Don't Risk Howard (& Costello)?

Even though it's yet to be called, everyone knows that the federal election is not far away. It's clear that campaigning is now fully underway, as not only have policies (to a greater or lesser extent) been released, so the mud is being slung.

While the behaviour of a number of politicians right across the spectrum has been particularly abysmal lately, I had to have a chuckle at the Nationals' 'Don't Risk Rudd' campaign. Not because of what they're trying to say, but the way they're trying to say it. 

The assumption that change=risk (so that one can minimise or even eliminate risk by minimising or eliminating change) seems to be behind this fallacious slogan. Even leaving aside that great rewards are hardly ever won without great risk, there are times that small change (or even none) is more risky than great change. Of course, whether not that is now the case is the subject of many and varied opinions. 

Though change may seem risky, not changing (or at least attempting not to change) may actually be more so. Just ask the coalition front bench.

You Must Be Bourne Again

WARNING PLOT SPOILER FOLLOWS

I saw The Bourne Ultimatum, the third Bourne movie. Though I left wanting more, on reflection I hope that it is the last of the series, as it wraps up the earlier movies very neatly. As could be expected, such a great movie deals with great themes, and I personally would have be more likely to read "The Gospel According to Jason Bourne" than most other pop culture meets theology books that I have seen. 

Of foremost significance for me is the theme of memory and Bourne's amnesia is finally remedied in TBU in a way that explores the full significance of memory for identity. His complicity in his own predicament suggests a kind of original sin, yet at a significant juncture chooses the path of redemptive non-violence. The film is full of violence, yet seems to take it more seriously than most other films, certainly beyond cheering for the 'goodies'. That most of the deaths are of characters important to the plot personalises the brutality and senselessness that rightly left me feeling squeamish. Certainly, one of the must timely themes of the entire Bourne series, but especially in TBU is a mistrust of authority. As enemy of the state, Bourne goes well beyond Bond as the likeable rogue with tacit support of the authorities. TBU demonstrates the inherent tendency of cold and calculating officials (elected and appointed) to misuse government authority and prerogative. It brings into question not only the individuals that exploit the system, but the kind of system that refuses to limit deceit and violence through transparency and accountability.

Certainly this is a parable for our time.