Our Noble Experiment - Democracy

John Adams wrote, in 1814, "Democracy never lasts long, it soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There was never a Democracy yet, that didn't commit suicide." The next 2 months will tell us if he was right, or wrong.

Now the Democrats will start the Court challenges. As would the Reublicans had the outcome been reversed. Remember, they said they would accept the outcome. Of course, now they won't. Here is something to think about before our country descends into Civil Unrest.

The total death toll of the American Civil War is generally accepted to be around 620,000 soldiers and approximately another 130,000 civilians, for a total of 850,000 in the 48 months from April 1861 through April of 1865. Then it took a century more to recover from that conflict, and arguably that recovery is still going on today.

Comparatively the total deaths incurred during the 45 months of the Second World War, from December 7th, 1941 to the first week of September of 1945 was far less,  approximately 113,842 in both Europe and the Pacific combined. And when the war was over we recovered almost immediately,  into a post war boom both socially and economically.

The lesson to be learned is quite simple; we lose more when we fight amongst ourselves than we do when we are fighting others. Think about that.

Yom Kippur -"Jews Praying in the Synagogue" (1878)

 

This is one of my favorite paintings depicting the Jewish faith. "Jews Praying in the Synagogue" (1878) by the Polish arttist Maurycy Gottlieb. This High Holy Day is when the Jewish people ask forgiveness for their sins against God. For sins committed against their fellow man it is tradition that the offender ask forgiveness directly from the people they have offended. 

I was always taught that you were bound to ask for this forgiveness three times. If, after the 3rd attempt, your plea is denied, then the person offended is the one who carries the burden of unforgiveness. At the same time, I have always felt that there are certain cases in which you needn't forgive someone. Only you will know if you are right, or wrong in this. Your heart doesn't lie. 

Of interest in the painting is that the artist depicts himself three times in various stages of his own life. The central figure of the artist, middle aged, shows him holding his hand to his head in aparent anguish. The young child on the left, wearing a medallion bearing his initials in Hebrew, is also an image of himself, as is the young man to the right, reading from a prayer book while standing next to his father. Again, the number three seems to be a central element of the painting. I'm not sure if there is a connection between this and the tradition of asking for forgiveness three times, but it is an interesting thought. 

"G'mar chatima tova,” or “May you be sealed in the Book of Life” is the appropriate greeting for this, the most Holy Day of the Jewish Faith.

"Two for the See Saw" (1962) Robert Mitchum and Shirley Maclaine

"Two for the See Saw" is a 1962 film. The opening credits showcase the Brooklyn Bridge and Fulton Fish Market, just as I remember them as a kid, but without the smell! 🤣

The film, with a score by Andre Previn, is a masterpiece. Robert Mitchum is wonderful as a newly separated, and "lost", lawyer from Nebraska, opposite an equally lost Shirley MacClaine, a would be dancer. The two strike up a tenative friendship which quickly turns romantic. 

In real life the two had a “long relationship” according to MacLaine. “I loved his complications. He was a bit of a coward, actually, and I was interested where that cowardliness came from when his demeanor was such the opposite,” she said. Perhaps this is what makes their parts ring so true. 

You will find yourself rooting for the relationship to work out. They belong together. They learn about themselves as they learn about one another. But will the weight of their past baggage be too much for love to conquer? 

Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman were originally cast in these roles, but Taylor was delayed while filming the last scenes in the epic "Cleopatra", and Newman was already committed to playing "Fast" Eddie in "The Hustler", so the parts fell to Robert Mitchum and Shirley McClaine. And I'm glad it did. 

While not a sucess at the box office, this film is a "hit" in my heart. I rooted so hard for these two to really make their love work, and you will too. 

Meantime, enjoy the view in the opening credits. Perhaps it will interest you enough to watch the entire film. And along the way, maybe even learn a bit about yourselves, and what really motivates us all in our search for lasting love.

S.S. United States

This is a sad story, in more ways than one. In the late 1970's the S.S. United States was towed up the Elizabeth River in Norfolk. It was moored near Craney Island at the Grain Pier. At that time they had planned on making it into a hotel and placing it where Norfolk's Harbor Place is now.

It was a good idea but the money didn't work out. Then it went to Florida; again it was sad to watch it being towed after such a storied career, making her 1952 record Atlantic crossing in 3 days and 10 hrs. at 35 knots. (1.149 statute miles)

Living by the Narrows in Brooklyn I remember seeing her enter and leave New York as a kid. It was a majestic sight. I used to take the subway to mid town Manhattan and tour the liners when they were in port. No charge, you just went up the gangway and they let you roam around. I was about 12 years old at the time.

Her last trip with passengers to New York was when she docked there on September 7th, 1969. Funny this post should appear on September 8th, 2024. 55 years later; an orphan who never got adopted for, or adapted to, another way of life.

The plan now is to sink her as the world's largest artifical reef off Florida, and is probably the most noble of options at this point.

But the final sad, though relatively minor blow is that the article refers to her "purposefully" being sunk. Purposefully means, "In a way that shows determination or resolve." I suppose the author of the article, most likely using spell check, meant to say "purposely" which means "in a deliberate manner". A small difference, granted. But still, one last reminder of how much the world has changed since 1952. We don't even spell right anymore.

The photo above is of her now, in Florida, her once beautiful paint faded and peeling. The next photo is of her at the grain pier up the Elizabeth River in 1983. I want to thank Joe Sea Man for sending it to me today. And the last photo, which seems to be dated from 1954, is of her heading into the channel off Sandy Hook. That photo was taken from a fishing boat out of Sheepshead Bay. I got that photo from the Sheepshead Bay Memories site here on Facebook a few years ago. Sadly, I do not remember who posted it. 

"The Man Who watched Trains Go By" (1951) Claufe Rains - Marta Toren

                                       

Claude Raines plays a man who has been the head clerk/bookkeeper for 18 years at a firm in Holland. He lives by the sound of the train whistling to and from Paris his whole life, while he remains where he is.

A scandal at a rival firm leaves that firm bankrupt. But, though it has been proven the bookkeeper was innocent of any wrongdoing or knowledge of the crime by his boss, his life and career are ruined anyway. Even Claude cannot help him find a job.

Through a set of circumstances a police detective arrives from Paris tracing some Dutch currency which has been circulating in Paris on the black market. He comes to Claude's firm. The boss is most cooperative. Too cooperative.

Out walking one night, Claude finds his boss burning the books and running away with the firm's money. They struggle and the boss falls in the canal and drowns. The firm's money is strewn on the ground where it fell, along with a train ticket to Paris. What should he do about that? There are no more books, but keeping the money will make him guilty of embezzlement.  And leaving his family behind is not an option he really cares for. But this is an extraordinary situation.

What should he do? Tell the authorities the truth and risk disbelief and ruin? Or is there another way? And does that train whistle to Paris have an influence? Who can say?

Will he go to Paris so that it looks like his boss stole the money? Is it morally okay? After all, the boss was going to leave him holding the bag.....

Wonderfully adapted from the novel, and filmed in beautiful, almost muted color. This 1952 film stands the test. Also released as "The Paris Express".

"Victim" with Dirk Bogarde (1961)

Here is a highly provocative and interesting English film from 1961. "The Victim" stars Dirk Bogarde as a successful Barrister, with high morals as well as a past which is not quite behind him. It begins in such a way which mirrors the secrecy which surrounded the issue at the time, and as a result you are left wondering just what it is that the young victim "Boy Barrett, played by Peter McEnery, is running from. Dennis Price also co-stars in his role as a closeted stage actor.

Married, sucessful and certain to be elevated to the House of Lords, he faces a choice, either stay silent, or risk destroying his comfortable and repected life to stand up for what is morally right.

This film was made at a time when homosexuality was a crime in England, just as it was here in America, and it raises many questions. What is the nature of these "criminals"? And who is the bigger threat to society? The blackmail victims; albeit  "lawbreakers", or the blackmailers themselves?

When Barrister Farr (played by Bogarde) begins to stand up for principles, questions are raised about how far things can go without hurting society; or himself. This is a fascinating film from whichever perspective you view it. And seeing it over 60 years after it's release, makes it even more so.

Bert Shepard

True baseball fans will know this story. I hope my post will do justice to all who face adversity with the inner strength this fellow did. I first ran across him in a book several years aago.

While flying a P-38 over Germany during the war, Bert was shot down. As a result he was taken prisoner, lost his leg and was later traded in a POW exchange with Germany in early 1945. I know, you’re saying “So what? A lot of guys were wounded, maimed and came home when the war was over.” And you’re right about that. But there’s something special about Bert’s story.

On August 4, 1945; only 7 months after being exchanged as a POW; Bert was home and working. He had mastered the art of walking on an artificial leg while a POW in Germany. So, when he came home he was quick to return to work. Actually, it was kind of an extension of his old job.

The night of August 4, 1945 saw the Washington Senators baseball team being soundly whipped by the Red Sox. In the 4th inning the score was already 14-2. Bert was watching the game anxiously; he really loved the Senators and wanted the team to win. But things weren’t looking too good on that score. (Forgive the pun.)

While Bert probably wasn’t that surprised at the manager’s decision to put in a relief pitcher, he was surprised at the choice of the man who would be pitching. It would be Bert.

You see Bert was a pitcher before the war; and afterwards; in only 7 months’ time, he had become the Pitching Coach for the Washington Senator’s. And on the night of August 4, 1945, he made history; when he took the pitcher’s mound and became the first man with an artificial leg to pitch in a Major League Baseball game. You may know him as Bert Shepard.