And yes, I suppose some will say I'm making the bin Ladens of the world seem like the moral equivalent here.
No I'm not. I'm noting the difference between romantic notions that are fun and brutal reality.
Indeed, part of the Legend of Bin Laden plays on these romantic fantasies among some Muslim youth. Just as when I grew up in Chicago a lot of us kids grew up with some stupid romantic fantasies about Al Capone. Never mind the brutal reality that was his real murderous legacy.
Although there was an odd legacy in Chicago that was still repeated there in that city and some neighboring communities when I grew up, that I'm certain at least a few Dean's World readers from that town remember:
Al Capone--Scarface, the murdering tyrant scumbag--got it in his head to fight rickets, and that young kids who went to school in Chicago should get a daily ration of fresh milk to fight it. And he started a program to fight it. This is quite true. Kids whose family couldn't afford it got it free, and kids whose family could afford it got a reduced rate. And as late as the 1970s, there was still a daily milk program in the Chicago schools. My parents were both asked whether they wanted me to get chocolate or plain white milk. My mom who still reads this blog will tell you she remembers it, as I do. Every morning, near 11AM or so, we'd get our daily milk ration. For whatever reason, as a kid I mostly preferred the non-chocolate, plain variety (and it was "Dean's Milk," which always gave me a dumb thrill as a very young kid since it was my first name). But it was a daily ritual for all us kids in the Chicago public schools. I don't know if Arnold Harris is young enough to remember it but I damn well do.
And it was all a program started by that murdering mafioso thug Scarface, back from when he owned Chicago's mayor. For all I know it still happens today.
That didn't change what that thug really was, nor change my view today that the son of a bi*ch belonged behind bars. But I did enjoy sucking down that milk every morning.
I hear Hitler loved dogs. It seems like it's possible to be both a caring, normal person and a murdering psychopath at the same time. I understand how too, it isn't difficult to compartmentalise yourself, or rationalise those things. Emotions are powerful things...
Thanks for the story Dean, I did not know that. I remember a Simpsons episode where Fat Tony is running an operation to supply milk to the Springfield schools, but it turns out he's selling them rat milk. I suppose they were making fun of what you mentioned, although I didn't know it at the time I viewed the episode.
Of course you can draw parallels with our "buddies" Hizb'allah too. They do things for their communities. Pity they try to blow up other peoples' communities at the same time.
You fell victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is "Never get involved in a land war in Asia." But only slightly less well known is this: "Never go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line!
Watched it again a few weeks ago. Yep, still a great movie. I agree with everything Dean said.
I dunno if it's my favorite, but it's definitely in my top 10.
Say what you will about his meatheaded politics, Mr. Reiner is one talented filmmaker.
Another story I hear about Mr. Capone and his Chicago heirs is how they take care of widows and orphans, ensuring that there's turkey at Christmas and so on. According to this view, they fancy themselves as a protective government of sorts, making and enforcing their own rules for the good of the people, and taking a cut of business as their proper due.
A great movie, with a variety of villians -- who are almost always more interesting than mere do-good heroes.
But it reminds me of the huge, missing "myth" -- The Good, Strong King against the weak, evil, killers.
I don't know of such a myth/ legend/ great story. The Good are not as strong.
The Strong are not as good.
Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Ender Wiggin (Ender's Game), Star Wars.
Where is America in any of the new or classic tales? This lack of mythic analogy creates a vacuum -- so that America becomes The Empire, or Mordor, or Voldemort, or Hitler. Because that's a mythic model where America can fit. Even if it's a bad fit.
The movie was made from the book, which has even more great stuff that never made it into the movie. Those great lines were not written for a movie audience originally.
Did you ever spend much time on a family dairy farm? You get used to lukewarm milk, and also unhomegenized milk. It will never quite suit my taste, but I learned to enjoy it as a change of pace.
Inigo Montoya: I want my father back, you son of a bitch.
BTW, the Miracle Max scene is vital to the movie in that it explains how Westly makes what recovery he does after Prince Humperdinck's tizzy.
(Did you know that Prince Humperdinck was named after Engelbert Humperdinck? The author couldn't stand Engelbert Humperdinck. (Personal conversation.))
No I'm not. I'm noting the difference between romantic notions that are fun and brutal reality.
Indeed, part of the Legend of Bin Laden plays on these romantic fantasies among some Muslim youth. Just as when I grew up in Chicago a lot of us kids grew up with some stupid romantic fantasies about Al Capone. Never mind the brutal reality that was his real murderous legacy.
Al Capone--Scarface, the murdering tyrant scumbag--got it in his head to fight rickets, and that young kids who went to school in Chicago should get a daily ration of fresh milk to fight it. And he started a program to fight it. This is quite true. Kids whose family couldn't afford it got it free, and kids whose family could afford it got a reduced rate. And as late as the 1970s, there was still a daily milk program in the Chicago schools. My parents were both asked whether they wanted me to get chocolate or plain white milk. My mom who still reads this blog will tell you she remembers it, as I do. Every morning, near 11AM or so, we'd get our daily milk ration. For whatever reason, as a kid I mostly preferred the non-chocolate, plain variety (and it was "Dean's Milk," which always gave me a dumb thrill as a very young kid since it was my first name). But it was a daily ritual for all us kids in the Chicago public schools. I don't know if Arnold Harris is young enough to remember it but I damn well do.
And it was all a program started by that murdering mafioso thug Scarface, back from when he owned Chicago's mayor. For all I know it still happens today.
That didn't change what that thug really was, nor change my view today that the son of a bi*ch belonged behind bars. But I did enjoy sucking down that milk every morning.
Hey thanks, Al.
Thanks for the story Dean, I did not know that. I remember a Simpsons episode where Fat Tony is running an operation to supply milk to the Springfield schools, but it turns out he's selling them rat milk. I suppose they were making fun of what you mentioned, although I didn't know it at the time I viewed the episode.
Of course you can draw parallels with our "buddies" Hizb'allah too. They do things for their communities. Pity they try to blow up other peoples' communities at the same time.
You killed my father.
Prepare to DIE!
Greatest movie of all time!!
Watched it again a few weeks ago. Yep, still a great movie. I agree with everything Dean said.
I dunno if it's my favorite, but it's definitely in my top 10.
Who's this "Dean Esmay" guy in the comments?
Second,
TPB is one of our family's all-time favorites, among the most quotable of all movies. Twoo wove and all that.
Say what you will about his meatheaded politics, Mr. Reiner is one talented filmmaker.
Another story I hear about Mr. Capone and his Chicago heirs is how they take care of widows and orphans, ensuring that there's turkey at Christmas and so on. According to this view, they fancy themselves as a protective government of sorts, making and enforcing their own rules for the good of the people, and taking a cut of business as their proper due.
A great movie, with a variety of villians -- who are almost always more interesting than mere do-good heroes.
But it reminds me of the huge, missing "myth" -- The Good, Strong King against the weak, evil, killers.
I don't know of such a myth/ legend/ great story. The Good are not as strong.
The Strong are not as good.
Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Ender Wiggin (Ender's Game), Star Wars.
Where is America in any of the new or classic tales? This lack of mythic analogy creates a vacuum -- so that America becomes The Empire, or Mordor, or Voldemort, or Hitler. Because that's a mythic model where America can fit. Even if it's a bad fit.
Repo Man, now.... I think we could almost have a war over which movie is more quotable.....
King Arthur.
Rarely do the weak and evil need a strong good to conquer them.
However, Achilles, Beowulf, Arthur, Alfred, Washington, Wellington, Roosevelt all fought and won against powerful evil.
Did you ever spend much time on a family dairy farm? You get used to lukewarm milk, and also unhomegenized milk. It will never quite suit my taste, but I learned to enjoy it as a change of pace.
Inigo Montoya: I want my father back, you son of a bitch.
BTW, the Miracle Max scene is vital to the movie in that it explains how Westly makes what recovery he does after Prince Humperdinck's tizzy.
(Did you know that Prince Humperdinck was named after Engelbert Humperdinck? The author couldn't stand Engelbert Humperdinck. (Personal conversation.))