The whole poster story thing reminded me again of “A Man for All Seasons,” probably the best-written movie ever. I’ve been meaning to post this dialogue since the whole Patriot Act flap (Russ Feingold for President!). It’s so appropriate for the times it’s eerie. Thomas More and his son-in-law, Will Roper, are discussing the slimy Richard Rich:
More: And go he should, if he were the devil himself, until he broke the law.
Roper: So now you’d give the devil benefit of law!
More: Yes. What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get to the devil?
Roper: Yes! I’d cut down every law in England to do that.
More: Oh? And when the last law was down and the devil turned round on you – where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, man’s laws, not God’s, and if you cut them down – and you’re just the man to do it – do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the devil benefit of law – for my own safety’s sake.
I’m very afraid and get more afraid every time I read accounts like this. There seem to be more of them every day. It reminds me of neighbors reporting Thoughtcrimes in Orwell’s 1984.
Great quote.
Yes, great quote from a great movie. Hmmmm … time to update my Wish List.
I want to be the first on my block to get Disappeared! All my neighbors will be jealous!