this movie follows along the same lines as our modern day "Joe the Plumber".
i wonder if the movie was the basis for our modern day john doe
Capra and Riskin's John Doe character was more innocent than our 21st century Joe.
I'd imagine the Joe the Plumber story more out of a Preston Sturges movie than Capra.
But I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
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"Joe" (not really Joe) the plumber (not really a plumber) could NEVER fashion the elegant speeches that John Doe does. Nor does "Joe" have a scintilla of the integrity that John Doe has. As Megan McCain said, "Joe the plumber - and you can quote me - is a dumbass!"
share How is he not a plumber? Because he doesn't belong to a plumber's union? In his state one need not belong to such a union to make one's living as a plumber. I believe his real first name is Joseph. Isn't it common for people named Joseph to be called Joe?
I believe the analogy the original poster was drawing involved John's and Joe's willingness to "speak truth to power," and their willingness to face the immediate and orchestrated campaigns to destroy them this provoked.
Ozy
And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.
"...How is he not a plumber? Because he doesn't belong to a plumber's union? In his state one need not belong to such a union to make one's living as a plumber..."
He doesn't have to belong to a union, but he MUST have journeyman's plumber license or he cannot legally work as a plumber, and "Joe" doesn't have one.
" ...I believe his real first name is Joseph..."
Actually, it's not. His first name is Samuel; his middle name is Joseph. Granted, this is nit-picking. My middle name is Joseph, too, and I am sometimes called Joe. But let's get his first name correct.
"... involved John's and Joe's willingness to "speak truth to power," and their willingness to face the immediate and orchestrated campaigns to destroy them this provoked..."
But keep in mind, Long John Willoughby took the persona of "John Doe" as a job. And remember, the words that he spoke, the words that inspired the country were NOT his. They came from Ann Mitchell's father's diary. It was only after time that John began to believe in those words. He did not really speak for himself until he stood atop the Empire State Building on Christmas Eve, ready to jump to his death to prove his belief in those words. John "talked the talk," and then was willing to "walk the walk." What sacrifices did Joe the Plumber make?
Just some thoughts . . .
Spin
I stand corrected on the first name versus middle name controversy.
I was not aware of the occupational license issue. But I am not quite convinced anyone "is" only whatever he is licensed to be, or "is" only whatever he gets paid to do, for that matter. If some unpaid amateur volunteer single-handedly solved an impressive number of murder cases or other mysteries, *I* would call him a detective, whether or not he was regularly employed as one by the police, or licensed to be a private investigator. Some investigative journalists have shown themselves to be pretty good detectives in my sense of the word, though I don't suppose they would call themselves that.
As for what sacrifices Joe the Plumber made, well, he was certainly made to pay a price, and pretty quickly too. Immediately all sorts of forces were set in motion against him. He had, well, *everybody* all of a sudden playing detective and looking into his background, including illegally getting into his private records, trying to dig up any dirt on him or to discredit him any way they could. But I didn't follow it all that closely, and I am not clear on the details.
Ozy
And I stood where I did be; for there was no more use to run; And again I lookt with my hope gone.
"As for what sacrifices Joe the Plumber made, well, he was certainly made to pay a price ...."
According to Wikipedia, he "has signed with a publicity management agent", has had a book published, and has worked "as a motivational speaker and commentator." He doesn't seem to be suffering greatly. If he wants to work as a plumber, being famous probably wouldn't hurt.
"He had, well, *everybody* all of a sudden playing detective and looking into his background, including illegally getting into his private records ...." This was determined to be "improper" but was not illegal; a law was passed after the fact making such improper searches illegal. The records were also arguably not "private", since they were maintained by the state (as opposed to bank accounts, e-mail, or employer information, for example). Unless you were referring to some other illegal act.
Joe the plumber exposed Commie Obammie as the commie he is-- "Spread the wealth."
That makes the poisonous lefties frantic.
What makes the righties frantic is progress. Joe the Plumber appealed to the morons. Now we have a president elected by morons, and get ready to see the country implode. Meet John Doe is definitely current, except instead of John Doe, we have a rude, obnoxious billionaire manipulated by a racist fascist in the background. Congrats on your votes for the brilliant party.
sharethis movie follows along the same lines as our modern day "Joe the Plumber".
That's EXACTLY what my sister said! We just watched the movie tonight and she was like "I wonder if this is where Sarah Palin got her Joe the Plumber idea?"
Similar idea, but Ann and Long John most decidedly did NOT want John Doe to be used for political purposes, whereas Joe the Plumber obviously was part of the McCain/Palin campaign.
"He's already attracted to her. Time and monotony will do the rest."
They're not even close to being the same. Joe the Plumber's position was that every man is an individual, and his success is based on his own hard work, without anyone else's help. John Doe's position was that every man needs to offer to help all of his neighbors if this country is going to be great.
shareTypical misunderstanding, or perhaps a blatant misrepresentation of what Joe's position was. He was getting help getting his license and the opportunity to purchase the business from the man he worked for. We believe in voluntary help from individuals rather than forced help or help from the government with tons of strings. It is based on mutual benefit for both parties without Big Brother getting involved.