One of the things that surprised me was the generally positive remarks I heard from Senate Republicans in the aftermath of Obama's announced decision for a 30,000 troop surge; in fact, that number was less than most the estimates I had seen in print, of 34,000 or more. I suspect that this was motivated more by a belief that half a loaf is better than none. I also think they were making a stand on principle, consistent with their 2007 position backing the Iraq surge against Democratic calls for unilateral withdrawal, reacting not in defense of Obama personally, but out of respect for the position of Commander in Chief.
Obama has attempted to rationalize his dithering on Afghanistan, claiming no harm was done. This is wrong on many levels; first, regardless of specific surge tactics, the fact is that McCrystal was responding to actual conditions in Afghanistan, not some projected problem next summer. Second, Obama's unduly extended decision process and the impression that his judgment is influenced by external, political considerations can be perceived as a sign of weakness by adversaries. Third, the mixed message Obama is sending, by announcing a timetable for withdrawal in advance of the surge, implies his indifference to whatever transpires during the surge itself.
If I had to articulate a common position by conservatives on the Afghanistan issue, it's this: if you are going to send in ground troops, make sure you send enough troops to complete the mission, to stabilize the situation; you do not play politics with the lives and mission of the troops hanging in the balance. Obama, after repeatedly claiming that the Afghanistan war was the "right" war, now decides on a higher-risk strategy for a surge; I don't think Obama's actions have matched his rhetoric.
My Favorite Holiday Flicks. There are the classics, of course, like "Miracle on 34th Street", "It's a Wonderful Life", "Holiday Inn" and multiple versions of "A Christmas Carol". I love watching those movies, but the truth is, there are more recent films that I love watching time and again:
Scrooge (1970). Starring Albert Finney, this musical version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" is my favorite. (I love movie musicals, and the tunes in this movie are catchy; a sample track, "Thank You Very Much", is the bonus music video below.)
The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971). I haven't seen this movie, the pilot for the 1970's iconic The Waltons television series, in years. There is edginess to the pilot, with solid performances, especially by Patricia Neal as mother Olivia Walton, set in the Depression; the father, John, has been forced to look for work far from home to make ends meet; first-born John-Boy aspires to be a writer, a profession to which his blue-collar parents can't relate. John Walton is expected home Christmas Eve, but a storm hits, and Olivia sends John-Boy out to search for him. The core strength of family comes shining through, and John-Boy gets closure on what his parents think about his interest in writing. [I think one of the reasons I relate so strongly to this story is that I share John-Boy's love of writing. I once told my younger brother Philip one of the things I liked getting as a kid was a blank sheet of paper; there are just so many different ways to express oneself. Philip thought that was hilarious and told my folks instead of buying me toys, they should have bought me a ream of copy paper!]
A Boyfriend for Christmas (2004). This is a Hallmark Channel original focusing on social worker Holly and a prickly encounter with a young lawyer whom shows up too late at a crucial court hearing for his pro bono representation of one of Holly's clients (trying to reunite with her kids, now in foster care, in time for Christmas). What does this have to do with 13-year-old Holly's encouragement of a timid, unrelated little girl's visit with a shopping mall Santa (the girl's big brother hadn't been able to convince her to approach Santa), her own Christmas wish for a boyfriend (just like her friends have) and a subsequent mysteriously inscribed gift from Santa? A romantic conflict breaks out between Holly's long-term romantic interest, wary of commitment, and the reluctant lawyer Ryan, whom finds himself gifted to Holly for a day by a Santa selling Christmas trees on a lot. I find the story/fantasy utterly charming and well-told; you find yourself cheering Holly on as the clock approaches midnight.
One Magic Christmas (1985). This is probably my favorite Disney film, a variation on the storyline behind the classic "It's a Wonderful Life". Mary Steenburgen stars as Ginny Grainger, a struggling lower middle-class mother whom works as a grocery checkout clerk. She has little patience for husband Jack's impractical dream of starting his own business, a bike shop. Lost in the daily struggles of suburban life, she no longer remembers the true meaning of Christmas. Cowboy angel Gideon arrives on the scene; unknown to Ginny, he gives her that rare opportunity to see what the future will bring if she continues her tunnel-visioned approach to life, when the lives of her beloved family can be turned upside-down in the blink of an eye. This is a moving film which reminds us of the importance of helping others realize their dreams and random acts of kindness.
A Christmas Visitor (2002). This is another Hallmark original story/fantasy. William Devane and Meredith Baxter star as grieving parents, facing a Christmas without their only son, an Army medic killed during service in the Gulf region. Their surviving child, a younger daughter, has just received a devastating medical diagnosis. The father's vehicle becomes stuck in mud on his way home, and this young Gulf War veteran approaches the vehicle and offers to help him get the vehicle back on the road. The father subsequently invites the stranger to celebrate Christmas with his family; the stranger doesn't know the man's son, but agrees to go along with the father's suggestion of comforting the grieving wife and daughter, telling them that he had, in fact, briefly met the medic during his own service in the region. The dad finds himself startled as the visitor seems to go off script at times; just who is this mysterious stranger? This is another well-written movie. I generally don't like to watch the same movies (other than musicals) over again, but I admire the craft of storytelling in these films.
The Family Man. (2000) This Nicolas Cage movie inverts a basic story concept in Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Recall how the Ghost of Christmas Past forces Scrooge to address his biggest mistake: putting his overwhelming drive for professional success above his relationship with beloved fiancée Belle, whom responds by breaking their engagement. In this variation, successful investment banker Jack Campbell (Cage) gets an unexpected phone message from an old flame, Kate. That evening he finds himself in an alternate universe where he's a tire salesman in a struggling middle-class existence, with wife Kate and their children. A lifelong bachelor, he finds himself warily stumbling in this unexpected new role as husband and father. When karma later once again provides him the opportunity to become an investment banker, he is astounded to discover his priorities have changed. When Jack awakes from his dream (like Scrooge), he feels that he's been given a second opportunity (to win Kate's heart). I bought a copy of the DVD after viewing the movie for the first time via Netflix.
Angel in the Family (2004). The third Hallmark movie in my brief countdown (and second Meredith Baxter film), this fantasy co-stars Ronny Cox as Meredith's very ill widower. There's a conflict between the older daughter, played by Tracey Needham, as the struggling sibling attempting to take care of her ill father and somewhat resentful of her younger sister's freedom, and the younger daughter, played by Natasha Wagner, whom, despite a successful professional career, has her own issues, finding herself unwed and pregnant. The dad insists on having one final family Christmas which his late wife would have wanted. The girls think that their dad has lost it when they overhear him talking out loud to their late mother. This movie explores the theme of what would happen if you had one day to spend with a loved one whom has passed on.
Bonus Christmas Music Video: "Thank You Very Much" from "Scrooge"
Today's Cartoon
Brian Fairrington invites us to remember the reason for the season.
Christmas Musical Interlude: Jewel's "Hands (Live-Christmas Version)"
The achingly beautiful Jewel (Ty Murray won something far better than any of his rodeo trophies--the heart of a wonderful woman) makes a re-entry in my musical interlude segment with a live Christmas version of the same song.
