Rod Serling was a great writer. How many writers had or have their own television show? Answer: Only one, Rod Serling.
This story goes to show how paranoid, fearful and weak The State is... A librarian has been found guilty of the crime of obsolescence. The crime carries a penalty of death to be carried out within 48 hours. The librarian can choose his method of death. He chooses a bomb to be planted in his apartment, and for his execution to be televised*. The State agrees to his conditions. The Chancellor or Judge pays a last visit to the condemned librarian, but the librarian has locked the door trapping him so the audience can see for themselves who the real coward is. * Also watch for the strong argument against televised executions... mainly called for by wingnut Bible thumping backwards ignorant uncivilized conservatives. Although the story's librarian character is himself a Bible reader, it's less to do about God or religion as it is about the dangers of an omnipotent State. The Bible is merely the vehicle used to drive to the stories conclusion. === Spoilers === Once the Chancellor escapes death, he himself is considered an embarrassment to, and obsolete to The State. All too willing to replace him so that they may continue to evoke fear into the hearts of all who oppose The State. by Rod Serling At the end of The Obsolete Man, Serling say's; "The Chancellor, the late Chancellor was only partly correct. He was obsolete. But so is the State, the entity he worshiped. *Any* State, and entity, any ideology that fails to recognize the worth, the dignity, the rights of man, that State is obsolete. A case to be filed under M for mankind, in the Twilight Zone". App. 20 minutes altogether. Part 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=529Q9_UwcMw&feature=related Part 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCW1-e-n_wc&feature=related Part 3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBiSvW-wEFw&feature=related -- Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more.
