The Day The Earth Stood Still: Relevant for Our Times

 The Day The Earth Stood Still is a movie that stands the test of time. I am referring to the original version that was made in 1951, as opposed to the remake. The film is especially relevant for today's world.

I have seen The Day The Earth Stood Still several times. While it is classified in the science fiction genre, there is much in it that reflects the accuracy of both the cold war era and our present situation in the U.S. and throughout the world. If you have never seen the film, I highly recommend it.

Michael Rennie portrayed Klaatu, a visitor from outer space who came to Washington D.C. with a message of peace. The immediate response of the U.S. military was to fire on Klaatu. This action was thwarted by Gort, a highly intelligent robot capable of much harm, but restrained when given instructions by Klaatu.

Klaatu came to the U.S. to speak first with the world's leading scientists, and then to political leaders. His primary mission was to urge our nations to live in peace or face unimaginable peril. At the end of the film, Klaatu delivered a powerful message that is highly significant for our fractured country and world. He indicated that he is not concerned with petty arguments between nations of the world, but warned if any conflicts threaten life beyond earth, we would be reduced to a "burned out cinder." His final challenge to earthlings was to live in peace or else......., and concluded, "I await your answer."

The Day The Earth Stood Still was made during the cold war, a time when the U.S. was precariously close to a war with Russia that could have wiped out civilization if there had been a nuclear exchange. We are in similar circumstances today. We need to heed Klaatu's challenge and learn to live in peace. We must do our part in the U.S., and that means saying NO to autocracy in a country that prides itself on democracy.

The Wizard of Oz in Washington

 For some reason, I was thinking about the Wizard of Oz yesterday. Let us assume that Donald Trump is the Wizard. His followers assume he is all-powerful and assume only he has solutions to their problems. I am waiting for the day when his minions in Washington proclaim, "Ignore the man behind the curtain."

In the movie, the scarecrow, tin man, lion and Dorothy visit the Wizard in hopes of obtaining a brain, heart, courage and a return home. When the Wizard is exposed as not being able to deliver their wishes, they learn they have it within themselves to achieve their goals. As we fast forward to Washington, the curtain has been opened and Trump is being exposed as a fraud.

Rather than admit his shortcomings, Trump has released the Wicked Witch, who in this case is Pam Bondi. She is going after anyone Trump perceives as a threat to his dictatorship. The flying monkeys, led by Stephen Miller in this case, are everyone Bondi sends after Trump's opponents. Unlike the witch in the movie, we can't throw a pail of water on Bondi and expect her to melt. Her unwavering support of Trump will eventually be her undoing, whether it be via the courts or impeachment.

In the movie, Dorothy returns to the peace and tranquility of her home, and the scarecrow, tin man and lion discover that they already have what they seek. In our present situation, my hope is that the flying monkeys that are terrifying our population give way to the goals and aspirations of the millions of people who showed up for the NO KINGS demonstrations two days ago.

If voters show up in force for the midterms in 2026 and change the direction of our legislative branch of government, we will be able to look forward to the day when the man behind the curtain is exposed for all he is, and we will instead elect a Democratic president in 2028 who will restore our republic to a beacon of democracy and hope.

Remembering Bessie (Betty) Fleetwood

 As I continue to advance in my senior years, I find I often reflect on my formative years and realize that I wish I had thanked a multitude of people who were important parts of my life. Most of these people have died, but whenever an opportunity presents itself, I like to reach back and extend gratitude to persons who helped to steer me on a proper path when I was headed in a wrong direction. Such an opportunity presented itself yesterday.

My seventh grade teacher (1961 & 1962) at Rochester's #8 School, Bessie Fleetwood (nicknamed Betty), died in 2017 at age 95. I was able to reach out to her surviving family members yesterday and expressed how Mrs. Fleetwood was instrumental in helping me to become a better focused person. She was admittedly strict, but looking back, I must say that her discipline was well placed.

Betty Fleetwood (maiden name Plummer) had a very distinguished life. She served with distinction in World War II, and then went on to earn her college and graduate school degrees, becoming an elementary school teacher. Much of her career was spent in Rochester, New York and the New York State Department of Education, and upon retiring, she lived many of her years in Kennebunkport, Maine, and Jacksonville Florida where she died. She was very active in veteran organizations, especially during her time in Kennebunkport.

As I write this tribute, I realize I have to thank Betty Fleetwood for my writing skills, which were rather dismal before she worked with me on grammar, spelling and diagramming sentences. I was certainly a handful for some of my elementary school teachers, but am grateful that Betty Fleetwood took the time to set me on a better path.