Twelve years ago Micahel Bay released the world-disaster film Armageddon to fan fame and critical praise. What a great movie folks!!! Now I know that it was hardly based on scientific reality (honestly using the moon as a sling-shot), but that was not what made it so great. It was the underlieing truth in this near theological perspecitive that made it worth watching. It warms my soul to still know that there are Americans out there willing to speak the truth...that we are still the greatest nation on earth.
Here are my reasons why. Firstly, it was Americans who were saving the world. This happens all the time. And how have we saved the world, through free-market enterprise. This leads me to my next point. In this highly dramatic epic of a film, we see two opposing forces; the asteroid and the Americans sent to destroy it. In my opinion they are both simply part of a grander parody of the world in which we live. The Asteroid represents the ideology of communism/socialsim and the Americans represent the opposit side or the concept of Capitalism. America is a capitalist country and I am proud to know that it was capitalism that destroyed that ugly beast in the last few minutes of the film
Secondly, Americans take what the world does and we make it better. True, Americans never invented such things as soda-pop, film, or democracy, but today what is it known for? These things seem "American" to many people around the world, but the truth is they arent. But its that rough get it done and get it done best spirit that has made us who we are. In the film, there are many occasions of obnoxious Russians and helpless frenchman who cant seem to make anything work. Thats where we come it. Thank you for Americn inginuity!!
Finally, I find the fact that even though the world is coming to an end we dont send up our best and brightest, but a group of rough necks. I mean we could send up a team of highly professionals but what would be fun in spoiling the fun too quickly. We needed a challenge and we overcame one. Oh how I am happy for American exceptionalism
Yours Truly
The Uncultured Revolutionary
Uh, you can use the moon as a slingshot http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_assist
ReplyDeletehttp://courses.ncssm.edu/math/NCSSM%20Student%20Materials/InvestigationsTrimester%203/Moon.pdf
Just to mention a few. =)