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[Veelk]

Just jumping into the discussion (first post on GAF after a few weeks of regular lurking). I don't mean to interrupt anyone but I wanted to note that while I agree that Bolin did not do anything immoral, there was no way for the Equalists to have known that. Now, you're absolutely right that for someone to be found guilty there needs to be evidence, a fair trial, etc. However, given that you already implied that you were okay with the Equalist's brand of vigilantism against the Triads, I don't see how you can possibly demand that they take into account evidence. Yes, what happened to Bolin really sucks for him and as fans of the character we can feel bad for him. But if you're going to defend vigilantes, you can't turn around and apply a different standard just because a popular character got caught up in the middle of it.

Of course, if you disapprove of Amon's actions entirely that's another matter, but after reading the post I linked to I got the sense that you were somewhat accepting of Amon's actions against the Triads. My apologies if I misinterpreted what you said.

By this, I meant that if Benders are systematically abusing their power, they should have it taken away from them, or be otherwise stopped. I wasn't condoning his vigilantism, not exactly anyway, but I'm not condemning it either. No, I think they need to target the benders that are causing harm to nonbenders specifically. Doing that is perfectly fine. If they personally KNOW for sure who the guilty party are, it'd be right for them to stop them. However, this needs to be public evidence because otherwise you just have a persons word that the other guy was bad. Thus, this is the basic court process in a roundabout way. I don't think Vigilantism is bad exactly, but it's highly unstable. If the vigilante in question is legit, okay, but, as a society, how can we ever be sure of that? So, society laws must not allow it, but I don't think it's wrong by default.

Also, on a semi-related note, is there any indication that Amon has ever taken away the bending ability of someone who is not a violent criminal (or is affiliated with violent criminals)? There's no telling what's yet to come in the show, of course, so I'm not trying to justify Amon's cause. However, based on what we know, I'm going to refrain from condemning Amon too strongly. It's not clear yet that he's done anything to harm the ordinary, law-abiding benders of Republic City. I expect that to change in the coming episodes, although I really hope that Amon is given principles so he's a more interesting and sophisticated antagonist.

He hasn't done anything yet it seems, but he's made it clear that he has plans for Korra, from before she even arrived in the city. I doubt they're anything good.

Working with a gang is a bad idea. That's all I'm trying to say. Acting surprised because a gang got what's coming to them is ridiculous, even more so when you get caught up in it because you decided to work with them. And I disagree emphatically with the idea that he had no idea what the gangs were up to or what they were capable of. Bolin is not that stupid. He didn't want to because he knew the dangers and because his brother had specifically told him not to. If he knew they were in the right side of the moral equation he would've jumped to work for them in a heartbeat for that kind of money.

Again, your presuming on Bolin's intelligence. It's perfectly possible he is simply that ignorant. His brother clearly worked hard to keep him innocent. I agree that it's very odd that he would be so ignorant, but his mannerisms indicate it. Time will tell us for sure, but you have no reason to presume on Bolin's intelligence.

As for the rest, I'll agree to it. But who is saying that they're surprised? I don't think anyone didn't expect this exactly. What I'm saying is that it's wrong.

 

[Veelk]

DP

 

[Mumei]

kid's show, one-dimensionally written comedy relief character - he's stupid/naive whenever the plot requires him to be

 

[DragonGirl]

This.

And to add more, bending isn't just a tool either; it's a genetic trait. It'd be like someone saying, "a person of a certain race killed my parents, therefore that race needs to be punished." Benders don't choose to be benders, they are born that way and shouldn't be punished based on bad actions of others.

Equality is a noble cause, but Amon is a bad guy. No doubt about that.

It's all a scapegoat. Pick a target to feed the common people's fear and resentment and you got yourself a tame mob. Amon is a manipulative bullshitter. The anti-bending revolution is just a convenient cover for something else. That's my guess.

 

[Ezduo]

Again, your presuming on Bolin's intelligence. It's perfectly possible he is simply that ignorant. His brother clearly worked hard to keep him innocent. I agree that it's very odd that he would be so ignorant, but his mannerisms indicate it. Time will tell us for sure, but you have no reason to presume on Bolin's intelligence.

Doubt it, especially when he isn't that much younger than Mako (who explicitly stated that he worked for the gangs) and there are obviously other much younger children on the streets who are well initiated in what the underworld is up to. The show has painted him as comic relief but not outright stupid.

As for the rest, I'll agree to it. But who is saying that they're surprised? I don't think anyone didn't expect this exactly. What I'm saying is that it's wrong.

You appeared to be suggesting that Bolin was some innocent bystander in all this who just happened to be at a gang hideout with some of the higher level gang members. No, he specifically choose to be there, with those people, at that point in time. Depends on whether or not he knew what the gangs do which may seem presumptuous but no more so than assuming you won't hear about any crimes at a major gang hangout (or that he didn't know what they were up to in the first place for that matter).

 

[jdogmoney]

Rewatching it I'm convinced that Amon's not energybending.

Taking away someone's bending (as we saw it happen, at least) is like hitting a shut off switch. If your will is immutable you overpower the bend-ee and they can't bend anymore, period.

But the Triple Threat leader's process was different.

He went from lightning to fire to nothing.

It was like gradually putting a kink in a hose. A chi-hose, if you will. And Amon grabbed the dude's neck first (getting a visible reaction) and only after he started the process did he put his hand on the dude's forehead. He went from being able to produce lightning to only being able to produce fire to being able to produce nothing.

I'm calling it: super advanced chi blocking technique, which may or may not be reversible, and the hand on the head is a herring that is red.

 

[DragonGirl]

Bolin desperately needed the money, that's all there really is to it. He's a bit of a twit, and too trusting, but he's not stupid. His future is riding on coming up with a wad of cash he has no real idea how to make on such short notice. Shady crime guy walks up and offers to pay him what he needs to have a future in his sport. Shady guy promises the job is simple and involves no criminal activity. Bolin probably would have turned him down if it weren't for that fat wad of cash that would fix all his problems, so he figures its worth the risk since what the hell would he and his brother do if professional bending was taken away from them. It was a survival decision.

 

[Veelk]

Doubt it, especially when he isn't that much younger than Mako (who explicitly stated that he worked for the gangs) and there are obviously other much younger children on the streets who are well initiated in what the underworld is up to. The show has painted him as comic relief but not outright stupid.

So because someone younger than him is street savvy, he cannot possibly be unsavvy? That makes no sense. Also, Mako said he just did math for the gangs, nothing else. Mako knew what he was doing, but he insisted that he didn't commit any crime, which it seems he didn't.

And thus far, Bolin's only characterization has been that he's a cheerful, flirtatious, funny guy, the he loves some kinds of dumplings and probending, he's very enthusiastic about Korra and her being the avatar, and that he seems to act like a 5 year old to gangs. That last one combined with Mako's fierce protectiveness indicates that he could still be innocent to the world because Mako shielded him from it. Want to point out the scene where he demonstrates he is street smart and knows the dark ways of the world? Because right now, your just looking at his backstory and assuming he that he comes with street smarts built in, when there is no evidence for it.

You appeared to be suggesting that Bolin was some innocent bystander in all this who just happened to be at a gang hideout with some of the higher level gang members. No, he specifically choose to be there, with those people, at that point in time. Depends on whether or not he knew what the gangs do which may seem presumptuous but no more so than assuming you won't hear about any crimes at a major gang hangout (or that he didn't know what they were up to in the first place for that matter).

He chose to be WHERE? Doing WHAT?

Until you can tell me what crime he specifically committed, he IS an innocent bystander, whoever he chooses to associate himself with for whatever reason. Even if he knew who they were and what they did, that does not mean he was complicit in any crime. How many times must this be explained?

 

[MidnightCowboy]

I like that Amon mentioned the spirits, because that's exactly what Korra has trouble with.

 

[Infinite Justice]

I'm calling it: super advanced chi blocking technique, which may or may not be reversible, and the hand on the head is a herring that is red.

Apparently there is an actual pressure point called Amon that is located in back of the neck area (kinda like where he placed his hand) but its very dangerous since a precise strike can be fatal.


It could be re-purposed to instead of killing someone it just affects a person's ability to bend.



*this is all assuming this entire thing is legit*

 

[CornBurrito]

Doesn't matter. Evidence of illegal activity has to be found before they are judged guilty. That's why we have courts and stuff, otherwise we'd just have cop's break and enter into criminals homes and shoot them point blank. Unless you can prove someone's guilt, they are innocent and especially when Bolin might not have been part of the operation in the first place.

The equalists aren't fucking logicians or a justice system.

Yes it was association fallacy on their part. That is reasonable and realistic. Deal with it.

 

[Veelk]

The equalists aren't fucking logicians or a justice system.

Yes it was association fallacy on their part. That is reasonable and realistic. Deal with it.

I never said it was unrealistic. It is, however, unreasonable because...well, it defies reason if you consider their goal. If they admit they just want to kill all benders and don't care whether they they're harmless or not, then their position is reasonable. And much less sympathetic.

 

[GCX]

The Track Team did some great music for TLA but goddamn they've stepped up their game for Korra. There better be a soundtrack.

 

[Ezduo]

So because someone younger than him is street savvy, he cannot possibly be unsavvy? That makes no sense.

And thus far, Bolin's only characterization has been that he's a cheerful, flirtatious, funny guy, the he loves some kinds of dumplings and probending, he's very enthusiastic about Korra and her being the avatar, and that he seems to act like a 5 year old to gangs.

Want to point out the scene where they establish that he is street smart and knows the dark ways of the world?

I feel like you're reaching with the "5 year old" comment. He doesn't have to be dark and brooding like Mako or a genius to understand the moral deficiencies of other people. You already admitted it would be very odd for him to be this ignorant. It seems like you'd have to do more mental gymnastics to assume someone who has lived on the streets for many years, had a brother who specifically worked with the gangs, and knows on some level that working with them is a bad idea doesn't know ANYTHING about what they do than not. Hell, Korra was in the city five minutes before running into them. You're telling me he grew up here and never heard about what they do? Or that he even knows members of the gang by name and is still totally ignorant of what their days jobs are?

He chose to be WHERE? Doing WHAT?

Until you can tell me what crime he specifically committed, he IS an innocent bystander, whoever he chooses to associate himself with for whatever reason. Even if he knew who they were and what they did, that does not mean he was complicit in any crime. How many times must this be explained?

The apparent hangup appears to be on whether or not hanging out with a with a known gang (and doing business for them) at their hideout is a good idea. I think this is a bad idea and why he was ultimately in the position he found himself in. He doesn't accept the money and none of this happens. Simple as that.

This also depends on Bolin understanding what the gangs were up to though.

 

[Mumei]

Apparently there is an actual pressure point called Amon that is located in back of the neck area (kinda like where he placed his hand) but its very dangerous since a precise strike can be fatal.


It could be re-purposed to instead of killing someone it just affects a person's ability to bend.



*this is all assuming this entire thing is legit*

After you mentioned this, I Googled it and came across this image in another discussion about the latest episode.

And there was some random but interesting speculation about him actually blocking the light chakra that I'm not entirely sure I understood.

 

[Jintor]

We'll see in future episodes if it's a good thing Bolin unwittingly got himself kidnapped or not

 

[CornBurrito]

I never said it was unrealistic. It is, however, unreasonable because...well, it defies reason if you consider their goal. If they admit they just want to kill all benders and don't care whether they they're harmless or not, then their position is reasonable. And much less sympathetic.

It isn't unreasonable. The chances of someone with innocent motivations working for a fucking street gang are probably incredibly low.

 

[Ezduo]

After you mentioned this, I Googled it and came across this image in another discussion about the latest episode.

And there was some random but interesting speculation about him actually blocking the light chakra that I'm not entirely sure I understood.

Wasn't he touching him in the back as well as the forehead?

 

[jump_button]

What if Amon is a 3rd Brother? Any way I think it end up being the same fire bender that did take his face will be the same one that kill they mum and dad

 

[Rokam]

I saw an interview where the creators mentioned they still would like to do an animated feature film at some point. Hope they eventually do.. And yeah agreed that they need to release a soundtrack for this as soon as season 1 is over.

 

[Jintor]

woah

I saw an interview where the creators mentioned they still would like to do an animated feature film at some point. Hope they eventually do.. And yeah agreed that they need to release a soundtrack for this as soon as season 1 is over.

Anything to wipe the stench of Shyamalan away

 

[Mumei]

Wasn't he touching him in the back as well as the forehead?

I'd have to rewatch to see! I do find all this speculation interesting, though at this point I'm rather hoping that he isn't.

Edit: Yes, then.

 

[Infinite Justice]

Wasn't he touching him in the back as well as the forehead?

Yea but they moved away from it pretty quickly. He held the back of Volt's neck then placed his hand on his forehead, unless it was to grip and keep the head in place


Hence my post also.

 

[GCX]

I saw an interview where the creators mentioned they still would like to do an animated feature film at some point. Hope they eventually do.. And yeah agreed that they need to release a soundtrack for this as soon as season 1 is over.

Bryan said in his Tumblr that there was a small mistake in the interview. He and Mike didn't specify that they'd like to make an Avatar movie, they just want to make a feature long animation at some point, about Avatar or something else.

 

[Veelk]

I feel like you're reaching with the "5 year old" comment. He doesn't have to be dark and brooding like Mako or a genius to understand the moral deficiencies of other people. You already admitted it would be very odd for him to be this ignorant. It seems like you'd have to do more mental gymnastics to assume someone who has lived on the streets for many years, had a brother who specifically worked with the gangs, and knows on some level that working with them is a bad idea doesn't know ANYTHING about what they do than not. Hell, Korra was in the city five minutes before running into them. You're telling me he grew up here and never heard about what they do? Or that he even knows members of the gang by name and is still totally ignorant of what their days jobs are?

I said it's odd because it's very unusual and would not have expected it of him, but that's not evidence that it can't happen. Look at the way he reacted to the guy offering him the money. He was uncomfortable not because of any moral scruples HE had, but because Mako told him not to, which indicates that he views him as an infallible authority figure, like you view a parent. Most kids his age start thinking more for themselves, but he obviously doesn't. Then look at his face after he shows him the money. It's not the reluctant acceptance of a guy's morals failing him. He sees the money and somehow can't believe that a CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION would have it. His reaction is more akin to a kid being distracted by candy than by someone greedily longing for money to survive. If he was like you said he was, he'd act with more independence and wouldn't jump up and down like a child on too much sugar when he saw the money. There would be some shame there, reluctance as he is torn between needing the money and knowing it's wrong to take it. That's not what happened.

Whatever his mindset is, his mannerisms in this scene are more akin to an ignorant excitable child than to a person who knows what he's getting into.

The apparent hangup appears to be on whether or not hanging out with a with a known gang (and doing business for them) at their hideout is a good idea. I think this is a bad idea and why he was ultimately in the position he found himself in. He doesn't accept the money and none of this happens. Simple as that.

Yeah, it's a mistake on his part, no one is denying that. But a mistake isn't a crime or a wrongdoing. If a person went to a store the day there happened to be a mad gunman in there, they didn't commit any crime and deserve to be riddled with bullets. Or if they knew but went anyway, that makes them remarkably stupid, but that is not a crime or wrongdoing either. In any case, Bolin is not the kind of person the Antibenders are after, and they have no reason to take his bending away.

This also depends on Bolin understanding what the gangs were up to though.

No, your not getting it. Even if he knew, there is no evidence that he did anything. I don't know how I can explain it more clearly than that.

It isn't unreasonable. The chances of someone with innocent motivations working for a fucking street gang are probably incredibly low.

Doesn't matter. You don't punish the guilty on the basis of probability. You don't go in court, say "Yeah, he probably did it" and end the case there. Their goal is to punish benders that abuse their power. That's fine. But they're also hurting the benders that are not abusing their power. That is not in line with their goal.

 

[Rokam]

Bryan said in his Tumblr that there was a small mistake in the interview. He and Mike didn't specify that they'd like to make an Avatar movie, they just want a feature long animation about something.

Awww . Oh well the same interview did have them mentioning there are still other things they want to do in the universe. And I'd definetly see a movie made by them.

This part of the song is soooo good http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0095lSk0g8

 

[AniHawk]

just saw episode 3.

hoooooooooly shit.

car (motorcycle) chase with bending, awesome bender/nonbender fights.

and goddamn jesus holy fuck that editing of mako moving through the crowd while korra kicked the big guy's ass the good ol' fashioned way with the dark knight music playing in the background was fucking fantastic. the lead up to it, the subsequent beatdown, and how she improvised to her advantage (using the scarf) was fucking cool.

and amon looks like he'll be a pretty good bad guy.

can't wait to see what else is in store.

 

[MidnightCowboy]

I love Amon's cockiness. He knows nobody can fuck with him and shows it.

 

[Jintor]

Although as some of my anime-gaf brethren have noticed, clearly 3d backgrounds were disappointing

 

[MotionBlue]

I'll be disappointed if Energy bending is used by anyone but the Avatar, they made it pretty clear that it was forgotten knowledge. Aang being the only Avatar to ever be aware of its existence.

Edit:

It's all a scapegoat. Pick a target to feed the common people's fear and resentment and you got yourself a tame mob. Amon is a manipulative bullshitter. The anti-bending revolution is just a convenient cover for something else. That's my guess.

Agree completely. The Anti-bending revolution is a framing device for a larger strife, just like the 100 year war.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Damn the CGI in this is god-awful.

 

[BorkBork]

Wow at the unanimous love for the third episode.

I thought it was super weak. Slow to get going, whimper of a finish. Amon's reveal was OK, but nothing in comparison to Azula.

The action scenes were nice, but nothing else was particularly memorable.

I'll need a few days to digest it and reflect on it, but right now I'm left with a sour taste.

An aside prediction: I think in terms of narrative flow and character development, Korra will indeed lose her bending at the end of Book One. Book Two will definitely be Spirit. Gut feeling.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Although as some of my anime-gaf brethren have noticed, clearly 3d backgrounds were disappointing

AnimeGAF is so used to looking at CGI backgrounds that it has become a running gag. I don't think most people in here actually care.

I for one will be happy with the scene composition as long as we don't find any shape-shifting toilets from outer space.

 

[Ezduo]

I said it's odd because it's very unusual and would not have expected it of him, but that's not evidence that it can't happen.

But it does make it unusual, even in your own eyes. I'd like to think on some level you think it's makes more sense for him to be aware of what the gangs do than not. At the very least he's aware what he's about to do is wrong. His brother has told him this guy is a bad guy and working with him is a bad idea, you don't think on some level he realizes this means something morally questionable?

Whatever his mindset is, his mannerisms in this scene are more akin to an ignorant excitable child than to a person who knows what he's getting into.

He knows he's getting into something that's wrong on some level.

Yeah, it's a mistake on his part, no one is denying that. But a mistake isn't a crime or a wrongdoing.

It is a "wrongdoing" on his part if he knows what the gangs do and the trouble he can get into and still goes ahead with it. Behavior that shouldn't be encouraged nor tolerated. For all intents and purposes he's a gang member at the moment he starts working for them.

No, your not getting it. Even if he knew, there is no evidence that he did anything. I don't know how I can explain it more clearly than that.

I'm getting it quite clearly. Knowingly hanging out with extortionists, thugs, and possibly murderers is a bad idea and when you do that people are going to assume you're an associate. That's why you don't do it and, assuming Bolin knew what these people were capable of, it's his own fault for hanging around and taking work from them.

 

[Jintor]

AnimeGAF is so used to looking at CGI backgrounds that it has become a running gag. I don't think most people in here actually care.

I for one will be happy with the scene composition as long as we don't find any shape-shifting toilets from outer space.

CG only fits if it's undetectable or if it's supposed to be jarringly weird visually.

 

[Mumei]

Wow at the unanimous love for the third episode.

I thought it was super weak. Slow to get going, whimper of a finish. Amon's reveal was OK, but nothing in comparison to Azula.

The action scenes were nice, but nothing else was particularly memorable.

I'll need a few days to digest it and reflect on it, but right now I'm left with a sour taste.

Azula had some great moments (the lightning bending practice with the single hair out of place, the question about whether the tides control the ship, tricking Zuko, etc.) in her first episode, but I am not sure that I didn't like Amon's more.

What did you find unsatisfying about that in particular?

 

[Regulus Tera]

CG only fits if it's undetectable or if it's supposed to be jarringly weird visually.

I don't think anyone will make the argument that the CGI used in Korra fits the universe. Most people just don't give a shit about it.

 

[MidnightCowboy]

Wow at the unanimous love for the third episode.

I thought it was super weak. Slow to get going, whimper of a finish. Amon's reveal was OK, but nothing in comparison to Azula.

The action scenes were nice, but nothing else was particularly memorable.

I'll need a few days to digest it and reflect on it, but right now I'm left with a sour taste.

An aside prediction: I think in terms of narrative flow and character development, Korra will indeed lose her bending at the end of Book One. Book Two will definitely be Spirit. Gut feeling.

Did you not see Mako and Bolin get absolutely hammered by the shock sticks? Or the awesome motorcycle chase scene? Or Amon dodging a freaking lightning bolt like it was nothing?

 

[Infinite Justice]

Damn the CGI in this is god-awful.

going from the post in the anime thread to this?

C'MON SON.

 

[Regulus Tera]

going from the post in the anime thread to this?

CMON SON.

You know me. I have to stir shit up wherever I go.

 

[Jintor]

I don't think anyone will make the argument that the CGI used in Korra fits the universe. Most people just don't give a shit about it.

They're crazy that shit be JARRING

 

[BorkBork]

Azula had some great moments (the lightning bending practice with the single hair out of place, the question about whether the tides control the ship, tricking Zuko, etc.) in her first episode, but I am not sure that I didn't like Amon's more.

What did you find unsatisfying about that in particular?

He comes across as a little bland. His speech to rally his base didn't really grab me. You would think someone with a message like his would be able to hammer it home, but meh. You're supposed to be the mastermind in control of everything, make me feel it.

 

[BorkBork]

Did you not see Mako and Bolin get absolutely hammered by the shock sticks? Or the awesome motorcycle chase scene? Or Amon dodging a freaking lightning bolt like it was nothing?

I did mention the action scenes were nice.

Story took awhile to get going, what with the wandering and the sitting around waiting for the rally to get going. Then the end wrapping with Tenzin and Korra was eh. I get that they're trying to instill a sense of uncertainty, but it felt incomplete.

 

[Veelk]

But it does make it unusual, even in your own eyes. I'd like to think on some level you think it's makes more sense for him to be aware of what the gangs do than not. At the very least he's aware what he's about to do is wrong. His brother has told him this guy is a bad guy and working with him is a bad idea, you don't think on some level he realizes this means something morally questionable?

It is unusual. What of it? Just because something doesn't happen often doesn't mean it doesn't happen at all. For my part, I'm trying to reserve judgement until we get more on Bolin's character, because it could still go either way. All we can say for sure right now is that he exhibits the mindset of a child. He seems aware of what he's doing is wrong, but only because he heard it was wrong from his brother, not of his own choice.

He knows he's getting into something that's wrong on some level.

He indicated that knows that Mako told him it's wrong. That's all. If he really is like a child...well, you do realize we don't try children for crimes the same way we do adults for a reason, right?

It is a "wrongdoing" on his part if he knows what the gangs do and the trouble he can get into and still goes ahead with it. Behavior that shouldn't be encouraged nor tolerated. For all intents and purposes he's a gang member at the moment he starts working for them.

Actually, I rewatched the scene. The guy tells him specifically that this wasn't anything illegal. it might not have been. Assuming he believes him, bolin just things he's doing some bodyguard work so some guy that is usually a criminal can go about their nonillegal business that particular day. If this is the case, there is absolutely nothing wrong happening here, not on part of the criminals.

What this behavior is is RISKY and DANGEROUS but it's not wrong, especially if what the guy says happens to be true. Also, no, you don't become a gang member by doing a single job for them.

I'm getting it quite clearly. Knowingly hanging out with extortionists, thugs, and possibly murderers is a bad idea and when you do that people are going to assume you're an associate. That's why you don't do it and, assuming Bolin knew what these people were capable of, it's his own fault for hanging around and taking work from them.

It's a bad idea, no one is arguing that, but it isn't a crime of any sort, it's not even a wrong doing. It's just dangerous and risky. Definitely a bad idea. But it's not inherently wrong. If he is judged guilty by association, then that is wrong on part of the judges because that is a fallical argument.

 

[Infinite Justice]

He comes across as a little bland. His speech to rally his base didn't really grab me. You would think someone with a message like his would be able to hammer it home, but meh. You're supposed to be the mastermind in control of everything, make me feel it.

To be fair i think it was more of showing off his gift than the speech itself (i'm not even convinced about some of the things he says) and the Avatar being there to see it was just a bonus.

 

[IrrelevantNotch]

It's all a scapegoat. Pick a target to feed the common people's fear and resentment and you got yourself a tame mob. Amon is a manipulative bullshitter. The anti-bending revolution is just a convenient cover for something else. That's my guess.

Amon is probably a bender himself, and plans to rule the world by being the only bender on Earth.

 

[Mumei]

He comes across as a little bland. His speech to rally his base didn't really grab me. You would think someone with a message like his would be able to hammer it home, but meh. You're supposed to be the mastermind in control of everything, make me feel it.

You might be right. When I was listening to it, I listened to it thinking of myself as a member in the crowd, and I could see how over some time of disseminating his views, he could have gotten that many people to show up to that meeting. Afterwards, though, I was thinking about it more critically and the speech sort of resonated with me less. I think maybe you just have to listen to it with a sympathetic mindset to what he's saying; I don't think what he's saying would convert someone who is skeptical.

Though I think that what most people (or maybe just me and I'm projecting) really enjoyed his introduction was the fights, where he really seemed to make the big impression.

 

[Veelk]

Amon's actions spoke louder than words. There are lots of people upset with Benders and he just took theirs away. That's big. If I were antibending, he'd certainly have won my support with that.

 

[Phoenician_Viking]

I totally understand Amon and support his cause. No one group should have all the power while other should just be subjects to that power.

I don´t believe Amon´s motivation, or reason to do this for one second. I refuse to believe that a cliche reason like that made Amon who he is now.

 

[Trey]

It's a bad idea, no one is arguing that, but it isn't a crime of any sort, it's not even a wrong doing. It's just dangerous and risky. Definitely a bad idea. But it's not inherently wrong.

Considering right and wrong is a relative property which varies from person to person and culture to culture from a moral standpoint, it's adding nothing of value to say that. I could just as easily say it's not inherently right, therefore he deserved to have his bending taken away.

Also, I find the Equalists' actions very much in line with their stated goals. What makes you feel they're being disingenuous to their stated purpose?