COURTESY OF DAMON WEST WEEK 3, 2020 LIFE & TRADITION THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS Page 5

Damon West 5 THINGS YOU had a perfect life on WON’T REGRET paper: loving family, star Page 2 quarterback, promising career. Then he got hit with a life sentence at a maximum-security WORKING FROM HOME: prison. BALANCING LIFE AND WORK IN ONE SPACE Page 2

Damon W e ON USING HIS STORY OF PRISON AND RECOVERY TO INSPIRE GOOD Page 6 B22 | LIFE & TRADITION JANUARYWeek 9–15, 3, 2020 JANUARYWeek 3, 2020 9–15, 2020 LIFE & TRADITION |B3 3

BBERNARD/SHUTTERSTOCK ALL PHOTOS PUBLIC DOMAIN lasting impact, deepening the impact of the regret. However, when we live within our means and forego imme- diate gratification, we enjoy a peace of mind that colors all other aspects of our lives.

Risking Failure You know that thing you’ve always wanted to do? It’s risky. It may not work. You may fail. It may be embarrassing. It’s a risk. If you fail, however, you prob- ably won’t regret doing it. You’ll learn valuable lessons from the failure, and you’ll be proud of yourself for going for it. There’s always the possibility, too, that it doesn’t fail. If you don’t do it, though, will you regret it? Risks, of course, need to be measured, but risk- ing failure is probably one of those things you won’t regret.

Spending Time With Loved Ones Relationships are a key element of life and what brings mean- ing and connection. The fourth regret on Ware’s list speaks to the significance of people in our lives. Yet, we can get so busy, can’t 5 Things You Won’t Regret we? We lose touch. We talk about how we “should” get together. We think of a less BARBARA DANZA 5. I wish that I had let myself be Sometimes we make big plans busy time that never comes. Making happier. to exercise, and then we hit the We just stay wrapped up in our In her inspirational book, “The time for snooze or use weather as an workaday routines, riding the Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A our friends The regrets are relatable and excuse. Later, what do we do? treadmill. Life Transformed by the Dearly and family devastating and say much about We regret that we didn’t fulfill Making time for our friends Departing,” Australian author always how, when driven by fear and our promise to ourselves. and family, though, always en- “Washington Crossing the Delaware” by Emanuel Leutze, 1851. Bronnie Ware, a former pallia- enriches insecurity, we are left with regret. We don’t ever regret exercis- riches our lives. When we do, we our lives. tive care nurse, shares the les- As we look toward a new year ing, though. Those days when don’t regret it. The memories of HISTORY sons she learned sitting at the and a new decade, many of us you don’t feel like it at all, that precious time linger on in bedsides of the terminally ill. think about how to live a better but you push yourself to do it our minds for a long time after. Her list was originally pub- life—one, perhaps, that won’t anyway, are some of the best lished as a blog post (that even- end with such regrets. days. Afterward, you feel great Letting Go of Attachments tually went viral) in which she It often comes to pass that we that you moved your body and There can be many things that shared five regrets she says her regret what we don’t do instead of honored your commitment to hold us back from living up to When All Seems Bleak, Look to 1777 patients expressed over what we actually do. Most of the yourself. our potential. Perhaps we’re and over: regrets Ware highlights seems to angry, jealous, or scared. These ‘Times that try men’s souls’ gave way to hope and optimism be regrets of omission. Living Within Your Means things we can’t let go of, attach- 1. I wish I’d had the courage to On the other hand, there are From time to time, shiny ob- ments, hinder us from living a live a life true to myself. certain things we will likely nev- jects tempt us to get into debt fulfilled life. 2. I wish I hadn’t worked so er regret. What would the next to get what we want, when we Letting go of attachments to ALAN WAKIM Crossing the Delaware River Continental Congress and end the conflict the hard. decade look like if we focused want it. Soon after, we experi- wanting things, to trying to con- Heavy winds, snow, and sleet blew into the following year. The raid on Trenton changed 3. I wish I’d had the courage to on them? ence what’s known as “buyer’s trol things, can be immensely ‘Twas the early evening of Christmas Day faces of the 2,400 men as they crossed the everything. A distraught Lord Charles Corn- express my feelings. remorse,” or in other words, freeing. Instead of wishing for a in 1776 and Gen. George Washington was ice-covered Delaware River. What should wallis, who had prepared to depart for London 4. I wish I had stayed in touch Exercising regret. Sometimes these shiny life in your mind, embrace the on the verge of losing the Revolutionary have taken six hours took nine. Washing- and visit his ailing wife, found himself instead with my friends. We know we should exercise. objects are large and have a life that is. War. His armies felt defeated and discour- ton knew his men were bitterly cold and traversing New Jersey on New Year’s Day in the aged, his countrymen had lost confidence tired, and thought about calling off the rain, commanding a unit assigned to crush the in his abilities, his adjutant-general Joseph attack. But the country needed this vic- rejuvenated rebellion. Reed had conspired against him, his sec- tory. He needed this victory and was de- Washington wasn’t satisfied with the lone vic- ond in command Charles Lee had been termined to carry it through to the end as tory. He requested money from Philadelphia captured two weeks prior on Friday the he encouraged his men, “Press on! Press banker Robert Morris to finance further opera- YUGANOV KONSTANTIN/SHUTTERSTOCK 13th, and Gen. Horatio Gates was off cur- on, boys!” He was unaware that further tions before retiring for the winter. He then ad- THE EPOCH TIMES: In what ways can one rying favor at his expense with the Conti- down river his two other strike teams led dressed his men and asked them to stay for six Working prepare the home environment to be nental Congress, which had fled Philadel- by John Cadwalader and James Ewing had more weeks. When none volunteered, Washing- conducive to running a business from phia for Baltimore days earlier. aborted the operation due to the worsen- ton pleaded with an anguished face and begged home? ing weather. in the name of their country and all that was at From Home: MS. ALVAREZ: One of my favorite ways A Desperate Gamble With him were Nathaniel Greene and stake. His second appeal won them over. to create an environment that is con- With his men’s enlistments expiring in one John Sullivan, who led the two divisions On the evening of Jan. 2, an exhausted Cornwal- Balancing ducive for a home-based business is week, Washington had no choice but to as they marched the nine miles to Tren- lis finally reached Trenton and engaged Wash- to write out weekly income goals and risk everything on a desperate gamble he ton. Many of the men were improperly ington and his men who were deployed across Life and Work keep them next to the computer or on hoped would save the cause. His plan was dressed for the bitter cold. Two soldiers Assunpink Creek. His plans were to rest for the the fridge. It’s also nice to work in a to split up the approximately 5,000 men left An image of the would freeze to death. Those without night and finish off the rebels in the morning. clean and organized home. I love to under his command into three coordinated strike first page from the shoes left blood trails in the ice and snow. But Cornwallis believed his enemies were trapped in One Space diffuse essential oils and have fresh teams, cross the Delaware River, surround the first edition of “The the men didn’t complain. Rather, they marched with nowhere to retreat. But Washington had no cut flowers at my desk. Surround- Hessian-occupied town of Trenton, and attack American Crisis,” a on in hopes of victory. Among those marching intention of retreating. Instead, he and his men A conversation with ing yourself with beauty and signs of an hour before sunrise. pamphlet written by that day were John Stark, Henry Knox, Alexan- quietly slipped away and attacked Princeton business consultant abundance are sure to affect your en- As he looked across the river from McConkey’s Thomas Paine and der Hamilton, Arthur St. Clair, William Alex- the following morning, where Cornwallis had ergy as you work. Ferry toward New Jersey, Washington must have was first published ander (aka Lord Stirling) and future president left behind a brigade of men and much-needed Adriana Monique Alvarez reflected on the disastrous events that had led him on Dec. 19, 1776. James Monroe. provisions. THE EPOCH TIMES: How can entrepre- to this point. When independence was declared neurs benefit from working from in July, he commanded approximately 20,000 Victory at Trenton The Winds of Fortune Shift BARBARA DANZA home? men, albeit undisciplined and poorly trained. While causing great misery for the Americans, What at first appeared to be a British victory MS. ALVAREZ: Working from home is a His opponent Gen. William Howe commanded the blizzard was heavy enough to convince the turned into an American one as Washington A home-based business sounds like great way for entrepreneurs to run low 32,000 highly-trained and better-equipped Brit- Hessian brigade that no army would dare attack charged into the battle on his white horse, rallied such a great idea, doesn’t it? Tech- overhead businesses that allow them ish soldiers and German mercenaries. under such appalling conditions. Their estima- the retreating men, and personally led them back nology now allows business owners to move into positive cash flow more After a series of defeats in Brooklyn, Kips Bay, tion of the Americans’ determination to fight to the fight. The British and Americans were only to reach their target market while quickly. Nothing is more important White Plains, and Fort Washington, as well as proved fatal as the attack commenced early in 30 yards apart when Washington rode between lounging in their pajamas and eat- If you’re looking to start a business from home, share your vision with your family and in the start-up phase than to create the abandonment of Fort Lee, what was left of the the morning. the two lines and shouted at his men “Halt!” be- ing their favorite snacks from the friends, and set the boundaries you need to be successful. sales. Once there is money in the bank, Continental Army found itself retreating across The Hessian commander in Trenton, Col. fore yelling “Fire!” Both sides fired volleys and comfort of their own home. Xanadu. business owners can decide how to New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. An entire New Johann Rall, was sleeping when the shooting filled the scene with smoke. When the smoke If you’ve ever dreamed of starting thing all day other than sip wine. are a must for anyone who expects best invest, but in the beginning, it’s York unit had abandoned the campaign and gone began. He got up and rallied his men in the cha- cleared, Washington could still be seen on his your own business from home, there “You don’t need to have a structure to run a profitable business. Working important to not bury yourself in un- home. Many Americans accepted the offer of am- os before two rounds slammed into his body. horse as the enemy ran away. He not only se- are some considerations to take into in your day.” Unfortunately, most from home provides for more flex- necessary expenses. nesty by swearing allegiance to the British crown. Americans charged down the street with bayo- cured another victory but unwittingly achieved account. I spoke to publishing and who dream of working from home ibility, and yet without clear bound- nets and cannon. The 90-minute battle turned the status of a mythical figure. The news of the business consultant Adriana Mo- do not realize it requires a great deal aries it’s easy to waste time. THE EPOCH TIMES: What advice would ‘Times That Try Men’s Souls’ into a route as the town was captured, along victory and Washington’s courageous actions nique Alvarez, founder of AMA Pub- of discipline. Being a self-starter is It’s important that business hours you give someone who wants to start The situation was so bleak that Thomas Paine, with an estimated 920 Hessians. Twenty-three inspired Americans across the nation to volun- lishing & Business Consulting about a requirement, otherwise it’s easy are used to focus on money-mak- a business from home? author of “Common Sense” and one of the few to 25 were dead or dying, including Rall, while teer and continue the fight. her advice for making working from to behave like an employee secretly ing activities. Answering personal MS. ALVAREZ: My advice for anyone who still believed in Washington, felt compelled 400 managed to escape across the Assunpink Despite the overwhelming odds, the defeats, home work. hoping the boss is going to keep tabs phone calls, doing laundry, and looking to start a business from home to write “The Crisis” in hopes of rallying the men Alan Wakim is the Creek Bridge (James Ewing’s objective). Only people’s skepticism about his ability to lead, on how things are running. scrolling social media are not going would be to have a conversation with and inspiring the nation to continue the war. As co-founder of The four Americans were wounded. and the bleak outlook for both the war and the THE EPOCH TIMES: What are some “Everyone is working in their pa- to move the business forward and your family and friends. Let them inspiring as St. Crispin Day’s speech in Shake- Sons of History, Word of the success in Trenton spread. Hav- revolution itself, Washington refused to quit. His common misconceptions about run- jamas.” While there are perks to create income. know the vision of your business as speare’s “Henry V,” Washington had it read to his a YouTube ing felt despair for so long, patriotic Americans determination and persistence made all the dif- ning a business from home? working from home, the truth is, well as the boundaries that are neces- beaten, demoralized men: series and suddenly found themselves celebrating and ference when a localized New England rebellion ADRIANA MONIQUE ALVAREZ: Three most aren’t running their business THE EPOCH TIMES: What are your best sary for you to be successful. “THESE are the times that try men’s souls: The weekly podcast. rejoicing this rare victory. The British were in between the Sons of Liberty and British author- common misconceptions I hear in yoga pants and dry shampoo. tips for balancing family life with Women often fall victim to surprise summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in He travels to disbelief that undisciplined rebels could pull ity metastasized into a worldwide conflagration about when it comes to running a Many successful business owners working from home? visits from girlfriends, doing errands this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; interview and off such an attack during winter and annihilate when France, Spain, Vermont, Mysore, and the business from home are: are behaving as if they were going MS. ALVAREZ: My best tip for balanc- for their spouse, and attending to other but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and document a well-disciplined German brigade. Netherlands joined the war. When all seemed “It’s most likely a hobby that doesn’t out and meeting clients in person. ing family time when you work from people’s emergencies, when in fact thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, historical figures Gen. Howe had already retired to his winter lost after a dismal 1776, fortune changed for create any substantial cash flow.” If home is to have traditions. For ex- their business requires space and at- is not easily conquered; yet we have this conso- and sites for his quarters in New York City, since armies typi- America in only nine days as 1777 began with you’ve ever mentioned that you work THE EPOCH TIMES: What are some of ample, having a weekly date night tention to truly thrive. Train everyone lation with us, that the harder the conflict, the video series. He cally ceased fighting in winter before commenc- hope and optimism. at home to your neighbor who is, for the biggest challenges people who with your spouse or bedtime ritual around you to treat your venture like more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too holds a business ing military operations in the spring. With the If 2019 was a tough year for you, think of George example, a pediatrician, chances are work from home face? with your kids creates meaningful a business from the beginning, and it cheap, we esteem too lightly: ‘Tis dearness only degree from Texas rebel army smashed and on the verge of quitting, Washington, press on, and have a Happy New they don’t think you actually do any- MS. ALVAREZ: Having business hours moments and memories. will serve you well. that gives every thing its value.” A&M University. Howe was convinced he could reason with the Year in 2020. B44 | LIFE & TRADITION JANUARYWeek 9–15, 3, 2020 JANUARYWeek 3, 2020 9–15, 2020 LIFE & TRADITION |B5 5 After Elizabeth’s Passing

ANNETTE HINES instinct is to turn away, and that’s what a him to see me so hurt and crushed by life. and they were a little intermingled. But all go and talk freely. It couldn’t the ocean, eventually the lot of people did. That group was so good for him; he got so the whole project connected with me, like have happened earlier, until all angry waves subside. y daughter Elizabeth I was surprised at the number of much out of it. They were able to tell him I was developing my own new shore- the right pieces were in place. But It marked the beginning of was the love of my friends, or people I had considered things that I hadn’t been able to say, like line. As art, it was imperfect, and always now I had this group that I could re- true healing for me. Finally, life. friends, who didn’t reach out after just what a wonderful person he was. changing. Some weeks the sand would be ally relate to, this tragic club of parents it was my time. I was ready for M Elizabeth passed. They were there for me The grief group changed me, too. It black, some weeks pink or gray or brown who had lost their children to disease. it, and I came out of the experi- I know most people say their during her active dying phase. And then was amazing in so many ways. We had or white. But I always felt like it represent- What an odd kind of community: It’s a ence that spring with a renewed passion husband or their wife is the right after, people came for a while to pay different readings every week, and not ed what I was going through during this group you never expect to be a part of, for my life. their respects. But then it was all over all of them were slam-dunks but they process of creating my new seascape. and you certainly never want to join— love of their life. But for me, so quickly. Everybody just went on with were always thought provoking. We also It wasn’t just about survival. It was a but there it is. Excerpted from “Butterflies and Second I know it was her. Elizabeth their lives. I couldn’t understand it. Was each got a little bottle, and would add process of transformation. Through it all, Thank God that they were there for Chances: A Mom’s Memoir of Love and I also supposed to move on so quickly? a new layer of colored sand each week, I became something different and awe- me, that they understood and wanted to Loss” by Annette Hines (Lioncrest Publish- just totally got me, and I got How do people do that? I couldn’t wrap whatever color we chose. We did that some. I still have the bottle to this day. It listen. I didn’t have that anywhere else. ing, 2019). her. We spent a lot of time my head around living without Elizabeth for three months, and at the end we all sits on top of my piano. Mark did one, too, Healing doesn’t come in a linear fashion. in my world. had these beautiful bottles: a collage of and his sits next to mine. Rather, it shows up in patches, like puffs Annette Hines, Esq. is the founder of the alone together, she and I. She When we had a luncheon at a local colorful sand in different layers and dif- It may have taken me a while to get in of smoke. You catch a piece of it and start Special Needs Law Group of Massachu- was a good daughter. Even restaurant on the Friday morning after ferent colors. the groove of the grief group, but once to feel whole again, but then it evapo- setts, PC. For more information, please though she was so disabled, she died, the place was packed with The layers were not all the same depth I did, it was just what I needed, to let it rates. There are starts and stops. But like visit SpecialNeedsCompanies.com friends. But strangely, I don’t remember she was incredibly power- who exactly was there. Many of them OKSANA ALEKSEEVA/SHUTTERSTOCK ful in her way, and so good to didn’t stay in my world for long after that. There were lots of cards and gifts. me—and good for me. People sent these strange things to put out in my yard, ornaments to hang on She taught me so much, and not in that the trees, little poems and angels and stupid, goofy way that people like to say. wind chimes. She really did help me learn about life. I smiled and thanked everyone who For one thing, she brought me to this gave me those gifts, but I didn’t want ‘Mercy, Pity, Peace’: The Power of Forgiveness great profession that I love. I get to meet them. I put them all in a box, and they’re LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/SHUTTERSTOCK so many awesome people because of her. still sitting in that box. I haven’t opened JEFF MINICK After Elizabeth passed, after the parade it since, but maybe one day, it will be of people in our house, suddenly every- time for me to pull them out. Back then, I “... forgive us our trespasses as body was gone. The house was empty. A wasn’t ready. I did what I had to do to put we forgive those who trespass crew came and took away all her medical up a brave face and keep up with appear- against us ...” equipment. They removed her hospital ances. But it would still be many years I remember the exact place and bed, her medicines, everything. It was until true healing came. time when the meaning of those weird. Then I had to go to the funeral It wasn’t until the spring of 2015, the words smacked me upside the home and pick out a casket. I couldn’t second spring after Elizabeth passed, head. It was February, and I was even think. I don’t really remember that I started to come alive again. What 41 years old and standing in the much about it. It felt so surreal: What am changed? The turning point was when I kitchen of our bed and breakfast, I doing here, picking out a coffin, what attended a grief group—put on by Chil- listening to a recording in which am I even supposed to be asking for? dren’s Hospital and the Dana Farber a female comedian, her name All in all, it felt like the longest week Cancer Institute—for parents who had long forgotten, says the Lord’s of my life. We buried her on Friday, lost their children through illness. The Prayer, only to be interrupted by four days after she passed. It was rain- team at Children’s had been trying to God again and again for her fail- ing outside, and I remember waking check in with me, calling and emailing, ure to practice the tenets of the up that morning and thinking that I for a full year. But I just wasn’t ready to prayer. When she delivered the just wanted it to rain forever. I never talk or engage. I never answered, but above line, I realized that with wanted the sun to shine again. It felt to their credit, they kept trying. Then, those words we are asking God to right somehow, appropriate, that it was one day, they sent me a note about the judge us as we judge others. so cold out. It was the kind of Novem- grief group. Terrifying, if you are a believer. “Butterflies and Second Chances: A Mom’s Memoir of Love and Loss” by Annette Hines. ber cold that just sits in your bones and Something about this invite struck a makes you hurt, you know? COURTESY OF ANNETTE HINES chord with me. I had almost tried some- Pardon Versus Resentment When we buried her, I thought I was thing similar in the past, a group that Some people have a knack for for- ready. I was so full of myself thinking the hospice had sent me to. But when I giveness, a built-in ability to let go about how smart I was that I had made had gotten there, I couldn’t do it. I had of insults or wrongs committed all these preparations and how I was stopped and turned around—partly against them, water off the pro- To forgive can be tough, but to ask for forgiveness can be tougher. Yet to do so can have profound consequences. going to be ready when the time came. I because I was terrified, but also because verbial duck’s back, so to speak. wasn’t ready. I’m still not ready. I realized I didn’t want to hear about When another wounds them, In the months after Elizabeth died, in kids who had died from suicides and car they seek explanations instead of In my own case, I generally find in “Western Culture Today and was disappointed, he took his fact for a whole year after, I was like a accidents and the like. Those are terrible resorting to anger, understand- it simple to forgive others, even, Tomorrow,” “Charles De Gaulle revenge by junking such enter- dead person, just walking around like tragedies, of course, and I feel for the ing rather than bottling up hatred in two or three cases, people who once explained the meaning tainments. a zombie. I still did my job; I connected families, but I don’t totally relate. They and resentment. Depending have done me horrible wrongs, of this: although there was a • Sometimes, it pays to be kind with people. But it was all a charade. I are a different kind of loss. It took me a on the wrong committed, such but forgiving the self—that is an- time when it was our duty to be rather than right. That old axi- struggled every morning just to get out of while to figure this out: All loss is not the people may not forget the harm other beast altogether. A memory enemies, now it is our joy that we om will see us through many a bed and go to work. I remember spend- same. done to them, but they know the from 40 years ago can pop to can be friends.” misunderstanding, and given ing a lot of time that winter lying on my Also, at that point I was still just mad. liberating power of forgiving the mind, and I wince. My worst So what to do? How can we today’s family squabbles about bed, doing nothing, just staring at the Back then, the hospice group had given transgressor, of letting go, and sins can return with unbidden extend the hand of mercy and culture and politics, should ceiling. Mark, my husband, took up the me a little pamphlet to read, and it was moving on. ease, casting dark clouds over forgiveness to others and even to probably be emblazoned on a slack in terms of keeping the household just crap. I wasn’t in the right state of Then there are those who don’t the brightest day, and not all the ourselves? banner over the dining room running, getting Caroline, my other mind to hear that kind of stuff. And there forgive, who remain prison-pent confessional booths in the world table at Thanksgiving and daughter, back and forth from school, was a certain value in my feeling mad. in bitterness, stuck behind walls can clear those skies. 5 Precepts Christmas. calling in laundry service, having meals It made me happy in a way. It was a step and bars of hatred they them- Here are some universal precepts • And if we have wronged anoth- delivered. He was amazing. Me, I just in the right direction. At least when I selves have built. Blinded by ani- associated with forgiveness. er? We have only to speak two couldn’t get up. It was like my arms and school, school, school, school, school, was mad, I wasn’t numb. But when the mosity, deafened by resentment, simple words: “I’m sorry.” The legs and head were all so heavy, weigh- married, baby. My whole identity as Annette invitation to the new grief group arrived, they dream of revenge. Some- Sometimes, it pays • Understanding is key. Few 1970 film, “Love Story,” had as ing me down. It took so much energy just Grief comes an adult was being Elizabeth’s mother. it was the right circumstances and the times they become consumed by people are psychopaths or its advertising tag: “Love means Hines’s to be kind rather to lift myself up out of bed, get my clothes like the ocean: Without it, I was lost. I started to perform daughters, right time. Don’t get me wrong: I was still this desire to get even, rubbing evil. Instead, men and women never having to say you’re on, and get out the door. a kind of inventory of self. Yes, I was an Elizabeth mad, and I was definitely the angriest salt into the wounds they have than right. make mistakes. They misjudge sorry.” This assertion—and People had stopped visiting. For them, It crashes attorney, but did I still want to do that and person in the group. I had the roughest suffered, unaware of the healing motives or circumstances. If we the vast majority of married it was all over. For me, it was still such kind of work? Did I want to get another Caroline. edges. But the fact that the other parents and interior freedom forgiveness try to see events through their couples will back me up on this a difficult time. I couldn’t think. Grief over you like job instead? Did I want to shut my prac- had experienced the same kind of loss as can bring. Begging Your Pardon eyes, we may realize there are one—is absurd and false. When is funny that way, how it hits you. It’s waves, then tice down? me made a big difference. Those parents To forgive can be tough, but two sides, or more, to what we we hurt someone we love—and not always about the crying. It’s not like I was also a wife. Did I want to stay really touched me. When It’s Personal to ask for forgiveness can be first mistook for wrongs com- most of us do that, intentionally you’re in the same excruciating pain retreats for married to Mark? I loved him, but part of Not only that, but I got to reunite with Many of us have witnessed tougher. Yet to do so can have mitted against us. All too often, or unintentionally, on a regular and agony that you were. But the grief is me wanted to just sell everything, shed some of the amazing hospital personnel firsthand the ugliness that results profound consequences. In 1997, we seek self-justification rather basis—we tell that person we’re still there, it’s deep, and it impacts you a little while, all the trapping of my previous life, and whom I had lost touch with: my social when pardon and clemency a deranged Jordanian soldier than looking at the big picture. sorry for the transgression and in other ways: it interferes with your then comes move away with Caroline. I know how worker and my nurse practitioner. It felt are nowhere to be found. When gunned down seven eighth- • Sometimes, we must offer ask forgiveness. memory, your ability to think and pro- harsh that sounds, and I’m certainly good. Everyone else who had been part I was a kid, for example, my grade Israeli girls. King Hussein forgiveness in absentia. Per- cess information. back again. glad I didn’t do that, didn’t act on those of my world—the network who used to grandmother and her sister had a of Jordan visited each family of haps our alcoholic father who The Time for Forgiveness Is Now Grief comes like the ocean: It crashes impulses. But at the time, I just didn’t help me take care of Elizabeth—was now falling-out—I don’t remember the the murdered girls, knelt before beat his wife and cursed his This charity from the heart takes over you like waves, then retreats for a have anything left. As devoted as Mark gone, all the teachers, all the nurses. I cause—and they didn’t speak to family members, and with tears children has died. We can still us out of prison and brings us little while, then comes back again. In had been to me, I didn’t think I had it in had no more Perkins people, no more each other for years. Since then, in his eyes begged forgiveness for forgive him. Perhaps a former new life. We are no longer like the same way the waves reshape the me to love him the way he loved me. I health care people. Everything was just I’ve known plenty of other fami- what had happened. This act of friend refuses to have anything Marley’s ghost in “A Christmas shoreline, my grief would slowly re- was struggling just to love Caroline. It’s over. Done. So to see the social worker lies fractured by a lack of charity. repentance changed the relation- to do with us. We can still for- Carol,” dragging iron weights of shape my life. It’s a very gradual transi- awful, but it’s the truth. I was struggling and nurse practitioner felt like a glass of Friends, too, sometimes turn ship between Jordan and Israel, give her. past sins as we plod through the tion, just like with the seascape, but very to feel anything at that time. water in the desert. They were almost the away from each other, forswear- and provided a powerful glimpse • We can stop looking for what day. Forgiveness dissolves those powerful. It is the process of becoming My family—my mom, my sister—were only ones left who were still part of my ing the good times and inti- of hope in a region rampant with we perceive as slights or in- weights. something else. there for me during this time, but they connection with Elizabeth. macy they’ve shared, often over hatred. sults. Some people take these A new year traditionally means At some point, almost a year after Eliza- also kept a distance. Everyone did. I get But of course, there was also Mark. He a misunderstanding—a badly After the First World War, the misperceptions to a whole new new beginnings. What better beth’s death, I was able to get my footing it now: It’s just too painful. As much as came with me to the grief group and was worded email, a disagreement victors imposed humiliating level. Once I was telling an time to give the green light to again. The sand had come back and the people say they want to help, the reality able to listen, but it was also the first time over politics, even the misread- terms of surrender on the Ger- older man how much I enjoyed clemency and compassion, repair tide had gone out. The waves weren’t as of losing a child is just so devastating and he was able to talk and be heard. Because ing of a facial expression—that an mans. The Treaty of Versailles giving parties for friends, most relationships, and make this strong. Whereas earlier, I felt like I was Annette Hines. traumatic that it’s too much to engage he was the newcomer to our situation explanation or an apology might showed little clemency or mercy often parents of my students. “I winter the season of “mercy, pity, drowning, now the ocean was calm and I with. It’s a psychological hurdle and and the best supporting actor, he never set right. to the Germans, and the resent- used to throw parties, too,” he peace?” could catch my breath. I started to think most people can’t make that leap. Unless felt like he was able to claim the tragedy Quite often, the hardest person ment it provoked among them said. “Christmas. New Year’s. clearly again, and to try to rediscover they’ve been there themselves. I had for himself. Finally, he was about to talk in the world to let off the hook is helped give rise to Nazism. In But we never got invited out so Jeff Minick has four children and a who I was in life and why I was doing known several people in my life who’d about it in that group, a full year and a the self. We may find it possible contrast, when the Second World I stopped.” I explained that I growing platoon of grandchildren. what I was doing. lost their children before me. I had been half after Elizabeth died. to dispense mercy to a coworker War ended, the nation-states of rarely received return invita- For 20 years, he taught history, But then I started to question every- to their funerals. The beautiful thing I never knew how he felt. Shame on me: who slanders us, or to a spouse Western Europe, which for six tions as well, but the joy was in literature, and Latin to seminars thing about myself. If I wasn’t Elizabeth’s is that every single one of those moms I never asked him how he was doing. And who has deserted us, but after we years had fought one another gathering together some people of homeschooling students in mom anymore, who was I? The relation- came to Elizabeth’s wake and funeral. even in that group, he talked maybe 20 have hurt someone, extending as bitter foes, decided to seek I loved or admired. I gave the Asheville, N.C., Today, he lives ship had defined me for so long, almost They all showed up for me, because they percent of the time that I talked. But I got William Blake’s “mercy, pity, and healing rather than revenge and parties because I wanted some and writes in Front Royal, Va. my entire life. I had her right after I knew. They’d been through it, too. But to have a little window into how he felt, peace” to ourselves can be one recrimination. fun. He gave parties expect- See JeffMinick.com to follow graduated from law school. It had been they were the exception. The natural and particularly how hard it had been for tough mountain to climb. As Joseph Ratzinger points out ing reciprocity, and when he his blog. B66 | LIFE & TRADITION JANUARYWeek 9–15, 3, 2020 JANUARYWeek 3, 2020 9–15, 2020 LIFE & TRADITION |B7 7

EMILY BICKFORD ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAMON WEST UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE West playing high school football in Port Arthur, Texas, in 1993. Damon West went from being a college Damon quarterback to being hit with a life sentence in prison to transforming West: his world for On Using the better. His Story of Prison and Recovery to Inspire Good

CATHERINE YANG this tremendous perspective God has given thoughts as all those inmates asking him a passage from a book that has stuck with amon West had a perfect life me of what a bad day truly looks like, and about the ring. West, where an old man tells a younger man on paper: loving family, star that helps me get through my days.” I failed so “This was something I thought about the that the families we’re born into have to quarterback, promising ca- When West shares his story, he hopes the whole time. Would I ever find somebody love us no matter what, but the families we reer. Then he got hit with a lesson gleaned is that every one of us has completely in who loves me, would I ever find a family that choose are in some ways even more amaz- life sentence at a maximum- the power to change, and to choose to have would take me in after all the mistakes I’ve ing because they choose to love us. Dsecurity prison. The rosy biography belied a a positive effect on our environments. my life and made?” West said. “My family, the way that they love me serious addiction problem that had begun at Out of all the venues he speaks at, West my family “It has been the biggest blessing that ever unconditionally, showed me what the im- a young age, after a traumatic incident went believes he has the most impact in prisons. happened to me, and I would not have been portance of family is,” West said. “Because unaddressed. “I think this is the place I’m most valuable,” would not get able to have a relationship like that in my life when you go through a situation like that, First it was pot and alcohol, then cocaine, West said. “This is the area where I think I without a program of recovery.” really those are the only people who are go- and finally meth. The meth led to continuous have the most currency.” rid of me. My West himself is in a 12-step recovery pro- ing to be around you, when you’ve made theft on West’s part, until he got caught. His No inmate can accuse West of not having family would gram, and he says it requires of him vigorous such huge mistakes. I failed so completely sentencing was a reckoning, and prison was been sentenced to real time, as he had a life honesty, accountability, and a willingness in my life and my family would not get rid one fight after another, but he knew he had sentence, nor that he didn’t really serve, as not let me go. to work on it every single day of his life. The of me. My family would not let me go. They nowhere to go but up. he was sent to Mark Stiles, which is a max- They would first three steps require surrendering to a would not turn their back on me. And they Seven years later, West made parole. It’s imum-security penitentiary. higher power, and this in itself isn’t as easy showed me the importance of family.” been four years since he walked out of prison; “So when I go into a prison, the response not turn their as it sounds. The absolute hardest part of his story to tell and since then, he has ceaselessly told his Kendell Romero, Clara thinking about whether he had enough promised to let Him. is overwhelming in that 100 percent of the “It takes humility,” West said. is the damage he did to his own family. In his story as part of his efforts to make amends. Romero, and West at his of the drug stashed. Sleep-deprived, nose Here was a place where race was radi- audience is listening, they’re hanging onto back on me. “You have to be willing to make amends speeches, West talks about his steadfast and parent’s 50th wedding “I know that my life and these presentations bleeding, and with a cross-country trip calized and the universal language was everything I’m saying because they want Damon West every time that you’re wrong, and you have faithful parents who raised him well and that I give can be used to stop somebody in anniversary in June 2018. ahead of him, West still felt like he had violence. West doesn’t spare details here what I’ve got. And I want them to want what to admit that you’re sorry, and be willing to refused to abandon him, and how they suf- that audience from going down that road everything under control. The addiction either—it’s not meant to be a pleasant place. I’ve got,” West said. “They know that I know make amends wherever you go. You have to fered because of his addiction. In his book, that I went down. And if they don’t go down only got worse once he tried meth. At one point, he was put in a position to kill what [their] misery is like.” admit your shortcomings, admit your flaws, he includes a story that hurt to tell, when that road, then their family doesn’t have to go Common sense went out the window, or be killed. Inside, hope is in short supply, and that’s show you’re vulnerable,” West said. That his grandmother came to live with him and through what my family went through. And if and his judgment completely lapsed—the But he also now had all the time in the what West brings when he shares his story: means being willing to forgive but forego he lied to her to cover his addiction and the they don’t go down that road, then they don’t I tell people only thing on his mind as an addict was world to work on recovery. He met people hope and the possibility of redemption. forgiveness yourself. And that takes a lot of criminal activity that took place right under create victims like I did. And if they don’t go my worst day when and where he could get more meth. who taught him he could be a positive force Making parole had been like swimming humility. her nose. She was becoming increasingly down that road, society is saved the burdens West is intentional in filling the book’s early for change, rather than letting his environ- upstream and required West’s complete “I think the biggest obstacle to doing it is incoherent and couldn’t even remember that us criminals, us addicts put on society out here in chapters with details because he wants to ment harden him. He learned that there was commitment to recovery, and that’s the you have to give up the idea of control, you who he was. to pay for the things we’ve done,” West said. be clear, honest, and make a point. His life nothing he could control but his own mind. turnaround he hopes to see in others. have to give up that fantasy of control we “That’s the biggest failure that I see as me It all started with a letter West received in the free world is a cautionary tale. These were days of sex, “Every addict must have a program of re- “I tell people all the time, it’s like a thirsty have as humans.” as a human being, how I failed to adequately prison in 2011, when his former junior high is better than drugs, alcohol, and crime, and there is no covery,” West said. “That requires me sur- man in a desert. If he sees a mirage and he’s He learned from a man in prison, and take care of her,” he said. “It’s one of those teacher told him that one day he would get clear reasoning to be found. rendering to God every day, it takes that thirsty enough, he’ll drink the mirage, he’ll writes in his book, that the only four things stories where no one would ever know, un- out, and he had the opportunity to be a pow- my best day West’s meth habit led to him stealing daily surrendering, because that reprieve drink the sand thinking it’s water and it’ll you can control are what you think, say, feel, less I told it.” erful messenger who could deliver hope. cars and breaking into people’s homes I’ve been given is contingent on my spiritual kill him. That’s what happens in prison,” and do. Everything else is in God’s lane. His parents asked West if he wanted to “That was the message that planted a seed,” in prison. for goods and money, and then he finally growth. And let me tell you, growth always West said. “They’re looking for a good lead- “If you focus on those four things that you reconsider, because it was such a painful West said. “Those seeds grew to be trees, There’s no got caught. In jail, his main thought was, takes place out of your comfort zone.” er, and in the absence of good leadership, can control, you can have an amazing life,” story to admit to. those trees grew to be a forest now. I’m liter- when would be the next time he’d get This is why he thinks his story has spread they’ll follow someone off a cliff, you see it West said. He can attest to it, and he hopes “If I was going to paint the picture of the ally speaking to tens of thousands of young comparison. high? The judge set a high bail and told like wildfire: Addiction affects everyone, all the time.” those he speaks to can apply those hard- dark side of addiction, the most horrible, people every year, and it all started with that him to keep clean. West said yes sir, made whether yourself, or a loved one, or even just And the last few months, every time West earned lessons. ugly side of addiction, why didn’t I show the Damon West letter.” bail, and then got high. as a taxpayer footing the bill for a prison; and has spoken at a prison, at least one or two West walking out of prison “We have these fears in life that we have no most horrible, ugly thing I’ve ever done in West speaks in prisons, too, and the state of Then West was brought back to jail again, it doesn’t have to be a drug addiction either. people will point to his new wedding ring on Nov. 16, 2015. control of ... like all these fears I had about my addiction?” he said. So he included it. Texas has agreed to have him speak in all 104 was hit with more charges, and was stuck With a lot of work, West came to a turning with a question. when I got out of prison: Will I be accepted, Despite all the dark moments in his story, state prisons over roughly the next two years. with an impossibly high bail. point when he realized he had to give up his “They’ll be like, ‘Your story is fascinating, will people want anything to do with me— West doesn’t dwell on the past, or think about (Below) West brings During his trial, despite having a defense “self.” His wishes, his entitlements, his ego, Damon, but I want to know how you did they’re all unfounded. Because I came out of why things happened a certain way, or if The Meth Days Hurricane Harvey supplies lawyer who seemed insistent on not lifting his illusion of control. that. How did you manage to find some- prison willing to share my story so that other there was something he could have changed. to the correctional officers body who will love you?’” West said. “Out people’s kids don’t have to make the same “There was no way, in any way in my mind, West recounts the hazy days of his addiction at the Stiles Unit on Sept. 4, a finger and a jury who looked at him with Because although his story is one of re- in his book, “The Change Agent,” which tells 2017. Less than two years contempt, West had the sinking realiza- demption, he is clear that he didn’t do of all the stuff that happened in my story, mistakes I made, and I became a valuable that my life would turn out like this,” West the story of his addictions, incarceration, and earlier, these same guards tion that there was no one to blame but this alone. Family, mentors, and God had all the stuff for them to gravitate toward part of society. People see you as part of the said. “For example, in January, I will be- recovery. had been watching over him himself. He did commit the crimes he was opened the right doors for him. Time and and latch onto, they want to know, ‘How solution instead of part of the problem,” he come Professor West. I’m teaching a class on As a cocaine addict, he was constantly inside the prison. charged with. No one made him do it. He again, people put in place to judge where did you do that, because I want that, too. said. “If you want to be accepted by society, criminal justice at the University of Houston was a man who had every opportunity in West would head next would look at his file I want that one day.’” you have to own what you have done.” downtown.” life to do well, and he squandered those and say his story wasn’t quite like all the oth- “I think every person on the planet should “I think I had to go through everything I’ve opportunities. ers they’d seen. He came from a good family, The Importance of Family have to work the 12-step recovery program been through in order to get to this place, with parents who visited him more than 150 In May 2019, one decade after West was West’s mugshot, taken at some point, because everyone is going this time right here,” he said. “I had to fail Prison Journal times while he was incarcerated, and had given his life sentence, he got married and by the Dallas Police through something,” West said. so completely to end up where I am, so it’s West kept a journal in prison, and when he pillars of the community who vouched for became a husband and stepfather. Department on July 30, Family is profoundly important, because always a looking-forward thing, because got out, he showed it to a friend of his, who and pledged their support to him. When he was in prison, he had similar 2008. we are the relationships we make. There’s I can’t change the past. The past is done.” sent it to a publisher. It wasn’t long before “I had a lot of help along the way, a ton of they were talking about a book. help. God has opened so many doors for But the best chapters hadn’t been written me,” West said. He was absolutely deter- yet, so West ultimately interspersed the stories mined to make use of this life he was given; from his times at the Mark Stiles prison with he would do his best to become useful to everything that happened before and after. society. While in jail and on trial, West had no idea what kind of sentence he would receive. A Becoming Part of the Solution life sentence, as he learned, was in reality a Four years ago, West walked free. Not long 60-year sentence. He ended up receiving 65. after, he started sharing his story, and has “This was my rock bottom,” West said. since been invited to schools, sports teams, The moment was severe enough, it broke and prisons to tell his story. through his addiction-fueled fog. He also “What motivates me is the possibility of West speaks to North realized what a terrible thing he had done the potential to be useful every day,” West Texas’ to his own parents, who had sat behind him said. “I know what a bad day looks like, and football during the proceedings. Before being taken since I’ve been out of prison, I haven’t had team at his away, he spoke to them one more time, and any bad days. I tell people my worst day out alma mater his mother had told him that where he was here in the free world is better than my best in January going, only God could help him now. West day in prison. There’s no comparison. I have 2017. B88 | LIFE & TRADITION JANUARYWeek 9–15, 3, 2020 JANUARYWeek 3, 2020 9–15, 2020 LIFE & TRADITION |B9 9

ALL PHOTOS BY CINECOM 1 2 3 ‘A Room With A View’ Director James Ivory Starring Helena Bonham Carter, Daniel Day-Lewis, Maggie Smith, Julian Sands, Judi Dench, Denholm Elliott, Simon Callow, Rupert Graves Running Time 1 hour, 57 minutes Not Rated Release Date March 7, 1986 (USA)

4

Mark Jackson grew up in Spring Val- ley, N.Y., where he attended a Waldorf FILM INSIGHTS school. At Williams College, his pro- fessors all suggested he write pro- fessionally. He acted professionally WITH MARK for 20 years instead. Now he writes professionally about JACKSON acting. In the movies.

POPCORN & INSPIRATION A ‘Little-Miss-Can’t- more fun? She can’t entirely suppress, about) and gently points it out to her. however, a little grin at the shameless Which unleashes a floodgate of tears of Be-Wrong’ Becomes mischievousness of it all. relief at finally allowing the truth of the And then one day, George grabs Lucy matter to enter her conscious mind. and kisses her again, following it up Emotionally Literate with an impassioned speech, telling Love! Beauty! Joy! her that she can’t marry Cecil. Cecil “A Room With a View” is visually Film review: ‘A Room With a View’ only wants Lucy as eye-candy to bol- sumptuous, with Italian architecture, ster his priggish foppery. George will Tuscan vistas, wooded British byways lay down his life for her and walk on populated with horses and carriages, broken glass to win her heart. This still and Victorian costumes, all of which MARK JACKSON 5 screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, mance. This go-round, with my own fully eccentric George climbs a tree 1. doesn’t do it for Lucy, so self-deluded are moving aesthetically. and producer Ismail Merchant. acting career behind me, I enjoyed his and loudly declaims his creed. We hear (L–R) Dame Judi Dench, is she. The sense of nature is strong. All of watched 1986’s “A Room With performance like a fine wine. him shouting in the distance, “Love!!! Dame Maggie Smith, and To be fair, Lucy’s lived a thoroughly which stands in sharp contrast to the a View”—Merchant Ivory’s Down Memory Lane Beauty!!! Joy!!!” Helena Bonham-Carter in suffocating, Victorian existence of dry, intellectual comportment of the first chapter of a brilliant run Rewatching “A Room With a View” in The Proceedings Then, Lucy comes upon George medi- “A Room With a View.” piano in the parlor, petticoats, P’s and characters, and fusty convention of of high-quality period-piece 2019, I confirmed that my two favorite Lucy Honeychurch (Bonham Carter), a tating in a breeze-blown field of golden 2. Q’s, and prim-and-properness. These lives lived from a place of timidity films—five or six times in the characters are the impetuous and pas- respectable young British lady of good wheat and red lilies, where he sweeps Helena Bonham-Carter were the days when a lady’s exposed and fear. movie theater. It was unique sionate young George Emerson (Julian breeding, is vacationing in Florence, her off her feet and kisses her, and and Julian Sands in ankle was enough to make a man be- George, his father, and Freddy (to a and stood head and shoulders Sands) and his compassionate father Italy, chaperoned by one Miss Char- she, despite herself, lets him, and, had “A Room With a View.” side himself with desire. lesser extent) are the sources of pas- above the rest of its contempo- (Denholm Elliott), whose healing effect lotte Bartlett (Maggie Smith). Miss Bartlett not interrupted them, the It must also be said, though, that sion in the story, and passion, in this 3. rary fare, except for maybe “Back to the on people is due to a generous soul and The two are put out because they realization that this was the love of her Dame Maggie Smith (L), this is an archetypal period in the life case—is truth. Lucy’s passionate IFuture” and 1986’s “Platoon.” This film deep wisdom regarding affairs of the don’t have a room with a view. Theirs is life would most likely have dawned on and Helena Bonham- of a particular kind of young woman nature emerges only when she plays review is about an artistically told tale heart. a back-alley view. At the Italian pen- her. As it stands, it only serves to make Carter in “A Room With a (a good example of which is the song Beethoven; otherwise, it’s stuffed up of a Victorian-era “Little-Miss-Can’t- My next favorite was of course the de- sione’s bed-and-breakfast-y communal her shore up her societal expectations View.” “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” by the and padlocked. George disagrees with Be-Wrong” learning to follow her heart but of the then-19-year-old, petulantly dinner, they meet George Emerson and more vehemently. 1990s alt-rock group the Spin Doctors). Reverend Beebe that these are all and live her bliss. pouting, luxuriantly maned Helena his father, the latter of whom insists A few months later, back in England, 4. There’s a specific type of young chance meetings. He knows they’re Even though all the Merchant Ivory Bonham Carter, all frilly dressed, dark- they all swap rooms, since men are less Lucy gets engaged to the snooty Cecil Julian Sands as George woman who would rather be right than fate and destiny. George’s unfettered Emerson in “A Room films were fabulous, for some reason I browed, square-jawed, and exceeding- concerned with having a good view. Vyse. As fate would further have it, With a View.” be happy. She’d rather die than admit passion for Lucy ultimately frees Lucy’s thought Merchant Ivory Productions ly brooding and fetching. This level of The next day, Lucy manages to ditch George and his father start renting a her feelings of ardor for a young man— own passion for life. The Emersons, was some kind of company brand that beauty is often what drags young men Miss Bartlett and goes roaming the cottage in the vicinity. 5. the need to cut off the nose to spite senior and junior, encourage us to look made Victorian soap operas. Maybe it into movie theaters, after all. city. As fate would have it, she and Lucy’s options are paraded before (L–R) Rupert Graves, the face is all-powerful. It can take her within, think about, and acknowledge was the name Ivory. Ivory soap. Period- I loathed Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis) George end up in the same piazza, us: on the one hand, the supercilious Helena Bonham-Carter until her mid-40s to experience enough consciously how we feel. piece soap operas. My younger mind in 1986, and now, in 2019, I see what where they witness a rather horrific Cecil awkwardly trying to smooch his and Daniel Day-Louis in heartache to be able to lose that stub- “A Room With a View” was nominat- was a little obtuse. happened: Day-Lewis, that ultimate stabbing. She faints, and George min- new fiancée, cringe-worthily smoosh- “A Room With a View.” born attachment and then realize that ed for eight Academy Awards (includ- Classic novel adaptations (in this case chameleon character-actor-in-a-lead- isters to her. A powerful bond is forged, ing his pince-nez against her face; on she’s exhausted and would now rather ing Best Picture and Best Supporting E.M. Forster’s novel of the same name) ing-man’s-body, became the snobbish, but she, in her youthful inexperience the other, the skinny-dipping George, be happy than right. Actress and Actor for Maggie Smith of high-production quality and world- pince-nez-wearing, priggish Cecil and prim-and-properness, fails to rec- cavorting with Lucy’s brother Freddy It is ultimately kind, old, free-think- and Denholm Elliott). It ultimately won class acting talent were what Merchant Vyse, with his obsessive-compulsive ognize it for what it is. (Rupert Graves) and the local pas- ing, Thoreau-reading Mr. Emerson who three: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Ivory did. Merchant Ivory was the robotic cane-swinging, so thoroughly Later on in the vacation, they wind up tor, The Reverend Mr. Beebe (Simon recognizes Lucy’s love for his son that Art Direction-Set Decoration, and Best following team: director James Ivory, that I didn’t see it as an acting perfor- in the same orchard, where the delight- Callow). C’mon Lucy, wake up! Who’s she’s willfully suppressing (and lying Costume Design.

CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGES talistic democracy. PAUL’S RESPONSE: Even the most ar- sives do not want to claim Nazis as PAUL’S RESPONSE: If socialism ity, but with modern technology. Examining the Myths of Socialism Paul adds that this mixture of big dent climate change alarmists ac- their own because of the Nazi pol- doesn’t lead to violence, then Paul government and private owner- knowledge that this debate is about icy of eugenics. However, eugenics asks how can the state take pos- Is There Hope? ship is not, however, free. These more than just pollution or temper- is a natural outgrowth of socialis- session of people’s property? Will In a country in which youth is turn- Book review: ‘The Case Against Socialism’ countries have the heaviest mid- ature changes. Paul argues that the tic policies. After all, if the state is people voluntarily give up their ing toward socialism, Paul ends his dle-class tax burden in the world. real motive behind the alarmists’ controlling industry, and industry property without a fight? The state book with measured hope for the Historically, the Scandinavian efforts is the global redistribution depends on workers, socialistic will punish those who do not obey, next generation. He hopes that LINDA WIEGENFELD ers, Elizabeth Warren, and Alex- Paul says, is communism, where countries have embraced high tax- of wealth and a worldwide socialist theory would allow the same for and the penalties will worsen over they will come to understand that andria Ocasio-Cortez. the government controls every- ation of the middle class because welfare state. the production of babies. Why not time. Extermination will be an end free markets and free people have Socialism in America is on the rise. As a result, there is a serious lack thing: all things political and the they were actually using all of the Paul wants to see a rational have more strong people and fewer choice. Paul cites examples of op- produced better health, longer life A recent Gallup poll found that 45 of knowledge about what social- means of production. Lenin him- services that they got in exchange. discussion of how much of cli- weak ones? Paul’s quote is that “so- pressive government control in expectancy, and reduced poverty percent of young American adults ism truly is. Socialism has killed self said, “The goal of socialism is Free tuition and health care were mate change stems from natural cialism and eugenics were not a places where socialism ultimately and suffering around the world. (aged 18–29) have a positive view millions, yet its many failures are communism.” not a safety net for the poor, but causes and how much from man, historical anomaly but a historical led to such violence. He hopes that they will choose of capitalism, while 51 percent barely mentioned by the media or used by all. In the past, the high and then with clarity proceed from symbiosis.” He feels that eugenics His last chapter, on China, talks liberty. of this same group see socialism our leaders. False Ideas and Seeing degree of cohesion in both racial there with the capitalistic system. is a danger whenever the collective about the panopticon: an om- positively. Older Americans have The book “The Case Against So- Through Them Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) addresses the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to and cultural identity among the is elevated over the individual. nipresent surveillance system Linda Wiegenfeld is a retired been consistently more positive cialism” by Rand Paul is just the Paul’s effectiveness in his book lies Majority Policy Conference in Washington on June 27, 2019. citizens made it easy to determine FALSE IDEA: The Nazis were not so- Paul wonders why today Marga- designed so that individuals will teacher with 45 years’ experience about capitalism than socialism; place for Americans to become in taking pro-socialist arguments priorities. Now with more immi- cialists. ret Sanger is proudly promoted and never be sure whether or not they teaching children. She can be 58 percent of those between the reacquainted with socialism. and picking them apart. Organized tionalization of private companies, in history have so few around the gration, signs of strain on services PAUL’S RESPONSE: Despite the Nazis lionized as the founder of Planned are being observed. The system reached for comments or sugges- ages of 30 and 49 have a positive Paul is the junior senator from into six parts, the book contains which the government misman- world lived in poverty. are starting to show. literally having “socialist” in their Parenthood in spite of the fact that searches for “desirable behavior” tions at [email protected] view of capitalism, and 41 percent Kentucky and a former physician. 39 chapters with topics such as so- aged. The country fell rapidly: name—the National Socialist Ger- she advocated for eugenics. (whatever the government thinks have a positive view of socialism. His book is a careful study of social- cialistic countries, authoritarian- from 48 percent of the populace FALSE IDEA: The Scandinavian FALSE IDEA: Throughout history, so- man Workers’ Party—progressives is correct at the moment) and face- Of those aged 50 to 64, 60 percent ism that reaches a diagnosis: It is a ism, economic inequality, climate in poverty in 2014 to 87 percent in countries are examples of social- cialism has overthrown authori- persist in trying to convince the FALSE IDEA: Socialism encourages crime, facial expressions that hint have a positive view of capitalism spiritual illness that we should be change, and fake news, and in each poverty in 2017. Today there is a hu- ism’s success. tarian regimes, which makes so- world that the Nazis were not so- creativity since most basic needs at subversive attitudes. and 30 percent have a positive view vaccinated against. The examples he dispels fallacious assumptions manitarian crisis that threatens to PAUL’S RESPONSE: In 2015, Den- cialism a very positive force. cialists because they did not have are met. The China Electronics Technol- of socialism. that he includes to prove his point upon which socialism rests. engulf the region. mark’s prime minister chided Ber- PAUL’S RESPONSE: One of the great- the orthodox version. What is true PAUL’S RESPONSE: This is not so. ogy Group, which gathers and A reason for this rise in the favor- are solid and next to impossible to nie Sanders and asked him to stop est ironies of modern political is that the Nazis never wavered in Unauthorized ideas are danger- organizes big data on everything, ability of socialism is due to the fact refute. FALSE IDEA: Government control of FALSE IDEA: Income inequality insulting his country by labeling history is that as socialists around their support of socialism. They ous ideas, because they can lead completes the thought policing. that young people grew up during Paul defines socialism as a soci- the private sector is a good thing between rich and poor slows eco- it as socialist. Corey Iacono (who the world arose to overthrow simply believed they had a better people to begin thinking for them- Chinese citizens are assigned the Great Recession, a time when etal system in which the govern- for a country. nomic growth. wrote for the Foundation for Eco- authoritarian regimes, they ulti- form of it to offer. It is a fact that selves and thus to begin thinking social credits where high scores the media did a poor job covering ment owns the means of produc- PAUL’S RESPONSE: Paul asks the PAUL’S RESPONSE: In reality, while nomic Education) says that Scan- mately replaced them—despite while the Nazis’ industries were about the nature of socialism and are rewarded and low scores can socialism, and a time when social- tion. With socialism, the rights of reader to look at Venezuela’s once- the rich are getting richer so are the dinavian countries do indeed have their promises to establish free privately owned, it was in name its rulers. Complete control of the result in the denial of jobs, loans, ism prevailed as a popular ideology the individual are made second- vibrant economy, which was so poor. Simply put, a rising tide lifts heavy taxation and generous social democracies—with authoritarian only. State control over industry economy means complete control travel, or much worse. Paul states ‘The Case Against Socialism’ on American college campuses. ary to the desires of the collective. rich with oil (Venezuela still has all boats. He points to the fact that welfare programs. But that does regimes of their own. was so complete that, in reality, of all the people participating in that the system was expected to be Now, too, socialism is extolled by Democratic socialism is the same the largest oil reserves in the world) low-income groups have access to not make them socialist. Heavy owners were essentially stripped that economy. fully implemented by 2020. Rand Paul many of the Democratic progres- thing, just pitched in a gentler way. and was destroyed by government goods and services that were previ- taxation and wealth are promoted FALSE IDEA: Socialism is the answer of private control of their property. In China, the state prophesied in Broadside Books sive leaders such as Bernie Sand- A natural outgrowth of socialism, control. Added to that was the na- ously unheard of. At no other time through the framework of a capi- to climate change. Paul further claims that progres- FALSE IDEA: Socialism isn’t violent. the dystopian book “1984” is a real- 368 pages B1010 | LIFE & TRADITION JANUARYWeek 9–15, 3, 2020 THURSDAY,Week JANUARY 3, 2020 9, 2020 ALL PHOTOS BY DAI BING/THE EPOCH TIMES Monty Mou showing Monty Mou in a spread- astounding height in a flip, eagle leap, in the 2018 in the 2018 NTD Interna- NTD International tional Classical Chinese Classical Dance Dance Competition. Competition. FOR KIDS ONLY i s Week in History

WHAT DO A MOUNTAINS MIRACLE WEAR TO HAPPENS KEEP WARM? ON THE

AVS IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK

AP PHOTO/BEBETO MATTHEWS SNOW CAPS. SNOW HUDSON The n Jan. 15, 2009, a passenger Capt. original in- plane piloted by Capt. Chesley Chesley tended mean- Mountain Sullenberger III, fl ew into a fl ock of Sullenberger III ing [of the poem],” by Emily Dickinson Canada geese. e plane’s engines he said. O were severely damaged. Sully, though, Mou’s meticulous prepara- managed safely land the plane and tion paid off—he won first prize all 155 of its passengers on none other for that performance. than the Hudson River. e event The mountain sat upon the plain became known as the “Miracle on the Support From Peers In his eternal chair, Hudson.” Mou credits his success to the support of His observation omnifold, On the 10th anniversary, Sully wrote his peers and the lessons he’s learned over His inquest everywhere. It is not the mountain we on Twitter, “ is was a novel event SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS York, to further develop his skills. the years in New York and Taiwan. One of that we had never trained for. In our The seasons prayed around his knees, conquer, but ourselves. It was there that he finally committed to them was facing his fears when learning fl ight simulators it was not possible to the art form. new tumbling techniques. Like children round a sire: Grandfather of the days is he, SIR EDMUND HILLARY, practice a water landing. Yet, I was “When you first begin dance ... it seems “Whenever someone tries a new tech- MOUNTAINEER (19192008) Of dawn the ancestor. able to set clear priorities. I took Shen Yun Principal like something not for men,” he said. “Es- nique, it’s scary,” he said. “There’s a fear what I did know, adapted it, and pecially when you have to wear tights … It’s factor involved when you flip backward. applied it in a new way to solve a very uncomfortable.” And it’s quite normal to get injured on the problem I’d never seen before.” But over time, he came to realize the ex- smallest things.” Dancer Monty Mou on VIXIT/SHUTTERSTOCK CHRIS MCGRATH/GETTY IMAGES pressive power of classical Chinese dance— At Fei Tian Academy, Mou was always and from then on, he was hooked. pushed to be the first person in his class to the Expressive Power of “You can move the audience,” he said, try out a new flip or tumbling technique. similar to how watching a movie or read- Luckily, he always had friends who helped By Aidan Danza, age 13 ing a book can stir a person to the point of him with tackling these tricky assignments. ALL PHOTOS BY SHUTTERSTOCK Classical Chinese Dance crying or laughing. “I wouldn’t be able to do that if it weren’t “And to me that was very interesting.” for a lot of the people who helped me during Classical Chinese dance’s expressive pow- my time here,” he said. FEEDING BIRDS IN WINTER er, however, does not come from merely ac- Despite not enjoying it at the time, Mou CATHY HE ing the external movements, according to is also thankful for his training in Taiwan, Mou. A dancer’s inner expression is just as which forged his ability to endure hardships EW YORK—Dancing wasn’t exactly at the top important. and treat difficulties as opportunities for THE FEEDERS THE SEED I recommend getting two feeders: a I buy a blend of black- of Monty Mou’s agenda when he first started. Known as “yun” or bearing, this con- improvement. large, preferably metal, tube feeder oil sunflower and white It was his mother’s idea to send the Sydney- cept is integral to classical Chinese dance, “It was a test of mental and physical endur- with holes and perches in the sides, millet seed from a small bird raised Mou to Taiwan to receive basic train- which seeks to convey a person’s inner world ance,” he said. and a hopper at the bottom for larger specialty store. Of course, ing in classical Chinese dance. There, he was through outward form. This is why a dancer’s Being a principal dancer, Mou relishes birds. Don’t waste time on a squirrel- you could make your own mix. thrust into a grueling schedule of long days moral values and realm of thought is so im- the opportunities that it brings him to learn inter is, proof one. I will say that I have never I recommend buying a large, N filled with stretching, tumbling technique portant, Mou said. and experience new things. And of course, in my experience, seen any bird feeder that is supposed œž-pound bag of sunflower seed practice, and Chinese dance 101. “If your inner world is full of things that there’s the responsibility involved. to repel squirrels succeed. While and two small, five-pound bags of the best time to you will be entertained watching the white millet, and mixing them “It was boring, tedious, and really ardu- are negative, then what you’re expressing “If you don’t do well, then you can’t hide— feed birds in your squirrels figure the feeder out, once in a small metal trashcan ous,” Mou said. is obviously negative,” he said. you can’t really be average.” backyard. they do, they’ll chow down. bought specifically for the After years of this hectic regimen, Mou The better “So, the better a person, the cleaner and But Mou isn’t daunted by this pressure, The second feeder you should purpose of mixing and THE SUET returned to Australia and resolved to never purer you are on the inside. Then your art, partly because he’s clear on why he’s work- They have a hard time get is a suet cage. Suet cages are storing seed. Keep it in a dance again. a person, what you express, is clean and pure, and it ing so hard to achieve perfection on stage: a metal cage in the shape of a suet garage or shed—trust Suet is a fatty substance birds love in finding food elsewhere, cake. You can get any kind of garden- me, you don’t want summer and winter. You can get it at Fast forward a decade and Mou is now a will give people a good feeling.” to expose the persecution of the spiritual almost any bird specialty store, home principal dancer with Shen Yun Performing the cleaner Mou recalls with pride his performance practice Falun Gong in China. so they will flock to your variety cage if you want—as long squirrels, raccoons, as it isn’t going to break as soon as possums, or bears getting into improvement stores, and some farm Arts, the premier classical Chinese dance and purer at the 2018 NTD International Classical Along with showcasing stories from feeders in large numbers. you open it, you’re fine. You can also thirty pounds of birdseed! It will be supply stores. It comes in rectangular company based in New York. For almost six Chinese Dance Competition, in which he China’s 5,000-year history, Shen Yun Per- Birds like di© erent foods throw large amounts of seed onto heavy, so when filling your feeders, cakes, sized to fit in its own feeder you are on the called a suet cage. months each year, he tours the world per- depicted the Chinese master poet Li Bai in forming Arts also depicts the Chinese com- in winter than they do in the ground, because many birds bring them to the seed can. forming gravity-defying leaps, depicting inside. Then a dance based on his poem “Drinking Alone munist regime’s suppression of Falun Gong actually prefer this to bird feeders. scholars and soldiers from ancient dynas- Under the Moon.” practitioners. Since 1999, the regime has summer, and di© erent birds The configuration described ties, and telling stories through dance from your art, what The poem captures the feelings of Li Bai sought to eradicate the practice by subject- like di© erent foods and above will bring birds in—these China’s 5,000-year civilization. as he enjoys a jug of wine by himself under ing adherents to detention, brainwashing, di© erent feeders. methods are a favorite of blue jays, you express, mockingbirds, mourning doves, and In 2018, he won first place in New Tang the moon. There is a sense of joy, tinged with forced labor, torture, and even death. almost any kind of sparrow in your Dynasty (NTD) Television’s International is clean and deep yearning and loneliness, Mou said. Mou himself is a Falun Gong practitioner area. Just remember to keep your Classical Chinese Dance Competition; he The challenge thus lay in how to convey and is guided by the practice’s moral teach- feeders full. had won second place just two years before. pure, and this complicated feeling through physical ings—based on the principles of truthful- aMazing Escape Maze it will give movement. ness, compassion, and tolerance—in his Mountains! Inner Expression Mou immersed himself in Li Bai’s poetry, daily life. With these values as his compass, But back to when Mou decided to quit danc- people a good read his biography, and watched other danc- Mou’s goals as a dancer dovetail with his ing—his mother again had other ideas. This ers’ interpretations of the same poem in an general aspirations in life. time, she sent him to the dance school that feeling. effort to grasp the “realm of thought” behind “I want to uplift my realm of thought, and 1 2 3 4 5 Down trains professional classical Chinese danc- the words. to put it really simply, I just want to become 6 Monty Mou ers, Fei Tian Academy of the Arts in New “I tried to get as close as possible to the a better person.” 1 29,029’ for Everest (9) 7 8 9 2 Acme (8) 3 Mount St. Helens (7) 10 AMAZING START 5 Mountain climber’s problem (3) 11 12 6 The Sierra Nevada, e.g. (5) Shen Yun Inspires Audiences for the New Year 8 Himalayan guide (6)

ALL PHOTOS BY NTD ESCAPES! 13 14 9 Mountain top (4) Nicole Zak at CATHERINE YANG compassion, and tolerance. Zak was The couple said they saw themes of 12 Rugged rock (4) the San Fran- interested in learning more about it. harmony, peace, loyalty, and integ- 13 Very old (worn down) mountain (4) cisco War Documentary maker Nicole Zak “Leaving this performance, I feel ex- rity, values that have been eroded over 15 16 Memorial 14 Mountain climber’s sickness (8) walked out of the theater feeling like tremely peaceful. I feel healed to an time in the world today. 17 Opera House a weight had been lifted. Zak had seen extent in which I want to explore the “And it’s good to rename them, bring on Jan. 4, USE THE FOUR NUMBERS IN THE CORNERS, AND THE OPERANDS 16 South American range (5) advertisements for Shen Yun Per- practice further, because if you can just them back to the surface, and pres- (+, AND X) to build an equation to get the solution in the middle. There may be 2020. 17 “Frozen lace,” in haiku (4) forming Arts for many seasons and walk out of a theater feeling this way, ent them to people again. There were more than one “unique” solution but, there may also be “equivalent” solutions. 18 19 20 finally bought herself a ticket, but the what can you do when you actually children sitting there, of all ages, and For example: 6 + (7 X 3) +1 = 28 and 1+ (7 X 3) + 6 = 28 19 Matterhorn, e.g. (3) experience was one that went beyond participate in the practice?” Zak said. I think it’s a beautiful, healthy mes-

what she imagined. She felt that Shen Yun gave her “a sage,” Sedra said. Easy puzzle 1 Medium puzzle 1 Hard puzzle 1 21 “I came here and then I watched lot to think on and a lot to chew on, “We walk out of this show with a

it, and I kid you not, I’m sincere and mentally and spiritually.” little seed planted again,” she said. 7 10 9 16 10 31

earnest when I say that I walked out In Montreal, audience members T N E C S A P

D W L

feeling like a weight lifted a little bit,” felt seeds of change planted in their For more information and tickets, 66 50 23Across S T N U O M O A R R E I

Javier Hoyos S Across

T N she said at the War Memorial Opera hearts after seeing Shen Yun. see ShenYunPerformingArts.org D

and Magda 4 Elevation (6)

T I M M U S L

House in San Francisco on Jan. 4. “I felt a lot of emotions in the show. 6 8 2 10 9 27 N 4 Elevation (6) 17 Pinnacle (6)

T Y E L L A

Sedra at the 7 Climber's starting camp (4) V

L G I

Place des Arts This year, two of the short dance I look at the faces, the expressions, The Epoch Times considers Shen N 7 Climber’s starting camp (4) 18 ___ Club (6)

S A Y A L A M I H E

pieces in New York-based Shen Yun the colors ... for me it was wonderful. Yun Performing Arts the significant 10 Alpine phenomenon (9) O R P O L in Montreal on I

+ − × ÷ + − × ÷ + − × ÷ 10 Alpine phenomenon (9) 20 Get up onto (5)

S E I K C O R N C depict how the peaceful spiritual Sometimes I cried a little,” said Javier cultural event of our time and has T

Jan. 4, 2020. 11 The U.S.'s tallest range (7) G A E H C N A L A V

practice Falun Dafa is being unjustly Hoyos, a network manager, who saw covered audience reactions since the A

N E H C N

Solution For Easy 1 Solution for Medium 1 Solution for Hard 1 V 11 The U.S.’s tallest range (7) 21 Climb (6)

A P E S A B L N

persecuted in China. Falun Dafa in- a performance on Jan. 4 at the Place company’s inception in 2006. The 13 "Roof of the World" (9) E

− × − × − − 27 9 + 10 + 31 6 7) 8 + (10 10 2) 9 (16

R C O I

L 13 “Roof of the World” (9)

T H G I E H V P

cludes meditative exercises and mor- des Arts with his wife Magda Sedra, Epoch Times is a media sponsor of 15 Found between mountains (6) E

al teachings based on truthfulness, a teacher. Shen Yun Performing Arts. 15 Found between mountains (6)

) 3 ( . g e. n, r ho r e t t a M 19

17 Pinnacle (6)

) 4 ( u k i a h n i " e, c a l en z Fro " 17

5) ( e g n a r an c ri e m A South 16

18 ___ Club (6)

) 8 ( s s ne k c i s s ' r be m i l c n i a t n Mou 14

) 4 ( n i a t oun m ) n w do n r o w ( d l o y r e V 13

20 Get up onto (5)

4) ( k oc r ed g ug R 12

) 4 ( p o t n i a t n Mou 9

21 Climb (6)

6) ( de i u g an y a l a m i H 8

) 5 ( . g e. , a ad v Ne a r r e Si e h T 6

3) ( m e l ob r p s ' r be m i l c n i a t n Mou 5

Down

) 7 ( s n e l e H St. t n Mou 3 1 29,029' for Everest (9) 2 Acme (8) B1212 | LIFE & TRADITION JANUARYWeek 9–15, 3, 2020 Week 3, 2020 LIFE & TRADITION | 13

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EET Magazine 2019_8.375x10.875in_v27.2.indd 56 9/30/19 8:47 PM B214 | LIFE & TRADITION TUESDAY, JANUARYWeek 14, 3, 2020 TUESDAY,Week 3, 2020 JANUARY 14, 2020 LIFE & TRADITION | B315

PUBLIC DOMAIN LITERATURE Celebrating America: e Poetry of Rosemary and Stephen Vincent Benét

JEFF MINICK When I taught American history to seminars of homeschoolers, we usu- hen I was around 9 or 10 ally kicked o the year with Benét’s “ e years old, my family was vis- Ballad of William Sycamore,” a rollick- Witing my mom’s parents, who ing poem about a pioneer and his place operated a dairy farm in Pennsylvania. in the history of the movement west. e house owned by my grandparents Too long to include in its entirety here, was nearly 200 years old, and at night let’s look at the  rst three stanzas of the shadows in the rooms, the dim-lit this ballad:  stairs, and the creaking  oorboards of- ten  red up ghosts in the imaginations My father, he was a mountaineer, of those of us in the younger set. His  st was a knotty hammer; and adults alike. is volume contains a time when the American population e Continuing Je Minick has four children and a ose terrors doubled one evening He was quick on his feet as Rosemary Benét’s well-known “Nancy was about a third of what it is now. at Relevancy to Our Times growing platoon of grandchildren. after we watched a televised version of a running deer, Hanks,” with this enchanting open-  gure in itself is telling, both in regard Readers enjoy Rosemary and Ste- For 20 years, he taught history, “ e Devil and Daniel Webster,” the sto- And he spoke with a Yankee stammer. ing stanza: to the loss of stature of poetry today and phen Benét for their depictions of fa- literature, and Latin to seminars ry of a New England farmer, Jabez Stone, My mother, she was merry and brave, the regard with which it was held less mous American figures and events, of homeschooling students in who sells his soul to the Devil for seven And so she came to her labor, If Nancy Hanks than 100 years ago. but also, I suspect, because some Asheville, N.C., Today, he lives and years of prosperity. If memory serves, With a tall green  r for her doctor grave Came back as a ghost, Gri th then adds “Since that time, his of what they had to say speaks to writes in Front Royal, Va. See Jef- the show was in black-and-white, and it And a stream for a comforting neighbor. Seeking news reputation has declined steeply among the 21st century. At the end of “The fMinick.com to follow his blog. left me in bed that night staring into the And some are wrapped in the linen  ne, Of what she loved most, literary sophisticates to the point where Devil and Daniel Webster,” for ex- darkness for what seemed an eternity, And some like a godling’s scion; She’d ask  rst his poetry is seldom included in col- ample, Daniel Webster inquires of terri ed to close my eyes and sleep. But I was cradled on twigs of pine “Where’s my son? lege anthologies and his name is often Mr. Scratch: “I have fought for the It wasn’t until I was a teenager and In the skin of a mountain lion. “What’s happened to Abe? neglected in literary histories.” Union all my life. Will I see that fight reading one of my father’s college an- “What’s he done?” In my copy of “Literature: An In- won against those who would tear  “Daniel Boone Escorting Settlers Through thologies that I realized the writers for Sharp Names at Never Get Fat troduction to Fiction, Poetry, and it apart?” the Cumberland Gap,” ­€–€ƒ„ by George that show had taken the script from In poem and story, Benét celebrated Other Observations Drama (Sixth Edition),” a volume A pertinent question then and a Caleb Bingham, is a famous depiction of Stephen Vincent Benét’s story by the America and Americans. Here are At the Poetry Foundation, John Gri th nearly 1,900 pages long, I  nd hun- question pertinent now. Boone. same name. I read and reread that story, the  rst and last stanzas of “American o ers an excellent sketch of Benét and dreds of works by poets, writers, and Treat yourself by reading some of ƒ “A Book of Americans” by Rosemary and not for the horror but for its rich por- Names.” his literary contributions. Two details playwrights, but no story or verse, or the works of these two writers. Sever- Stephen Vincent Benét. trayals of men like that famous orator, in this account are striking. for that matter, no mention at all of al of their books are still in print. Oth- politician, and son of New Hampshire, I have fallen in love with First, as Gri th points out, from Stephen Vincent Benét. ers can be purchased secondhand. Œ Edward Arnold (L) as Daniel Webster and Daniel Webster, who defends Jabez American names, 1928–1943, Benét’s work was more Yet as Gri th also tells his readers, eir poems can be found online. Walter Huston as Mr. Scratch in the •– ARTS & TRADITION Stone in a trial against the Devil, and e sharp names that never get fat, widely read than that of “Robert Frost, Benét’s “poems and several of his short The Benéts remind us of where we film “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” origi- of the villains whom Mr. Scratch—New e snakeskin-titles of mining-claims, T.S. Eliot, William Carlos Williams, or stories remain steadily in print,  nd- came from. They remind us of who nally titled “All That Money Can Buy.” To advertise, call 212-292-8359 Englanders frequently referred to the The plumed war-bonnet of Medicine Hat, Wallace Stevens,” and that “his books ing a sizable audience among general we were and who we are. They re- – Stephen Vincent Benét’s college year- or email [email protected] Devil as Old Scratch—summons for a Tucson and Deadwood and sold in the tens of thousands”—this at readers year after year.” mind us of what we should be. book photo of the Yale class of •• jury, including Edward Teach, known Lost Mule Flat. popularly as Blackbeard. ... I shall not rest quiet in Montparnasse. A Writer Rediscovered I shall not lie easy at Winchelsea. For many years, I took no more inter- You may bury my body in Sussex grass, est in Benét until when in my teach- You may bury my tongue at Champmedy. ing days, I began stumbling across his I shall not be there. I shall rise and pass. other work, mostly Bury my heart at his poetry. PUBLIC DOMAIN Wounded Knee. What Our I read his most fa- mous book-length Benét also wrote poem about the “ e Sobbin’ Wom- Readers Say: Civil War, “John en.” is short story Brown’s Body,” was based on the which won him a legend from an- Pulitzer Prize for cient Rome about It’s the only sane newspaper It's bringing morality Poetry in 1929. And the capture of the amidst all this insanity. back to newspapers. I looked at “Western Sabine women by Star,” another book- the Romans, and Become a Published Author with Dorrance. STAN K., PASTOR LISSA T., BUSINESS OWNER length Pulitzer- Benét set it on the winning poem un- American frontier.  nished at Benét’s Hollywood later We want to read your book! early death from a made this tale into It's the only paper that You're presenting the heart attack. the 1954  lm “Sev- I know of right now that facts and letting the Benét (1898–1943) en Brides for Seven was a writer who Brothers.” Trusted by authors for nearly 100 years, Dorrance has made actually gives you the honest, reader decide. both loved and cri- old fashioned journalism. TERRI B., BUSINESS OWNER tiqued America. In this short poem, American Duet countless authors’ dreams come true. 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Freer Gallery of Art National Museum of Korea, Seoul Bodhisat- Fine Arts tva Avalok- iteshvara (Gwaneum), Goryeo Dynasty, mid- The New Year’s Spirit: Improving on the Past 14th cen- tury, Korea. The Renaissance’s new artform that embodied the era’s pioneering and innovative spirit Hanging scroll mounted as a panel; ink, color, and gold Public Domain on silk. Gift of Continued from Page 13 Charles Lang Freer. The exhibition itself is a labor of love, much like the artwork from this era. In a phone interview, Nadine Orenstein, one of the exhibition’s curators and the Drue Heinz Curator in Charge of the Department of Drawings and Prints, explained that the exhibition took 10 years to produce. “I don’t know if we were cursed,” Orenstein said with a laugh. But the long duration of time may, in fact, be a reflection of its virtues. “A lot of the works in the show are really rare,” she Bodhisat- said. Many of the early experiments in printmak- tva Avalok- ing haven’t survived, so The Met carefully sourced iteshvara works from old European collections. “Quite a lot (Gwaneum) of these works you just never see, certainly not in Korea, Goryeo this country.” Dynasty, circa 1220–1285. A Pioneer: Daniel Hopfer Gilt wood and In the late 15th and early 16th centuries in Europe, gilt copper and iron with crys- etching transitioned from an artform used to deco- tal inlays. rate armor to printmaking on paper. The German armor decorator Daniel Hopfer was one of the early pioneers in this new medium. His “Portrait of Emperor Charles V” grabbed me as soon as I entered the exhibition. I just stood there examining it, impressed that its endless detail wasn’t a sketch but an etching. With engraving, you just A Rare cut straight into the printing plate with a sharp tool. With etching, in contrast, you carve into a wax-like material laid over a metal plate; you pour acid to cre- ate grooves in the metal where the wax is missing; Beauty That then ink is added, you press it with paper, and you get a print. Etching offers more room for exquisite detail, such as in this early print by Hopfer. “Around the profile portrait are concentric circles Bestows of ornament that mix simple acanthus leaves against a dark field with beastly hybrids and cherubim frol- icking in winding tendrils and endless vines against a blank or crosshatched ground,” states the exhibi- Fearlessness tion’s companion publication, “The Renaissance of Etching,” by Catherine Jenkins, Nadine M. Oren- stein, and Freyda Spira. The outlining of foliage, figures, and text was for achieved with techniques Hopfer developed for in- tricate designs on armor, known by historians as “Hopfer style” armor. For finer designs, he would first paint on the “ground”—the wax-like substance Buddhists covering the plate; then he would etch the delicate interior details with a stylus. Hopfer’s use of negative space—such as the bright The deity Bodhisattva white space around the head—and deep, dark lines Avalokiteshvara at the juxtaposed with detailed ornamentation create a striking, lifelike three-dimensionality. The concen- Smithsonian tric rings around the profile of Charles V almost seem to pulse. Hopfer’s experimentation continued in his equally enchanting print “Death and the Devil Surprising Lorraine Ferrier The name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara prior to this Avalokiteshvara hanging scroll is named after Potalaka. Tibetan Buddhists Two Women.” Two noble ladies gaze at themselves changes from country to country, but each painting, it’s helpful to compare the two believe that each Dalai Lama is the rein- in a mirror, as Death waits behind them with a skull ife can be hard. When faced with represents the same deity. Many may be pieces of Goryeo period art. carnation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. and hourglass, hinting that time is running out for fear, crisis, and hardship, some familiar with the Chinese name Guanyin. In the painting, the bodhisattva is help- them to awaken to their spiritual growth. But the Buddhists call out to Bodhisattva In Korea, Avalokiteshvara goes by the name ing Sudhana, a young pilgrim, shown at Consecration Versus Curiosity most captivating figure is the Devil, behind Death. Avalokiteshvara for help. Avalok- of Gwaneum. the bottom left of the picture. The scene The exhibition also presents in-depth re- “It’s an allegory on vanity, a very traditional sin at Liteshvara immediately responds by be- is from “Entry Into the Realm of Reality” search about the figure from the National the time … Life is short, and you better spend your stowing fearlessness, according to Chapter A Korean 13th-Century Sculpture in the Flower Garland Sutra, where Sud- Museum of Korea, including how the fig- time doing other things [besides] preening and look- A detail from “Saint Jerome,” circa 1550–60, by Battista Franco. Etching, engraving, and drypoint, second state of 25 of the Buddhist scripture known as the of Gwaneum hana meets Avalokiteshvara as one of the ure was made and the dedication objects ing in the mirror,” Orenstein said. “The way [Hopfer] three. Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1953; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Lotus Sutra. Right now, a rare sculpture of Gwaneum 53 teachers that Bodhisattva Manjushri found inside. did that Devil is where you can see how experimental Public Domain Stated in the same chapter: can be seen up close at the Smithsonian’s has told him to find on his path to enlight- Buddhists practice consecration ceremo- he was. Everything else is black lines on white, but National Museum of Asian Art. The devo- enment. nies, which they believe invite the spirit the Devil is the opposite—it’s black with white lines.” He rains down sweet dew and Dharma tional figure is on loan from the National of the enlightened being onto the figure Hopfer seemingly portrayed the women and Death rain, Museum of Korea, in Seoul, and can be being dedicated. as the same color—white—since they are part of the Which extinguish the flames of affliction. seen in the exhibition “Sacred Dedication: Inside the Gwaneum figure are two sets natural cycle of life. The black Devil, in contrast, em- A Korean Buddhist Masterpiece” at the Just as a mother selflessly of dedication objects: One set dates from bodies evil—the inverse of life and the natural order. Dharma refers to the Buddha’s teachings Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sack- when the figure was made in the 13th The Devil’s darkness is also especially eye-catching, that Buddhists believe to be the universal, ler Gallery. puts her children’s needs century, and another set is from some 200 warning viewers—don’t overlook the alluring, hid- eternal truth. The Gwaneum sculpture is believed years later. Items inside include woodblock- den modus operandi of evil. The Lotus Sutra mentions 33 different to have been made for a temple around before her own, so does printed Buddhist texts in Sanskrit, and ob- forms of Avalokiteshvara: male or female, 1220–1285, late in Korea’s Goryeo period the bodhisattva put the jects symbolizing the Buddhist concept of Paintings on Plates human or nonhuman. Avalokiteshvara (918–1392). the universe. As word spread throughout Europe that there was could be anyone from a god to a layman, Glistening from head to toe in gold, the needs of all living beings Some of the offerings inside are incom- a new medium of art to be experimented with— a king to a beggar, an elder to a youth, or wooden Gwaneum is carved, swathed in first. plete; perhaps their removal was deliberate and, of course, improved upon—Italian painters even a heavenly dragon, and all manner jewels and a simple silk robe, and topped in order to protect heavenly secrets at the took interest. One such Venetian artist was Battista of spirits. Whatever form Avalokiteshvara with a stunning metal crown intricately time the figure was taken from the temple Franco, who was considered the leading practitioner takes is always the best for the situation at rendered with lotus flowers, bejeweled In the painting, Avalokiteshvara is and out of worship. of disegno in central Italy. hand and the spiritual growth of the being flames, and wooden ribbons that seem to adorned with jewels similar to those of As consecration is such a solemn practice, “Disegno”—the Italian word for drawing or de- seeking help. Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara flutter. A jewel on Gwaneum’s third eye, the wooden Gwaneum, but in the hanging the laying out of these pieces from their sign—distinguishes the artist, when both meanings is known as the bodhisattva of infinite between and slightly above his eyebrows, scroll, Buddha Amitabha is clearly painted revered context somehow undermines the are taken together, who has both the ability to make compassion and mercy. denotes one who sees with enlightened on Avalokiteshvara’s crown, something exhibition’s aim to present how Buddhists the work as well as the ingenuity to invent the design. Bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara vision, that is, can see beyond our physi- missing on the figure. On the gilt-wood once revered their beloved bodhisattva. The disegno artist becomes a mirror or microcosm are on earth solely to save living beings cal plane. Gwaneum, an empty space can be seen on For many Buddhists believe now, as they of God of sorts, in that the artist can both conceive from the pain and suffering that comes He sits almost nonchalantly with his left the crown where it’s believed that the Bud- did then, in Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara’s the concept and manifest its creation. from being bound by the cycle of birth, foot extending directly toward us and his dha would’ve been secured on a separate ability to relieve suffering. In the words of As Franco turned toward etching, he took experi- life, and death—a cycle that Buddhists right leg bent, raised to hip height and ex- metal plaque. the Lotus Sutra: mentation to a new level, combining etching, en- call samsara. Just as a mother selflessly tended out to his side: a pose called rajali- The bodhisattva in the painting is hold- graving (for darker, more exaggerated lines), and puts her children’s needs before her own, lasana—Sanskrit for royal-ease pose. ing a set of crystal rosary beads in his right That for those who hear his name or see drypoint, which is a printmaking technique that so does the bodhisattva put the needs of Not only is this Gwaneum the oldest hand, leading scholars to believe that the him, uses a hard-pointed needle for extra-fine detailing. “Death and the Devil Surprising Two Women,” circa 1510–15, by Daniel Hopfer. Etching. The Elisha Whittelsey Collec- all living beings first. As a high spiritual known gilded wooden figure in an infor- wooden figure may have held some at one And who are mindful of his name un- In “St. Jerome,” Franco depicts a popular Italian tion, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1951; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. being, a bodhisattva has only one lifetime mal pose, but it also has a crown. To find a point in time. Avalokiteshvara has a halo ceasingly, Renaissance theme—the ascetic saint in the wil- to undergo before obtaining the state of a bodhisattva sculpture and crown surviv- in the painting and is encased in an oval He can extinguish the suffering of all derness with his faithful companion, a lion, from supreme Buddha. And during that lifetime, ing together is rare. called a mandorla, both signs of a divine realms of existence. whose paw he removed a thorn. The detail in St. “It’s a really stunning print,” Orenstein said. “So, in fact, if we could’ve picked the time, this the bodhisattva vows to attain enlighten- being. These also may have been once a Jerome’s anatomy, curved body, and exaggerated While the 10 years of hardship Orenstein had to would have been the best time to do it,” she said. ment (spiritual awakening) in order to 14th-Century ‘Water-Moon part of the wooden figure. To find out more about the “Sacred Dedi- musculature not only takes your breath away, it also endure to bring this exhibition to fruition is remi- I guess making something timeless just takes help others, a selfless act that Buddhists Avalokiteshvara’ Avalokiteshvara is painted sitting on cation: A Korean Buddhist Masterpiece” suggests the influence of Michelangelo. niscent of St. Jerome’s own devotion, maybe the time. call bodhicitta. To understand more about the Gwaneum the rocky outcrop of his celestial home at exhibition, which runs through March 22 As with a Renaissance painting, you can feel St. timing was also divinely arranged. “The Renais- The Metropolitan Museum’s exhibition “The Re- Buddhists believe they will receive the figure, the Freer Gallery invites viewers Mount Potalaka, which some believe could at the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Jerome’s spirit, sincerity, and devotion, especially sance of Etching” aligned perfectly with the now- naissance of Etching,” is showing until Jan. 20. blessings and protection of bodhisattvas to draw upon the painting “Water-Moon be an island off the coast of West India. If Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian’s National through his tender but serious gaze, and body con- closed exhibition “The Last Knight: The Art, Armor, by reciting mantras and bringing offerings Avalokiteshvara” in its collection. Although the place sounds familiar, it’s because the Museum of Asian Art, Washington D.C., torted by an overwhelming trance in the presence and Ambition of Maximilian,” which covered the J.H. White is an arts, culture, and men’s fashion to them at temples. the Gwaneum figure was made a century Dalai Lama’s home Potala Palace in Tibet visit Asia.Si.edu of divinity. same era and even some of the same artists. journalist living in New York. B618 | LIFE & TRADITION TUESDAY, JANUARYWeek 14, 3, 2020 TUESDAY,Week 3, 2020 JANUARY 14, 2020 LIFE & TRADITION | B719

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Mark Jackson grew up in Spring Val- ley, N.Y., where he attended a Waldorf FILM INSIGHTS school. At Williams College, his pro- fessors all suggested he write pro- fessionally. He acted professionally WITH MARK for 20 years instead. Now he writes professionally about JACKSON acting. In the movies.

POPCORN & INSPIRATION ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’: (L–R) George Bancroft, John Wayne, and Louise Platt in 1939’s Fighting the Good Fight “Stagecoach,” directed by John Ford. Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) learns that Washington is not as principled as he imaged it to be, in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”

Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh star in “Gone MARK JACKSON ‘Mr. Smith Goes Cemetery. He feels worshipful in the pres- Washington” ridiculously dated and sappy. with the Wind,” one of the most popular to Washington’ ence of the Lincoln Memorial. In today’s world, an idealistic individual such movies in American cinema history. It was ho hasn’t heard of the movie D i r e c t o r Soon, however, he begins to get a whiff as young Smith—one who learned Lincoln’s released in December 1939. “Mr. Smith Goes to Washing- Frank Capra of the reek of corruption, and the many speeches by heart and believed in them— ton?” I never saw it. I needed to. shortcomings of the political process, as would get laughed out of town. Not only do W Starring What I discovered via a little research was James Stewart, Jean Arthur, the machinations of Joseph Paine and we, entrenched in our current cynicism, FILMS that iconic film director Frank Capra and Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Paine’s business boss, Jim Taylor (Edward not know Lincoln’s speeches by heart, but iconic American painter Norman Rockwell Guy Kibbee, Thomas Mitchell, Arnold), become increasingly clear. neither do we believe in any way, shape, or are basically two sides of the same coin. Beulah Bondi, Astrid Allwyn Paine and Taylor are attempting some form, let alone from the bottom of our hearts, And that the coin could arguably be labeled Not Rated sneakiness, which is why they highly appre- that the exalted men, grand speeches, and as propaganda, since the government at ciate Smith’s guilelessness. He’s not experi- soaring architecture were originally meant one point funded some of Capra’s work. Running Time enced enough and is too idealistic to be able solely for the good of mankind. 1939 - 2019: 2 hours, 9 minutes Their art had largely to do with elevating to recognize the graft clause in the bill that The greatest takeaway from this venerable World War II draftee morale by establish- Release Date Senator Paine is attempting to sneak into law. American film, for me, is the tragic scene of ing enough pride in our hallowed Ameri- Oct. 19, 1939 Then Clarissa Saunders, Smith’s highly cyn- honest, kind Jefferson ridiculed and run out 80 Years After Hollywood’s can way of life to motivate young men to go ical, seen-it-all, knows-the-law-better-than- of town on a rail, sitting among his luggage fight the Nazis and safeguard our Ameri- the-lawyers, wisecracking secretary (Jean in the train station, weeping for the loss of his can freedoms. Capra and Rockwell are Arthur), takes pity on Smith’s haplessness innocence. The devastation of lost ideals and Golden Year the movie and painting equivalents of the with what appears to be an atrophied moth- belief in the fundamental goodness of one’s rosy glow of country house wood-burning ering instinct triggered by Smith’s boundless fellow man depicted here is worth its weight in stoves in midwinter dusk, reflecting off the innocence. She schools him in the real-life, gold, and Jimmy Stewart nails that loss for us. smiley faces, carrot noses, and corncob low-life operations that go on in Washington. Equally powerful, but in a restorative, pipes of neighborhood frosty snowmen. Smith, now wise to Taylor and Paine’s nurturing sense, is Saunders coming to his TIFFANY BRANNAN fact that his “Jesse James” was the a third of 1939’s output. The 10 top- “Aladdin” and “The Lion King”; the Rockwell’s work, regardless of the fact dirty-deeds-done-dirt-cheap, is of course, rescue. For Smith, unwittingly, has done year’s top-earning movie. earning films were “Avengers: End- fourth entry in the popular “Toy Sto- that he was a master draftsman, was al- in true Jimmy Stewart fashion (“This is what that thing so brilliantly articulated in the Last year, 2019, marked the 80th an- The Quigley Publications Poll, In 2019, 106 game,” “The Lion King,” “Frozen ry” franchise; and “The Rise of Sky- ways considered “cutesy,” and Capra’s we cast him for!”) not having any of it, where- 2000 movie “The Tao of Steve” regarding niversary of what has been called which determined the top box of- major U.S. II,” “Spider-Man: Far from Home,” walker,” the culmination of the 42- movies were often derided as “Capra-corn.” upon the two older men and their minions the causes of romantic attraction: Jefferson Hollywood’s greatest year: 1939. Al- fice star every year, named Mickey “Captain Marvel,” “Toy Story 4,” year “Star Wars” saga. It also brought And yet, they summed up—better than immediately seek Smith’s political demise. Smith has “Done a great thing in her pres- though not everyone agrees that one Rooney winner of 1939. Riding high movies were “Joker,” “Aladdin,” “Star Wars: Ep- us many critically acclaimed films, anyone before or since—the folksy essence They try framing him via scandal, using ence.” She has witnessed the rare, brilliant year can be chosen as the peak of from his success as Andy Hardy, the isode IX–The Rise of Skywalker,” such as the controversial “Joker” and and upright values the founding fathers forged signatures, character assassination, light of Smith’s inner commitment to doing cinema, all film historians concede 19-year-old received his first Best released, and “Fast and Furious Presents: the nostalgic “Once Upon a Time in bequeathed to America. and perjuring witnesses. Smith is thus even- good. And fell in love with it. that 1939 was exceptional. Actor Academy Award nomination according Hobbs and Shaw.” Since eight of Hollywood.” As in 1939, there were tually pronounced by a Senate committee as Finding him thusly emotionally destroyed, for his performance in “Babes in these films were made by Walt Dis- many blockbusters. The Story of Mr. Smith not being worthy to continue to hold his seat. she builds him up again, reminding him he two years 1939 and Arms” this year. to Internet ney Studios or its divisions, it’s not The main difference between The supremely patriotic, small-town, idealis- But now, that fire of righteousness that that Lincoln himself had to fight against his 2019 had many things in “Gone with the Wind” remains surprising that Disney earned 80 these years is the type of enter- tic, and spectacularly green Jefferson Smith lived inside Jimmy Stewart starts to shine. myriad detractors. She makes him believe common. Both ended a 1939’s crowning achievement, but its Movie percent of 2019’s box office profits. tainment being produced. Most (James Stewart), leader of the Boy Rangers, Smith won’t back down: When the sena- in himself—by believing in him—and helps decade. Both saw high fame extends beyond that year. Mar- Database, When the inflation of recent years 1939 films were original stories by is appointed as junior senator because of his tors turn a deaf ear, Smith, coached by a him locate his “never quit” inner warrior, Tfilm-production because of pros- garet Mitchell’s 1936 novel (which isn’t taken into consideration, many Hollywood writers or adaptations unparalleled (and therefore useful) naiveté, nail-biting Saunders, exercises his consti- his inner hero, and coaxes him to hew to it. perous economies. Both of these won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937) was less than 2019 films broke financial records. of popular plays and novels. In by his state’s senior senator Joseph Paine tutional right, and filibusters up a storm, It’s a long, lonely fight, that filibuster version years were marked by a number of considered impossible to film, pri- a third of “Avengers: Endgame” is the high- contrast, almost all of 2019’s ma- (Claude Rains). Young Smith is to fill the un- holding the floor for 23 harrowing hours. of “Hell Week” coming up ahead of them, blockbusters, many of them long- marily for its epic length. However, est-grossing film of all time. “Jok- jor films were sequels, remakes, or expired term of a recently deceased senator. This epic, constitutional battle of a lone but she spurs him to fight that good fight no anticipated. producer David O. Selznick dis- 1939’s output. er” is the highest-grossing R-rated installments in franchises. It turns out that Senator Paine, a presiden- man against the Senate is fantastic, but it’s matter what, and gives him the coziness of Were any of the recent releases proved all naysayers when his drama film ever. “Spider-Man: Far from Although many 2019 films were tial hopeful, is also a childhood friend of marred somewhat by an 11th-hour, deus her love, commitment, and ace-in-the-hole comparable to the 1939 classics that swept the Oscars, dominated 1940’s Home” became Sony’s top-earning considered family movies, few Jefferson Smith’s dad, and a hero to Smith. ex machina, moral about-face by Senator insider knowledge of what he needs to do have withstood the test of time? Let’s box office, and became the top-earn- film. “The Lion King” became the modern films can compare with Paine shamelessly uses this emotional le- The epic, Paine, who apparently intuited the ring to win. She preserves his faith (and through consider the statistics to see wheth- ing film of all time. Adjusted for in- highest-grossing animated film, the decency of 1939 movies. From verage to sway Smith, who is the very defi- of hell he’d be descending to had his Ma- him, ours) in democracy. Very inspiring. er last year could become another flation, its earnings have still never highest-grossing musical, and 1934–1954, the Motion Picture Pro- nition of a patsy, to come to Washington. constitutional chiavellian schemes managed to bear fruit. “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” offended “golden year” in Hollywood’s history. been surpassed, according to the highest-grossing remake. “Toy Sto- duction Code ensured that all films In Washington, Smith is initially swept battle of a lone senators when it was released; they thought Guinness World Records. Many con- ry 4” became the highest-grossing complied with decency standards, away by the shock and awe of seeing the The Takeaways it characterized the Senate as corrupt and What Was Great About 1939 sider it the greatest film ever. G-rated film ever, and “Frozen II” which made them appropriate for Capitol dome shining in the middle dis- man against There are many uplifting takeaways; for populated by thieves. But as unpopular as Because so many films now con- Also produced in 1939 was “The had the biggest opening weekend all ages. Since no nudity, profanity, tance, the engraved prose on hallowed the Senate one, the notion that lost causes are the only it was with the political crowd, it did good sidered classics were released in Wizard of Oz,” a musical that ap- for an animated and musical film. or excessive violence was allowed, marble architecture espousing high mor- causes worth fighting for. at the box office, got good reviews, and was 1939, it has been called Hollywood’s pealed to all ages. This film made In addition, 2019 was the first there was no need for age restric- als, and the aching solemnity of Arlington is fantastic. Many will now find “Mr. Smith Goes to nominated for 11 Academy Awards. greatest year. Even those who are Judy Garland a star and introduced year when eight films earned over tions in those pre-Rating System unfamiliar with old movies recog- the beloved song “Over the Rain- $1 billion. days. Remarkably, filmmakers nize titles from that year. Glance at bow.” The most-watched movie of still managed to make entertain- the Academy Award Best Picture all time, it was voted the favorite The Golden Difference ing and vastly successful movies nominees, which included “Gone movie of the 20th century by a In 2019, the film industry was very without unacceptable content. In FILM REVIEW with the Wind,” “The Wizard of People Magazine poll. (Left) (L–R) John different from that of 1939. How- 2019, the many PG-13 and R-rated Oz,” “Dark Victory,” “Goodbye, Mr. Film critic Jack Mathews says that Boyega, Joonas ever, some things have always re- films excluded millions of audience Chips,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Wash- the year was a Hollywood pinnacle, Suotamo (behind), mained the same. Movies are still members. ‘City Joel’: An Even-Handed Documentary on a Clash of Cultures Daisy Ridley, Anthony ington,” “Ninotchka,” “Of Mice and and blogger Sarah Hartzell cites a favorite American entertainment, Hollywood may still know how to SAMUEL GOLDWYN FILMS Daniels, and Oscar Men,” “Stagecoach,” “Wuthering some reasons. The Great Depres- Isaac star in the lastest since, whether viewed in the the- make financially successful films, IAN KANE larger surrounding town gles to expand and the local You really get a sense that Heights,” and “Love Affair.” sion was finally ending, so Ameri- and possibly final ater or at home, they provide escape but it has forgotten the art of making of Monroe in New York activists, in turn, strive to each of the factions has a le- Other successes included “Gun- cans had money for frivolities like “Star Wars” film. from reality. The film industry has original, wholesome entertainment. Documentaries portray state. Within the cramped squelch that growth. gitimate beef with their po- ga Din,” “The Hunchback of Notre movies. With sound films, im- expanded since the 1930s, with a slices of life that many folks boundaries of Kiryas Joel While the Satmar Ha- litical rivals, and this kind of Dame,” “Only Angels Have Wings,” proved Technicolor, and talented (Right) (L–R) Jeremy larger foreign industry and more Tiffany Brannan is an 18-year-old aren’t aware of. Unfortu- live 22,000 Satmar Hasidic sidim cite anti-Semitism as coverage is refreshing to see. and “The Roaring Twenties.” As stat- refugees from Nazi Europe, Hol- Renner, Don Chea- independent companies. However, opera singer, Hollywood histo- nately, many of these films Jews, a sect of Hasidim that the main cause of opposi- Everything comes to a ed in the Los Angeles Times, in all, lywood had more to offer than ever dle, Robert Downey the biggest films still come from the rian, travel writer, film blogger, are skewed by social, politi- was founded by Rabbi Joel tion to their expansion, the head at the end of the film. Jr., Chris Evans, Karen 1939 featured 365 American releases! before. As a result, American ticket Gillan, the character main Hollywood studios that have vintage fashion expert, and bal- cal, or cultural biases. For Teitelbaum. United Monroe folks voice We are privy to a highly In 1939, Tyrone Power and Jeanette sales were 80 million per week! Rocket (voiced by Brad- dominated for decades. let writer. In 2016, she and her instance, when you read the Rabbi Teitelbaum wanted a more multifaceted expla- contentious town hall MacDonald were crowned the King ley Cooper), Paul Rudd, Can 2019 compare to 1939? It sister founded the Pure Entertain- plotline of the typical glob- to establish a community nation: Their political influ- meeting that precedes the and Queen of Hollywood, having 80 Years Later and Scarlett Johans- brought many long-awaited films, ment Preservation Society, an or- al-warming documentary, for Holocaust survivors, ence in the area has signifi- town board’s land annexa- been selected by 20 million Chicago In 2019, 106 major U.S. movies were son in a scene from such as “Frozen II,” the sequel to the ganization dedicated to reforming you can pretty much figure and following World War cantly eroded because the tion vote. This fiery face-off Tribune News Syndicate readers. released, according to the Internet “Avengers: Endgame.” record-breaking “Frozen”; remakes the arts by reinstating the Motion that the filmmakers are left- II had originally settled in Satmar community acts as further drives home the fact The former’s fame reflected the Movie Database (IMDb), less than of beloved Disney Renaissance films Picture Production Code. leaning. Whichever way the Brooklyn, New York. How- a single, powerful, voting that both sides have valid filmmaker leans, you’re ever, due to several factors, burgeoning population is bloc. While the locals are grievances. 2019 LUCASFILM LTD. DISNEY/MARVEL STUDIOS VIA AP likely to get a slanted and including New York’s ex- running out of housing. Af- Inside a mega-synagogue mainly Democrats, the Sat- “City of Joel,” then, can less even-handed account. ploding real estate prices, as ter all, the entire village of in the film “City of Joel.” mar vote Republican. be seen as a masterclass Bucking this unfortu- well as Rabbi Teitelbaum’s Kiryas Joel comprises only In addition, the opposi- on how to make documen- nate trend is director Jesse wanting a more secluded 1.1 square miles. tion feels that the expansion tary films. The behind-the- Sweet and writer Federico place for his sect to grow, Therefore, the community would have a disastrous scenes access to both sides Rosenzvit. Their insightful the community moved 50 drafted a proposal to annex effect on the environment, of the conflict gives a bal- documentary “City of Joel” miles north to Monroe. more land, specifically 507 including the natural land- anced and impartial ap- gives a highly thought-pro- But that was back in the acres from the surrounding ‘City Joel’ scape and assorted wildlife. proach to what is going on. voking, behind-the-scenes 1970s. Through the years, areas. This, in turn, spurred Sweet and Rosenzvit are Hopefully, this film will D i r e c t o r look at a small-town con- the Kiryas Joel community locals in Monroe to form a Jesse Sweet very capable and even- inspire other documentar- flict in which two sides seek has expanded exponential- political-activism group handed documentary film- ians to be more equitable to enforce their political ly. The reason? Many Or- called “United Monroe,” Not Rated makers. Throughout the and unprejudiced in their will upon one another. thodox and Ultra-Orthodox which stands vehemently Running Time film, audiences are treated filmmaking endeavors. The battleground for this Jewish communities are big in opposition to the land 1 hour, 30 minutes to a plethora of insightful turf war is the village of on having large families, acquisition. Release Date and passion-fueled inter- Ian Kane is a filmmaker Kiryas Joel (City of Joel), a and the Satmar sect is no These events set the stage Jan. 3 (New York) views and town hall meet- and author based out of Los fast-growing Hasidic Jew- exception. Due to the ex- for dramatic conflict as the ings, featuring people stand- Angeles. To see more, visit ish community within the tremely high birthrate, the Hasidic community strug- ing on both sides of the turf. DreamFlightEnt.com 20B8 | LIFE & TRADITION TUESDAY, JANUARYWeek 14, 3, 2020

MATTHEW MURPHY THEATER REVIEW Also instrumental in making the numbers really come alive is the absolutely superb choreo- graphic work of Sonya Tayeh, which brings forth moments of slick professionalism in some Following instances and deliberately awk- ward e orts in others (as when showing inexperienced high Your Heart school kids trying to shoot a video for the  rst time). Rebecca Taichman’s direction is JUDD HOLLANDER In the meantime, and in an at- nicely paced, allowing one scene tempt to save money, Conor  nds to  ow into the next smoothly and EW YORK—Few himself being taken out of his believably. shows start o with as current school and transferred Unfortunately, the show’s book much promise as the to a free educational institution by Enda Walsh is uneven. Too new off-Broadway called “Synge Street.” Run by the many characters are introduced musical “Sing Street,” Christian Brothers, the school is without being fully developed. As Nat New York  eatre Workshop. named after Irish playwright John just about all of these are intrigu- Based on the 2016 British  lm of Millington Synge (pronounced ing, missing the chance to  nd the same name, this stage version “Sing.”) out more about them hurts the still has some kinks to work out as Transferring to a new school in tale’s overall e ect. the work progresses, but it is still the middle of the term is rarely Another problem can be found quite the breath of fresh air. an enjoyable experience, and However, as Conor’s self-con- with the casting of the band In 1982, Conor Lawlor (Brenock Conor’s situation is no exception.  dence grows, along with his Brenock O’Connor members. While all are brilliant O’Connor) is a 16-year-old aspir- He runs afoul of the school bully attraction to Raphina, he  nds (L) and Jakeim Hart in their respective roles, many ing musician from a troubled (Johnny Newcomb), and gets a himself facing factors both at in “Sing Street” at look far too old to be believable family in Dublin, Ireland. Due talking to from Brother Baxter home and in school that threat- New York Theatre as high school students. Workshop. to the distressed economy, his (Martin Moran). Baxter, who runs en to derail his hopes for the O’Connor projects just the right architect father (Billy Carter) has the school with an iron hand, ex- future—including the fact that amount of earnestness as Conor. been out of work for some time, plains in a deceptively quiet voice Raphina is planning to move He embodies not so much an an- which has strained his already how conformity and following the away to London. gry young man as one who, af- troubled marriage. rules is the top priority. “Sing Street” is all about  nding ter being beaten down time and  ings look up for Conor when a special connection that makes again,  nally decides to stand up he sees a beautiful girl named you complete and allows you to for what he believes in. Raphina (Zara Devlin). In an at- move forward in life.  is idea of Max William Bartos does well tempt to strike up a conversation, following your dreams, and be- as Darren, the “ xer” of the band Instrumental Conor tells her she’d be perfect ing able to express what you truly and Conor’s eventual one-man for the music video he is prepar- need, cuts across all age groups support system as Conor tries to in making the ing to shoot. Raphina, who has and personal situations. It also keep the group going. numbers really aspirations to be a model, and becomes clear that maintaining Halper presents an interesting who already has a boyfriend, one’s own emotional well-being is picture as Brendan, a young man come alive is the shows quick interest in Conor’s more important than doing only who was once in Conor’s shoes absolutely superb proposal. what’s expected by others. and sees in his younger brother Of course, Conor must now When it comes to the score, this the person he used to be. choreographic work write a song and get a band to- production can do no wrong. ‘Sing Street’ “Sing Street” is a show about gether, as well as come up with  e music by Gary Clark and  nding yourself and having the of Sonya Tayeh. a concept for the video. As he John Carney—Carney having New York Theatre Workshop courage to follow your dreams. attempts to do just that, he and also written and directed the  E. Fourth St. It’s a message gloriously delivered his fellow schoolmates, whom he  lm version—is excellent, be it a New York in a show that, on a purely emo- Conor’s older brother Brendan has recruited as band members, raucous number, of which there Tickets tional level at least, succeeds at (Gus Halper) has been a virtual re-  nd in their performances the joy are many, or a more soulful tune,  - -  or NYTW.org every step. cluse for years, while his 19-year- that comes with freedom of ex- such as when Raphina asks Conor Running Time old sister Anne (Skyler Volpe) is pression.  ey are able, through to write her “a happy song.” As  hours,  minutes Judd Hollander is a reviewer for under tremendous pressure to their music and style of dress in in the  lm, the score combines (including one intermission) Stagebuzz.com and a member of complete her studies so she can the videos, to rebel against the original music and numbers from Closes the Drama Desk and the Outer land a well-paying job. regimentation in their lives. the 1980s. Jan.  Critics Circle.

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