Eleven Lesson
#1 Empathize with your enemy #2 Rationality will not save us #3 There's something beyond one's self #4 Maximize efficiency #5 Proportionality should be a guideline in war #6 Get the data #7 Belief and seeing are often both wrong #8 Be prepared to re-examine your reasoning #9 In order to do good, you may have to engage in evil #10 Never say never #11 You can't change human nature The film is based on Robert S. McNamara’s life and the pivotal and controversial decisions that he made while he was the Secretary of Defense under the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Robert McNamara is interviewed throughout the movie about the Vietnam War, his role in it, and his view on what happened. The film provides an in depth look on the uncertainty and complexity of war, and what is or should be considered right or wrong during a time of war. 1. What was the most striking element of the film? Why do you remember that part particularly?A part that stood out to me in the film was when McNamara talked about the firebombing of Japan and puts the population sizes and the cities into perspective by comparing them to cities in America. It was an effective way of showing how devastating the firebombing was. "Killing 50 to 90% percent of the people of 67 Japanese cities, and then bombing them with 2 nuclear bombs was not proportional to some people" Then McNamara admits that if the U.S. lost the war then they would have been prosecuted as war criminals. 2. Which one of McNamara’s questions or challenges is of most interest or concern to you? Why? "To what extent did you feel that you were the author of stuff, or that you were an instrument of things outside of your control?" I found this question interesting because it targeted McNamara with the question on whether or not he felt personally responsible for what happened. 3. Which of the eleven lessons were most interesting and important to you? With which do you disagree? Which do you think will have the most impact on the 21st century? Why? I don't strongly disagree with any of these lessons, but there are a few that I believed are more relevant. Lesson #11: You can’t change human nature. Humans make mistakes, but mistakes made in war are extremely critical. In the heat of the moment, nine times out of ten our actions will be decided by our emotions, circumstance, or instinct, rather than what we know to be morally correct. Politicians or high ranking officials are not exempt from their human nature. Lesson #9: In order to do good, you may have to engage in evil. In many cases, this is the sad truth. In order to protect ones self, ones country, or ones belief, it MAY be necessary to harm others. I believe this lesson will have the most impact on the 21st century. Each culture, religion, nation, and person has a different view on what is good and what is evil, and this has in the past and will continue to in the future cause conflicts. Lesson #5: Proportionality should be a guideline in war I strongly agree with this lesson. This lesson is the only one that is a suggestion because in war, the ends do not always justify the means. It has been proven throughout history and continues on today, that nations will take drastic measures such as fierce bombing campaigns on entire cities, or the use of atomic bombs to ensure that the enemy is completely crippled. However, it hard to define what is necessary during war. McNamara questions this himself: should you kill a hundred thousand civilians a night to win a war? Lesson #8: Be prepared to reexamine your reasoning. I think this lesson is very true. It's necessary to look back and learn from our mistakes or else were bound to repeat them. It is also important to hear the opinions of others because seeing things from another perspective may cause you to rethink your actions.  The Patricia Theater, founded in 1913, is located in Powell River, British Columbia. The theater plays current and classic movies, also hosting plays. It has gained recognition throughout Canada as an elegant and intimate venue.
At first, the theater was established for silent movies. Local musicians would perform during the movies to help create the mood and make it more entertaining for the customers. In the earlier years, customers had to endure such things as bats, and in the wind the tall building would sway. At such time, the women would utter frightened cries and grab their hair. Many people got refunds but it never kept them away for long, they always came back for more entertainment. The theater soon began to feature soundies. Along with movies, the theater also hosts contests and puts on play productions. Actors from across the world have performed at the theater. The Patricia Theater has been owned and managed by many people, and even during its darkest hours has continued to survive and entertain. It is believed to be the oldest BC theater business still in operation. The Powell River community continue to support the theater and today cherish it as a local treasure. REFERENCES: http://patriciatheatre.com/history.htm http://patriciatheatre.com/news.htm | AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesJune 2013 Categories |
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