Eight Years, 300 Spartans

Culture11 ^ | 1/19/09 | Daniel Drezner

[Ericka81]

Last month Newsweek published an interesting exercise, asking critics to identify the book, film, television show, album, etc. that best encapsulated the George W. Bush era. Some of the choices — Sci Fi's Battlestar Galactica, Green Day's American Idiot — were inspired. The film selections, however, were wanting.

Evan Thomas argued in favor of Black Hawk Down, which was made prior to the September 11th attacks, released way back in December 2001, and is about a Clinton Administration fiasco. Furthermore, Thomas' interpretation of the film ("the overall effect was stirring, if slightly pornographic") does not jibe with my memory. Ridley Scott's film grimly and professionally details the hazards of war, but beyond that there is no overarching theme. David Ansen suggested Borat, but even he admits that, "the ugly truths comically exposed by Borat were not unique to the Bush era — prejudice and ignorance are timeless." So, by the way, is making fun of people not in on the joke.

[yazoo]

“Black Hawk Down, which was made prior to the September 11th attacks, released way back in December 2001, and is about a Clinton Administration fiasco.”

And what convinced UBL we would not retaliate with boots on the ground if he attacked the world trade center.

[BelegStrongbow]

Generally snarky article by someone given more academic credit than his output would justify.