# Is the movie Starship Troopers an eerie parallel to America's current state? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 31, 2003, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408 "2003-03-31T08:57:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/1 "2003-03-31T08:57:08Z")
The boyfriend(now fiancee) wanted to watch **Starship Troopers**. As I watched it, the parallels were eerie. The way in which war was sold to the masses, the propaganda, and the destruction. All they would have needed was a Slim Pickens type President, and the mirror image would be creepier. I wonder if anyone else sees these same things in the images the movie presented of war… ---
**Author:** ![Short\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Short\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Short_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/2 "2003-03-31T09:25:18Z")
I am the proud starter of a fairly [recent thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=169638&highlight=Starship+Troopers) on the subject. To sum up my beliefs, I give it a yes, but you’ll see there are two schools of thought on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/3 "2003-03-31T13:02:05Z")
If it is, I want my naked coed shower now. As I noted in a recent thread, **Dune** is an even more interesting parallel.War with Shaddam on the planet “Iraqis”. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/4 "2003-03-31T13:05:10Z")
Yes…but only because all wars are like that. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/5 "2003-03-31T14:26:56Z")
Naw. Starship Troopers has no real life parallels because the sociology and political philosophy that Verhoeven was using in his ham-handed satire are a simple-minded straw man that doesn’t exist anywhere in history in such a simplistic form. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/6 "2003-03-31T14:45:33Z")
But then again, RikWriter believes there’s a proven link between Saddam and 9/11, so, maybe, he don’t think real gud … Yep, parallels and much to reflect on every which way – but don’t get the film mixed up with the book. The absurdity of the conclusion (of the film) just about sums the whole thing up, for me. Interesting how one’s perspectives are manipulated to serve the ‘cause’. I’ll repost this link in case anyone’s interested: [http://www.otago.ac.nz/DeepSouth/1198/verhoeven.htm](http://www.otago.ac.nz/DeepSouth/1198/verhoeven.htm) – and wouldn’t ya know, RikWriter jus loved it ! ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/7 "2003-03-31T15:17:06Z")
The only parallels between **Starship Troopers** and the current situation are those that exist in any other society in a state of war. Look at WWII or WWI war propaganda. Same thing. The only major similarity might be ‘embedded reporters’ in both carrying live broadcasts, but that’s mostly just because the technology to do live broadcasts from the front is rather recent (not really available for most wars prior to Vietnam). Let’s look at the differences, though. 1. Not attacked by alien bugs. 2. It isn’t the military making the decision, it’s civilians. And largely non-veteran civilians to boot. 3. Non-vets hold the reigns IRL, unlike in **ST** where only vets and military folk could vote. 4. No co-ed showers. 5. No psychic military intelligence. 6. Using armor and air power rather than just infantry with assault rifles. 7. Did I mention the no co-ed showers? ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/8 "2003-03-31T15:27:36Z")
I think you forgot the no co-ed showers. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/9 "2003-03-31T19:08:53Z")
And yet… we have a class of people who feel that because of military service that they are at least morally superior to those who do not serve, which was mde very clear in the movie. Yes… quite a few of the aspects of the war with the bugs is standard: reducing your enemy to less than human status(not hard with bugs), jingoistic manifest destiny style speeches, and heavy propaganda to get all behind the aims of the rulingparty that is more than willing to send in people as cannon fodder. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/10 "2003-03-31T19:29:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by London\_Calling \* > \*\*But then again, RikWriter believes there’s a proven link between Saddam and 9/11, so, maybe, he don’t think real gud … > \*\* > > No, that would be what we call a lie. I said I don’t KNOW if there is a link between Saddam and 9-11 whereas you seem to have made up your mind without debate. Guess yours is the brain that doesn’t work so well, eh? > \*\* > – and wouldn’t ya know, RikWriter jus loved it ! \*\* Are you absolutely intent on acting like an ass or does it come naturally? ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/11 "2003-03-31T19:31:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mockingbird \* > \*\*And yet… we have a class of people who feel that because of military service that they are at least morally superior to those who do not serve, which was mde very clear in the movie. > \*\* > > Except of course we don’t have that. > > \*\* > Yes… quite a few of the aspects of the war with the bugs is standard: reducing your enemy to less than human status(not hard with bugs), jingoistic manifest destiny style speeches, and heavy propaganda to get all behind the aims of the rulingparty that is more than willing to send in people as cannon fodder. \*\* So the “ruling party” includes Joe Lieberman, Hilary Clinton and other Democrats that support the war? Oops…trying to make comparisons out of thin air again, I see. ---
**Author:** ![DreadCthulhu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DreadCthulhu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DreadCthulhu)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/12 "2003-03-31T20:30:12Z")
Just one thing you forgot to mention - the coe-ed showers - best part of that movie. ---
**Author:** ![Abe\_Babe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Abe\_Babe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abe_Babe)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/13 "2003-03-31T21:33:02Z")
If we can’t have co-ed showers, then the terrorists have already won! The Afghans didn’t have co-ed showers. The burqa’s would get wet and heavy. The Iraqi’s don’t have co-ed showers. Not enough water. The Serbian’s didn’t have co-ed showers. Milosevic was to much of a Slob[sub]odan[/sub]. Any questions? ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/14 "2003-03-31T21:35:14Z")
If you are permitted to make jokes like Slob(odan), does that mean the terrorists have already won? And would a military-ruled country put up with it? I doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2003, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/15 "2003-03-31T22:21:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mockingbird \* > \*\*And yet… we have a class of people who feel that because of military service that they are at least morally superior to those who do not serve, which was mde very clear in the movie. > > Yes… quite a few of the aspects of the war with the bugs is standard: reducing your enemy to less than human status(not hard with bugs), jingoistic manifest destiny style speeches, and heavy propaganda to get all behind the aims of the rulingparty that is more than willing to send in people as cannon fodder. \*\* Sorry, exactly which war are you trying to compare to _Starship Troopers_? ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/16 "2003-04-01T06:49:54Z")
Oh no…this thread is being taken over by the other thread! As for eerie parallels, watch Star Wars Episode II, I think there’s more than in Starship Troopers. (And BTW, you guys from the other ST thread, _RoboCop_ kicked ST’s ass to Old Detroit and back (and I _liked_ ST), so put that in your pipe and smoke it!) ---
**Author:** ![Thomas\_Stearns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Thomas\_Stearns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thomas_Stearns)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/17 "2003-04-01T07:14:02Z")
Slight hijack, but am I the only one who does’nt think coed naked showers would be such a great idea? I mean even if one were to be toatally comfortable naked in front of the other sex… . the fact that I’d be walking around with a boner in the showers would be bad. Not as bad as me _not_ having a boner in front of naked women, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/18 "2003-04-01T08:18:18Z")
As gratifying as the co-ed showers were, I was immensely disappointed that no one dropped the soap. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/19 "2003-04-01T08:38:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Neurotik \* > \*\*If you are permitted to make jokes like Slob(odan), does that mean the terrorists have already won? And would a military-ruled country put up with it? I doubt it. \*\* Are you kidding? A _civilized_ country wouldn’t put up with it! ---
**Author:** ![AveDementia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@AveDementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AveDementia)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408/20 "2003-04-01T08:38:48Z")
Yeah, but if you have it on DVD you can pause that scene at a particular moment for a brief view of Casper Van Dien, Jr. Too bad I missed that on the big screen… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-starship-troopers-an-eerie-parallel-to-americas-current-state/165408.md?page=2)