Avellino wrote:How can one discuss a show like the Sopranos, laced as it is with creator David Chase’s critique of American society, without referring to his critique in the various threads? I’m all for civil discourse (a scant resource on 24-hour cable news) but censorship on a bulletin board is an affront to the first amendment.
How you see the show is your business. That you choose to define it as a "critique of American society" is your prerogative. That you seem willing to impute to David Chase personally certain viewpoints, which he may or may not hold, is also your prerogative. (I would, however, recommend you watch Tony's closing monologue in
Christopher again before you are too quick to pick and choose which viewpoints expressed on the show --
through characters -- represent Chase's personal views.)
But I think you will agree that it is not one thing. It is MANY things, everything. And, IMO, the best single-sentence description for it is that it is an examination of
humanity . . . American, non American, Mafia, non Mafia, Christian, Jewish, Bhuddist, atheist, "conservative", "liberal", male, female, intelligent, dumb, sociopathic, non sociopathic.
It is possible to discuss these elements
as they genuinely relate to the stories being told without turning the discussion into a debate of posters' personal views on those issues, especially an inflammatory debate.
I thought MangiaCazza used unnecessarily dismissive words in response to your original post, which did include an almost-gratuitous statement of your personal opinion on a value system which seeks to impose personal responsibility and accountability in an evironement of strict discpline. I posted to that effect.
However your later responses have needlessly sought to keep this thread entirely about yours (and others') personal socio-political views of America. The main forums are not here for that purpose. If you want to talk about that stuff, in a civil manner, take it to the Meet Market. Keep the Sopranos forums about the Sopranos with commentary about hot button social or political issues included only in so far as reasonably necessary to illuminate interpretations of the story.
MangiaCazzo wrote:I found avellino's remarks inflammatory and this is how I respond to those that think it's acceptable to trash traditional American values.
Part of this retrograde post-mod culture is the unwillingness to declare what is right or wrong. When Americans lose this ability, we're in deep trouble.
MC, you can read for yourself my response to Avellino. I would remind you also that this forum is not provided for you to debate him or anyone else about American values and culture, traditional or otherwise.
Detective Hunt wrote:Let's be very clear - censorship on a bulletin board (which is privately owned and operated) has nothing to do with the 1st amendment. If Fly (and through her, the various moderators) thinks a discussion is moving more towards discussion of politics than where it should be - The Sopranos - then we have every right to stop it or move it elsewhere (that is, somewhere on the forum that is more appropriate.) Each and evey person has a right to say what they wish, but we have the further right to corral it where it needs to be, ask that it be said in a more polite manner (that does not bait fellow posters) and/or ban the member that says something considered "over the line."
Now, on that subject - it is very easy to discuss The Sopranos as far as each episode is concerned without going into a discussion of politics or post-modernism. If members wish to have such a discussion, please take it to The Meet Market. Otherwise, please keep the threads in this particular sub-forum about the episode itself. Hopefully that is clear enough and will not need a third post to further clarify.
A perfect response by you, DH. All posters please take these admonitions to heart, or this thread will be closed.