Contra Jeff Tucker, neocon Ben Shapiro views The Dark Knight as a perfect metaphor for the Bushian Global War on Terror. The Joker represents pure evil, with whom no negotiation is possible, just like them doggone towelheads in al-Qaeda; and Batman defeats him by “means he abhors,” including “allow[ing] others to make sacrifices,” “shoulder[ing] blame for deaths,” and “violat[ing] rights in order to save lives.” Americans love Batman, says Shapiro, because we “love the idea of a leader willing to take risks, a leader willing to make unpopular choices.” Shapiro cites warmongers Churchill, Truman, and Lincoln as examples.
Then again, Shapiro also took the occasion of his recent nuptials to gush over the modern Israeli and American police states, so it seems he’ll use any excuse to proclaim his love for Big Brother.
