Just watched the end of a movie in which Lawrence Olivier was strutting about in Napoleonic-era admiral’s uniform with an empty right sleeve, which could only mean he was portraying Lord Nelson. And there was Vivien Leigh talking about Lord Keith and St. Vincent and the rest, so I was hooked to the end of it. Saw a highly melodramatic rendering of Nelson’s death at Trafalgar.
As you know, I’m a huge fan of the Aubrey-Maturin novels, and Lord Nelson was Jack Aubrey’s hero. In the books, Jack is the one to whom Nelson said, “Never mind maneuvers, always go straight at ’em.” In reality, he said that to Lord Cochrane, upon whom Aubrey is largely based.
Here’s the kicker: After the movie, the guy who introduces the features on TCM said the movie was so chock-full of homilies about the importance of standing up to dictators that the director was summoned to Congress — still gripped by isolationism — where our lawmakers were investigating pro-war propaganda by Hollywood. He was scheduled to appear on Dec. 12, 1941, so he lucked out there. By his appearance date, isolationism was no longer quite the thing, you know.
Imagine that — Hollywood being investigated for pro-war propaganda.
I’d better go to bed now.
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The other evening I saw a BBC production called “The Falklands Play” about the events leading up to the war in 1982. I found it well made and very interesting with Patricia Hodge (you may remember her as Phyllida Erskine-Brown ‘the Portia of our chambers’ from Rumpole)superb as Maggie T. Upon doing some research I discovered that it was written and ready to go in the mid-eighties, but the powers that be (or were) at the BBC nixed it as being too pro-Thatcher and it had to wait over a decade to be made. I found it interesting that a state institution was so opposed to a sitting Head of Government.
Olivier’s Henry V was specifically made (at least in part) as pro-war propaganda. A number of the later episodes of the Basil Rathbone Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes films were set in modern day (1940’s) Britain with Holmes battling the evil Hun (the real Huns were Central Asians).
Dang.
Another failed attempt to get a conversation going about the Aubrey-Maturin books. At least I got a comment out of Mike Fitts over at Facebook. Mike’s the guy who turned me on to O’Brian, for which I am deeply appreciative.
Greg, thanks for trying to get into the spirit of the post, but no one else was interested. I enjoyed the Henry V reference.
Back to politics, I guess…
Hey, at least I got Philip going about “Firefly” on a previous post. Shiny.
Oh well, I tried. Sometimes its fun to talk about other things. I was hoping Lee would at least accuse Henry V of being a socialist.
Perhaps I will try and find my copy of Master and Commander and give it another try. Everyone I know with above a room temperature IQ enjoys the series. Has anyone read O’Brian’s bio? Strange character. Of German heritage I believe, not Irish at all.
Why are you folks so afraid of the proper application of the word “socialist”?
Does is make you uncomfortable to like the socialistic proposals of Democrats like Hussein Obama, because you realize how close they are to the failed brutality of Hitler, FDR, and Stalin?
At least your conscience is trying to warn you.
I do not feel that socialism is a workable system and oppose it. However, you remind me of the little boy who cried wolf and use the term to such excess that it loses its ability to frighten and becomes almost comedic. Often, moderation increases effectiveness.
As a degreed economist, I apply terms like “socialism”, “fascism”, and “communism” precisely. Words have utility when used properly among educated people who understand the correct definitions. To everyone else, they are just insults to sling around.
The fact is that Barack Obama was raised as a communist and all his initiatives so far have been very socialist, some fascist socialism, some are other forms of socialism.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Elaina
http://www.freearticletrove.com
Healthy Bones for Height Improvement
If you are thinking of growing a few more inches, you must keep in mind that the most important thing do so is to maintain healthy bones. Just because we can still function properly and we don’t feel any pain in our joint doesn’t mean our bones are healthy. Having a fracture doesn’t mean it is unhealthy as well. Here are some of the things that you can do to make sure that you have healthy bones.
First, have the right amount of calcium and vitamin D. we all know that bones need calcium to increase bone density. Vitamin D, in contrast, is essential for the absorption of calcium. Foods that are loaded with calcium include milk, cheese and yogurt. You can get vitamin D by being exposed to early morning sun. You can also get it by eating eggs and salmon. Likewise, Vitamin K helps stimulate bone growth. You can find this vitamin in avocado and in spinach. Visit here for more http://www.growth-flex.com/ .
For a bone to be healthy, it needs to undergo regular exercise. Regular exercise means following a routine daily. It would be best if you do your workout at the same time of the day, with increasing intensity. Take note that occasional exercise will not help. Physical activity strengthens bones in a way that cannot be done by just eating right.
Aside from a healthy diet and regular exercise, it is also important to have a regular dose of growth enhancers that will help boost your growth. Aging means your body produces less growth hormone that it did when your body was still young. Growth boosters such as Growth Flex V Pro System can help in this matter. Go to http://www.growth-flex.com/ .
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peterson
Vitamin A for Growth
We always hear that for us to grow, it is necessary that we have the right nutrients for the body. This is not only essential for kids, but for adults too. According to studies, it is still possible for a person in his forties to grow a few more inches. Take note, this age is twenty years after puberty.
However, it is not enough that we know we need nutrients to gain some height. What are the definite nutrients that we need? In what way do they affect our bodies? And what are the right types of food to eat in order to get those vitamins? For more info, go to http://www.growth-flex.com/ .
Let us then discuss vitamin A. This vitamin greatly helps in growing bones and making them strong. People who want to grow taller need this type of vitamin. Not only that, it also aids in having healthier teeth, gums, hair and skin. It also assists in having the body resist infections. Foods that richly contain vitamin A include green and yellow-colored vegetables and fruits, egg yolk, pork and chicken liver, margarine and carrots.
Even with the right amount of vitamin A, it is still necessary to have some growth supplements like Growth Flex V Pro System. The right amount of other vitamins is still necessary for proper diet. Protein, fats, carbohydrates and water are still essential.
Aside from vitamins, having the right amount of exercise and some sleep can tremendously help in increasing a person’s height. A person will likely increase two to five inches with the right growth program. Visit here at, http://www.growth-flex.com/ .
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vanjoshep
Very nice climax
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Christena
The only Satellite Television Delivers the Best Value in Entertainment
Have you ever noticed how similar Nelson’s “Never mind maneuvers…” is to Napoleon’s “On s’engage et puis on voit”? (One enters the fray, and then one sees.) Much the same idea, no? I wonder if the two had a common source.