Originally Posted by redwitch (Post 1166081)

As a snide aside, who could possibly consider Gone with the Wind a classic? Written awhile ago, yes. A fun read, most definitely. But, to me, a classic has to offer some substance, make me think. GWTW sorely lacks in that IMO.

Originally Posted by redwitch (Post 1166077)

I do remember my favorite teacher of all time was my junior high English teacher, who did have a reading list which he handed out the first day of class. I went up to him and said I'd read all of those books. He made out a new list for me, introduced me to science fiction, took a few of us to movies made from books (such as War and Peace), would talk to me about books I'd read to help me better understand what the author was saying. Mr. Artz, wherever you are, thank you!

Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1166109)

[That's a great topic for two more threads--Who was your favorite teacher why? and How to you get a child to fall in love with books? I can't think of a better gift.]

Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1165592)

Doublespeak is language that deliberately disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of words. Doublespeak may take the form of euphemisms (e.g., "downsizing" for layoffs, "servicing the target" for bombing[1]), in which case it is primarily meant to make the truth sound more palatable. It may also refer to intentional ambiguity in language or to actual inversions of meaning (for example, naming a state of war "peace"). In such cases, doublespeak disguises the nature of the truth. Doublespeak is most closely associated with political language

that's true

The Thought Police (thinkpol in Newspeak) are the secret police of the fictional superstate, Oceania, in George Orwell's 1949 dystopian novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four. Orwell's Thought Police are charged with uncovering and punishing "thoughtcrime" and thought-criminals. They use psychological methods and omnipresent surveillance (such as telescreens) to search, find, monitor, and arrest members of society who could potentially challenge authority and the status quo—even if only by thought—hence the name Thought Police.[1] They use terror and torture to achieve their ends.

i'm not as sure as you are that this exists

rewriting of history
can you give me a modern day example?

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa (Post 1166277)

With reference to the Thought Police, I originally had in mind "Political Correctness" as enforced by Liberal media organizations, rather than by governmental organizations. However, we are now seeing University governments, both private and state run, that are using coercive measures to force attitude compliance. And, of course, in other countries "re-education" camps exist for political dissidents.

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa (Post 1166277)

Sadly, there is also the current attempt to remove from all public areas in the South any commemorations of the Civil War; erasing much of our awareness of our history.

Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1166344)

Has anyone been arrested and punished? Like in the book.

Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1166350)

I'd like to read about that. Can you point me in the right direction?

Originally Posted by tomwed (Post 1166328)

Take a look at this and see if this history sounds valid.
Christopher Columbus: Hero or Villain?

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa (Post 1166360)

You are apparently thinking locally rather than globally. Remember the locale for 1984 was not the United States.

Examples of arrest and punishment? The Soviet Gulags and Chairman Mao's "re-education" camps leap to mind.

In a similar vein, the post-war (WWII) Soviets were known to have re-written history books and altered historical photos to make certain people into "non-persons."

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa (Post 1166365)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa
Sadly, there is also the current attempt to remove from all public areas in the South any commemorations of the Civil War; erasing much of our awareness of our history.




I suggest you simply keep up with the news and/or use the web browser on your computer.

One example (among many) would be the action of the city of New Orleans to remove four statues, including a towering statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that has stood at the center of a traffic circle for 131 years. (They are removing it from Lee Circle; haven't gotten around to re-naming the street yet.)

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2469436

And, you will find movements throughout the country to obliterate the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia (often erroneously identified as "the Confederate Flag") from public view. There have even been arrests for displaying the flag. (Shades of the Thought Police.)

Use your web search browser and read to your heart's content.