslinger

Lifer
Nov 29, 1999
16,408
57
91
I'll give you that Batman is the America Liberal, but we all know Superman is the country's Republican. And as cool as the Bat is, I'll place my money of the Man of Steel anyday. :thumbsup:
 

Medicine Bear

Banned
Feb 28, 2005
1,818
1
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Batman a liberal? How many liberals do you know who kick ass? Puhleeze. The only liberal "superhero" is Aquaman. And much like most liberals he is pretty much only effective on the coasts.
 

cKGunslinger

Lifer
Nov 29, 1999
16,408
57
91
Originally posted by: Medicine Bear
Batman a liberal? How many liberals do you know who kick ass? Puhleeze. The only liberal "superhero" is Aquaman. And much like most liberals he is pretty much only effective on the coasts.

Ok, I admit - I chuckled at that one.
 

Medicine Bear

Banned
Feb 28, 2005
1,818
1
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Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Originally posted by: Medicine Bear
Batman a liberal? How many liberals do you know who kick ass? Puhleeze. The only liberal "superhero" is Aquaman. And much like most liberals he is pretty much only effective on the coasts.

Ok, I admit - I chuckled at that one.
Seriously what good is Aquaman?

TROUBLE ALERT TROUBLE ALERT

General Big Moustache: Superfriends the Legion of Doom is planning on poisoning the farmland in Iowa

Batman: I'm on my way

Superman: I'm on my way

Green Lantern: I'm on my way

Wonder Woman: I'm on my way

Apache Chief: Enikchuck(translation= I'm on my way)

Aquaman: Umm. Iowa huh? I'll just stay here and hang out with Troy McClure by the fish tanks.
 

imported_yetti

Senior member
Sep 17, 2004
746
0
0
Originally posted by: Proletariat
I've seen Nolan's Batman a number of times and I just have to wonder - is this movie the ultimate sponsorship of the modern American liberal?

Batman starts out lost and seeking nothing but revenge for his parents death (reference to conservatives after 9/11) but he soon learns that justice and the law are above revenge. This is a direct kick in the face to the ideas and actions of our Conservative leadership and their followers - Guantanomo - Abu Ghraib. When he does finally find the right path he brings the fight back not to the petty thugs and gangsters like Joe Chill (Republicans advocate harsher penalties without seeing the big picture with crime) but to the organized crime element which obviously has an embedded relationship with law enforcement and parts of the government (Reagan and the Cocaine he pumped into New York through the contras - Nixon - a lot of Republican presidents had shady dealings). Towards the end of the movie Ras Al Ghul takes on a Bin Laden-esque role talking about 'purging fires' and the need to destroy a city once it has gone too far out of hand. Batman is caught between - on the one hand - a corrupt city in which the poor are taken advantage of and manipulated - and the Al-Qaeda like organization that Ducard controls.

I sort of see myself in this position, I see a lot of the points Al-Qaeda makes about our civilization - the sex, violence, absurdity, murderous tendencies but I also see a good side to American society that occasionally does show its face. Now I'm in no way comparing myself to a hero (I know some people were going to pull the ego thing in), but I can sympathize with a lot of the movies messages.

There were also a lot of other small things - like the fact that the desert warfare machine (I mean come on) comes back to attack its makers. Or the whole boardroom scene when the guys are arguing about going into Heavy Arms dealing. I think the final straw was when the corrupt executive trying to cover his own ass gets completely owned. Completely reminded me of Bush's pals at Enron and Halliburton.


dude, puff puff pass.
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,131
6,612
126
Of course the emotional appeal of all these characters is the outward search for security that results from being made to feel worthless. The true man is neither incredibly powerful or aggressive. But he is happy to be who he is and having no ego has no ego death fear.
 

Proletariat

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2004
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Originally posted by: Medicine Bear
Originally posted by: Alistar7
Im thinking batman precedes 9/11, but i could be wrong.....
Only by about 70 years.
Well this Batman was losely based on something called Year One (any comic book nerds familiar with it?) from 1988.

But after reading up more on the movie in my free time I read that Nolan and Bale went in their own direction with the film, reinventing it with references to modern day events. So I don't really think that is relevant at all, this is a new Batman. Frank Millers Batman was much more interested in revenge.
 

Proletariat

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2004
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Originally posted by: Medicine Bear
Batman a liberal? How many liberals do you know who kick ass? Puhleeze. The only liberal "superhero" is Aquaman. And much like most liberals he is pretty much only effective on the coasts.
Well I think thats the point. Batman starts out lost and figures out that he needs to kick ass to get things done.
 

Proletariat

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2004
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Originally posted by: PatboyX
batman is, like zorro, a compassionate conservative.

But a compassionate conservative is a well-known myth. Even all my conservative friends tell me that.

Zorro was also a fighter against Imperialism. Something which right-wing presidents have always had a hand in - directly or indirectly. So I don't think Zorro has much of anything to do with any form of conservatism.
 

Forsythe

Platinum Member
May 2, 2004
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He doesn't kill people, he fights crime, and the feely touchy way he acts, yes, is there any doubt he's a liberal?
 

digiram

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2004
3,991
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I don't know about Batman, but Dick Cheaney is definitely the Sith Lord. In order to achieve peace, we must create an empire. Starts bs wars to gain support from his republic of America. Once the resources of our enemy is obtained and thier people wiped out, there will be peace.

I'm still waiting for the return of the Jedi.
 

Xionide

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2002
8,679
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No way is batman a liberal. I mean he is filthy rich. What do you think wayne enterpises makes? ITS OIL!
 

Proletariat

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2004
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Originally posted by: Xionide
No way is batman a liberal. I mean he is filthy rich.

Uh, there are a lot of filthy rich liberals.

Theresa Heinz Kerry is one I would point out since she is amongst the most hated.
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
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Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
You forgot the analogy that liberals like to wear spandex and capes, and parade around wearing masks. :D


LMAO :thumbsup: