8/22/2023 0 Comments Hulka stripesYet when we are dealing with Presidents, perhaps especially with older ones, we need safeguards.Released on June 26, 1981, Stripes grew out of an initial script put together by Len Blum and Dan Goldberg. Humor aside for a moment, we must have a credible civilian-directed deterrent, and the ability to act swiftly when the need arises. Years ago when I was touring the control room of a Trident submarine with my boss, the Navy General Counsel, he asked where the “button was.” While there was universal laughter, the very brief amusement was followed by a period of awkward silence, as we all likely were reflecting on the horrible potential of nuclear war then evocable by actions in that control room alone. We respect the concept of civilian control over the military, but many of us are likely concerned that the 25th Amendment to our Constitution does not provide enough protection against an unbalanced leader going rogue. But what about an unstable President and our nuclear weapons? Obviously, it’s not typically a recruit in basic training we need to be concerned about. However, the most chilling lines in Stripes are those uttered by Psycho, and are darkly comical - yet strangely helpful. Recently comedian Dave Chappelle has again come under fire for his jokes, but he keeps on going. In my last column I wrote about the impact of comedian Bill Maher, and how he skillfully weaves in some solid points among his biting and off-color humor. It seems to me that then and now, sometimes it’s the comedians who help save us from ourselves. Any of you homos touch me, and I'll kill you." If I catch any of you guys in my stuff, I'll kill you. Also, I don't like no one touching my stuff. Psycho responds: "You just made the list, buddy. Any of you guys call me Francis, and I'll kill you."Ī character named Leon, a fellow new recruit, playfully shakes his hands in the air and says "Oooooh," like a child calling out a bluff. In the movie Psycho introduces himself by saying, "The name's Francis Sawyer, but everybody calls me Psycho. They would make comments either similar to what the character Psycho says below, or say they just wanted to go to Vietnam and kill: I tried to stay away from some of my fellow recruits, especially in our life-fire field exercises. Later in the movie, when the recruits were gathered around in the barracks introducing themselves, a moment occurred that brought back memories for me, and indirectly raises a very serious question for today’s nuclear war triggering. And maybe someday you'll understand what the hell I'm talking about. And I want you to think real hard about it. Hulka: I'm willing to forget this little incident. Hulka: I'm talking about something important, like discipline and duty and honor and courage. A key scene is where the immature and disrespectful Winger challenges his drill sergeant to a fight: In a way, it was America at its best.Īt its core, "Stripes" is about what Army training at its best is all about, growing up and doing your duty. In my Army basic training about ten of us of all races and backgrounds gathered around my absentee ballot to cast a collective vote in the 1968 Presidential election. We're Americans, with a capital 'A', huh? You know what that means? Do ya? That means that our forefathers were kicked out of every decent country in the world. Bill Murray, playing recruit John Winger, is called upon to quell a potential race riot among the recruits who must work together in close order drill on the parade grounds in the morning. If you have seen the movie, recall the moment in the motor pool just before the recruits fall asleep. In addition to being a good comical look at Army basic training, it contains some well-crafted lines that worked well in the 1980s to address, just a bit, hot-button issues concerning race and manhood. As an Army draftee of the late 1960s, I have recommended the 1981 film “Stripes” over the years to several guys about to go into the service, especially the Army. One of my all-time favorite movies contains within its humor some worthwhile lessons.
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