Yes, even suffering even death are worthwhile if they serve a purpose. On this Good Friday, although we are horrified by the gruesomeness of the story, we remember the extraordinary loving sacrifice and death of Jesus Christ who died so that anybody, regardless of background, can have eternal life if they chose to truly follow him. Easter joy is coming.
Well done you! I, too, fell for the globalist agenda, but started questioning when Walmart, which had proudly promoted its wares as made in America, slowly de emphasized, then completely dropped that claim. Then I learned how they took American products to China, had them reverse engineered, and destroyed the American company. If screwing over your fellow American is the smart thing to do, I guess I’ll throw in my lot with the plebes.
Everything you say here is spot on except in your summation, one tiny quibble but wasn’t tiny to us at the time. There was no asking, we were told to go, on pain of prison, loss of citizenship, and basically having your life wrecked. Of course that wasn’t universal, and many of us volunteered, but by 1969 I don’t recall a single Marine claiming to be there for any high, noble purpose. We went because that’s what Marines do, go where we’re told.
Anyway, you can’t second-guess history but you don’t have to be a repetitious buffoon about it either. Our politicians and flag officers are incompetent as proven by their track record since WW2. If you can’t win a war, then find different jobs and fighting some other country’s war for them is the height of lunacy.
I had that same thought. A lot of young men, my older brother included, were involuntarily pulled out of their civilian lives and sent to Vietnam. He ended up piloting a helicopter and served honorably, but I imagine there were other things he'd rather have been doing during those years.
My childhood was shaped (not in a good way) by the Vietnam War. My dad, a Marine, was there in 1967 and I remember seeing him cry for the first time when Saigon fell in 1975.
Honestly, my view of Bannon (which I admit is not well informed) is of a nut. I will watch this documentary and open my mind to the man.
Thanks! I watched the American Dharma documentary and the Maher interview. I’ll chew on these. I have to say, though, that it was tough to sit through Maher’s smarminess.
Maher is nothing if not smarmy, but he's at least trying to have a dialogue. This show started off with a very interesting recap of his dinner with Trump, and finished with Piers Morgan.
This you tube is a fairly hostile interview with Maher done 6 years ago (tho' Bannon holds his own). The interview you're referring to with Maher last week, in which Maher was a whole lot more sympathetic - night and day, in fact - is great. But I couldn't find the whole thing online.
I recall watching the Morris film in a NYC theater. I knew more of both men by reputation than actual knowledge of their views. I came away sympathetic to Bannon and unimpressed by Morris, who came across as a boilerplate NYT-NPR hack. Also found the film annoying because of the bombastic, ominous music soundtrack and the flashing of condemnatory "news" headlines about Bannon, none of which cited sources. The film was propaganda that backfired.
Jenny, Springsteen's musical hit was titled "Born In The USA". You may have confused the title of the song with the book and the movie by the same name, "Born On The Fourth of July", a memoir by Ron Kovic.
I will be appearing on Steve Bannon’s WAR ROOM today April 15 at 6pm eastern along with my colleague Shannon Everett of American Truckers United to discuss issues in the trucking industry and on our roads for the general public caused by insourced and unvetted ‘drivers’.
Oh how random! I was travelling when you posted this comment and I wasn't as online as I normally am, but I did hear Shannon Everett on War Room yesterday (may have been an episode from the day before!)
"We passed a huge Ford Motor plant...I could not believe that American leaders wasted precious blood and treasure in such huge quantities, devastated two generations of Vietnamese and American families alike — only to facilitate the move of a core, iconic, American company, to the same Vietnamese Communist regime." I assume Ford at least waited until the end of the war this time, unlike in WWII where the Ford Motor plant there supplied approximately 1/3 of the trucks used by the 3rd Reich as they were killing our men, even going to the extent of some at the highest levels of government keeping the plants off a US bombing run. That is one of many instances of US corporate support of the 3rd Reich.
"American Dharma": I had no idea this movie existed. Thanks to you, I found it on my library streaming system. It's riveting. Thanks.
I recommend this speech Bannon gave four days ago at Hillsdale College. The speech starts around 55:00. His deep knowledge of history is, I think, applied correctly. America is not out of the woods yet. Praying.
Yes, even suffering even death are worthwhile if they serve a purpose. On this Good Friday, although we are horrified by the gruesomeness of the story, we remember the extraordinary loving sacrifice and death of Jesus Christ who died so that anybody, regardless of background, can have eternal life if they chose to truly follow him. Easter joy is coming.
Yes! Amen!
Well done you! I, too, fell for the globalist agenda, but started questioning when Walmart, which had proudly promoted its wares as made in America, slowly de emphasized, then completely dropped that claim. Then I learned how they took American products to China, had them reverse engineered, and destroyed the American company. If screwing over your fellow American is the smart thing to do, I guess I’ll throw in my lot with the plebes.
Wow, I did not know that about Walmart undermining American products in that way. Bastards.
Everything you say here is spot on except in your summation, one tiny quibble but wasn’t tiny to us at the time. There was no asking, we were told to go, on pain of prison, loss of citizenship, and basically having your life wrecked. Of course that wasn’t universal, and many of us volunteered, but by 1969 I don’t recall a single Marine claiming to be there for any high, noble purpose. We went because that’s what Marines do, go where we’re told.
Anyway, you can’t second-guess history but you don’t have to be a repetitious buffoon about it either. Our politicians and flag officers are incompetent as proven by their track record since WW2. If you can’t win a war, then find different jobs and fighting some other country’s war for them is the height of lunacy.
I had that same thought. A lot of young men, my older brother included, were involuntarily pulled out of their civilian lives and sent to Vietnam. He ended up piloting a helicopter and served honorably, but I imagine there were other things he'd rather have been doing during those years.
Fair point!
Thank you for this!
My childhood was shaped (not in a good way) by the Vietnam War. My dad, a Marine, was there in 1967 and I remember seeing him cry for the first time when Saigon fell in 1975.
Honestly, my view of Bannon (which I admit is not well informed) is of a nut. I will watch this documentary and open my mind to the man.
Let me know what you think!
You might also want to view his appearance on Bill Mahar last week. he's not what the left has painted him to be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egVlN-kBjZg
Thanks! I watched the American Dharma documentary and the Maher interview. I’ll chew on these. I have to say, though, that it was tough to sit through Maher’s smarminess.
Maher is nothing if not smarmy, but he's at least trying to have a dialogue. This show started off with a very interesting recap of his dinner with Trump, and finished with Piers Morgan.
He still smirks and thinks his opinions are dogma instead of the dogshit they usually are. Fake comedy.
This you tube is a fairly hostile interview with Maher done 6 years ago (tho' Bannon holds his own). The interview you're referring to with Maher last week, in which Maher was a whole lot more sympathetic - night and day, in fact - is great. But I couldn't find the whole thing online.
I tried to find it as well but I couldn't.
Wrong link. That's 6 years ago.
It's this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EXkFqLgP0Y&t=325s
Thanks
I recall watching the Morris film in a NYC theater. I knew more of both men by reputation than actual knowledge of their views. I came away sympathetic to Bannon and unimpressed by Morris, who came across as a boilerplate NYT-NPR hack. Also found the film annoying because of the bombastic, ominous music soundtrack and the flashing of condemnatory "news" headlines about Bannon, none of which cited sources. The film was propaganda that backfired.
Right!?
I do believe you've convinced me to read more about Bannon. Thank you for the well thought out article.
Thank you!
Jenny, Springsteen's musical hit was titled "Born In The USA". You may have confused the title of the song with the book and the movie by the same name, "Born On The Fourth of July", a memoir by Ron Kovic.
Thank you for pointing that out -- fixed it!
I hope that had a good Good Friday and are preparing heart and soul for Easter.
I did, thank you
Great column, as always.
Thank you!
Great stuff... also so weird.. I found out about this guy only a few days ago when my friend appeared on the War room.
He then put me on his podcast the next day... and now Im reading this...
maybe you saw him?
https://substack.com/@autonomoustruckers?
I will be appearing on Steve Bannon’s WAR ROOM today April 15 at 6pm eastern along with my colleague Shannon Everett of American Truckers United to discuss issues in the trucking industry and on our roads for the general public caused by insourced and unvetted ‘drivers’.
--
Thanks for that info!
Oh how random! I was travelling when you posted this comment and I wasn't as online as I normally am, but I did hear Shannon Everett on War Room yesterday (may have been an episode from the day before!)
Substack is great.
"We passed a huge Ford Motor plant...I could not believe that American leaders wasted precious blood and treasure in such huge quantities, devastated two generations of Vietnamese and American families alike — only to facilitate the move of a core, iconic, American company, to the same Vietnamese Communist regime." I assume Ford at least waited until the end of the war this time, unlike in WWII where the Ford Motor plant there supplied approximately 1/3 of the trucks used by the 3rd Reich as they were killing our men, even going to the extent of some at the highest levels of government keeping the plants off a US bombing run. That is one of many instances of US corporate support of the 3rd Reich.
Corporations also supported the Soviets! Nasty business.
Well, Ford himself was pretty antisemitic…
Thank you. Just thank you.
You are most welcome!
Thank you for this excellent essay. So many points I can relate to.
Thank you!
"American Dharma": I had no idea this movie existed. Thanks to you, I found it on my library streaming system. It's riveting. Thanks.
I recommend this speech Bannon gave four days ago at Hillsdale College. The speech starts around 55:00. His deep knowledge of history is, I think, applied correctly. America is not out of the woods yet. Praying.
It is riveting, isn't it? I will watch the Hillsdale speech asap.
Solid
The ford motor company built the tanks that the nazis used to kill our soldiers. This has been goi g on forever & the elite laugh at us.