[thoughtomator]

The underlying theme of 1984 is that despite the most extensive manipulation of circumstances and information conceivable (at the time, anyway), human beings will still be human beings. This (imo hopeful) message is virtually ignored in analysis.

With regards to the use of constant war to distract the population, well, we can see that in reality. But it is not the reality in the USA in 2004, and it is paranoid to believe that is the case. It is fantastic - literally, a fantasy - to believe that is the case.

[Freedom2specul8]

I don't think it is for today...but I do believe that clinton ''wagged the dog'' a lot.

[Freedom2specul8]

WRT:Clinton...Check this out...click
So of course Americans rallied round their president when he went on television and told them he'd taken resolute action to launch a war on terrorism. They'd been afraid his sexual troubles were making America a laughing stock. What better way to reassure them they needn't worry about the nation's image internationally? Americans will not stand for this type of terrorist activity" approved one senator on TV on Thursday night. "The United States has to lead" agreed another.

I remember very well the moment a couple of years ago when it dawned on me - Bill Clinton's easiest route to boosting his popularity, which at the time was flagging badly, was to assert himself in foreign policy.

[Freedom2specul8]

Sorry, I left off the quotation marks...