I watched V for Vendetta recently (again), which is one of my favorite movies. Not only is it full of deliciously dark political criticism,  it’s absolutely gorgeous, from the cinematography to the graphic design. I’ve always been a big fan of the logo they chose to represent the evil regime.

It shows up whenever the party needs to make itself known, in speeches and meetings and badges. Oh, and all their 1984-esque posters.

It’s a quite attractive symbol, stark and memorable. Easily scrawled on walls and armbands, an essential feature for a representation of any uprising radical government. The shape, known as the “Cross of Lorraine,” was used by the Free French Forces during WWII as an “answer” to the swastika. Very fitting in a lovely twisted way.

Shortly after I watched the movie, I was headed over to Boston on the red line. I sat down, yawned, and then did a huge double take at one of the posters. It was an advertisement for the American Lung Association.

The double-barred cross has been used in a lot of ways through history, but usually as a symbol of some fighting force which presents radical liberation and patriotism, strength and unity. Not words that really come to mind when I think of the ALA, but then again – anything is possible. When our modern day terrorists start disseminating their very own St. Mary’s plague, watch for the ALA to step in to the election and capture our hearts and minds with the promise of health and order. Especially if the illness is an upper respiratory infection. (ba-dum, ch) Seriously though, when I was Googling for that logo I looked up some of the ALA’s posters, and a lot of their old ones are – well, militant looking.

Oh, some of them are sweet enough. Cute kids, caring words, showing how much “your” lung association is working for you.

Things change after they win the election – no smiling faces on the posters anymore, only words. Words of fear.

After that the curfews start. The night patrols are given free reign over civilians and the parts of the city not covered by surveillance dwindle ever smaller. It’s easy to control the news networks and keep the citizens in fear, all that’s left is a little nudging to keep patriotism strong. Keep our country united against the Enemy.

The ALA will gain ever tighter control until one day Hugo Weaving will appear and blow up the headquarters of the National Academy of Sciences, starting a new age of freedom and independence where we can all once again breathe easy.