My relationship to Batman and Robin go back to the WW2 cliffhangers which were still playing in the early 50's. I remember Robin crying out in disgust,"E-u,Japs!!!"

I loved this movie but not everything about it.Perhaps it wasn't meant to reflect George Bush directly in Batman but it was a good reflection of Americans and the Presidency.I do not share the writer's view that "we're safe,but screwed". I didn't see that in the movie either. I think the movie gave a grown up view of leadership,something most of us don't seem to have in our view of politics.We look to our presidents to be "Super Heroes".Well, they're not, but they do pay a super heroe's price.

I agree with your assessment of the film as "a grown up view of leadership". Batman, Dent, and Gordon employ Machiavellian leadership in large supply in order to catch what they see as a larger menace. For them, the ends (catching and/or killing the Joker) definitely justify the means (wiretapping, kidnapping, torture, distorting facts/manipulating media and press, doublecrossing, baiting, and good ole-fashioned assault).

Many adults still expect their political representatives to be effective leaders and still be completely within the bounds of law, clean cut, sober, and honest. This film is, as you put it, a grown up view of leadership. Gritty, ugly, and often destructive as they may be, we gotta have leaders.

I like this Batman because (action sequences aside) he is realistic. He's about 60% virtuous, 20% selfish, and 20% vengeful. He is dedicated and not at all above getting his hands dirty. But he still has his "one rule" that he simply will not break--he just won't kill people. The strange irony is that he refused to kill the Joker (a MASSIVE threat), but kills Harvey Dent saving Gordon's son.