A century on, two films answer the current moment
The past couple of days have been filled with dread. The President of the United States has upped the ante for his claim to dictator. If he does, in fact, destroy Iran - the country, its culture, its people - he will have consigned the U.S. to the blackest pit of history. If he executes this diabolical plan, he will find himself at the head of the list of despots and geoncidists. Yes, I believe ahead of Hitler, Mao, and Stalin. Why? Because by now, we should have learned from history. But “should have” does a lot of lifting here. After all, I am referring to a man who knows nothing of history, who cares nothing for others - either as individuals or simply as humanity. I cannot recall anyone in my lifetime who appears to embody ignorance and hatred so completely. Of course, he doesn’t act alone. He has begun an unconstitutional and illegal war. He was able to do so because, so far, Congress has abdicated its role as the arbiter for declaring war. Indeed, Congress has abdicated its ...
