I haven't watched the movie; the book is an all-time favorite. The movie is on my "Soon" list. But I think about this a LOT and asked myself the question many times from 2016-2020. I also think whoever said "The difference between Watergate and Trump is FOX News" is 100% accurate. The ways in which right wing figures can manipulate the media narrative to bend it to their own weren't around in the time of Nixon/Stillson. Frankly, most Americans didn't want to HEAR about Watergate until the televised hearings, which were carried only by the nominally apolitical major networks.
It's a different world than the 70s and sadly too, Stephen King's politics never really adapted in a compelling way, as he just plays the same Boomer Liberal hits on Twitter and lets it seep into the commentary of his books (The Outsider, in particular, which I think was an anti-Trump screed and a lesser work of his).
Same Republicans who are trying to spread faux-moral panic about "groomers" nearly elected pedophile to U.S. Senate over hero of Civil Rights movement. Republican voters have shown us time and again they have no morals or conscience whatsoever, and value party loyalty and power over all other situations. They would have voted for Stillson if he had *thrown* baby at Johnny. They probably would have voted for him if he had *shot* baby, given how quick right-wingers were to venerate Kyle Rittenhouse.
Stuart is better metaphor for contemporary politics. Everyone knew exactly what Trump was in advance of him taking office. Plenty of people knew exactly how bad things would be with George W. Bush in office. But it not matter how well you can see future if no one willing to listen. Or worse, if they actively want that terrifying future to come to pass.
I rewatched this a couple months ago (hat tip to the With Gourley and Rust podcast) and wondered the same thing. He’d survive it for sure and there would be talk about how smart he was for using an effective shield. It shows his creative thinking and the kind of genius that would blah blah blah. And the fact that he was shot at by one of those grabby, whiny teachers? Forget about it. All they’d need to do then is compare and contrast him with his panty-waist Democratic opponent (whomever it is doesn’t matter since they’d get the same coat of “socialist, wuss, senile, etc rinse and repeat) and he’d be President. And his followers would be singing his praises as the missiles landed.
Even Watergate wouldn’t end a presidency now. Scandals don’t teach us anything. They just expand what we’re willing to live with.
Terrific idea for a piece, and perfectly executed. I've asked myself this very question!
I haven't watched the movie; the book is an all-time favorite. The movie is on my "Soon" list. But I think about this a LOT and asked myself the question many times from 2016-2020. I also think whoever said "The difference between Watergate and Trump is FOX News" is 100% accurate. The ways in which right wing figures can manipulate the media narrative to bend it to their own weren't around in the time of Nixon/Stillson. Frankly, most Americans didn't want to HEAR about Watergate until the televised hearings, which were carried only by the nominally apolitical major networks.
It's a different world than the 70s and sadly too, Stephen King's politics never really adapted in a compelling way, as he just plays the same Boomer Liberal hits on Twitter and lets it seep into the commentary of his books (The Outsider, in particular, which I think was an anti-Trump screed and a lesser work of his).
Same Republicans who are trying to spread faux-moral panic about "groomers" nearly elected pedophile to U.S. Senate over hero of Civil Rights movement. Republican voters have shown us time and again they have no morals or conscience whatsoever, and value party loyalty and power over all other situations. They would have voted for Stillson if he had *thrown* baby at Johnny. They probably would have voted for him if he had *shot* baby, given how quick right-wingers were to venerate Kyle Rittenhouse.
Stuart is better metaphor for contemporary politics. Everyone knew exactly what Trump was in advance of him taking office. Plenty of people knew exactly how bad things would be with George W. Bush in office. But it not matter how well you can see future if no one willing to listen. Or worse, if they actively want that terrifying future to come to pass.
I rewatched this a couple months ago (hat tip to the With Gourley and Rust podcast) and wondered the same thing. He’d survive it for sure and there would be talk about how smart he was for using an effective shield. It shows his creative thinking and the kind of genius that would blah blah blah. And the fact that he was shot at by one of those grabby, whiny teachers? Forget about it. All they’d need to do then is compare and contrast him with his panty-waist Democratic opponent (whomever it is doesn’t matter since they’d get the same coat of “socialist, wuss, senile, etc rinse and repeat) and he’d be President. And his followers would be singing his praises as the missiles landed.
Even Watergate wouldn’t end a presidency now. Scandals don’t teach us anything. They just expand what we’re willing to live with.