Gandalf And Bilbo

Upon consideration, I'll easily replace "puppetmaster" from my characterization of Gandalf with "manipulator", seeing as he moved events but didn't control them. After all, the Wizards WERE sent to Middle Earth to perform a duty (some more successful than others). Peter Jackson's direction of or Ian McCellen's portrayal of Gandalf where he confronts Denethor illustates his ability/desire to command. Granted, I didn't get this feeling from the book(s), which I guess shows that my opinions are more influenced by the movie.

The Chomsky/Zinn dialogue I stumbled upon through the process of "Googling". I don't remember what I googled but I do recall my eyes snapping to attention when Chomsky's name showed up. I read this before I read the books believe it or not, so I had to mentally fight against the misinformation of the parody as the true story unravelled. (I'm ok now, I think)