The Orwellian Purge (For Real)

ONE OF the great classics of contemporary literature is George Orwell's 1984, a novel that is routinely taught in English classes in this country. Many readers are riveted by 1984 and by Mr. Orwell's terrifying vision of a totalitarian society, ruled by Big Brother and dominated by control of all citizens' reading material, actions and even thoughts.
Doublespeak - saying one thing and meaning another - dominates in 1984, and the government's three doublespeak mottoes are posted everywhere: "WAR IS PEACE," "FREEDOM IS SLAVERY," "IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH." A depressing and cautionary novel, 1984 has an enduring appeal that has been confirmed by actions taken in the past year by the U.S. Education Department; 1984 is just as relevant now as it has ever been.

A May 31, 2002 internal memo from the Education Department, "Criterion and Process for Removing Old Content from www.ed.gov," the department's Web site, is strangely akin to what occurs in 1984.

www.sunspot.net...

Hmm .. book burning ... didn't the Nazis do that?

I've noticed Orwellian stuff in the UK for years ... for the unemployed and sick we have "The dpeartment of Social Security" even though they seem to offer very little security. Also The "National Health Service" is one place it is better not to rely on for your health needs and in this time of war the "Ministry of Defence" seems like it should be the "Ministry of Attack"

As well as that the UK had been renamed as "Airstrip 1" because we had become a landing platform for the US and we were caught up in a war that seemed to be going on for years but nobody quite understood (can't remember exactly because it's been years since I read the book.)

We also have more cctv cameras here in public places than any other country in the World.

Finally how about this for a picture that started appearing on London bus stops just before Christmas:

well it seems quite worrying on face

""runs counter to current administration priorities ... [and] does not reflect the priorities, philosophies or goals of the present administration.""

OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION is most particulary worrisome. Sure the administration is there to facilitate the continuing philosophies and proirities of society not itself. Makes it sound dictatorial.

"1) We also have more cctv cameras here in public places than any other country in the World.

Finally how about this for a picture that started appearing on London bus stops just before Christmas:"

1) It makes me safer, cuts crime and like you say its a public place, its not as if people can`t see you anyway.(nationstates)

2) Again, traveling in London is n`t always safe so I`ve no problem with it and if it deters those who would otherwise mug, murder, rape then great.

DSS is hardly that. National Health you`ve got it right but the Ministry of defence, should n`t that read Ministry of the army of the fifty first state?