How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
Quote #7
MUFFLEY: Well I'll tell you. We'd like to give your air staff a complete run down on the targets, the flight plans, and the defensive systems of the planes. Yes! I mean, if we're unable to recall the planes, then I'd say that, uh, well, we're just going to have to help you destroy them, Dimitri. I know they're our boys.
Here, the President actually helps the Soviets to kill American pilots who are patriotically doing their duty to their country. Does this make Muffley a total traitor to the American way? Or is he just making a tough call in a tough situation? Under these insane circumstances, exactly what is considered patriotic?
Quote #8
TURGIDSON: Mr. President, if I may speak freely, the Russkie talks big, but frankly, we think he's short of know-how. I mean, you just can't expect a bunch of ignorant peons to understand a machine like some of our boys.
Turgidson is one of those guys who's totally convinced that America is better than any country in the world. How does this kind of fanatical patriotism affect the events of the film? Has our country been harmed by this kind of "USA! USA! USA!" mindset? Does it make us underestimate our opponents?
(These "ignorant peons, btw, launched Sputnik, the first space satellite in 1957, and the Americans freaked out. The government established DARPA, a research arm of the Department of Defense, tons of money was poured into science education, and the space race was on.)
Quote #9
STRANGELOVE: Of course it would be absolutely vital that our top government and military men be included to foster and impart the required principles of leadership and tradition.
Strangelove makes a great excuse for why all the powerful men in the War Room would need to be sent to the safety of mine shafts. Is he right that these guys are the best of the best? Or is this a clear-cut case of the people in power placing just taking advantage of that power. Where does patriotism fit into an equation where the political leaders place their interests over those of the people they're supposedly representing?
(Hint: It doesn't.)