Robert Stroud:
    "Do you consider that part of your job, to
      give a man back the dignity he once had?
      Your only interest is in how he behaves.
       You told me that once a long time ago,
             and I'll never forget it.
           
           'You'll conform to our ideas
             of how you should behave.'

           And you haven't retreated from
          that stand one inch in 35 years.
          You want your prisoners to dance
       out the gates like puppets on a string,
             with rubber-stamp values
                 impressed by you,
           with your sense of conformity,
              your sense of behavior,
            even your sense of morality.
         That's why you're a failure, Harvey
          . . . because you rob prisoners of
        the most important thing in their lives -
                 their individuality."

Those who frequent this site may know you have serious admiration for brainy types who write serious screenplays. And why not? They happen to be the most important people in the film industry. They author the films. They conceive and construct characters and storylines. Above all, they penetrate the utter complexity of the human mind and human condition. The piece of dialogue above was written by Guy Trosper. He put the words into the mouth of convict Robert Stroud in the motion picture The Birdman of Alcatraz. However fictitious, the words were spoken to prison Warden T.W. Morgan. Stroud’s tongue-lashing is the film’s seminal moment because his little speech speaks to centuries of recorded history. It’s a history of oppression — of intimidation — of mind control — carried out by all types of tyrannical rule. And, yes, Stroud’s words speak to America, circa 2022. Because at this moment America’s governing institutions are robbing citizens of the most important thing in their lives — their individuality. You may argue that this comparison is woefully farfetched. Convicts are under lock and key. They come and go on command and at the point of a gun. You, on the other hand, are free to come and go, to choose where or when, to decide what and how. True enough. So put it another way. Convicts are forced to comply, to forfeit their individuality and follow policy and procedure, while free people choose to comply, to relinquish their individuality and follow government injunctions and instructions. Consequently, free people believe that Donald Trump impeachment attempts were justified. Free people believe the 2020 election was honestly won. Free people believe the white race is inherently guilty of systemic racism and discrimination. Free people believe BLM and Antifi were justified in destroying cities and punishing law enforcement. Free people believe the COVID pandemic is an act of God. Free people believe Covid is a death sentence. Free people believe the unvaccinated are responsible for the duration of the pandemic. Free people believe that doctors who promote repurpose drugs like Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine are conspiracy quacks. Free people believe that State and Federal governments have the right to ban repurpose therapies. Free people believe Media and Big Tech have the right to censor speech that challenges the government healthcare narrative. Free people believe that people who wear masks do not transmit Covid. Free people believe there are no serious adverse effects or deaths cause by Covid vaccines. Free people believe that the reported 40-500% annual increase in non-Covid deaths is a detestable lie. Free people believe that Anthony Fauci is a public servant who always tells the truth. Finally, Matilda, free people believe they are not victims of coercive persuasion and mind manipulation designed to reduce their ability to think critically or independently. At the end of a very long day, convicts have no choice except to walk in lock step. In keeping with all tyrannies, Americans are free — to listen, believe and get in line.

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