Comments on: Is the new ‘Star Trek’ conservative?

By: kels

kels — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:07:23 +0000

Actually, here is a link to the Newsweek review of the film saying that it isn’t “progressive enough”. Ha, i hope this film makes a ton!
http://www.newsweek.com/id/196005

By: W. Wilson

W. Wilson — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:28:32 +0000

The original series had liberal and conservative elements, depending on the writer, but one very conservative episode was the one where Kirk and Spock are tested by aliens trying to understand “good and evil.” Kirk and Spock are on a good team with Abraham Lincoln and the pacifist founder of Vulcan civilization. The other team has history’s meanest conquerors and criminals. The pacifist Vulcan is kiiled. Good ends up winning by thrashing the bad guys. The aliens naturally ask what is the difference, since the same methods were used…violence. Kirk says, “What did you offer them if they won?” The answer: “What they wanted most…power.” Kirk says, “You offered me the lives of my crew.” The alien says, “I perceive.” If only we could perceive.

By: Keyser Sozay

Keyser Sozay — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:24:01 +0000

I must say, i have not paid to see or purchased a movie since hollywood went Bush crazy. Those highly enlightened, so much smarter than everyone have lost ALL of my business. Very tired of agendas and America bashing until the socialist got in and now all is right with the world. America is over and done with. Surely, now they must be all be happy.

By: Scott Bieser

Scott Bieser — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:05:02 +0000

Star Trek, to the extent it represents the vision of its creator, Gene Roddenberry, is more “Old Left” than anything else. Reflecting the politics held by most Democrats prior to the 1960s. Roddenberry was a Navy fighter pilot in WWII, and developed his political ideas within the Democrat mainstream of the 1940s and ’50s — a contradictory mish-mash which included both a Marxoid disdain for “dirty commerce” and individualist sentiments in matters of free expression and race relations. And a heaping-helping of militarism to ram it all down everyone’s throats — combined with a “non-intervention” rule applied to primitive societies.

So it is hardly remarkable that both modern liberals and conservatives can find things to like about Roddenberry’s vision, even in this “rebooted” version.

By: cftoto

cftoto — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:58:48 +0000

D Jones – I wrapped this post with a similar sentiment. Recast a movie to fit your own ideology and you’re heading for trouble – sometimes.

And yeah, I often seek out ideology-free outlets. It gives me a break from politics, and frankly it’s often the way things should be. When I pick up GQ, I wanna read about issues pertaining to men, not the latest anti-Bush diatribe.

By: D Jones

D Jones — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:56:21 +0000

In all fairness, I took Newsweek to task last week for claiming that Obama is Spock and I really don’t care for someone trying to “re-cast” the movie in a conservative light, either. Let’s enjoy the entertainment for what it is–good (hopefully) entertainment! Not everything has to be about politics; and I find myself looking for outlets that are more-or-less politics-free so I don’t drive myself crazy beating my head against a wall because of the latest idiotic, socialist policy of Obama and/or Congress.

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:15:59 +0000

Must crappo politics infest everything like cholesterol in a MacDonald’s Mega Bacon Cheeseburger? Who gives a pint-sized photon phaser blast on stun who fictional characters, pursuing other fictional characters, would vote for? Maybe in their fictional future no one votes, they just listen to smooth reassuring orators on their wired-in televiewers promising new and better runabouts and daily free gaacck – and simply elect them with a press of a button.

…Hmmm…what’s maddeningly familiar about that?

By: James

James — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:12:09 +0000

Star Trek is liberal, and always has been. I enjoy it the same way I enjoy most TV shows and movies – simply ignoring the liberalism.

However, Star Trek in particular has always had this amusing little extra. For all the blahblah about diplomacy, understanding and nuance, ultimately, problems get solved by blowing stuff up. It must drive the scriptwriters nuts.

By: Fred

Fred — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:51:02 +0000

@Christian Toto

It’s funny that you ask if the “Star Trek” prequel is conservative since I’ve begun to notice certain right-leaning elements in the franchise overall. While pretty liberal in terms of sexuality and economics, Star Trek is quite conservative in other areas.

*The Federation has a “hope for peace, prepare for war” midset. Thus, though the USS Enterprise is an exploration vessel, it is still well-armed to confront known and unknown dangers. National security conservatives love that idea.

*Episodes in its various Star Trek series have flatly condemned such practices as assisted suicide, euthanasia, and genetic engineering of humans. (Clearly, the Federation would frown on President Obama’s support of embryonic stem cell research.) So, ST would appeal to social conservatives.

Hence, Star Trek could be considered more moderate than purely liberal as sci-fi goes.

By: kels

kels — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:45:29 +0000

It’s not necessarily a celebration, but it at least shows that conservative principals, no matter how it’s masked, solve problems. Many movies have that. The movie business alone is one big capitalistic, money-hungry, greedy venture.