Reply #129: A interesting quote from the article [View All]

[gorfle]

"What do you think is the larger social commentary of The Brave One, which in some ways plays as a straight-up Dirty Harry revenge movie?
Here's my commentary: I don't believe that any gun should be in the hand of a thinking, feeling, breathing human being. Americans are by nature filled with rage-slash-fear. And guns are a huge part of our culture. I know I'm crazy because I'm only supposed to say that in Europe. But violence corrupts absolutely. By the end of this, her transformation is complete. ''F--- all of you, now I'm just going to kill people with my bare hands.''"

The problem with this sentiment is that it completely ignores the reality of the savage human animal. Throughout recorded history there have always been people who cannot or will not hold their desires in check, and they will visit brutality on their fellow men to sate their desires. Whether it is in pursuit of money, power, sex, or food, there have always been people, either out of desperation or greed, who are willing to use violence and barbarity against others to get what they want.

This is an undeniable fact of human existence.

Some people, like Ms. Foster, get so used to the trappings of civilization, and are so far removed from savage barbarism, that they forget this fact. In fact they come to believe that the basic condition of human existence has actually changed.

They are wrong.

Every day the news is full-to-the-brim with stories of men taking what they want from other men through violence, intimidation, and coercion.

Invariably, throughout history it has always taken people backed by the force of arms to control those kinds of people, and so bring some measure of security to the good people of society. It is sad, but "thinking, feeling, breathing human beings" have always had, and continue to have to stand up to the savage among us, and that almost always requires the force of arms.

I like Jodie Foster. From the rest of the interview it seems like she is intelligent. But I disagree with her utiopian ideal.