The Ghost of America Past — Image by kenne
Below, I’m sharing one of my favorite passages from the movie, Easy Rider. Isn’t it funny how both the political “left” and the “right” claim they know the meaning of “freedom.” This passage is often referenced by the religious-right and the secular-left, when the movie Easy Rider was a critical statement by a generation about America.
Remember how Bush used the film in his 1988 campaign as a symbol of a discarded American attitude, replaced by Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry, “Go ahead, make my day!”
For me, I still agree with George Hanson, “. . . this use to be a helluva good country.” Just goes to show you that if “objective reality” exist, its definition is defined by each individual, making reality very subjective. Or, put another way, objective reality exist, but our experiences of it are subjective.
— kenne
George Hanson: You know, this used to be a helluva good country.
I can’t understand what’s gone wrong with it.
Billy: Man, everybody got chicken, that’s what happened. Hey, we can’t even get into like,
a second-rate hotel, I mean, a second-rate motel, you dig? They think we’re gonna cut their throat or somethin’.
They’re scared, man.
George Hanson: They’re not scared of you. They’re scared of what you represent to ’em.
Billy: Hey, man. All we represent to them, man, is somebody who needs a haircut.
George Hanson: Oh, no. What you represent to them is freedom.
Billy: What the hell is wrong with freedom? That’s what it’s all about.
George Hanson: Oh, yeah, that’s right. That’s what’s it’s all about, all right.
But talkin’ about it and bein’ it, that’s two different things.
I mean, it’s real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace.
Of course, don’t ever tell anybody that they’re not free,
’cause then they’re gonna get real busy killin’ and maimin’ to prove to you that they are.
Oh, yeah, they’re gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom.
But they see a free individual, it’s gonna scare ’em.
Billy: Well, it don’t make ’em runnin’ scared.
George Hanson: No, it makes ’em dangerous. Buh, neh! Neh! Neh! Neh! Swamp!
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Becoming is Superior to Being 
Love the movie and hate the status quo. Those in power are terrified of anyone who can THINK! and not follow the program designed for sheep.
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Agreement here — thanks for the comment.
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Most people are too distracted to think! Thanks for stopping by and the comment.
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Reblogged this on So Far From Heaven and commented:
Easy Rider’s a hell of a place to be finding something that makes sense.
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Thanks for the reblog! By the way, whatever happen to “ask old jules?”
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It’s not always easy!
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I was always somewhat glad I never got free enough to get shot off a motorcycle. Never really knew how a person could know he was staying this side of it, but the proof of the pudding and all that made it scientific. Nice post.
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Glad you like the post.
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As a long time educator, I’ve seen the trend shift from only the elite get to go to college to everyone has to go to college. I should think we would be amazingly smart as a populace by now. This clip reminds me not much has evolved or changed except technology.
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You have an agreement here.
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What’s the line, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” — maybe it should be people, not change. Thanks for the comment.
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Awesome movie, and man that is the truth.
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Glad you liked it.
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