Doesn’t matter what the press says

“Doesn’t matter what the press says. Doesn’t matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn’t matter if thee whole country decides that something wrong is something right.

This nation was founded on one principle about all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or consequences.

When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world…

No, you move.”

Caption America quoting Mark Twain to a beleaguered spider-man during the Civil War event - Amazing Spider-man issue 537 published January 2007.

So…usually I’m the “we should probably listen to people more” guy here on social media. Quotes like this never sat right with me because I used to focus on the “stand up for what we believe” part and totally missed the “plant yourself beside the river of truth” part. Beliefs are malleable and changing but truth…truth is truth.

I think one element of comics that is almost always overlooked when it comes to making movies especially are the convictions. The special part of Captain America isn’t his amazing powers; it’s his conviction to always do what it right. Even when it’s difficult and unpopular. Spider-man always has to do what’s right even though it wrecks his personal life over and over again. They plant themselves by the river of truth. I think that’s what’s so captivating about Jesus. He’s the river of truth we can plant ourself beside. He’s the hero that’ll always do what is right and just.

Here is Spider-man’s response to Captain America’s speech:

“…as I run toward the edge of the roof, off the edge of what I’ve known and into the darkness of whatever’s coming, bedside one hero who will never betray his convictions, never betray those who followed him, I think ‘it feels good to on the right side again.”

Geez…maybe I should have drawn Spider-man here instead. 🤔