Week 9- Occidentalism

We further explored the conspiracy theories in the United States and the manipulation of the people by those in higher positions of government. The film Hijacking Catastrophy helped provide the glimpse of the other side of current events. The film begins with a quote.

"All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the counntry to danger- it works the same in any country."~ Nazi Reich Marshall Hermann Goering at War Trials.

This is a good introduction to the motif of this film but it is fighting to see a comparison of the U.S. today with the German Nazi regime. Germany under the Nazi regime was the perfect example of manipulation by the government, or in this case a single leader. People supported the idea of superiority of the race and helped in the actions taken against the Jews. No one said anything as most supported what was happening or were scared of the consequences for defying the government. Many innocent lives were killed during the reign of this regime which was kept alive by the people convinced it was the right way of things.
The United States, in this film, is portrayed as a manipulating nation especially after the events of September 11. With the support of the people the U.S. took the opportunity to pass laws that would have never been supported previously. The feeling of loss of the people was taken advantage of to allow U.S. forceful interactions with other nations. the media also had a big role in maintaining the people cnvinced that what is being done is backed up by evidence. Using this tactic the war on Iraq was declared, Saddam Hussein was captured and executed, and the U.S. was able to brin gits influence into other nations. This film proves evidence through out and makes the audience question if this is the real intention of the nation we hold highly of for its "land of the free".