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Jul 15, 2022·edited Jul 15, 2022Liked by Robert Reich

it's christopher plummer singing edeiweiss in sound of music. it's tank man in beijing. it's the almost completely hopeless hope of one ordinary but unique person standing tall against being crushed and swallowed by the man-made machine of elitism, avarice, cynicism and hatred as that person reminds us of our shared humanity.

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Science Girl, you've got that right, the underdogs saying "enough!"

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I have had "enough" of the Big Lie, military assault weapons, poor public schools, broken power grid, poor public healthcare, cheap grace theology, & abortion politics. I am a White male in Texas (an underdog) proudly supporting Beto for Governor. It is time for change in this Red state.

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You truly give me hope and I'm not being facetious. unfortunately, I check all the boxes for reasons not to live in Texas, and I have family that continually call to ask why am I still in Texas. My only response is that this state needs my vote more.

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Great answer! We need you.

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The public school teachers in Texas give me hope. They are active & contribute what they can, despite their ridiculous low pay.

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Perfect!

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Sound of Music, my favorite movie of all time! I loved hearing Christopher singing Edelweiss and my hubby purchased me a jewelry box with that very song! love it!

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The dueling anthems scene parodied in the Peter Falk satire "Cheap Detective" is pretty good too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ADnDhLe-c

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Jul 15, 2022·edited Jul 15, 2022Liked by Robert Reich

Let's also salute the unforgettable line, "I'm shocked, shocked! to find that there's gambling going on in here." How many times have I said that to myself with every Trump era revelation of yet another scandal. As for this unforgettable scene, it is the encapsulation of human dignity in an anthem that ultimately drowns out those who have thrown their human dignity away. It's a scene that reminds me of words from Frank Capra’s "Why We Fight/Prelude to War": “For this is what we are fighting: freedom’s oldest enemy: the passion of the few to rule the many. This isn’t just a war. It is a free people’s life and death struggle against those who would put them back into slavery. That’s what’s at stake. It’s us or them."

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"Your winnings, sir."

"Oh, thank you very much."

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I really do believe that the forced-birth movement will push us back into slavery: only it will be called Perpetual Indentured Servitude.

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I don't think they will get away with it, SCOTUS notwithstanding.

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I'm hoping you are right. The present SCOTUS could repeal the 13th Amendment arguing that the Constitution says nothing about slavery: furthermore, many of the signers were slave owners.

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I fell in love with "Casablanca" the first time I saw it. I think part of its appeal is the passion, as well as its spirit of equality (egalite as the French would say). Having Sam played by a Black actor (Dooley Wilson), and having him accepted by Rick, Elsa, Louis and the rest without even commenting on his race speaks volumes. I think it's time we rounded up the usual suspects, charged them, and put them behind bars!

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Well said, Karla. Yes, it'st ime to round up the usual suspects, and alas, there are a lot of them. They've forgotten who we as a nation are and only remember who they are what they want.

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This brings to mind that black jazz artists toured Europe & found acceptance. Some stayed due to not being typed by their skin color yet by their outstanding artistic skills.

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The fundamental things apply

As time goes by

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKjv1uokW3g

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Thank you for this link. It always reminds me of my parents, members of the Greatest Generation. I have been reminding myself since 2016 that their generation went through hell and couldn’t see an end to it for several years, a war of so-called boots on the ground, as well as an ideological war. Thank God ours is only the latter so far. I keep hoping that if they could do it, so can we.

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OMG! I totally missed that. The acceptance of Sam in the movie was radical in light of the rampant racism in the 1940s.

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Yet his race is implied by Elsa's reference to "the boy at the piano".

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that was the clear attitude of the times. . . . .

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Perhaps it reminds us to never be silent when faced with such demonstrations of illegally seized power.

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We are already fascist. We are being herded into camps, red and blue. Right now the media is coaching us to accept the fact that Trump will never do jail time for trying to overturn democracy in America. The truly wild part is that he has so many willing fools in Congress, all bought by the obscene wealth of a few. Do the Mitch McConnells of the world think they are loved or respected by the truly powerful? They are despised; they are objects of scorn; they are merely the tools of the contempt of their paymasters.

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In the words of Yogi Berra, "it ain't over until it's over." Trump is not out of the woods.

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Thank you for teaching me. I haven't taken to heart the words of a quote I heard in an interview. Unfortunately, I can't remember whose words they were. But I remember the shocking clarity of truth in the quote itself: "Who am I to give up?"

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That is a good one!

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I woke up this morning feeling feisty and rebellious. Maybe it's the full moon's influence and anger at what is happening in our country now. Seeing this post on our forum only strengthened the feelings I have about the fascism creeping around. The battle of the anthems was very close to what I'm feeling. We are occupied by the enemy, and will not take it lying down!

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We say this now. It reminds me of that beautiful day when the Ukrainians brought out the long yellow and sky blue banner and walked it around in a long parade inside an arena. That was a week before the first bombs began to explode. Those early days of the war were surreal. I'm sure they too said we "will not take it lying down!" Have you looked at the face of a Ukranian lately, compared with early February? They may not be lying down, just wearing down.

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Probably one's perspective depends a lot on one's surroundings. If one spends most of one's time surrounded by Democrats/liberals, then one probably sees more cause for hope. If a liberal is surrounded mostly by Trumpers, then the situation can seem particularly frightening. So as not to misinterpret reality, it seems important to balance one's view -- to spend some time among "other siders" as well as among those sharing one's own perspective. Living in a conservative town, I appreciate being able to read various views here, because what I see around me looks very dark.

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I live in a small AZ town that we call a “liberal oasis in a conservative desert “. An historic hotel was recently purchased by out of town tRumpers. They sponsored a meet and greet for an Oath Keeper running for Secretary of State. The dining room was lit up, decorated with balloons. A number of us brought sign to protest. The candidate was all alone inside in his cowboy hat. Nobody came to meet him.

We’re going to continue to protest and boycott the hotel every week.

So yes. It is more hopeful to be in a community where you feel supported.

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This reminds me of the time gaetz and greene decided it would be a great idea to blitz California with their "special" brand of crazy. Venue after venue, there was barely a crowd, forcing them to lose $$$ and turn tail to scurry back home. Yes, silence and often absence can work miracles as well. Best wishes in your efforts to hold the ninnies at bay in your neck of the woods!

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That we’re doing. Love the word ninnies. You’re the first person to use it other than my m.. and of course me.

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It would be one thing if the "other side" had actual facts to back their positions, or would participate in a civil, reasonable discussion about anything at all, even personal theories or feelings. I WANT to hear the opinions of others. I WANT to trade info, ideas, etc. But there has to be willingness to do this from both sides. Instead, in 4 years, I have had only ONE decent conversation with a trump supporter. Most simply come across as brainwashed and interested in only aggressively ramming the latest oft-repeated claim down my throat, whether I've shown any interest in it or not. THAT is what is sad and downright frightening... the mindless and authoritarian demeanor, from an ordinary citizen.

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Most of my Trumper acquaintances usually refuse to talk politics. Where I see the authoritarian behavior locally is on social media -- except, for me, the odd part is this: one close friend claims not to be a Trumper. A second close friend is Canadian, living in Canada, and claims no interest in U.S. politics and not much in Canadian. Both of them, however, bad-mouth Biden and liberals and strongly express popular conspiracy theories. They're both rabidly anti-Covid-vax. They profusely distrust anything establishent including corporations and government, especially health-related and the monetary system. They've become belligerent. The U.S. friend is rude. The Canadian less so, although given to long rants spouting similar doomsday and Fox-like propaganda. They both refuse to civilly discuss opinions and even listen to other viewpoints. The changes in behavior seem to affect not just politics but every aspect of life. Lacking other logical reason, I guess I attribute the behaviors to Trump's continually giving the planet permission to open the flood gates of rudeness, intollerance, and distrust -- including for some who don't vote for him or even live in the U.S. We definitely have strayed far from the days of Emily Post -- an "old fossil" reference, for sure. How, though? Where did so much negative energy come from? We've discussed some factors -- wages, etc But that's been ongoing. The rudeness and revolution surely wasn't incited by Trump alone. He's clearly not smart enough, and his election victory allegedly surprised him. It seems those conspiracy advocating people are playing right into the hands of foreign and domestic powers who decided to use Trump to mobilize distrust, ramp up chaos, destabilize democracy, and destroy the U.S., with Canada undoubtedly also on their menu. Trump was a brilliant choice. Greedy, apparently totally unprincipled, narcissistic, not bright so can be led. He's done a remarkable job for them -- probably better than they imagined even in their darkest dreams, except the adulation may have gone so much to his head that they may be having a hard time controlling him. The foreign/domestic fascist machine that seems to have taken over the GOP -- have they infiltrated to a point of being able to corrupt and "win" the 2024 election? But maybe they're having second thoughts about continuing to use Trump. Maybe they've unleashed a monster too despicable and ego-driven even for them. Or not. But if so, interesting to watch how they'll handle their monster and his rabid MAGA "base". "Monster" seems the applicable word when I look around at how some dark force has managed to unleash the worst in so many. Maybe in all of us. If we don't buy into his despicable, hate-filled agenda, maybe we have to hate him. I hate the man. I'd never have said that about anyone. Dark times.

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Where did so much negative energy come from? Apparently the Obama presidency ignited smoldering racism. But he was so likable, no that can’t be it. I am afraid it’s difficult to appreciate how screwed up a lot of this country is.

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The mere sighting of any actual fact gets you branded as a commie, socialist, elitist Democrat. These people take great pride in denial. No climate change, no pandemic, no treason etc. if it didn’t come from Fox News it’s from the devil. Anyway, I feel your pain.

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I’m going to suggest the hotel that sponsored the meet and greet for the oath keeper sponsor a formal debate after the primaries for the candidates for Secretary of State with just that hope - for a dialogue about democracy, not just name calling. We’ll see. I have had the same experience as you with attempts,

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Well, of course, you have a point that cannot be denied. Those of us who are paying attention are angry and worried, too! But that dies not mean we will just passively not push back. We do what we can. Hopefully. We will not see bombs or brutal attacks , but if we do, I suppose it will be disheartening. What is your point? By saying there is and will be resistance to evil, I'm not being naïve about the danger we face. It could be hell! That does not cancel my anger and will to resist.

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I just wonder if the Rethugs would have come this far had they not involved themselves w/ 'rump.

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RedElisa Mendosa ; Clearly many of them have 'jumped ship' long ago. There has been an 'exodus' of sorts from the Republican party. Some, with principles, have been forced out! Even now, there are those who are threatened with death, their families too. From volunteer election workers to the highest levels of the White House. There are those in hiding now.

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I sincerely apologize for describing the changes in countenance, due to the barbaric attacks bombarding the Unkrainians every day by their Russian cousins. I know each Ukrainian must be encouraged and held up, and my discouraging remarks were not upholding, although they were made within a spirit of solidarity. The Ukrainians are fighting for all of us, to cut off the the invasion before it rolls past on its way to Poland and who knows where else. The Ukrainians startle me with their show of courage and intelligence. I had no idea such vibrant people were living on the fringes of the old empires.

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Yes:I have seen more than weary faces. The news cameras captured things like the 6 year old girl who was shot in a store being cared for by medics in a makeshift clinic. She turned white as a sheet then collapsed like a ragdoll in front of her mother and the young medics who were horrified! I avoid watching the images of that war now. My seeing it will not stop it. The kid looked like my daughter at that age...

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We will meet the enemy at the ballot boxes.

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Bambi Vargo ; It would be more effective than trying to mount an armed response. I hope an executive order will protect Americans' voting rights and the counting of our votes. This is where the 'rubber meets the road!'. May Justice (not the 'supreme' court ) prevail!

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Jul 15, 2022Liked by Robert Reich

I agree -- I also am moved to tears "when the German occupants sing “Die Wacht am Rhein,” only to be drowned out by the French refugees singing “La Marseillaise.”" --> Even though I have watched Casablanca many times, this scene is a tribute to collective action (for good against evil) in the face of the very real possibility of personal harm.

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Jul 15, 2022Liked by Robert Reich

This scene brings tears to me every time. And so does the good...if not great news of what is happening in the White House that mostly is going unheard. This week I sat for a webinar on the ARPA Workforce Development. Lots and Lots if good work being done to train and place 90% of those participating. Gene Sperling shared that of the 36 largest nations the average inflation is 9.6%. We are below average at 9.1.

Ok, not good news, but perspective .

And...9 million jobs have been created since JB took office. ARPA is clearly affording the building of the infrastructure talent pipeline. And not just for the F.B.I. (described by the mayor of Louisville as friends, brothers, in-laws of the apprentice programs in the past). Rather, it’s reaching the historically UN reached too!

Pennsylvania Governor Wolf was inspiring! He pointed to his biz background snd said, “I learned to check revenue every day at my business,” ARPA has helped PA he emphasized. He went on to say that ARPA isn’t the cause of inflation. Wolf stated all stimulus dollars COMBINED are far less than the drop in revenue in 2020. Therefore, he emphasized ARPA does not equal 🟰 the cause of inflation.

My point...go to the White House site and look at this conference. Great things are happening. The Trumplucans are trying to depress the vote by depressing us. (Robert, your last message.)

Now, today, we all need to buck up, get prepared and fight for our country against these fascists singing a worn out tune. Sorry, finally. Remember there wasn’t one GOP vote for ARPA. They don’t want to build the middle class. We do, and we are. Down with the Die Wacht am Rhein crowd. We beat them before, we will again.

Thank you for your calls to action Robert Reich!

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Paula! Well-said! If one were to watch mainstream media, one would think we are all dying of starvation, no one has a job, white men were totally destroying everything for their own gain (to some extent them are), and that President Biden is doing nothing because he is too old to do anything. That is all nonsense as you point out and we need to find ways to get the American people to see it before they do stupid in November and vote for a crew of wannabee fascists to represent them in Congress and their state legislatures. In short, we need our anthem to drown out the "me me me and only me" crowd of child-men and child-women.

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We do need to find those ways, Ruth. What can work?

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Thank you.

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The heart won’t light up. How do we get this positive information broadcast with a media that only responds to conflict. Yikes!

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"We'll always have Paris."

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My mistake (above). I thought the Germans were singing a drinking song.

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This scene gave me chills. No doubt the romantic and emotional powerful music of the French anthem is a big part of it. Standing up in a direct way to tyranny also makes it powerful. The fascist culture tried to drown out the French democratic culture and lost also makes it powerful. The determined and heartfelt emotion of the French is powerful because it was real. The movie is about setting aside personal feelings for the more noble cause of the greater good is powerful in itself. The turnaround of a hardened capitalist into a patriot is very powerful as well. The turning of Vichy policeman into a patriot adds strength to the power of the film. The changing of hardened people into compassionate people makes me feel hopeful. Good triumphant over evil! Love this movie! It’s about love not hatred, about compassion instead of hardness and love of democratic albeit western religious views of the world.

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Jul 15, 2022Liked by Robert Reich

It is not only good triumphing over evil but more so choosing the difficult right over the easy wrong. Not enough people, certainly those in power, seem willing to to do the latter yet we cannot have the former with out willing to put the good of the many before themselves. How many American men and women put the good of the country, Democracy over tyranny, and endure the the sacrifices need to do so? More than would today I fear.

I do not mean to look on look on that time with rose colored glasses, nostalgia is the greatest danger to learning from history, but American leadership really did choose to make our country an arsenal for Democracy.

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To me it was the triumph of good over evil. I didn't see Casablanca when it was first released, I was only 9 years old in 1942. By the time I saw it the first time, we had already won WWII and fascism had been defeated. My parents subscribed to Life magazine, and the pictures taken in the concentration camps still haunt me today. I don't know when I first learned the tenets of fascism, it seems I've always known that the rich industrialists used the authoritarian Nazis, and their military to subject everyone who was not wealthy, white, and privileged, I don't know how any one with an ounce of intelligence and knowledge can possibly see any good in fascism, but obviously the republican party under the thrall of trumpism have fully embraced fascism and all its evil

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Money and power and the feeling of being superior are addictive to some. It is ironic that these are people who want to appear morally superior and fervently religious! Their Christ Jesus would disapprove!

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founding

@Fay. Recently I shared about Guillermo Jimenez' book "Red Genes, Blue Genes." It is a human trait that fear is translated into aggression. We tend to see the males as aggressors, but women have the same translation while expressing their aggression in less physical ways. Like the "mean girls" in high school, they don't have to strike you to hurt you deeply. This answers your query, why would anyone see any good in fascism - it soothes their fears thinking they can dominate and control the "other" whom they identify as a threat. IT is a corollary that moneyed interests exploit these fears and the embracing of authoritarianism - plays right into their greedy hands.

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Thank you for this insight, Benjamin, I think you can be taught to channel your fear into something more productive, but such teaching probably would need to occur in early childhood involving parenting (good luck with that) or early childhood education beginning at age 3 involving enlightened teachers (good luck with that too)

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Only three of the credited actors were born in the US. The rest including extras and the director were immigrants and many were war refugees. The emotion was genuine and earned.

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The actors were real refugees.

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Some were. Based on a true story. https://www.timesofisrael.com/real-life-casablanca-story-is-even-more-dramatic-than-the-hollywood-classic/

Soon after the movie was released, Anglo-Americans landed in French North Africa in November 1942. My dad was wounded by Vichy French artillery shrapnel, at Oran. A Roosevelt and Churchill Casablanca Conference took place just two months later.

I knew several Moroccan Jews who married Americans. They were considered second class citizens and by 1940 the Vichy government enacted anti-Semitic laws. Many refugees from Europe and elsewhere in North Africa ended up stranded for months or sometimes years in Casablanca.

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@Daniel. The best scene is when Rick and Louie are walking off the airport and Rick says, "Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." The End.

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Casablanca, one of the best films ever made. Gorgeous cinematography. The dueling anthems get me every time! I guess it’s the patriotic, anti-fascist spirit. Not to be a party pooper, but do have 1 problem w/this fine film. When Ilsa enters Rick’s the 1st time she says “Who’s the ‘boy’ playing piano?” Boy, Sam, a grown man! It’s hard to imagine that team not knowing better then. Harder yet the real Sam had to hear that. Of course black troops fought their hearts out in WWll, came back to racism. I still love the film, but slightly less now.

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Sadly, that was what was said then. I know older ladies than myself who still call each other 'the girls'. It was in relatively recent history that women got the idea to call a grown woman a woman. I still remember telling a man my age to 'repeat after me...woman', when I heard him refer to a friend as 'that girl'. Indeed there was a 'sit com' of that very name, starring a grown woman.

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Don't forget "The Golden Girls."

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founding

@Laurie. Marlo Thomas. But from a great family.

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Yes, her father, as a Lebanese entertainer with the Danny Thomas Show, had a long career. He was a barrier breaker for sure, in America's 'melting pot'. He had a strong family.

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The actress was Marlow Thomas, I think: Danny Thomas' daughter.

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Her father was born in Michigan, with Lebanese heritage. He helped to build St Jude's hospital and raised funds from the American Arabic Community to keep it going once it was built.

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You're right. The black troops were segregated even as they fought their hearts out, It wasn't until the Viet Nam war that the armed forces fully integrated.

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Actually, the Korean War would have been when the forces were integrated. I suppose I can agree with your adverb "fully" to get past that part.

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I just recently watch Casa Blanca - again. What makes the scene so powerful? Passion! The passion and loyalty one has for one's country and what that stands for and means to those who believe in what that country represents.

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EIGHTY years after its release, Dr. Reich! EIGHTY!!! ;-)

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What the hell? Ten years to those of us of a certain age? I was not born yet in 42. Most of us were not. It's the thought that counts. The message is the thing to get.

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founding

Could be thought timeless by the same token (even if it's not shown in schools, for whatever reason)...

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Couldn’t agree more, right to the heart

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Songs and anthems are powerful things.

Hitler and the Nazis used them to great effect.

Here the French take some of that power back.

In America today, the Flag has replaced the Constitution as the most revered object. The Stars and Stripes demands we all that symbol and hide away any faults and failings. Calling oneself a patriot covers all manner of evil.

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