Tag Archives: Commentary

How We Got Here. Where We’re Going.

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Tom Garrett

“[A] system of free speech confers countless benefits on people who do not much care about exercising that right.  Consider the fact that, in the history of the world, no society with democratic elections and free speech has ever experienced … Continue reading →

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Best of 2020

Posted on December 30, 2020 by Tom Garrett

2020 wasn’t all bad. I have to say that this was a good year for me personally, demonstrating the value of baseline reclusiveness and living practically as a shut-in even before a pandemic hit. What seemed to many people to … Continue reading →

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The Worst Possible Outcome (OR: The Baby Hitler Hypothetical)

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Tom Garrett

A few days ago (which feels like weeks at this point), I made some predictions about Tuesday’s election, and I talked about the “two movies, one screen” phenomenon.  That concept is the idea that two people / groups of people … Continue reading →

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Two Movies, One Screen

Posted on November 2, 2020 by Tom Garrett

The outcome of the 2020 election is obvious. President Trump has never led in the polls.  What’s more, the deficit he faces is far larger than the one he faced in 2016.  The quiet signs of trouble in key districts … Continue reading →

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Destroying Unity Is the First Step

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Tom Garrett

I watched this clip the other day, and it made me ponder how much our culture and our media have changed in just a generation.   The message here is obvious.  The Team that Dare Not Speak its Name used … Continue reading →

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Washington Examiner Piece on Digital Media and Censorship

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Tom Garrett

I’m shamelessly using this post to promote a piece I wrote for the Washington Examiner.  This is a long-form magazine essay that updates and greatly expands some of the themes that I first discussed in this post from a couple of … Continue reading →

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Untimely Movie Review: Risky Business

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Tom Garrett

Risky Business is a weird movie. It gets a lot of things right, but, even within the context of 80s teenage-themed films, I don’t think it holds up particularly well.  It’s not as entertaining as the John Hughes canon.  It’s not … Continue reading →

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Untimely Movie Review: Chariots of Fire

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Tom Garrett

Watching a Best Picture winner typically leaves me with one of two reactions.  Either, “I completely understand why this won Best Picture,” or “This is a decent / interesting movie, but the field must have been weak that year.” Chariots … Continue reading →

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Untimely Movie Review: The Shining

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Tom Garrett

The genius of Stanley Kubrick is readily apparent in the opening “segment” of The Shining, in which Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) painstakingly drives to, arrives at, and participates in an almost-real-time job interview. The exquisitely slow burn takes the audience … Continue reading →

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Halfway Home

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Tom Garrett

I purchased the Warner Brothers 90th Anniversary blu-ray Collection over six years ago.  It took me quite a while, but, as I’ve been on a pandemic-fueled review flurry of late, I’ve finally been able to finish the first half of … Continue reading →

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