Patton, the man, the movie, and the “they just don’t write ‘em like that anymore” phenomenon

Somehow, a mere 25 years after Patton’s death Hollywood managed to create a big budget masterpiece that unflinchingly and unapologetically tells his story.  Rather than moralize or criticize, the film immerses the viewer in the unique combination of madness, genius, grit, and determination that drove one of America’s greatest generals.  In one sense, legendary general… Continue reading Patton, the man, the movie, and the “they just don’t write ‘em like that anymore” phenomenon

Oppenheimer and the FBI’s long history of both spying and lying to destroy political dissidents

Oppenheimer broke laws, was not investigated for any crime or formally charged with one, and yet he was subject to every type of surveillance imaginable at the time. The output of this effort ran to thousands of pages and the contents were frequently used to issue false statements as part of coordinated smear campaign implicitly… Continue reading Oppenheimer and the FBI’s long history of both spying and lying to destroy political dissidents

George Washington, Ferris Bueller, and those “-isms” that aren’t good

How the wisdom of George Washington, the indispensable man, and Ferris Bueller, the lovable rogue who valued experiencing the moment, can unite to guide us through these troubled times. “-Ism’s in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon, ‘I don’t… Continue reading George Washington, Ferris Bueller, and those “-isms” that aren’t good