The Dictator observations thread.

[Dr. Medulla]

My brain explodes with the thought of all these people that have a philosophy of individualism and personal freedom, but they throw their entire identities behind ONE GUY that they basically want to be their king.

I encourage you to read about Ayn Rand! I've always been amused by the fact that her inner circle, whom she demanded total obedience, was called the collective. I've said many times, take these assholes back a hundred years, and they're Bolsheviks—hating democracy, lusting for violence, suckers for a personality cult.

[Dr. Medulla]

For history nerds, the story of how the New York Times got the Pentagon Papers is not how we believed: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/us/p ... eehan.html

Basically, reporter Neil Sheehan stole them from Ellsberg.

[Low Down Low]

For history nerds, the story of how the New York Times got the Pentagon Papers is not how we believed: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/us/p ... eehan.html

Basically, reporter Neil Sheehan stole them from Ellsberg.

A really fascinating piece and will, i'm sure, make a riveting movie in the right hands. Always admired Sheehans reporting on vietnam but can't help having a bit of sympathy for Ellsberg in that telling as i can only imagine the risks he was taking at the time. Always meant to get round to reading Ellsbergs book, just never found the time yet.

[Dr. Medulla]

For history nerds, the story of how the New York Times got the Pentagon Papers is not how we believed: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/us/p ... eehan.html

Basically, reporter Neil Sheehan stole them from Ellsberg.

A really fascinating piece and will, i'm sure, make a riveting movie in the right hands. Always admired Sheehans reporting on vietnam but can't help having a bit of sympathy for Ellsberg in that telling as i can only imagine the risks he was taking at the time. Always meant to get round to reading Ellsbergs book, just never found the time yet.

Ellsberg's memoir Secrets is quite good. And if you've never read Sheehan's A Bright and Shining Lie, a highly recommend it. It's a long bastard, but it's a mesmerizing account from the perspective of an obsessive critic but proponent of the war.

[Low Down Low]

For history nerds, the story of how the New York Times got the Pentagon Papers is not how we believed: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/us/p ... eehan.html

Basically, reporter Neil Sheehan stole them from Ellsberg.

A really fascinating piece and will, i'm sure, make a riveting movie in the right hands. Always admired Sheehans reporting on vietnam but can't help having a bit of sympathy for Ellsberg in that telling as i can only imagine the risks he was taking at the time. Always meant to get round to reading Ellsbergs book, just never found the time yet.

Ellsberg's memoir Secrets is quite good. And if you've never read Sheehan's A Bright and Shining Lie, a highly recommend it. It's a long bastard, but it's a mesmerizing account from the perspective of an obsessive critic but proponent of the war.

Both those have got to be towards the top of my list for 2021, especially the Sheehan tome. I see it's on the shelf in my local library, just got to wait for the damn thing to reopen!

[BostonBeaneater]

[Dr. Medulla]

Applicable to most every event!