General George Patton

I admire my Uncle Tony tremendously. A common-sense New Englander, Chicago-trained lawyer, who is now in his 80s and remains intellectually active. With an odd synchronicity, independently we both re-watched Patton (1970). It is a brilliant movie that underscores the grave importance Patton had in winning World War 2 while still showing his human flaws.Continue reading “General George Patton”

Elite Competition

Sing, Goddess, Achilles’ rage,Black and murderous, that cost the GreeksIncalculable pain, pitched countless soulsOf heroes into Hades’ dark,And left their bodies to rot as feastsFor dogs and birds, as Zeus’ will was done.    Begin with the clash between Agamemnon–The Greek warlord–and godlike Achilles. So opens the Illiad. Homer focuses our attention on the combatants: this isContinue reading “Elite Competition”

2020 in the Rear View Mirror

Janus, the two-headed god looking both forward and back. 2020 was a tempting year to just forget. Ryan Reynold’s humorously captured the spirit when he produced this: Sure it’s a Match commercial but I am a sucker for its dystopian humor. The focus is on the impact of Covid and plays on the forced isolation,Continue reading “2020 in the Rear View Mirror”