George Orwell’s classic, dystopian novella “Animal Farm” parallels the Russian Revolution of 1917.
It is an allegorical tale about Farmer Jones who mistreats his animals and is overthrown. A new egalitarian society is established, but it soon becomes evident that the pigs are assuming leadership.
They have gone so far as to reduce the Seven Commandments down to one: “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
The message for readers is conveyed in these lines describing a meeting between the pigs and neighboring farmers.
“No question now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The [animals] outside looked from pig to man and from man to pig…but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
The significance of these lines cannot be overstated.
Orwell has written a cautionary tale whose message is clear….understand what differentiates you from your enemies and do not adopt his tactics, methods or strategies.
Here are some of the ideas which differentiate us from those we oppose: we are a government of laws, not men; we reject the idea that the ends justify the means; in times of war, we subscribe to the Geneva Convention and we don’t torture our prisoners.
Why is it important that we adhere to these precepts? Because they are the essence of our democracy.
It may be emotionally satisfying to deny a criminal his right to a speedy trial, or the privilege against self-incrimination, but then as Snoopy said: “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
Clint Eastwood reveals his lack of understanding about democracy when in films like “Dirty Harry,” he disparages the A.C.L.U. and wants to shoot a criminal using the oft-quoted line “Make my day!”
During his 1988 presidential run, Michael Dukakis was asked a question by reporter Bernard Shaw about the candidate’s wife: “Governor, if Kitty Dukakis were raped and murdered would you favor an irrevocable death penalty for the killer?”
Dukakis’ answer was that he had opposed the death penalty all his life and that studies showed it did not serve as a deterrent. This was a logical and dispassionate answer, but it cost Dukakis the election.
It reveals how the human impulse is to seek vengeance rather than to make an intellectually nuanced response.
What does this discussion have to do with events in 2016?
The answer is “everything.” The two front-runners in the Republican race for the nomination are Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. Both fail to understand the danger in behaving like ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.)
