Posted on 09/02/2003 7:42:46 AM PDT by kattracks
But the rest of us were able to enjoy it, too ;0)
I apply the same standards to anyone. It's one of those "gut feeling" things when something doesn't "feel right." It's nearly impossible to define.
I can recall back in the mid-1980's when there were plenty of scandal type stories to go around. It seemed like everyone involved were selling stories for millions to magazines and newspapers that traded in such things...and movies. It seems like there was a litany of such goings on...people cashing in largely to the misery of someone else. As usual you had a hard time separating fact from fiction.
Yet there was one "scandal" that was THE MOST paraded to the nation because the press really had the chance to stick it to President Reagan. Along the way there were many folks getting smeared who had nothing to do with it. (Bear in mind I consider it to be a scandal totally manufactured by the networks and national news papers, but that didn't matter.)
Anyway, it turned out that Oliver North had a personal secretary in those days that was as fine a looking young lady as existed in the national psyche. She was sharp, she was photogenic, she was charismatic (to the best of my recollection). Now, as an insider, she was also in demand...at the National Inquirer as well as in Hollywood and by the networks. If memory serves, her name was Fawn Hall.
I recall one night, on The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson put a snap shot of her up to the camera. Then a few minutes later, he said, "Let's have another look at Fawn Hall, just because she's so darned pretty." And she was.
The story was she was offered a million for her story. I suppose whatever embellishment necessary would have been provided to make sure her story turned a nice profit. At the time, no one could crack her resolve. She was the private secretary for Oliver North, and he was entitled to her loyalty. After a while I might have lost track, but to the best of my knowledge she has never cashed in for her story to this day.
Peggy Noonan wrote a book about the Reagan Years called When Class Was King. I don't remember Hall ever being mentioned in the book, but I do remember Hall being among the classiest people to get fifteen minutes of fame in that era.
That's the concept I'm trying to get at, and it's so difficult to get a handle on it. Some things just aren't for buying and selling, and some of the classiest people act on that concept.
Did he survive the war?
Yes he did. The story was one of those too perfect to be true, from start to finish. I don't think you could have found a better actor from a couple of generations ago to play the part than Gary Cooper. As a critic, I'll suggest it isn't one of those all action movies, as there is a good deal of character development throughout. To me, it was the unmitigated decency of the man, which they did a good job of portraying, that made it worth the watch.
It seems totally right to me. I'm glad those on our side are finally getting to tell their story. For too long those that do right were put down for doing right. We have people that are patriotic like Lynch and Franks that have a story to tell about service and sacrifice and people want to hear it enough that they're able to sell books. I think it's great.
I can recall back in the mid-1980's when there were plenty of scandal type stories to go around. It seemed like everyone involved were selling stories for millions to magazines and newspapers that traded in such things...and movies. It seems like there was a litany of such goings on...people cashing in largely to the misery of someone else. As usual you had a hard time separating fact from fiction.
In this case we have a person that served her country and got through a horrible ordeal. There are no victims. I'm sure the people that died would want every aspect of this story known. People want to be remembered.
Yet there was one "scandal" that was THE MOST paraded to the nation because the press really had the chance to stick it to President Reagan. Along the way there were many folks getting smeared who had nothing to do with it. (Bear in mind I consider it to be a scandal totally manufactured by the networks and national news papers, but that didn't matter.)
Lynch isn't a liar.
Anyway, it turned out that Oliver North had a personal secretary in those days that was as fine a looking young lady as existed in the national psyche. She was sharp, she was photogenic, she was charismatic (to the best of my recollection). Now, as an insider, she was also in demand...at the National Inquirer as well as in Hollywood and by the networks. If memory serves, her name was Fawn Hall.
This situation doesn't involve a person sliming other people, it's about a group of people serving their country.
I recall one night, on The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson put a snap shot of her up to the camera. Then a few minutes later, he said, "Let's have another look at Fawn Hall, just because she's so darned pretty." And she was. The story was she was offered a million for her story. I suppose whatever embellishment necessary would have been provided to make sure her story turned a nice profit. At the time, no one could crack her resolve. She was the private secretary for Oliver North, and he was entitled to her loyalty. After a while I might have lost track, but to the best of my knowledge she has never cashed in for her story to this day.
A different case. In the Hall case there is evil wanting the good to slime other good. With Lynch, it is a case of the good documenting the good deeds of the good.
Peggy Noonan wrote a book about the Reagan Years called When Class Was King. I don't remember Hall ever being mentioned in the book, but I do remember Hall being among the classiest people to get fifteen minutes of fame in that era.
Like I said, it's a different case. With the Fawn Hall case, there are evil entities wanting to throw mud on the good. With the Lynch case, it's simply a person telling a story of people doing good works.
That's the concept I'm trying to get at, and it's so difficult to get a handle on it. Some things just aren't for buying and selling, and some of the classiest people act on that concept.
I have to totally disagree. Good business is good for everyone, it's what keeps our country strong. Telling a good story is good business, and leads other people to do good. No one will be hurt by a military person telling the world what they had to go through to fight evil. I'm glad that we see WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf War vets tellung their stories in books and on the History Channel, they are promoting good over evil. That's what a lot of the bible is about, documentation of good fighting evil. They are good stories that need to be told.
Yes he did. The story was one of those too perfect to be true, from start to finish. I don't think you could have found a better actor from a couple of generations ago to play the part than Gary Cooper. As a critic, I'll suggest it isn't one of those all action movies, as there is a good deal of character development throughout. To me, it was the unmitigated decency of the man, which they did a good job of portraying, that made it worth the watch.
Did he ever write any books or get paid for anything attached to his heroism? You say you hold the same standard for all. I assume then that you think it's wrong for the WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf War vets to tell their stories in books and on the History Channel. Do you believe that veterans of war should never write books about the wars they were in? Are you willing to villify Franks for writing a book the same as Lynch?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.