George "Orwell" Bush

ABC's Justin Rood reported today on the FBI's new plan (based on a directive from GW Bush) to recruit a nationwide network of everyday citizens to act as "informants". If you had any doubts left at this point, it seems quite certain to me that the "Orwellian" conversion of our society is just about complete.

In George Orwell's 1984, the function of the government's "Thought Police" was to impose a form of morality in order to control the actions of the masses. Today, we have the FCC (stocked with right wing appointees) essentially dictating (through the use of fines and license powers) what we can see on TV. Because of Bush's moral objections to the use of stem cells, scientists cannot freely perform genetic research and millions of sick people are denied potential cures and treatments. Because of right-wing objection to artificial birth control, millions of Africans are denied financial assistance and/or access to condoms for AIDS prevention. Despite abortion being legal, the administration deploys a wide array of strategies to restrict funding and/or access to doctors who are willing to perform abortions. The Bush administration is limiting military access to the internet and conducting secret funerals in order to hide the true horrors of Iraq and maintain what little support is left. Bush is currently against the expansion of health care to millions more children-- because he is afraid that such a successful health program might lead people to think that universal health care might actually work.

In Orwell's novel, technological advances are used to the benefit of the government and to exploit greater control over the masses. In the U.S., improved filtering software is used by the NSA to monitor internet email. The increased use of cell phones vs. land lines makes it easier to monitor phone calls, which is now legal thanks to the Patriot Act. Federal law now makes it mandatory that all new encryption technologies provide a "back door" for law enforcement, essentially eliminating any true sense of privacy. In the very near future, "On-Star" systems in all cars will make it possible for law enforcement to track and disable vehicles at will.

Orwell's totalitarian government uses elaborate strategies to deny the population the education needed to understand the potential for a better life. The Bush administration has done much to stiffen the rules for college loans and student aid and has never fully funded his 'No Child Left Behind Act'. Republican-appointed judges are systematically striking down race-based and need-based admission polices at universities. Anti-immigration conservatives nationwide are working to limit and/or eliminate immigrant access to state-provided education and health services.

1984's "Big Brother" also deceptively employed euphemisms and double-speak for propoganda purposes, as well as to disguise the real purpose of government initiatives. Here in the U.S., we have "Freedom" fries, the "Patriot" Act, the "Protection of Marriage" Act, the "War" on Terror, the "Healthy Forest" Initiative (which is actually a giveaway to the logging industry), the "Clear Skies" initiative (which actually would reduce air pollution controls), "Intelligent" Design, "Death Tax", and the "Class Action Fairness Act" (which actually tilts the 'fairness' scale more in favor of corporations instead of victims).

In Orwell's novel, people are indoctrinated from childhood to report any suspected criminals, even close friends and family members. Today, Homeland Security officials are constantly harping on the public to report even the slightest of suspicions to authorities. As mentioned above, the FBI is now recruiting for its own "domestic spy ring" made up of everyday people.

In Orwell's 1984 society, the government constantly revises the officials records of past events in order to reflect their ever-changing view of history. Just look at Attorney General Gonzales' repeated visits to Capitol Hill-- where he constantly revises his statements to cover up newly-uncovered lies and contradictions. For years, the White House has continually changed the "goal posts" in regard to success in Iraq, and has repeatedly trotted out Republican "make-up artists" to paint ever-more garish lipstick and rouge on an increasingly violent and grim civil war.

The ruling party in "1984" runs a shadowy ministry where opponents of the regime are tortured, but sometimes released (only to be captured at a later time). Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, secret CIA prisons, etc-- need I say more?

In Orwell's cautionary view of the future, the threat of perpetual war is used to control the masses, deprive individuals of their basic rights, and control the flow of information. I think that future is already here.