Yesterday (June 6th) was the 68th Anniversary of the historic allied D-Day invasion of Normandy.
For a fascinating glimpse into how much has changed in the United States since that time (the course of but one lifetime), one can review FDR’s speech to the Nation given on June 6, 1944.
I have reprinted the speech in its entirety below.
As promised, I’m reporting back with my impressions of “For Greater Glory,” a film depicting the Mexican Cristeros War of 1926-29, which opened this past weekend.
The film is not an American production – and its director makes his debut with it. I fear that this shows. Despite some genuine stars (Andy Garcia, Peter O’Toole, Eva Longoria), and beautiful visuals, the film lacks a certain polish. It is at times too fast and choppy, and at times too slow and drawn out. That said, the film has its moments – there are several excellent scenes. And overall, it is certainly watchable.
And given its subject matter and content, I suggest that it is certainly worth watching.
The Cristeros War was sparked by widespread popular resistance to Read more
This is the opening weekend of a fascinating new film “For Greater Glory” (originally entitled “Cristiada”). It concerns Mexico’s Cristeros War of 1926-29, in which that nation’s Catholic populace rebelled against government efforts to secularize the country. You can view a preview / trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pu4gst3FmI
I intend to catch the film tomorrow, and will certainly report back with my impressions.
The film’s timing is quite fortuitous, as many are drawing parallels between its subject matter and the ongoing battles between the Catholic Church and the U.S. government today. Although I would certainly not equate the massacres and executions of the Cristeros War with what’s happening now, at their cores both situations certainly implicate a very real contest between Church and State. And more than a few serious clergymen I know foresee a period of “dry martyrdom” ahead – where lives are not taken, but where jobs are lost, careers are ruined, fines are levied, and prisons filled.
I am interested in seeing whether the film lends itself to such comparisons.
Thank you to Mark and Marc for inviting me to join them on the CLR Forum this month!
Although my private practice experience has been in the field of corporate and securities litigation, I have long maintained an amateur’s interest in the First Amendment’s religion clauses (ever since my 1998 law school Note on the priest-penitent privilege). Since entering academia in 2006, I have wed the two areas to some extent, writing on the intersection of business law and virtue, and have attempted to apply natural law reasoning to issues of economic regulation.
I have looked forward to this opportunity for some time, and hope that the Forum’s readership finds my participation worthwhile.