Jim's Jottings - October 20, 2017

Timing: Remember, I said I might not do this every week? It looks like it’ll be every other week, though I will also supply blurbs for Film Forum each week and for Met Opera in HD on weeks when it is on the schedule.

The Vietnam War:  I wonder how many of you in my age range (72) watched this excellent Ken Burns series on PBS? It was really tough to watch but essential. Ken and company did a completely fair and balanced presentation. It was very helpful to have the interviews with various North Vietnam soldiers and politicians, along with the most honest thoughts of people on this side that were involved. I believe they were correct in the judgment that we have still not come to terms with this conflict and what it did to our country. From my perspective…oh, the memories! I graduated from college in 1967 and, of course, became part of the draft lottery. I was called up to appear for the physical that summer, but I still believe the universe lifted me out of it by a guy speeding through a red light that hit me broadside on my cycle and wrecked my left knee. I still had to go to the physical where I was accused of cheating on their IQ test because I got 100%. So, they sat me in an office with a furious captain to retake a second, different test that I also aced. I remember thinking that if this is the test they are giving to high school drop-outs that would score low…well, I wondered if some of these guys were trying to “dumb” their way out of serving. My step-dad and I had horrendous battles over Vietnam. As a retired, career Marine, all he needed to know was the orders from the general or president and off he would go. Only as the war was ending did dad admit to me that it was all a fantastically wrong mistake and that we had been lied to…big time.  The worst personal memory was about my best man and best friend, David, that was on patrol as an Army infantryman when two of those BIG rounds came his way. The first virtually beheaded his buddy to the right and the second blasted David’s side under the ribs and above the pelvic bones—he lost most of the flesh on that side and came back to report that every soldier he served with over their was high on marijuana because they were all so terrified. At least Maya Lin got it right in designing the Vietnam Memorial on the Mall in D.C. If you’ve never gone…go. I challenge anyone not to cry as you walk from one end to the other and look at those 58,000+ names. If only we would learn from our history... Rest in Peace, soldiers.

Mountaineer Week:  Hey, it starts today and runs through next week. The craft fair at the Lair is always fun—see you there? How many students can be fit into a PRT car, anyway? Yum: Country Vittles tonight at Hatfields!

Movies: Bonnie and I got to see “Victoria and Abdul” at the Galleria in the city last Sunday—pure charm all the way and another great role for Judy Dench. I’ll let you know if/when it surfaces here. Meanwhile, we still have our Film Forum!

I promise I’ll be more up-beat next time.

Just Jim