Remember November: The GOP officially endorses terrorist.

[SirNitram]

Link

A few years back, two left-leaning writers, Andy and Lana Wachowski, adapted the story of Guy Fawkes, a Catholic radical who is remembered primarily for his failed attempt, on November 5, 1605, to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I. The Wachowski brothers movie, V for Vendetta, made Fawkes the hero and presented the British crown as an oppressive dictatorship that was meant to echo, at least in technique, certain aspects of the administration of George W. Bush, down to the hooded prisoners, the orange jump suits and the unapologetic embrace of harsh interrogation techniques.

The meaning of Fawkes is, of course, not fixed. The Wachowski brothers' retelling of the Fawkes' story was later embraced by libertarian supporters of Ron Paul. During the 2008 campaign, "Remember, Remember The Fifth of November" became a rallying cry for Paul boosters, who shared at least some of the revolutionary fire of both Fawkes and the Wachowskis. On November 5, 2007, Guy Fawkes Day, Paul supporters raised more than $4 million online.

Now, the Fawkes mythology has come full circle. The Republican Governors Association has embraced the symbolism of Fawkes, launching a rather striking website, RememberNovember.com, with a video that showcases far more Hollywood savvy than one can usually expect from Republicans. Again, the Fawkes tale has been twisted a bit. This time, President Obama plays the roll of King James, the Democratic leadership is Parliament, and the Republican Party represents the aggrieved Catholic mass.

The politics and substance aside, this strikes me as a remarkable bit of political messaging, not just for its cinematic quality. The RGA, under the control of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, is clearly stepping out of the stodgy, safe territory it normally inhabits. It is aiming to tap into the vast well of anti-government fury now coursing through the nation. Who would have guessed that Barbour would embrace the symbolic value of the same would-be mass murderer as the Wachowski brothers?

One other note, RGA message wizards have intentionally not circulated this video on YouTube or made an embed version of it publicly available. (Swampland asked for, and was granted, special dispensation.) They want people to view it on their site, RememberNovember.com, in the hopes of building a grassroots army.

UPDATE: I notice quite a bit of electronic dust this post has stirred up on the interwebbing. A couple points: First, as I suggest in the post, the tale of Fawkes has been so thoroughly appropriated by so many that it is just not right to associate the latest appropriators with the intent of the original criminal in 1605. The RGA is not calling for a violent uprising here. It is tapping into well-established online anti-government memes. (Remember 1984.) The Wachowski brothers, who were themselves referencing a comic book adaptation of the Fawkes story, were not calling for violence when they made their movie. Ron Paul supporters were not calling for violence when they decided to raise $4 million in 2007. To suggest that this is what the RGA is doing now is, it seems to me, overly simplistic and inflammatory. Second, there has been some speculation in the comments that the RGA fed me the Fawkes reference. They did not. But the connection is not exactly a stretch for anyone who has closely followed Republican politics online (and yes, here I am counting Paul as a Republican). Aside from the Remember November refrain, the classical music, the near-apocalyptic crises messages, the suggestions of totalitarian intent, the imagery of Castro and marching soldiers, the sound of a ticking clock all points to a well established online narrative, where Fawkes thrives as a sort of folk hero for all ideologies. These sorts of videos are made to go viral. They are intended to be edgy, provocative. They are meant to tap into running passions, online story lines. This one is very successful at accomplishing its viral mission.

I see no reason why the Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot...

Or forgiven. I'm disgusted, whatever the writer tries to couch his language in. This time, this enviroment, we're just using it to tap into feelings? Yea. Right.

[thejester]

Ever forgiven? You make it sound like it had some sort of personal effect on you.

[Bluewolf]

To be honest maybe this is just a case of the GOP trying to hit the same audience who blather about governmental oppression? Hardly tasteful of course yet I doubt it is that big a deal to start saying things like "or forgiven" etc.

[Srelex]

I wonder what they'd make of the comic, with its bashing of religion and pro-anarchy message.

[Liberty]

I'm sorry, I'm still trying to get over the fact that Fawkes was Catholic, in opposition to the Protestant government of England. I find that ironic.

Also, V for Vendetta is more inspired by Fawkes' story than it is based on it. I mean, the ONLY similarity is someone seeing the government as oppressive or wrong and setting off a bomb to try to stop it. The similarities stop right there.

[Einhander Sn0m4n]

Also, V for Vendetta is more inspired by Fawkes' story than it is based on it. I mean, the ONLY similarity is someone seeing the government as oppressive or wrong and setting off a bomb to try to stop it. The similarities stop right there.

Maybe that's the point. Maybe they're actually trying to get more bombings and shootings. I say "To Hell with Republican terrorists!"

[Coyote]

Philosophical consistency or mental rigor isn't a hallmark of the Teabaggers; the same crowd who shrieks about "big government" under Obama were silent when Bush passed the Patriot Act-- as well as his own bailout of the banks in the last two months of his term. They'll take whatever symbols or pop-culture references they think will resonate with their frothing-at-the-mouth supporters.

[Simon_Jester]

Also, V for Vendetta is more inspired by Fawkes' story than it is based on it. I mean, the ONLY similarity is someone seeing the government as oppressive or wrong and setting off a bomb to try to stop it. The similarities stop right there.

Maybe that's the point. Maybe they're actually trying to get more bombings and shootings. I say "To Hell with Republican terrorists!"

The problem is that we have two choices here. Either we judge people by what they do, or by what we assume their motives are.

If we judge the Republican far right by what we assume their motives are, we can accuse them of trying to encourage terrorism no matter what we do. The far right just becomes the new "bomb throwing anarchist" stereotype, to the point where we automatically assume they are guilty of being murdering thugs on every level until proven innocent. I don't like thinking that way, because I know it wasn't true back in the days of red-baiting.

If we judge the Republican far right by what they actually do, then screwing around with Guy Fawkes metaphors isn't exactly the height of villainy. I'd be more worried about, say, guys caught sneaking around the president's security perimeter with weapons.

[Liberty]

Philosophical consistency or mental rigor isn't a hallmark of the Teabaggers; the same crowd who shrieks about "big government" under Obama were silent when Bush passed the Patriot Act-- as well as his own bailout of the banks in the last two months of his term. They'll take whatever symbols or pop-culture references they think will resonate with their frothing-at-the-mouth supporters.

And the Tea Party doesn't seem to have a problem with the new Arizona "papers please" law, and if you want to talk about totalitarian, communist, whatever, laws, there's a perfect example. Wait, what? Oh, I'm sorry, the Tea Party actually supports the new Arizona law.

[Coyote]

And the Tea Party doesn't seem to have a problem with the new Arizona "papers please" law, and if you want to talk about totalitarian, communist, whatever, laws, there's a perfect example. Wait, what? Oh, I'm sorry, the Tea Party actually supports the new Arizona law.

Yeah-- and they really want to cut bloted big governmetn spending unless it is time to break out the knives for the Defense Department or their own Social Security or Medicare. And they really hate terrorists who fly their planes into buildings, unless of course it is a good ol' boy "patriot" who attacks a guv'mint office.

The hard-right has no intention of ever looking in the mirror at their own hypocrisies, or even bargaining or negotiating. They'll screech and blather and encourage "direct action" but feign innocence when something happens.

[Azazal]

I have to say that I find the right's grabbing on to V for Vendetta pretty damn funny. In the months leading up to the movie being released, the 9/11 twoofers were all over the place screaming about how this movie was Hollywood backing the "truth" movement and that it would start the revolution to oust W from office and show that 9/11 was a government run operation.

And since it hasn't been said, but ahhh...

A few years back, two left-leaning writers, Andy and Lana Wachowski, adapted the story of Guy Fawkes, a Catholic radical who is remembered primarily for his failed attempt, on November 5, 1605, to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James. The Wachowski brothers movie, V for Vendetta.......

I'm pretty sure Mr Alan Moore has some things to say about that.

[Sinewmire]

I have to say that I find the right's grabbing on to V for Vendetta pretty damn funny. In the months leading up to the movie being released, the 9/11 twoofers were all over the place screaming about how this movie was Hollywood backing the "truth" movement and that it would start the revolution to oust W from office and show that 9/11 was a government run operation.

Me too. V would find the Republican regime every bit as repugnant, if not more so, than that of the Democrats.

[Liberty]

Oh, and in the video, when it says "this is what change looks like" it shows foreclosure signs, etc. Which, hello, that wasn't Obama's fault! How the fuck could Obama cause a recession that started over six months before he entered office? I must say, that's some talent.

[Gil Hamilton]

The Guy Fawkes thing aside, which seems to me is probably the work of a slimy marketing agency, the GOP has been pushing terrorism with their current political strategy. They've spent all their time and money turning politics into a matter of life and death for the fate of the Republic; that if the Democrats get their way on anything, freedom dies and all the values that "real" Americans hold dear will be extinguished. Not that the Democrats are wrong on national policy and that they don't have as good a strategy for prosperity as the Republicans; no, the Democrats are actively evil. They want to crush Americans with taxes, and take away their guns, and hold Death Panels to send grandma to the glue factory, and Abortions for All, not to mention push the twin gigantic Hoaxes of Global Warming and Evolution*.

When a group like that spends all their time making this into a Clash to Save Civilization from evil socialists rather than a dispute on policy, is there any doubt that someone is going to believe them? Not just believe them, but take the next logical step? In America, we spent our entire lives hearing about fighting tyranny and defending ourselves from people who'd take away everything we held dear. Is it any surprise that all this rhetoric will churn up some people willing to act on it?

Of course, when someone does, they then pretend that they are fringe crazies who have nothing to do with the movement and would never support such things, blah blah blah, as though it wasn't their rhetoric in the first place that convinced the terrorists to act.

(*To make themselves rich, of course, because you know that when a group gets a grant to study those things, it goes to the PIs pocket directly. It certainly all doesn't go to expensive research equipment and the care and feeding of graduate students... why, if that was true, they'd wouldn't be making any money at all! If they aren't making money, they wouldn't do it, because after all, money is why people do things)

[General Zod]

I honestly can't say this kind of double-think surprises me much. When a white person does it, it's freedom fighting.

[Drooling Iguana]

I'm pretty sure Mr Alan Moore has some things to say about that.

Given his penchant for disowning the movie adaptations of his work, I doubt it.

If you look at the credits for VfV, you'll notice that they only credit the artist for the original comic. Moore refused to be listed.

[Jeremy]

And they really hate terrorists who fly their planes into buildings, unless of course it is a good ol' boy "patriot" who attacks a guv'mint office.

Do you mean Joe A. Stack?

[Singer]

Did anyone else find that video funny? Whenever the right tries to produce some kind of emotional response and drum up support it always turns into a sort of unintentional comedy. The visuals and the music combine to present this idea that it's just such a terrible tragedy that Obama has been in office. I can just imagine how touched and saddened conservatives will be while watching the video. What's sad is that none of them will recognize how ironic the quote at the beginning of the video is.

[Crossroads Inc.]

When a group like that spends all their time making this into a Clash to Save Civilization from evil socialists rather than a dispute on policy, is there any doubt that someone is going to believe them? Not just believe them, but take the next logical step? In America, we spent our entire lives hearing about fighting tyranny and defending ourselves from people who'd take away everything we held dear. Is it any surprise that all this rhetoric will churn up some people willing to act on it?

Of course, when someone does, they then pretend that they are fringe crazies who have nothing to do with the movement and would never support such things, blah blah blah, as though it wasn't their rhetoric in the first place that convinced the terrorists to act.

Read my comments in the "McVeigh Tapes" thread. The right has a long history of goading nutters into violent acts, and then either denying any involvement, or "Blaming the victim" when things go wrong. I currently have a Bet going with a friend that there will be a bionafied "terrorist" attack by a Right wing loon before the end Of Obamas presidency.

So far my 'friend' has currently refused to accept the Murder of the Abortion doctor, the Guy flying a plane into the IRS building, or slaying of cops last year as evidence of such attacks thus far.

Really what this is about is those in the GOP basically finally shedding the last vestiges of it being a Serious party. While it has been clear for some time just how consumed the Far Right is with retaining power at all costs, since the Election of Obama we have all come to see just how far they are willing to go. You can see it as they talk about "Life and Death" and the "End of America" They WANT these people scared, fearful they WANT these people to deeply believe with heart and soul that Obama is ACTIVELY out to destroy America, That Obama goes home at night going "Mwa Ha ha" and laughing like a cartoon villain.

When the time comes, and it will, that someone tries to kill a Democratic politician, or bomb a federal building, or try to assassinate Obama himself.. The GOP will lean back, and give a collective "Such a shame, we don't know how this happened, its terrible!" And then go and pat themselves on the back.

[Anguirus]

So far my 'friend' has currently refused to accept the Murder of the Abortion doctor, the Guy flying a plane into the IRS building, or slaying of cops last year as evidence of such attacks thus far.

Your friend is either intellectually dishonest or a goddamn cheapskate. What sort of mental gymnastics do you have to do to decide that Joe Stack is not a "bonafide" terrorist? The only differences between him and the 9/11 terrorists are body count (obviously not for lack of effort) and skin color.

[Jeremy]

Here are the things he wrote which makes me think he is not "right wing".

Yet at the same time, the joke we call the American medical system, including the drug and insurance companies, are murdering tens of thousands of people a year and stealing from the corpses and victims they cripple, and this country's leaders don't see this as important as bailing out a few of their vile, rich cronies. Yet, the political "representatives" (thieves, liars, and self-serving scumbags is far more accurate) have endless time to sit around for year after year and debate the state of the "terrible health care problem". It's clear they see no crisis as long as the dead people don't get in the way of their corporate profits rolling in.

Some friends introduced me to a group of people who were having 'tax code' readings and discussions. In particular, zeroed in on a section relating to the wonderful "exemptions" that make institutions like the vulgar, corrupt Catholic Church so incredibly wealthy.

The intent of this exercise and our efforts was to bring about a much-needed re-evaluation of the laws that allow the monsters of organized religion to make such a mockery of people who earn an honest living. However, this is where I learned that there are two "interpretations" for every law; one for the very rich, and one for the rest of us... Oh, and the monsters are the very ones making and enforcing the laws; the inquisition is still alive and well today in this country.

I decided that I didn't trust big business to take care of me, and that I would take responsibility for my own future and myself.

Return to the early '80s, and here I was off to a terrifying start as a 'wet-behind-the-ears' contract software engineer... and two years later, thanks to the fine backroom, midnight effort by the sleazy executives of Arthur Andersen (the very same folks who later brought us Enron and other such calamities) and an equally sleazy New York Senator (Patrick Moynihan), we saw the passage of 1986 tax reform act

However, because the government caused it, no one gave a shit about all of the young families who lost their homes or street after street of boarded up houses abandoned to the wealthy loan companies who received government funds to "shore up" their windfall.

I've never experienced such a hard time finding work. The rates are 1/3 of what I was earning before the crash, because pay rates here are fixed by the three or four large companies in the area who are in collusion to drive down prices and wages... and this happens because the justice department is all on the take and doesn't give a fuck about serving anyone or anything but themselves and their rich buddies.

Now when the wealthy fuck up, the poor get to die for the mistakes... isn't that a clever, tidy solution

The recent presidential puppet GW Bush and his cronies in their eight year

I know I'm hardly the first one to decide I have had all I can stand. It has always been a myth that people have stopped dying for their freedom in this country, and it isn't limited to the blacks, and poor immigrants.

The communist creed: From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.
The capitalist creed: From each according to his gullibility, to each according to his greed.

What happened to the story about the murdered census worker?

[Liberty]

What happened to the story about the murdered census worker?

I think I remember reading that that incident was ruled a suicide, and that the guy staged it so it would look like he was killed for his race and working as an IRS (census ?) agent. I can't find the article, though.

[General Zod]

What happened to the story about the murdered census worker?

I think I remember reading that that incident was ruled a suicide, and that the guy staged it so it would look like he was killed for his race and working as an IRS (census ?) agent. I can't find the article, though.

Census worker death ruled suicide.

[Jeremy]

That really sucks. At least it means no one was horrible enough to murder him.

[Coyote]

That really sucks. At least it means no one was horrible enough to murder him.

True. But at the same time, it is interesting to note that the story of a census worker, murdered for being a Federal government worker, seemed quite plausible at the time. A revealing insight.