Superhero Political Theory - Punisher Politics

One of more favorite past times is immersing myself in various forms of media... I have hobbies that are geeky in nature, to say it without sounding like a total jackass. My chief passion has to be American comic book, in particular Marvel Superheroes. In part due to how Jack Kirby helped shape the tone of the universe. For Kirby the superhero was the myth for the modern age, but instead of trying to explain the natural world they examine human nature. This aspect of superheroes is usually overlooked due in part to combination of colorful costumes, gravity defying mammary glands, and good ole' page filling fights. But even with all these excesses the essence of humanity that the superheroes are culled from remain. In their own way one can find the issues that have been with humanity since the time of Ancient Greeks. My personal favorite among these is politics. In part it is due to the fact I see the world in a political light, with notions of advantage, influence, and secrecy in the forefront. This rather limiting view has led me to develop an aversion to the political system. I will admit that I am probably mistake in evaluation, but as I can see nothing else I am left to the conclusions I have drawn. Now you most surely be wondering how all this connects since it certainly seems disjointed, to be fair it is. But due to my rather eschewed vision I see it all flowing into one another. This has led me to develop political theory based off of superheroes. While I make no claim that these are in any way reasonable or even well formed, I find them interesting and amusement is a worthy goal.

The theory: Punisher Politics.
Just for the sake of clarity I think a little background on the Punisher is needed. The Punisher is one Frank Castle whose family was killed by the mob, leaving Castle alone and angry. He turned his angry outward becoming an one man army against crime, using lethal as needed. A key aspect to his characterization is his intense focus and drive concerning his personal crusade. Castle has shunned all other aspects of life to further his goal, any and all effort he exerts is directed to this end as well. Castle is in some twisted way a being of purity.

While that may seem an odd piece of inspiration for a political theory, but can we be honest and admit that the political sphere is corrupt. And it is this for that reason this is a perfect fit for politics. The basic form of this is an individual with minimal personal ties and interests. From here they concern themselves solely with their political agenda. The basic tactic would be to identify the various elected officials that are in opposition to your piece of legislation and then destroy them. This can be done by uncovering their various indiscretions and watch as the public vilifies them. Of course if they do not have any major indiscretions you could always manufacture one. An example would be to donate money to them from 501which you then fabricate to make it seem like it is has connections to some hate group. This is nature of Punisher Politics, your goal is all that matters and compromise means defeat. This is why it is only possible with disconnected individuals, so that there is no leverage to put against them. You use vice (ambition included) against your enemy and you certainly do not want it to be turned on yourself. But the ultimate reason for these attacks is so you are eventually feared enough that officials will go along with your agenda.

The unique attitude of America

The current happenings in Iran are rather interesting to me, and it has nothing to do with all that crap about joy of seeing a nation suddenly bursting with democratic spirit. To be honest these usually never turn out well, either the assembled masses are suppressed or the factions consume each other. But that is neither here nor there. Rather I am amazed by the nature of the assembled masses themselves, their fearless attitudes. They are facing violent suppression by the entity that should be, nominally, protecting them. It is from this that I believe I finally understand something, the key that inspires change in not people but whole societies: fear. Fear is in my view the polar opposite of logic, and as such it one of the two primal aspects of thought. It from fear that all the other emotions spring, that has to do with that fear in the mental expression of the unknown. Since emotional responses are more or less our reactions to an unknown event, an event for which we lack enough knowledge to properly apply logic. And this is what I am seeing in Iran now, the masses are being swept up by this wave of unknown acts by their government. As it stands now this a massive emotional reaction by the masses, as the events begin to settle and information is finally obtained it will be quite fascinating to see how this all progresses.

But getting back to their fearless attitudes. From what I have just said it may seem like I am saying that they are not reacting due to fear. This is not what I mean, rather I am saying they are acting in spite of their fear. The fear is still present or else their would not be such a response by either side. And it is this action in spite of fear that I believe is the greatest aspect for change. It is this same notion for why the the United States is so resistant to meaningful change. We are not a nation that is capable of being fearless anymore, since we have nothing to truly fear despite the various tactics employed to coerce the populace to believe otherwise. Rather we could be said to have an unfearful attitude.

For whom it may concern...

I figure it would be best to start this little exercise with a few basic points. First I have and never will claim to hold any insight on any topic, everything is here is just going to be pointless ramblings about topics I find interesting. I am in no way an authority, not that such ideas will ever be entertained. The purpose of this web log is just so I have a medium so that I can work out ideas, as such I have no concern if anyone else actually ever reads these postings. That does mean I am admitting this is all for the sake of Vaniity. Moving on to the second point I feel I should give a basic rundown of the topic that may appear. They may include but are not limited to comics, cartoons, pornography, Japanese pornography, Japanese comic pornography, Japanese cartoon pornography, weird Japanese comic pornography, weird Japanese cartoon pornography, weird American pornography, politics, the works Spinoza, the works of Baudrillard, and international relations. I stress that some of these may not get covered right away if ever and frankly what ever does show up will depend on what I am actually thinking about. The final point is that there is no real point. I expect nothing from this, as should you.