A 'Warning'

[E.G. Gammon]

Has there ever been a book that contained a WARNING at the beginning - something along the lines of:

"This book is not recommended for readers under the age of 18. It contains scenes of violence and the supernatural. This is a work of fiction and should be treated as such. Do not believe or attempt to recreate anything printed in these pages."

That group that's creating such a fuss over Harry Potter made its way through my town, burning the books (along with a bunch of other stuff like CDs and videos) and it kind of freaked me out. I'd like to write up some kind of warning and add it to my manuscript once it is done, to be printed in the book if it is published. My novel contains violence (a couple murders and an explosion at a high school) and tons of supernatural stuff. I think it would be wise for me to write up some kind of warning. Has it ever been done before?

[veinglory]

I have seen that sort of thing once or twice (as well as the reverse, statement declaring fcition to be true). But, frankly, a group fundamental enough to burn Harry Potter is hardly going to care--whilst your readers might well be put off by the insult implied (that they might be too dumb to know that novels are fictional and that blurbs indicate what books are about so you can avoid content you don't like).

[Liam Jackson]

E.G., by flagging with a "warning" on your book, you've only drawn cross-hairs on it for the very people you're trying to avoid. Of course, you'll also flag it people prowling bookstores for graphic novels, themes for "mature audiences," and the mildly curious. I also think Vein is right about the blurb. If your intent is to merely warn potential buyers of moderate violence and supernatural content, a simple blurb describing the theme will likely solve your problem.

I also think your publisher may weigh in on any decision to place a "warning" label on your book. They may object to such a precedence. If you thought the music industry fought like hell to keep warnings off jewel cases, wait until that same battle comes to the print media.

[E.G. Gammon]

I was just a little put off by the Harry Potter book burning incident. I did some research on what those religious people think of the Harry Potter books and you wouldn't believe how certain things are twisted around. I mean one site actually brought up the fact that the lightning bolt scar on Harry Potter's head was half of a swastika and that the books have a potential of turning children into Nazis! There's no telling what kind of stuff can be twisted from my book - the explosion at a high school - my biggest worry - and various other things I don't want to get into. I just thought a warning might satisfy anyone out there who intends on attacking my book if it ever gets published. I'd hate for my book to become part of a bonfire in the future.

I probably shouldn't be worrying about this now, since the book isn't done, but if certain things in the book are going to cause a huge uproar, I should start to think about changing some of them, right?

[Richard]

Ask your publisher to lace the pages with gunpowder so that if anyone ever tries using it in a book burning, they get Author's Wrath in the face.

People who go book burning should have EXACTLY NO EFFECT on what you write. They're morons. Idiots. Fools. They speak for a vocal minority that will never buy you anyway, and draw their conclusions from a whole other planet entirely. You cannot pacify them, you cannot mollify them; all you can do is hope they're too prudish to breed.

[Christine N.]

Ugh, don't get me started on those idiots. I love the one guy who said that because HP included witchcraft and Wicca was a recognized religion, the book couldn't be in public schools. LOL. If he had done his research, he would know the only thing even close to real craft was the name.

Everytime I hear of one of those book burning incidents, I can't help but think "Sieg Heil!"

[E.G. Gammon]

I had heard of those book burning incidents but I never really took them seriously until they actually happened in my home town. It was kind of a wake-up call. Those "God Hates F(a)gs" people went through my town, too and my book has a bisexual character. I may get hassled by THEM, too.

[Julie Worth]

I was just a little put off by the Harry Potter book burning incident.

So what’s wrong with burning books? They bought them, didn’t they? Let them buy a million books and make a bonfire!



At least it will keep them off the used market.

[DirtySyko]

I had heard of those book burning incidents but I never really took them seriously until they actually happened in my home town. It was kind of a wake-up call. Those "God Hates F(a)gs" people went through my town, too and my book has a bisexual character. I may get hassled by THEM, too.

Haha, you must be talking about Fred Phelps. I'm from Kansas, where Phelps is from, so we often times get our wonderful dose of his ignorant bullshit. Right now I live in Salina, and he doesn't really come here too often, but come January I'm moving to Lawerance, Kansas (A town with a very hefty gay community. Where KU college is), and Phelps loves to protest there. People know him most for his gay hating, but he has some ignorant views you wouldn't believe. For instance, he hates anyone who is Swedish... He also has a big thing against Canadians. The guy has some serious angst, and should seriously clean up those tears of his, because his cult army isn't doing much to change America, except for more people coming out and protecting the gay community. Phelps is losing his war at an incredible rate. I can't wait for gay marriage to pass one day, so this guy cries a river and hopefully drowns in it.

On to the book burnings... I don't know why they worry you so much. I live by the theory "Any publicity is good publicity." Man, if I published something and people protested it and even went so far as to BURN my creation, I would sit back and enjoy every second. Infact, I would try my best to attend the protest and watch the action first hand. When people do things like this, it only proves how much YOU'VE won. Your book affected people's lives, so much so, that it caused so much anger in certain people they decided to commit acts of violence (Yes, burning books is a violent act, even if nobody is being hurt.) Look at the profit Harry Potter has turned over... Do you honestly think Harry Potter lost? No way. It won, it's winning, and it's going to win again with the continual release of the movies. A few nazi protestors hoping to change the world with their radical book burnings are only a sign that you've accomplished something great. People PRAY that they'll one day be able to make an impact on society that leads to immense controversy. Don't worry man, protesting is a godsend.

[Joni Holderman]

So what’s wrong with burning books? They bought them, didn’t they? Let them buy a million books and make a bonfire!



At least it will keep them off the used market.



I agree absolutely. Then, if they want to go to another town, they have to buy more books to burn. Rowling doesn't seem to be suffering any ill effects of having her books burned. If anything, I think it's good publicity.

[James D. Macdonald]

Those people aren't "religious." They're "nutjobs." Did you go and organize a counter-protest?

I'm religious. And you know what's obvious to me? Harry Potter and his little friends are all Anglicans.


You want warnings? Look at the warnings on the Lemony Snicket books.

[SRHowen]

Lemony Snicket's books are dark--comapred to Harry Potter they are very dark. My daughter, who is now 11 loves them and writes fan fic for them. She does drawings of the characters and such--but has anyone heard of a Lemony Snicket book burning? At least as many of her friends read those as read Potter--and funny one mom who is very against the Harry Potter books lets her kids read Lemony Snicket's work.

Most those people who are so against Harry Potter have not even read the book--they see the word witch or some such and go off on it.

Shawn

[Jaws]

Has there ever been a book that contained a WARNING at the beginning - something along the lines of:

"This book is not recommended for readers under the age of 18. It contains scenes of violence and the supernatural. This is a work of fiction and should be treated as such. Do not believe or attempt to recreate anything printed in these pages."
Leaving aside that such a warning has no legal effect, you're better off taking Frank Zappa's stand (http://tinyurl.com/8jxsh).

[three seven]

On to the book burnings... I don't know why they worry you so much. I live by the theory "Any publicity is good publicity." Man, if I published something and people protested it and even went so far as to BURN my creation, I would sit back and enjoy every second. Infact, I would try my best to attend the protest and watch the action first hand. When people do things like this, it only proves how much YOU'VE won. Your book affected people's lives, so much so, that it caused so much anger in certain people they decided to commit acts of violence (Yes, burning books is a violent act, even if nobody is being hurt.) Look at the profit Harry Potter has turned over... Do you honestly think Harry Potter lost? No way. It won, it's winning, and it's going to win again with the continual release of the movies. A few nazi protestors hoping to change the world with their radical book burnings are only a sign that you've accomplished something great. People PRAY that they'll one day be able to make an impact on society that leads to immense controversy. Don't worry man, protesting is a godsend.I second that.

As far as the here and now is concerned, please don't take this as an aspertion on your publicity profile but Harry Potter books have been selling millions upon millions for years. If I wrote the exact same book today and it hit the stores with none of the hype and publicity that Harry Potter generates, none of these idiots would give two sh!ts what was in it.

[Aconite]

Consider this: How comfortable are you bowing to the pressure of these wingnuts? If you change your book to align with their likes and dislikes, haven't they won? Why should they get to decide what the rest of us do or don't get to read, or to write?

[maestrowork]

So what if they want to burn your books? I'd say, let them burn them. That'd only mean a few things: 1) your book is successful enough to draw attention; 2) more people would want to buy/read it...

If you think for a minute that the HP book/CD/whatever burning is going to hurt the series or JK Rowling, then you need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Besides, the best way to fight fanaticism and bigotry is by pushing more buttons. To me, putting up a warning or whatever is kind of like Rosa Park saying, "OK, I will sit in the back of the bus." I say, screw them. Write the best and most wonderful book you can with violence and sex, and see these people squirm.

You think Stephen King and Dean Koontz are going to put up warnings in their books? Think again.

You worry too much. Finish the BOOK!

[E.G. Gammon]

Yeah, I do worry too much. I'll write the story like I originally planned it. Even though I cover a lot of controversial topics/issues, and I include things that would make the Pope roll over in his grave, the story works very well as it stands and changing it to avoid controversy IS letting "them" win, like Aconite said. If the book is published, I KNOW it will create a lot of controversy - but I guess that doesn't have to be such a bad thing.

[DeeCaudill]

Either Asimov's or Analog (I can never keep it straight which) puts these sorts of warnings on some short stories. Maybe it's a little bit different in a subscription situation, but I always found it a little bit insulting. I'm sure somebody complained to the editors at one point.

If their little presentation makes you censor yourself or put up warnings, then you will be letting them get their way.

[maestrowork]

Augusten Burroughs' two memoirs created controversies -- his books deal with pedophilia, homosexuality, child abuse, drug use among minors, etc. etc. in very graphic ways. Well, look at him now -- one of the most sought-after writers in the US, at least, and a movie being made about his life starring Annette Benning.

Success is the sweetest revenge, if you ask me.

[reph]

A book with scenes of violence and the supernatural? No, thanks, I already have one. It's the King James version.

[scubohuntr]

Yeah, I do worry too much. I'll write the story like I originally planned it. Even though I cover a lot of controversial topics/issues, and I include things that would make the Pope roll over in his grave, the story works very well as it stands and changing it to avoid controversy IS letting "them" win, like Aconite said. If the book is published, I KNOW it will create a lot of controversy - but I guess that doesn't have to be such a bad thing.

It sounds, reading through the thread, as if you are a bit uncomfortable with some of the people/places/events in your story. When faced with this kind of dilemma, I take each element that worries me and consider it individually. Why did I write it this way? Have I subconsciously tried to emulate something I have read recently? Am I trying to stir up controversy by including hotbuttons for the crazies to focus on? Would the satanic lesbian nun work just as well if she were an accountant? Would the explosion at the high school work if it were at a mall instead, or is the location vital to the story? Once you have established to your own satisfaction and nobody else's that everything you were worried about has a valid artistic reason for being, you can blithely go ahead, and damn the critics. Changing things to avoid controversy is bad- that way lies mediocrity. Writing things just to incite controversy is just as bad- that way lies Michael Moore.

[E.G. Gammon]

I believe that if a writer is happy with the story, that's all that matters. You have to please yourself before you please anyone else. I'm not deliberately writing controversial stuff, JUST to stir up controversy. I am writing stuff that I would be exicted to read and stuff that excites me when I write it. Honestly, if I ran into some reader who didn't like my story, I wouldn't be upset. I just don't want to run into some psycho who's going to attack me because he/she doesn't like something I wrote. J.K. Rowling has gotten death threats for her writing and the Harry Potter series is a Barney & Friends episode compared to my novel...

(And the explosion in my novel HAS to take place in a high school... I've tried to move the location of it, but it just doesn't work the same way - controversy aside, the explosion really works well into the story - as long as it takes place in a high school)

[Christine N.]

Oh, I completely agree that it's not hurting the authors, and that it IS publicity. It's the narrow mindedness I mind. These people will shout to the rooftops that the Nazis were evil, that concentration camps were horrid, and yet they employ their tactics. <shrug>

When I orignally read this thread I thought about Lemony Snicket. But those warnings are supposed to be funny. I think.

LOL UJ - yep, all Anglicans. Definitely not Catholics.

If one looks carefully, my book has some symbolism in it. Who's doesn't? Only people who know what it means will recognize it for what it is. For the rest of the world, it's just fantasy.

[katiemac]

No matter what you write, someone is going to have a problem with it. You can't please everybody and there's absolutely no way of getting around it.

In order for your book to be burned or criticized or whatnot, first it's actually going to need the attention span of millions of people. Already you'll have popularity for enough fans to realize that these book-burning people are way out of line. In actuality, compared with the millions of fans of the HP books, these book burners are an extremely small percentage. The only reason you actually hear about them is because of the popularity of HP in the first place.

I just heard on the news last night there's a theory that the new Star Wars film is a political commentary on the Bush administration. I mean, give me a break. Themes are themes and can be applied to every day life, government, religion, etc. People are going to think what they want to think. World-wide entertainment phenomenons are going to get publicity, negative and positive, and there's nothing the authors or producers or actors and actresses can do to stop it.

Even if you speak out, it's not going to change the minds of the radicals anyway. I could potentially be in loads of trouble with my WIP, if it were to ever take off. But I simply can't let a few people bug me about it. There are people in RL who don't like me, but their opinions don't affect my actions.


... can you tell this is a pet peeve of mine? Keep in mind, also, that much of the controversy that surrounds HP is because it's intended for "children" audiences. That still didn't stop people from burning the likes of Lolita, Huck Finn, etc., but being an "adult" novel may take a little of the heat off.

[Sharon Mock]

I recommend The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805074678/ (It should also be in print and available at any large bookstore.)

My mind is very good at throwing up resistance. I've learned to let it natter on -- then sit down and write anyway. (Usually. I have my occasional weak days, of course.) Because, as terrifying as writing is, I've tried not writing and that's no good at all.

[E.G. Gammon]

I recommend The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes

It sounds like an interesting read. I'll pick it up if I see it in my local bookstore.

Keep in mind, also, that much of the controversy that surrounds HP is because it's intended for "children" audiences. That still didn't stop people from burning the likes of Lolita, Huck Finn, etc., but being an "adult" novel may take a little of the heat off.

I hope so. But, what I'm wondering is, is there a big adult audience out there, reading books with supernatural plots to them? If anyone buys my book, they'll be 17-30 years old. Hopefully no one younger than that, and anyone older than that may not be interested, but I'm not really sure.

[maestrowork]

Who do you think buy more books than anyone else?


Adults.

[reph]

Many people over 30 buy books with supernatural elements, either fantasy-supernatural or religious-supernatural.

[Susan Gable]

Stop worrying. Some of the most amazing, deep, potentially contraversial books are marketed as Young Adult books. S.E. Hinton's stuff, The Outsiders, (i'm blanking on her other titles) had plenty of violence committed by teens in them. If you're looking for an incredibly thought-provoking book, read Lois Lowry's The Giver. It's a book along the lines of 1984 - a comment on society and idealism. But it's marketed as Young Adult.

I read John Jake's The Bastard when I was in seventh grade - including carrying it around school with me. My parents, who had both read the book before me, didn't stop me. None of my teachers said a word. (They were well used to seeing me with my nose in a book and probably didn't even notice what I was reading this time.) It had historical violence, sex, and the lead character actually was a bastard in the historical sense of the word.

It's not your job to police who reads your book. I agree with the folks who said if you offend people, that's better than boring them. At least you've provoked some type of emotional response.

I know authors of very steamy romance novels who sometimes squirm because they've gotten fan letters from 15 year olds who say they read the book with their girlfriend. I told them the same thing - it's not up to them who reads their stuff. That's for their parents to decide. Have you seen what some of these kids watch on tv or listen to these days?

Stop fretting. Go write your book. :)

Susan G.

[Jamesaritchie]

Has there ever been a book that contained a WARNING at the beginning - something along the lines of:

"This book is not recommended for readers under the age of 18. It contains scenes of violence and the supernatural. This is a work of fiction and should be treated as such. Do not believe or attempt to recreate anything printed in these pages."

That group that's creating such a fuss over Harry Potter made its way through my town, burning the books (along with a bunch of other stuff like CDs and videos) and it kind of freaked me out. I'd like to write up some kind of warning and add it to my manuscript once it is done, to be printed in the book if it is published. My novel contains violence (a couple murders and an explosion at a high school) and tons of supernatural stuff. I think it would be wise for me to write up some kind of warning. Has it ever been done before?

If you believe in the power of prayer, pray with all your heart that you write a book people will get out there and burn. I can't think of a better way for a writer to get famous and rich in a hurry.

Please, God, thou I am but a poor and humble servant, if it be thy will, let me write one book that will incite mass book burnings and much public outrage. Amen.

[Fillanzea]

The thing about books is that, whatever graphic images are there, they're spun wholesale out of the reader's own imagination. Okay, I wasn't reading porn or anything at age 12, but I was reading Anne McCaffrey and So Long and Thanks for All the Fish, and other books that turned out to be spicier on a second reading. They flew over my head the first time. So, in that sense, I'm far less concerned about graphic imagery in prose than I am in movies or TV.

[Thekherham]

At least they aren't burning books in Canada... yet.

[PattiTheWicked]

Ugh, don't get me started on those idiots. I love the one guy who said that because HP included witchcraft and Wicca was a recognized religion, the book couldn't be in public schools. LOL. If he had done his research, he would know the only thing even close to real craft was the name.



I love the argument about Harry Potter books teaching kids witchcraft. If HP's world was remotely CLOSE to real witchcraft, I'd be flying around my backyard playing Quidditch right now.

[James D. Macdonald]

Stop thinking about it so much, E.G.

Write your book. Until it's finished and on the streets no one is going to think once about burning it, banning it -- or buying it.

When it's sold you can talk to your editor about these matters. Until then, type.

[TheNightTerror]

Yeah, I'd say just dive in and write it. Until you have a rough draft, you don't actually know how it's going to turn out. ;) Hell, I wouldn't even worry about it until someone else reads it. You could just ask the reader if the story could use a warning at the beginning of it before they start it.

[NicoleJLeBoeuf]

I just heard on the news last night there's a theory that the new Star Wars film is a political commentary on the Bush administration. I mean, give me a break."If you aren't with me... you're my enemy!"

"Only the Sith deal in such absolutes!"

<snrk>

[Jamesaritchie]

I just heard on the news last night there's a theory that the new Star Wars film is a political commentary on the Bush administration. I mean, give me a break. Themes are themes and can be applied to every day life, government, religion, etc. People are going to think what they want to think. World-wide entertainment phenomenons are going to get publicity, negative and positive, and there's nothing the authors or producers or actors and actresses can do to stop it.



Sad, really. People can read anything into anything. George Lucas actually commented about the Bush connection. He said making the film a commentary on the Bush administration would have been a neat trick considering the fact that he wrote the script 25 years ago.

[Jaws]

"If you aren't with me... you're my enemy!"
"Only the Sith deal in such absolutes!"
<snrk>Those of us old enough to remember would recall that these apply equally to the Nixon and Johnson administrations, if not more so. So I don't think it's about the "Bush Administration," because that would be mere allegory (although it's sort of nice to think of "Count Dooku = John Ashcroft"… at least for a moment; on the other hand, Christopher Lee doesn't try to sing&8230;), and for all the errors Lucas has made he's not writing an allegory.

[maestrowork]

Sad, really. People can read anything into anything. George Lucas actually commented about the Bush connection. He said making the film a commentary on the Bush administration would have been a neat trick considering the fact that he wrote the script 25 years ago.

Seriously. The connection is only made because it's true -- we can relate to today's politics, but not because Lucas did it on purpose... he wrote it eons ago, before the Bushies, before Clinton, even before Reagan. Was he thinking about Nixon? Who knows? I have one of his earlier scripts. Stars Wars was made in 1977.

[Aconite]

Seriously. The connection is only made because it's true -- we can relate to today's politics, but not because Lucas did it on purpose... he wrote it eons ago, before the Bushies, before Clinton, even before Reagan. Was he thinking about Nixon? Who knows? I have one of his earlier scripts. Stars Wars was made in 1977.

This is all true. However, at the same time, people often deny political or controversial connections, even if they did, in fact, make those connections purposefully. One young artist of my acquaintance kept denying that a large painting of a fetus entitled "Self Portrait" had anything at all to do with abortion until everyone in the room expressed their forceful disbelief.

[Dawno]

A while back I was pointed to this site (http://www.theescapist.com/random011102.htm) where a number of the 'spells' in the Harry Potter books were tested. I think it was a reasonable response to the protests, after all, if we're just laughing at them it puts all their guff in the proper perspective.

[Jamesaritchie]

Seriously. The connection is only made because it's true -- we can relate to today's politics, but not because Lucas did it on purpose... he wrote it eons ago, before the Bushies, before Clinton, even before Reagan. Was he thinking about Nixon? Who knows? I have one of his earlier scripts. Stars Wars was made in 1977.

That's the thing. I wouldn't say it was true for a second, or that any part of it was true. It's the bias you take in that makes you see what you want to see.

And, no, he also wasn't talking about Nixon. He's made that clear, as well. He was doing what all writers do. He was telling a story.

[Johanna]

So what’s wrong with burning books? They bought them, didn’t they? Let them buy a million books and make a bonfire!
burning one million books is an awful waste of paper. How about a book recycling instead of a book burning?

For instance, he hates anyone who is Swedish...
Which means we must be doing something right. ;) The story behind his eternally burning hatred is pretty funny and random. I don't know why he got so worked up about it.

[katiemac]

That's the thing. I wouldn't say it was true for a second, or that any part of it was true. It's the bias you take in that makes you see what you want to see.

Exactly. And, of course, as soon as the media gets wind of something like this, it becomes even more public and therefore "true." Even if you defend yourself to the death on what you did or didn't write, there are people who still won't take what you say as truth.

He was doing what all writers do. He was telling a story.

True, again. Apparently, it's more interesting if there's a controversy.

[James D. Macdonald]

All art is an act of collaboration between the artist and the audience.

[BlueTexas]

If you change your content in the least because of the book-burning zealots, they've won in that they caused you to change. That's what they're after. Don't help them, and don't be swayed by fanatics--all insanities run their course in time.

[NicoleJLeBoeuf]

Those of us old enough to remember would recall that these apply equally to the Nixon and Johnson administrations, if not more so.I'm fairly certain it applies to most Evil Overlord types in all of human history. But I was amused to hear the rumors of a Bush/Anakin analogy going around, since those lines made me raise my eyebrows for just that reason in the theater.

[maestrowork]

That's the thing. I wouldn't say it was true for a second, or that any part of it was true. It's the bias you take in that makes you see what you want to see.

And, no, he also wasn't talking about Nixon. He's made that clear, as well. He was doing what all writers do. He was telling a story.

I don't think you understood what I meant when I said "it was true." I meant that he was speaking of the universal truth about absolute power and politics. How the audience in 1977, 1983, 2005, or 2030 makes the connections would be based on that truth. And that's why it's powerful, because Lucas touches on something that is universal.

We should all aspire to tell stories that speak of the truths.

[Torin]

But, what I'm wondering is, is there a big adult audience out there, reading books with supernatural plots to them? If anyone buys my book, they'll be 17-30 years old. Hopefully no one younger than that, and anyone older than that may not be interested, but I'm not really sure.

I'm over thirty and I read quite a few books with supernatural elements. I've even written some supernatural elements into my own works. What my mind keeps coming back to when I see you worrying about potential this and that, is that you've said more than once that the book isn't written, that you started out doing one thing and you're now turning it into a book, but if that book never gets written all the rest of these concerns become moot.

Get writing so we can read the dingdang thing! :D

[firehorse]

I'm religious. And you know what's obvious to me? Harry Potter and his little friends are all Anglicans.Amen (no pun or offense intended). Take away the spells and funny-sounding classes and you've got a British Dead Poets Society (I suppose that would also be called Another Country).

[Tileus]

Personally I would do as an earlier poster suggested and show up at a burning/protest of something I wrote, just to see if anyone could even pick me out of the crowd. It would be nice to know if the ignorant fools in the world could physically recognize the object of their hate.

At any rate, as for the supernatural elements discussion, last Friday I finished reading "Dry Water" by Eric Nylund, about a man with second sight who is drawn into a battle with Witches, Necromancers, Shamans, and practitioners of Fairy magic, in a small town in New Mexico. It was a wonderful read, and considering I eat up stuff with magical elements, I intend to read it again, and I recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in fantasy.

You know, I find it odd what people choose to protest. People are up in arms over Harry Potter, yet I never heard of anyone burning the book based on the Doom videogame. Although the protestors against videogames irk me to no end as well, but that's a discussion for another time.

[Jamesaritchie]

I don't think you understood what I meant when I said "it was true." I meant that he was speaking of the universal truth about absolute power and politics. How the audience in 1977, 1983, 2005, or 2030 makes the connections would be based on that truth. And that's why it's powerful, because Lucas touches on something that is universal.

We should all aspire to tell stories that speak of the truths.

Agreed. But you know, sometimes I think the stories that speak teh truth most powerfully are the ones where the writer wasn't worried about comparisons, but just told a good story.

[katiemac]

But you know, sometimes I think the stories that speak teh truth most powerfully are the ones where the writer wasn't worried about comparisons, but just told a good story.

Amen to that.

[Mistook]

As for Star Wars: Episode III, and possible commentary to the Bush administration... if the shoe fits, wear it!

Emperor Palpatine using fear-mongering as a tool of deception toward totalitarian rule - is perfectly in keeping with the established Good/Evil dynamic that Lucas began in '77. So if it suddenly hits too close to home, maybe America needs to re-evaluate it's identity.

---

As for book burning - whether you like it or not it's a gesture of protest that can't be expressed with the same salience in an other way. Therefore, it's protected by the first amendment.

To outlaw book-burning would be as totalitarian a move as to legislate book-burning. That's the free society we live in, like it or not.

[Aconite]

As for book burning - whether you like it or not it's a gesture of protest that can't be expressed with the same salience in an other way. Therefore, it's protected by the first amendment.

To outlaw book-burning would be as totalitarian a move as to legislate book-burning. That's the free society we live in, like it or not.
Did I miss the posts where someone suggested outlawing book burning?

[Jamesaritchie]

As for Star Wars: Episode III, and possible commentary to the Bush administration... if the shoe fits, wear it!

.

And if the hat doesn't fit, throw it away. There is no possible commentary. It's all pure silliness. Though "foolishness" is a better word. It fits those who seriously believe there is commentary.

I don't think anyone suggested banning the burning of books. Of course it should be allowed, if the burners own the books. Burning books is a legitimate form of protest. Though I do believe those who can't find a better, more effective way of protesting probably shouldn't be let out of the house without a keeper.

[Mistook]

I'm not saying Lucas coded in some kind of commentary. He didn't.

Still, the Emperor quotes from Bush speeches, nearly ver-batim. "Whoever is not with me is against me." And uses it as justification for... ta-da!... preemptive strikes and yadda yadda yadda.

Maybe it's all a little too simple in the movie world, and a little too complicated in the real one, and so meaningful comparissons can't be made. But Fiction, and especially Sci-Fi, have a pretty good track record of falling on the right side of the debate - from racism to MacCarthyism.

And that's the pool from which Lucas has drawn, and here I think it has some relevance. Not that Bush is exactly an evil emperor, but... maybe some of his policies are questionable.

And maybe, just maybe... many of the folks burning Harry Potter books, also contributed to his re-election campaign. Just maybe.