Does Bush Resemble Leonidas or Xerxes? Blockbuster '300' Ignites Debate Over Current Events

ABC News ^ | 3/14/07 | Marcus Baram

[finnman69]

I cant believe this is even a question.

It's not that you can compare leaders, but ideology. Conservatism vs liberalism.

Clearly the Spartans are to be equated with using force when necessary over diplomacy, love the family, love the country, reject barbarism and multiculturalism, reject homosexuality, reject politics and deal making.

The Persians are the masses ruled by submission, where anything goes, bribery is the reward for loyalty, but the penalty for defying the leader is torture and death. The handicapped and minorities are equals.

[AIM-54]

Seems to me that Bush rolls out the red carpet for foreign invaders - he'd have his 'Spartans' that try to stop them imprisoned.

[meg88]

ABC cant see the forest through the trees!

[finnman69]

oh, and its just a movie. A great movie.

Now if you want to get into ridiculous over the top message movies, v for Vendetta is about as subtle as a sledgehammer. It also sucked big time.

[NRA1995]

I read the first sentence and stopped.....get over it, ABC!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The fact that Muslims are up in arms about the movie answers the question completely.

[agere_contra]

V for Vendetta was about as subtle as a sledgehammer. It also sucked big time.

Amen to that. Crassest. Film. Ever.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Well, George W. is about 9 feet tall and has piercings everywhere.

[meg88]

lol, ABC's graphics

[ishabibble]

The Lefties are having a total nervous breakdown over this movie. The kids are not drinking the Kool-Aid, by word of mouth, this is the biggest event of the spring season for the college kids around here. Every major MSM critic has bashed this movie, it's been called "homo-erotic" to throw the conservatives off, but it's a blockbuster hit even with the college crowd.

So now ABC must resort to this sort of garbage. They can twist it around all they want, but 300 is a movie about a brave man leading warriors who value freedom above all else. I just love the fact that the people won't do what the elitists tell them to do!

[SirJohnBarleycorn]

David George, a professor at St. Anselm's College...contends that casting Bush as Leonidas is quite ironic since Persia was arguably the more civilized society.

These professors teach the exact opposite of knowledge. Their students actually become more ignorant listening to them.

[muawiyah]

Hmmm ~ the Jews were part of the Persian Empire. They taught all those virtues that you now adore. The Spartans didn't have families and engaged in homosexual acts on a large scale basis.

By modern standards the Greeks were all quite clearly barbarians and the Persians were a beacon of hope in a rough world.

However, that dichotomy really doesn't make all that good a story, and the Greeks did, ultimately, come up with a superior dramatic style, so we hear the Greek version about these Spartans.

[SolidWood]

These professors teach the exact opposite of knowledge. Their students actually become more ignorant listening to them.

True. But Persia was more civilzed than Sparta back then, though.

[finnman69]

That may be true, but that's NOT what was portrayed in the movie, which is based on a comic book fictional fantasy laden version fo true events.

People, especially liberals, are overanalyzing this movie to feel better about themsleves.

[meg88]

How about the 'honor killings' after Muslim women are sexually assaulted? Not very elightened...

[Rodm]

No, No, Carl Levin as Xerxes, come on! LOL!

[meg88]

Xerxes kind of looks & talks like Lantos of California in the House

[muawiyah]

At the time of the Persian/Greek conflicts Islam didn't exist.

Honor killings were common throughout everywhere.

[Psycho_Bunny]

"Idiot Writes Stupid Article" - Film at 11.