Box Office Boffo: "The Goering Ultimatum"

Bourne wasn't the only franchise sequel doing boffo biz over the weekend.

The Goering franchise scored another blockbuster with its latest: "The Goering Ultimatum: Frantic FISA 'Update!''"

In this nonstop democracy-pounder, Congress gives George W. Bush authority to wiretap any overseas communications sans warrant, strictly on Al Gonzalez's say-so. Period. No review for six months.

What's the irresistible storyline that propels the Goering franchise into the Orwellian cash cow it is? That oh-so familiar tired formula per Nuremberg Diary, by Gustave Gilbert:

"...Goering shrugged. ...[I]t is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."

"There is one difference," I pointed out. "In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."

"Oh, that is all well and good [said Goering], but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

Previous hits in this post-9/11 franchise include -- as everyone and his braindead brother knows -- "The Goering Identity: US Patriot Act" and "The Goering Supremacy: Iraq Supplemental Appropriations Bill." [authorizing the invasion of Iraq]

What's up next? Scott Horton at Harpers has an acute idea (as always), and it will make one scary movie.

Scarier: it's in production already. It's called "The Boot Is Descending."

Thanks to uber.com, where this piece first appeared on my new blog Brain Flakes.
Also at Smirkingchimp.com