Posted by
Sam Heath on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 12:58:00 PM
How many times have you heard political opinion from someone that includes the phrase “Now, if he, or they, was really smart…” My very close friend Joe, who happens to also be my dentist, and I were discussing the political scene when the phrase came to mind. Of course, the operant word in the phrase is “smart,” which if any of our politicians really were they wouldn’t be killing the goose, the ordinary American citizens, that lays the golden eggs. But notwithstanding the caveat, I can’t resist saying that if Caesar Bush and Company were really smart they would have followed the broad hint in “Canadian Bacon” rather than pursue an enormously expensive dead end in the Middle East.
Hollywood has too often been treacherously irresponsible toward America, but I’d be the last to fail giving the institution its proper due when deserved. Oftentimes we are treated to some marvelous insights coming out of Hollywood, and Canadian Bacon was a film offering many such insights. With a terrific cast and some great dialogue, the uproariously funny take on our government and military leaders, the film makes some sober points the MSM would do well in presenting to Americans. If the talking heads and empty suits were capable of doing so, they would be zeroing in on the present crop of presidential contenders making them answer the tough questions the film presents.
As that Hollywood producer in “The Godfather” so well said, a man in his position could not afford to be made to look ridiculous. While films like “On the Beach, Fail-Safe” and “Crimson Tide” make their ominous and all too valid points, it is a film like Canadian Bacon that brings the most important issues facing America into proper focus with an appeal to reason the dark side can’t reach. If there is any sanity to be found in politicians it is the species realizing one running for president cannot afford to be made to look ridiculous, something Caesar Bush seems totally oblivious to but those attempting to replace him had better take to heart.
We don’t know if there are any animals that have the capability of laughing at themselves, but it is of paramount importance for the sake of mental health that people do so. Once you have slapped your head and exclaimed “How could I have been so dumb!” after doing something really stupid, there is the need to laugh at yourself. It is in just this manner I long ago became my own best source of humor, an attribute of our most famous and acclaimed humorist Sam Clemens. That part of his genius was delving into the dark side in order to make his points by the use of humor. In just this way Canadian Bacon takes from the dark side veiled by humor.
The world becoming increasingly dangerous daily, we cannot afford dangerous fools like Caesar Bush and Company running/ruining America; the stakes are simply too high. It isn’t that fanatical Muslims are not dedicated to the destruction of Western Civilization, but as in Canadian Bacon the real dangers lie in our own leadership that will stop at nothing to achieve power and wealth. If there is no “clear and present danger,” then we have a leadership that will fabricate one in order to maintain their positions of power, which, of course, has evidenced itself by the wars of the White House and Congress in the Middle East and the absolute refusal to secure our own borders for the obvious sake of slave labor. And while there are clear and present dangers abounding, the most deadly foe We the People face is our very own government, in far too many ways a reflection of the film when it comes to duplicity and ineptitude on the part of disingenuous leaders throughout.
Many might say it is too late for America, that given what is offered by Hollywood and TV the entire world already sees our nation as ridiculous at the most charitable. At the worst, America is seen as a dangerous and spoiled child demanding everything while offering nothing in return. But there is a very great danger posed to America by Caesar Bush, his handlers and lackeys making themselves appear ridiculous to the entire world. Seemingly incapacitated of being able to laugh at themselves for their stupidity, they are making America a laughingstock. It is one thing for a powerful person to be made to look ridiculous, another thing entirely for a nation to be made to look ridiculous. In the end it is We the People who bear the responsibility for not allowing this to happen.