 "Photo: N/A")
 "Photo: Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.")
As Ole Miss prepares for the first of three presidential debates, the primary focus has been set on the two candidates of this election cycle.
While Sens. McCain and Obama have been fighting it out for the presidency over the past few months, one man has remained in the background of all the debate and discussion: the current president, George W. Bush.
Pop culture has a strange way of bringing up the people that seem out of sight, out of mind. Comments from The Wall Street Journal, among other publications, brought to light how the Bush years could have heavily influenced the plot to financially what is the biggest film of the decade thus far, “The Dark Knight.”
With the university looming upon perhaps the most important day in its long history, it seems fitting to look behind how politics has affected the world of cinema and art in general.
“Know your limits, Mr. Wayne” – Alfred
“Batman has no limits” – Bruce
“Well, you do, sir.” – Alfred
“Batman has no jurisdiction. He’ll find him and make him squeal” – Joker
A good portion of the first part of “The Dark Knight” is spent asking the question: Does Batman have any limits?
Critics of the Bush presidency have said this question, primarily wrapped up in the Patriot Act, was what fueled their concerns of the president’s early years.
The Joker’s all-too-important line speaks of the Iraq War and War on Terrorism in general. Just because Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein were on another continent did not mean Bush wouldn’t go after them; the same applies to Batman and the Chinese mob businessman in the film.
“But first, let’s consider the situation; should we give in to this terrorist’s demands? …The Batman is an outlaw…But that’s not why we’re demanding he turn himself in. We’re doing it because we’re scared. One day, the Batman will have to answer for the laws he’s broken - but to us, not this madman.” – Harvey Dent
“No more dead cops!” – Cop heckler
Because of Batman’s decision not to take off his mask, people die daily. The cop heckler’s call is eerily similar to the call of “No more dead troops!” The film reinforces a more conservative agenda by having the protestor’s yell be an insult to the moral authority of the Harvey Dent character.
“People are dying, Alfred. What would you have me do?” – Bruce
“Endure, Master Wayne. Take it. They’ll hate you for it, but that’s the point of Batman…he can be the outcast. He can make the choice no one else can face. The right choice.” – Alfred
President Bush started a war that he himself said could become unpopular over time. Regardless of the media attention and negative feelings by many Americans, he endured through the controversy. He truly did make a choice no one else can face, but will it ultimately turn out to be the right one?
“You took my SONAR concept and applied it to everybody’s phone in the city. With half the city feeding your SONAR you can image all of Gotham. This is wrong.” - Lucius Fox
“I’ve got to find this man, Lucius.” - Bruce
“But at what cost?” - Lucius
The desire to catch the terrorist – the Joker – is so strong, that Batman oversteps his usual rules. He infiltrates phones in all areas of the city. It’s wire-tapping, plain and simple – another controversy produced during the last eight years.
When comparing these quotes with the actuality of the situation in terms of U.S. politics, the statements seem to be sending a unique message.
The wire-tapping, breaking of set rules, enduring despite public tension – the audience accepts it and understands Batman’s view because they know the severity of the Joker’s actions. Viewers are rooting for a superhero who produces the actions of an administration condemned by the majority of Americans. Taking this out of a political context, what does this mean?
It means that, regardless of political affiliation, people find the illusion of the Bush years in a superhero film plot an interesting concept. “The Dark Knight” didn’t make over $500 million based on it being a Batman film alone; it was the story that gained incredible word-of-mouth that drove audiences to the theaters.
Batman is George W. Bush? It sure seems like it. As the American people get ready to view the first presidential debate, they’ll be looking to the future.
Come this January, the Bush years will be left for history to deal with. Time has been said to heal all wounds; if that’s the case, will President Bush be seen one day as a hero and not as a villain?
“Because we have to chase him…Because…he’s the hero Gotham deserves…but not the one it needs right now. So we’ll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he’s not our hero …he’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector….a dark knight.” – Commissioner Gordon
