Penelope’s Loom

 Ah, Marlowe, you cool cat. One of the things you realize when you live in Los Angeles, or rather grow up in the city, you either love it, or hate it. It’s an ephemeral city, a joyous city, and for some a place where innocent ambitious dreams died. Today, I suppose we can’t think of Los Angeles without thinking of Hollywood, the Academy Awards, or Harvey Weinstein. But I’m gonna try to tell you a different story, one you may or may not know--a tale about a gumshoe detective, a murder, and a city. First, we’re gonna talk about Marlowe. Philip Marlowe, what is the creation of an author by the name of Raymond Chand Chandler. You may know him from the movies, the big sleep, starring Humphrey, Bogart, and Lauren Bacall, but he really comes to life in the books, written by Chandler. My favorite, one of the series has to be "The Lady in the Lake," and I can’t forget my other ultra favorite "The Long Goodbye." I read my first Chandler almost thirty years ago, and my god was...

Why oh why is the story of this nation's beginning dominated by the Holy Triumvirate of Franklin, Jefferson, and Washington?  OK.  I get a little frustrated by this continuing perception of Benjamin Franklin as being primarily responsible for the formation of the country.  The other one, of course, is the American romance with Thomas Jefferson.  But, who ever remembers the contributions of my man, John Adams? I know, I've already written about this a little in an earlier post, but recently I watched an excellent documentary, by team Ken Burns, that was less a balanced view of the man, and more of a love letter.  So what, if Franklin couldn't keep his dick in his pants, and basically abandoned his common law wife with all their children? OK, that's a bit of an overstatement, but essentially those are the bare facts.  And, who cares that old Jeffie, that building and loan pal, had an affair with a 14 year old slave, at the age of 41?  Well, hey, they wer...

 It would be wrong to end my story of Custer and co. at the end of the battle, without mentioning how iconic this battle became, in the context of American western history.   In the wake of the battle, our perception of Custer mirrored our cultural memory.  In other words, how Americans remembered the history of the Plains Indian Wars, and more particularly, the story of our war with the entire Sioux nation, in the late nineteenth century.   With the Custer's death, came a most interesting development.  At first, Custer was viewed through a messianic lens--"Custer died for your sins", etc.  He was, at first, thought of as a sacrifice on the altar of Manifest Destiny.   You've got to be kidding me. Remember in part one, Errol Flynn and "They Died with their Boots On"?  Hey, can we take a minute to appreciate that particular title?  Suuuuuuper. This was how America chose to view Custer in the 1940s, but this was understandable, b...

  Before I continue with this story, let me say, that Custer's experience is well known among scholars of the American west, as well as other enthusiasts.  The Battle of the Little Bighorn eventually became the stuff of Hollywood legend, among other accounts.  Check this out: This clip is from a glossy Hollywood film titled "They Died With Their Boots On." No, really, I am not pulling your leg. Playing the role of Custer, with the flag of the 7th flapping in the background, is the actor Erroll Flynn.  If I remember correctly, Flynn came from Australia.  But, I could be wrong. So, how does one deal with the failure of a legend? By looking at it squarely in the face, if that's possible.  In the wake of Washita, Custer experienced a moment of fame, which was enhanced by the American press.  Eventually, he became a figure of romantic 'derring-do,' somehow capturing the imagination of white America, who enthusiastically followed his exploits in the so-calle...

  Ah, Gary Larson's Far Side.  You really cannot beat him for off the wall, takes on history.  As Custer was a particular subject matter of some of his best works, look for more later.... It's known among the Lakota, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass.  Whites refer to it as the Battle of the Little Bighorn, or Custer's Last Stand. I think that the best way to tell you this story, is to tell you about the colonel of this doomed regiment, George Armstrong Custer. He was born in the town of New Rumley, Ohio in 1839.  He was a member of a large family, and reared by loving parents, Emanuel and Maria Custer.  I don't know whether or not you could call his childhood idyllic, but it came close--according to all reports. In 1857, with the help of a family friend, he got an appointment to West Point military academy.  He did not excel at his studies, often coming out last in his class.  He also won the dubious distinction of having the most demerits in his...