(My Birthday. I’m 86 today)
The film is “1917.” From Tucker Carlson’s “Ship of Fools,” page 92: “On an unexceptional June morning in 1914, a second string Austrian nobleman was murdered by a Serbian terrorist in Sarajevo. In response, Austria prepared to attack Serbia. Russia, in turn decided to defend Serbia. Germany supported its ally Austria. France supported Russia. Great Britain somehow became involved, and soon a small war over a single nobleman’s death had sucked in every European great power. Early on, commanders for both sides anticipated a short, triumphant conflict; the German Kaiser told his men they would be home before the leaves fell from the trees. Instead, the continent was shredded by four years of mass killing.”
The film didn’t win an anticipated Oscar. We saw it, and it is an exceptional film; well directed, well acted, and well photographed, but ever so depressing. If you want a shocking, sad but true film, go see it. Otherwise think about World War One, and every war since, other than WW II. My Dad was drafted into WW I, but never saw action. Why did America get into it after it had been going on for close to three years? Ask Woodrow Wilson, except he is dead, but his explanation would surely be foolish. 16 million died in that absurdity. 50,000 died in Korea, and another 50,000 died in Vietnam. Tens of thousands have died in Afghanistan, Iraq, and that mess, and we’re still there, in spite of Trump’s promise to get us out. Why? Every time I see a vet, I thank him for his service, and since most are deceased, other than Vietnam vets, I always ask them, after I thank them, if they have ever figured out why we were there. Not a single one has ever said anything but , “ I have no idea, but I was drafted and had to go,” or similar. So much for that. All wars are utterly sensless, making and forcing innocents to fight needlessly for a politician’s stupidity. Now here’s a shocker. See below.
Go Bernie!
No, I am not crazy. If you live where there is an open primary, when you can vote for either party, we all know Trump will win, but vote for Bernie. He’s a devout commie-socialist, and would be a cinch for Trump to beat. Maybe Bloomberg will spend a hundred billion or a trillion to try to beat Trump, but if Bernie has enough votes from primaries, he can beat everyone at the convention, win the nomination, and then the election will be a riot when Trump gets every state. The demos are scared to death of Bernie. Let’s help him along.