I was struck by the recurring presence of armed military on the streets in New York City. I haven't been in Manhattan since well before 911, so i don't know how realistic this is.
Were there actually armed soldiers hanging around NYC when this movie was made, or is this a creation of the moviemakers? I have seen no mention of this in DVD commentary or in discussion threads.
The movie was supposed to take place in the near future in an America that is dealing with increasing terrorism. This is hinted at in the discussions between the politicians as well as the chatter from television news. I think there is also a reference to a carbombing in a midwestern city (Kansas City?). The military presence in New York shows the resulting increased security.
shareIf there was a step up of terrorist bombings it makes sense that NY would become practically a police state. They were the subject of 2 of the most widely known terrorist attacks in US history.
shareThanks for the input, guys. I was almost assuming what you both said was the case, that is, conditions in the fictional world of this movie, but i had no reality of the current NYC with which to compare it.
What you said comforts me, because an increasing militarization of our country is something i think we truly have to fear.
Isn't it illegal for the military to do tasks in a civil environment ? I mean unless there's an executive order from the President himself, military has no control over civilians, in which case, the Police, feds, whoever except the military, should be there. Correct me if I'm wrong.
But then again, I wasn't anticipating the future. Cheers
How did the National Guard get onto the Kent State campus? Or, for that matter, why were troops present at a number of demonstrations in the 60's?
Maybe they don't need to "officially" have the right to be there or to tell us what to do if they have live bullets.
The kind of scenario i dread is that the military would be sent in to cover short-term security after some incident and would then stay in place.
How did the National Guard get onto the Kent State campus? Or, for that matter, why were troops present at a number of demonstrations in the 60's?
How did the National Guard get onto the Kent State campus? Or, for that matter, why were troops present at a number of demonstrations in the 60's?
By order of the "Office of the President of the USA"Incorrect. The National Guard is a state apparatus, commanded by the Governor, unless they are called by the President to serve the nation. In the case of Kent State, it was the Governor of Ohio who called out the Ohio National Guard to restore order.
That future is here today my friend. Check what Obama(the idio) has signed just before Christmas 2012
shareALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Members of the New York Army and Air National Guard were standing by New Year's Eve, ready to respond if an emergency arises, state military officials said.
Don’t be surprised if you see soldiers toting carbines mingling with the revelers later this evening. It is all part of a psychological warfare campaign to get you acclimated to the incremental presence of troops on the streets and the implementation of a police state.
Perhaps a Great film none the less.
As a republican, conservative I find its premise intriging
to Seanpdineen:
I am curious. "As a republican, conservative" what do you think of Eisenhower's warning that the great danger he saw coming was the military-industrial complex? (Actually, his speechwriters wrote "congressional-military-industrial complex", but Ike for some reason was trying to make peace with congress, though he was already on the way out, so he abridged the statement.)
My political/social views, to the extent they have consistency, would probably be seen by you as "liberal" (i consider myself a social liberal and a fiscal conservative, with the foreseeable difficulties in reconciling those positions when they conflict for budgetary reasons -- but compromise is the essence of politics), but i suspect the fear of the congressional-military-industrial complex taking control (if it hasn't already) is something we might share.
I am truly interested in your views on Eisenhower's warning.
Sometimes a valid warning. He saw a certain part of the future.
I have seen a great deal of cohesion between the medical professions and Shaw type experts, I am a wheelchair user.
I am mulling over what a "Shaw type expret" would be, assuming you mean the experts dealing with Shaw, not Shaw himself; my so-called brain is also considering how that relates to your wheelchair status.
shareMany in the rehab field, try to discourage clients from indepdence. I am a college prof working on a phd, and these bumbs want me to go to a grooup home.
shareThe way the institutional mind works, it's probably easier for them to administer care of all kinds (therapy, medication, whatever) to a bunch of clients grouped together than to individuals. Should be worth the effort, though, if their brains were in the right place.
Same sort of logical path as giving powerful downers to all the mental patients in an institution; groups them together and makes them easier to control ( or is that "care for"?).
Your quite correct. I don't want to appear sexiest but many woman I have dealt with in that field tend to be hard as nails. Mixed in with a elenore shaw type phony maternal attitute.
shareI know it's three years too late, but yes, there are always armed military on the streets and subway stations of NYC. Especially guaranteed to see dozens in full combat regalia in places like Penn Station.
share