To begin talking about the Orcs is to jump out onto a ledge. I’ve already been warned to be careful with how I proceed, so carefully trodding I will begin…
I’m sure we ALL know where I’m going with this one… It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out, but here goes.
In every epic story there is always Good vs Evil.
Our world is steeped with it, and Middle Earth is no different.
If the Dwarves, representing Jews on their journey home, are the our “Good” characters then by process of elimination the Orcs must be any/all evil forces trying to stop them in their quest.
While one could argue there are MANY different sources being antisemitic, I will narrow it down to the 2 most outspoken of all of them… Hamas and Hezbollah.
I want to right here and now state that when I say Hamas and Hezbollah, I am referring to the TERRORIST groups who exist within Palestine and the surrounding areas. I am NOT referring to the entire group of Palestinian people, so please don’t shoot me down yet.
Orcs are vile creatures, filled with HATRED and DISGUST. They say things like, “We will crush your bones and feast on your flesh”. GROSS!
Similarly, I have heard phrases stated by Hamas in reference to the Jewish people and Israel as a whole, “killing of Jews is worship to Allah” GROSSER!
Moreover, Orcs are defined as “making no beautiful things, but rather designing cunning devices made to hurt and destroy”. I can’t really remember the last “beautiful” thing these terrorist groups have made besides their concoctions of weapons and homemade missiles. Correct me if I’m wrong.
There are many variations of Orcs, some stronger and some weaker. There are “super-soldiers” and there are smaller “trackers” who do dirty little deeds. The same goes with these terrorist groups. We have Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda… etc. Some send in suicide bombers, some plant cells, and some just go straight for the big kill.
Tolkien even referred to Orcs as corrupted men or elves.. the key term here being, corrupted!
Now, here’s my political spiel for the day: At some point you must take a stand! Do you side with Good or Evil?
In movies, it’s usually pretty clear which is which, but for some reason in life it’s not always as easy to tell. In my opinion, Terrorist Groups (who’s clear reason to exist is to wipe out an entire people group) are on the side of Evil… but for some unknown reason to me, many people don’t see it like that.
I really didn’t want this to become a political post, but at the same time, comparing these Terrorist Groups to Orcs might be just that. And in case you need a little more convincing:
(scarily close, eh?!?)
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I read a while ago (I think when Hamas was elected to run Gaza) that Hamas does a lot more than terrorism. They provide lots of aid and other services to local population. Education, healthcare all this stuff. We can denounce their many hateful statements and terrorist behaviors but bottom line for the local people these are the only people fighting for them and giving them a voice. Real-life is indeed far more nuanced usually than fiction.
Matt,
Yes, real-life is far more nuanced than fiction, and you should really be careful of where you are reading and receiving your information.
As far as Hamas providing aid to their population, let me give you a few statistics: each week Israel sends 1,520 trucks of supplies into Gaza. A breakdown of these supplies are (in trucks): 346 food products, 130 humanitarian products, 6 medical, 43 hygiene, 80 animal food, 28 clothing, 107 plumbing, 649 Construction materials, 42 Electrical products, 12 agricultural products, rest misc.
427 Tons of Cooking Gas is given to them as well as providing their water and electricity. And this is on a WEEKLY basis, throughout the entire year! (This is not counting international aid that they also receive.) If Hamas is providing so much of their own aid why is all this needed to sustain Gaza?
Healthcare: Most Gazan’s who require serious healthcare are treated by Israeli’s…not Hamas.
You are correct in that they do provide education for the people. Here is a great example of this “education”:
They rule Palestine with threats and fear. They are not looking out for the best interest of their “people” and this is clear when they use children as human shields and drag anyone they pose as a threat to them through the streets of Gaza, tied behind motocycles.
The media has for too long ignored the truth and refused to show what is really happening over here. It’s time we as a world wake up to what they are truly about!
Also, if you are looking to read some truth about the real life of Hamas and Gaza, I encourage you to pick up the book, Son of Hamas. He is the son of the founder of Hamas and writes about what it is really like being on the “inside” of Hamas, and how he got out. He is now one of the biggest supporters of Israel and is very vocal in educating the world about the truth (with a price tag on his life, of course!)
I apologize if my comment sounded too much like a defense of Hamas. That was not my intention. I did read what I read however and it is factually accurate. Hamas did provide social aid in terms of food and other things after they took over Gaza. Regardless of how evil they are they got elected and I think my goal was to just offer an idea about why some locals might support (or supported in the past) them. And yes I agree it is great that Israel provides the aid that it does. Last thing and I probably should have just said this in my original comment: I think comparing humans to fictional, pure evil characters is unwise. But if it is what you think, more power to you.
Yes you are right Hamas does a lot more then terrorism, they also use there own population as human shields, they use the basements of their hospitals and schools to store large amount of rockets and ammunition. They have missile launchers under the field of soccer stadiums and children playground. The aid that Hamas brings in to Gaza is the aid that Israeli tax payers pay for. Yes Hamas does more then terror they make uneducated people feel bad for a organization that puts 95% of it’s fund in their military force and would love to see the world burn in the name of islam.
Matt, I do understand your intentions, but as good as they are I think the difference between our situation is that over here we actually see first hand what is truth, and what is “factual” as you say, yet in terms of media. Yes, they did give out AID and and food, but to with price. They provide it for those who join their cause, and while it looks like they are helping, in reality these people become agents. There is always a price for receiving their help… storing weapons, using their houses as hideouts, etc. Yes, you are right in why the some locals agreed to “support” them, but as I said it comes with a price. Nothing is free with them. Its like making a deal with the devil, and MANY have suffered because of it. In comparing them to fictional characters I am not saying they ARE them, I’m just pointing out similarities. The main idea is the message: We need to start recognizing these problems and this terror taking place and take a stand against it. If you don’t like when people take fiction and use it as examples of situations in real life, that is completely understandable and you are free to your opinion.
I am personally against both Hamas and Fateh as a paltestinan. I am not here to discuss also the conflict.
I do believe the story was written a while ago 1937, which means that if it stems from the experience of Tolkien, should reflect to what was back then and not what is currently happening. Although the movie could possible make the tie, but i highly doubt that the story relates to current conflict.
yes, u are correct, the story was written back then when our situation was not current. My reflections are only comparisons to what is happening now; I don’t mean to say the story was written to reflect out current conflict. Thank you for your comments and opinions.
Tolkien’s writings transcend time and place because they are symbolic. I am German. You could also have the Nazis be the Orcs – a once strong race (men or elves) who became perverted (in the case of the Orcs, so much so that their outward appearance eventually mirrored the ugly inside). Or Russia with its long history of antisemitism, since you made the connection of the Orcs being anyone who hinders or attacks the dwarves/Jews. I know it’s a unique and unusual parallel but – I’m with ya!
It’s not as strange as you may think.