The Quiet Conservative May 11, 2011
The Man of Steel
"Truth, justice, and the American way." was the motto of Superman. "Was" is the appropriate term as
in Action Comics #900 Superman will renounce his U.S. citizenship and become a post American
superhero. He realizes that America isn't that great, it's just another country, and nationalism is for the
not too bright. Superman has outgrown patriotism and embraces the values of the larger progressive
world. As a sop to the suckers that buy comic books, his alter ego, Clark Kent, will retain citizenship.
From the leaked cartoon panel:
"---which is why I intend to speak before the United Nations tomorrow and inform them that I am
renouncing my U.S. citizenship." said Superman. "I'm tired of having my actions construed as
instruments of U.S. policy. Truth, justice, and the American way..It's just not enough anymore."
Now, you might be wondering with all that's going on in the world why bother with something so silly
as a comic book hero turning his back on America. What's the big deal? You might think. With all the
real problems in the world, who cares about a comic book character?
I do.
This is the problem I face when talking to the rich or powerful. They are insulated from reality. I use
the analogy of the Titanic to explain it sometimes. Potential sponsors are in the first class cabins at the
top of the ship. They are warm and dry and the music is still playing and the lights are still on. They
don't see the problem. However, I'm down in steerage and the lights are dimming and the water is up
to my chest. And, it's very cold and dark water. I keep calling those up on top but they don't pick up
the phone, or they don't believe it because the champagne is still flowing and everyone around them
also thinks things are fine, although they have noticed the ship is listing a bit. By the time they finally
realize the ship is sinking, it may be too late to save it.
Back to the comic book. Here's the problem with Superman renouncing U.S. citizenship, he was
designed to exemplify the values of America. Now the people in charge of his character don't like
America. They don't like values, they don't believe in America, they don't cherish patriotism or our
society. The character that once stood for timeless values will disassociate those values from the nation
that once served as a mirror for those values. Truth, justice, and the American way were the same.
Now they are being separated by those that would attack all three values. The writers and D.C.
comics, by making Superman in a story no longer the image of an indestructible hero that stood for
America, can make him stand for anything they choose.
This may be a one off for a specific comic, and the storyline may not be repeated. OK, then, so why
are you bothered by it? You may ask. Because it wasn't just the story, it was the comments at news
sites carrying the story. Some people writing in about Superman renouncing his citizenship wrote
favorably of his action. They thought it was a good step:
"WOW! It didn't take his super-brain that long then (just 73 years) to figure out that he should be a
symbol to all nations rather than be a lackey for the US!"
and:
"If Superman is supposed to represent truth and justice, he obviously can't align himself with a
country whose way is neither."
Superman, the comic book character, isn't the disease, it is just a symptom. It's just one more sign of
the problems that are eroding the country and one of those signs in the background the rich and
powerful miss because they aren't looking. Society is a fabric that, when sharing common values, stay
strong. But people have been tearing at that fabric to rip it apart and no one, no one, as yet, is
opposing them. Those comments were from people who have been affected by the corrosive
propaganda and cultural self loathing of the Left.
Comic books. Little colored stories that are for kids and teenagers when they aren't playing video
games. What impact could they have? How do they affect the cultural fabric just mentioned? They
can't! The well connected cry. You're just being hysterical. You aren't being serious. You aren't
ready to talk to the big boys in first class. Stay down in steerage where you belong. We know how to
steer the Titanic. We are important people. Geez, oil prices home sales, inflationary policies, terrorism,
the budget, and this guy wants to talk about Superman!
Sorry to bother you gentlemen and ladies in the boardroom. But, when you get home tonight just a
little favor for me, would you? Ask your children or grandchildren if they have heard of:
Superman
Spiderman
Batman
Fantastic 4
Iron Man
Wolverine
X Men
Green Lantern
Men in Black
Captain America
Transformers
Thor
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Crow
Hellboy
Blade
Sin City
Kick Ass
300
The Road to Perdition
Catwoman
Constantine
Daredevil
Ghost Rider
The Hulk
Judge Dredd
Jonah Hex
The Justice League
The Mask
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
The Punisher
The Rocketeer
Spawn
Swamp Thing
Tales from the Crypt
V for Vendetta
Wonder Woman
These are all comic books that have been popular enough for Hollywood to invest millions into making
those little colored stories into movies and television series and cartoons. In fact, just the Batman and
Spiderman movies alone have grossed multi billions of dollars. Look over that list. There is a good
chance that your family members have seen most of those movies, in fact, you may have seen quite a
few of them yourself. So when the creative people in charge decide to politicize them in a progressive,
anti-American way, you might start thinking about how the culture is shaped, and who is doing the
shaping, and the billions of dollars they are making to do so.
Unless there is a concerted effort to engage in cultural promotion of truth, justice, and the American
way, those that want to tear it down will have their way.
What about an alternative to such cultural damage? Where is the opposition to taking cultural icons and
turning them against America? When Superman decides to go to the UN and renounce his U.S.
Citizenship, he should have to enter the building and meet a disabled veteran from each of the wars the
U.S. has fought for freedom worldwide. For there isn't a spot on earth that hasn't been made better by
American idealism of God, freedom, justice, and the American way. He should listen to each of their
stories. Then, he should look each of those combat veterans in the eyes and explain to them that
"Truth, justice, and the American way" just isn't enough anymore.