McGInnis: Other hidden political messages
Written by Jeff McGinnis | | jmcginnis@toledofreepress.comIn these times of strife and uncertainty, we are often told it is becoming more and more important for people to hold onto and defend their core personal values. Because, after all, nothing signals a mature mind more than fear of change.
One of the most common boogeymen for those who stand in defense of “tradition” is the media. They find threats to their way of life in most every corner of pop culture. And not just the ones with overt messages, like how some movies instill a desire to be kind toward people who are different from you.
No, many corners of pop culture have messages that are far more insidious than that — messages buried so deep that not only is it possible the creators never intended them, but they are so obtuse that only the truly dedicated (and possibly insane) could ever find them.
Rush Limbaugh, for example, recently made headlines (well, okay, made a few snarky posts on Twitter) by claiming there was clearly a connection between the name of Batman villain Bane and the now-infamous Bain corporation formerly headed by Mitt Romney. Now, superficially, this might seem like a ridiculous claim for a commentator to make, even on some conspiracy-obsessed blog — let alone saying it to a national audience.
But that’s just what the Vast Political Conspiracy™ wants you to think. In fact, upon closer inspection, I have discovered that this summer’s slate of movies is just full — full, I tells ya — of such hidden messages. And the truth must be told!
Take the wildly popular superhero epic “The Avengers.” It has a villain named Loki — a god. Now, are we really supposed to believe that in an era where atheism is rising to near epidemic levels in our youth, it was sheer coincidence that a major blockbuster cast a GOD as its lead bad guy? This is clearly designed to push young people further away from religion!
Not only that, but one of the most popular heroes of the “Avengers” group is the Hulk. A big, green out-of-control mammoth who runs wild throughout the city. It doesn’t take any imagination to see the metaphor here — he clearly represents the Green Party, running roughshod throughout the election and distracting from the real issues faced by heroes like Captain America and that proud capitalist icon, Iron Man!
Then there’s this “Magic Mike,” a movie about male strippers. Trying to corrupt audiences with a view of Channing Tatum’s taut, perfect abs is disgusting enough, but then you find there’s a character named “Big D*** Richie.” I mean, come on, people, do I have to draw you a diagram? This name is obviously biased against our nation’s wealthy! I mean, “Richie” — clearly meant to signify the rich — and he’s a “Big D***?” It’s RIGHT THERE, people! And you can’t tell me that the name is just a coincidence, they knew when they started production that the Occupy Wall Street movement would be engendering discontent toward America’s job creators. How did they know? They JUST KNEW.
It’s not just the movies aimed at adults that are afflicted by such travesties. Political agendas are inexorably woven throughout films aimed at our youth, as well. And I’m not just talking about the obvious, like how something like “Ice Age” is so clearly a slap in the face of creationism.
No, there are far more insidious messages. Like in “Brave.” The lead heroine/troublemaker is named “Merida.” If you squint and tilt your head a little bit, it reads eerily similar to “Miranda,” the rights read by police officers to suspects. Are we really supposed to take it as sheer coincidence that such a plainly rebellious figure was named in this way? She’s designed to encourage young viewers to disrespect police authority! It’s so clear!
And this “Madagascar” series. Oh, sure, it seems harmless enough. Buncha cute zoo animals. Aww. How sweet. But look at that title. Just LOOK at it. “Madagascar.” If you add just one letter and separate that into words, it becomes “Mad At Gas Car.” This is plainly — PLAINLY — propaganda against the internal combustion engine, designed to push the next generation away from oil and toward hybrids!
Oh sure, “paranoid,” you say. “Grasping at straws,” you say. “Making connections that were never, ever intended so I can rile up my audience,” you say. I know it’s real. And I won’t stop yelling about it just because little factors like “reality” or “common sense” get in my way. Now, off to see “Total Recall,” which I’m sure — sure — has something to do with Ralph Nader.
Tags: Batman, brave, Channing Tatum, Ice Age, Iron Man, Jeff McGinnis, Madagascar, Magic Mike, Mitt Romney, Occupy Wall Street, Pop Goes the Culture, Rush Limbaugh, The Avengers, The Dark Knight Rises, The Hulk
