Debatable Déjà Vu

Holy hoodwink Batman! Who IS behind that mask? In this clip from the classic 1966-68 series, Batman, Penguin is trying every transparent trick in the book to deceive voters, and make them see the "real" man (a terrorist!) behind the mask of the caped crusader as they debate on television. Are you having déjà vu too?

Judge for yourself, but Penguin's words (and facial expressions), from "friends" to "Who IS he?" and "hobnobbing with crooks" seem all too familiar. And Batman's composed attempt to fight deceit with logic, only to be drowned out by goons, seems sadly familiar too.

When a presidential debate smacks of a pop culture farce from decades past, it's a frighteningly entertaining time in politics.

Penguin: I intend to stick to the issues. Now what are the issues? There is only one! Batman!

 -Chelsea Holden Baker