After a morning of watching CNN and thinking of the danger
Donald Trump poses to America, I got on my exercise bike. To keep me peddling I
play movie soundtracks. The soundtrack from Gettysburg came on and I realized I
had to see that movie.
Jeff Daniels, in his greatest role, played Joshua
Chamberlain, who won the Medal of Honor for his bravery and leadership
defending Little Round Top from a Confederate advance. Before the battle
Chamberlain was very ill from dysentery and malaria. Despite that he knew the
20th Maine had to protect the Union army from being outflanked by the
Confederates. When things got very dicey he ordered a bayonet charge against
the Confederates.
Chamberlain went on to become the 32nd governor of Maine.
Since he'd been a college professor before he volunteered, he eventually wound
up as president of Bowdoin College.
Right now, I'm in the process of trying to find the movie
Gettysburg on the Internet so I can watch it and let it help me recover from my
morning listening to folks talk about Trump.
Even though I know it's not actual history, but inspired by
it, I want to watch Saving Pvt. Ryan. I love my country and hope it doesn't
fall into the hands of Trump or Cruz. Growing up in a Republican extended
family, I looked to Lincoln as my hero. He still is up there, but I've added
Mohammed Ali and John McCain to the triumvirate I admire. (I only wish McCain,
a genuine hero, didn't want us to invade every country in trouble).
I'm a registered independent who almost always votes
Democrat. (In California, you're allowed to ask for a Democratic ballot). As
people who regularly read my blog know I'm descended from two Mayflower
pilgrims. In four years my ancestors will have been in this country 400 years.
I don't want it destroyed before that happens. I need to pick myself up and
watch those movies and realize we've gone through tougher times before.
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