words to live by
Oct. 29th, 2006 10:55 amInteresting how different eras handle some things that don’t change.
Back in the Fifties, TV’s Superman show could proclaim with a straight face that mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent really was Superman, who fought for Truth, Justice and the American Way. Cut to 1978’s movie Superman, when one couldn’t get away with such lines, and yet the film’s makers took it straight on. Remember this scene between Lois Lane and the Last Son of Krypton?
”Why are you here.”
“I am here to fight for Truth, Justice and the American Way.”
“Then you’ll have to fight every elected official in this country.”
“You don’t really believe that, Lois.”
At that point, cynical Lois Lane realizes, to her own shame, that he is for real.
How did 2006’s movie deal with this? It has Perry White wondering if Superman still stands for Truth, Justice, all that stuff. That’s a sad commentary on our era, where patriotism has become something to be used by certain people, not because they love what the country should stand for, but to maintain their own selfish and undemocratic power.
As for things that supposedly don't change... I made a surprising discovery on October 28. Just like the Pledge of Allegiance had acquired the words ‘under God’ in the Fifties to emphasize that we were not those Godless commies, it would appear that even Superman underwent a change to advertise his allegiance to the country. As if America’s ultimate immigrant needed to.
So, what did happen on October 28? Turner Classic Movies showed the first 5 chapters of 1948’s Superman serial. Early on, Jonathan Kent explains to his son what must guide him as he uses his great powers.
"Truth, Tolerance, and Justice.”
Think about what was dropped from his original motto. Think about what was added, and how that addition really was unncessary because if you truly believe in America, then you should be guided by Truth and Justice. And Tolerance.