Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.
Friedrich Nietzsche
A few months ago, I wrote that heroes and monsters are as subjective as the person pointing them out. I think this will be particularly true for United 93.
So far, I've only heard positive things about United 93 despite some pre-film arguments that it was released too soon or that it would cause additional suffering to people still grieving unfinished lives. I plan to see the film and I defend the freedom of speech and expression of those associated with its development and release.
However, I do have one regret -- one sinking, unfaltering, sick regret in the pit of my stomach that tells the hair on my neck to quiver every time I see the United 93 trailer -- one gnawing, throat clogging, nerve wrenching, blood curdling regret --
Terrorists get to see this film, too.
Like us, terrorists will see heroes who summon up all their courage and determination and ultimately defeat their enemies. They'll be inspired by the singlemindedness of characters who played a key role that day and they may even leave with a renewed sense of patriotism because like us, they will believe in their hearts that failure was still a victory.
We see heroes. They see heroes. We see monsters. They see monsters. But we'll be looking at different faces.
4 comments:
Food for thought.
Can I disagree? Then I shall.
I hope would-be terrorists see the movie. I hope they see that there are yet people in this world who will not be cowed, will not be bullied, will not be terrorized, as terrorism works only to the extent that the would-be victims allow.
"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."
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B
Sure, you can disagree, but --
At his trial, Zacarias Moussaoui expressed joy at the graphic details of the brutality on the planes and envy of the perpetators because he, himself, didn't get the honor of slitting an American throat. He smiled with satifaction at the testimonies of loss and suffering by victims' families saying "Allah be praised". He is utterly at peace and relishes any earned or even misplaced credit for whatever part he played because his martyrdom, like that of the hijackers', will earn him great riches in heaven and the respect of his fellow man.
No, Brett. I don't believe terrorists will feel even a hint of remorse or hesitation to repeat this glorious deed. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that DVD's of the film will wind up in training camps and used like a mascot at a pep rally -- or the trophy panties of a serial killer.
::smiles:: i cud kiss u for that quote!!!
me fer free speech too..but i wont watch the movie. real-life violence sometimes sickens me..in general.
this is funny, considering i watch lotsa action & gory flicks..or mebbe im able to make the distinction.
dont like how real-life-violence gets shown on tv without a rating and movie-fake-violence gets an R rating.
go figure..
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