Verified Document

Ceases To Amaze Me That Thesis

Because of the high stakes that surrounded each character's decisions, Thirteen Days remained exciting even during technical discussions of policy. Not only was it entertaining, then, but it also greatly increased my understanding of the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the methods by which decisions are reached, in Washington and probably in most -- if not all -- current and historical halls of government during times of crisis. The negotiation and circumvention of the many personalities involved in powerful, history-making decisions is a delicate and complex dance that only true masters can maneuver in, and in Thirteen Days both Kennedy brothers and, to a degree, Robert S. McNamara were all portrayed as such political masters.

On a somewhat less profound though perhaps more practical level, this film also taught me about the way decision are negotiated between the civilian...

Though the President is ostensibly the Commander in Chief of the military, and is the final decision maker, he is not able to act effectively by making unilateral decisions. He is able to postpone an invasion of Cuba until a more suitable option was found, but who can say what would have happened had McNamara not conceived the naval blockade, of if President Kennedy had not stood his ground so well in the face of such immense pressure? Again, it is the decisions and personalities of a few individuals that often shape large swathes of history, and I still find this awesome, inspiring, and a little frightening -- any different combination of men in power during these thirteen days might have made for a very different decision and possibly a different world even today. Thirteen Days does an excellent job of capturing both the facts and the feeling of this point in history.

Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Emily Dickinson: Discussion Response It Never Ceases
Words: 396 Length: 1 Document Type: Peer Reviewed Journal

Emily Dickinson: Discussion Response It never ceases to amaze me how few of Emily Dickinson's poems were read during the author's lifetime and how she persevered in writing them for so long, staying true to her spare style of writing. Many years later, modernist writers would use many of Dickinson's hallmarks as a writer, such as her fragmented prose, her innovative use of grammar, and her elliptical meanings. I do not

Fault: An Alternative to the Current Tort-Based
Words: 30263 Length: 110 Document Type: Thesis

Fault: An Alternative to the Current Tort-Based System in England and Wales The United Kingdom statistics regarding claims THE NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM OBSTACLES TO DUE PROCESS THE CASE FOR REFORM THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT THE RISING COST OF LITIGATION LORD WOOLF'S REFORMS MORE COST CONTROLS THE UNITED STATES PAUL'S PULLOUT THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY TORT REFORM IN AMERICA FLEEING PHYSICIANS STATISTICS FOR ERROR, INJURY AND DEATH THE CALL FOR REFORM IN 2003: A FAMILIAR REFRAIN THE UNITED STATES SITUATION, IN SUMMARY NEW ZEALAND CASE STUDIES THE SWEDISH SCHEME COMPARISON: WHICH SYSTEM IS

Socrates Defense What Is Socrates'
Words: 769 Length: 2 Document Type: Research Proposal

Furthermore, many laypeople can have great stores of knowledge, and may have learned to train horses better than professionals -- and to be better teachers and philosophers, from personal experience. In fact, given that philosophy is the study of life, one could argue that ordinary people are the best teachers of the discipline. This is one of the principles of the democratic Athenian system, that everyday people can govern

Against Assisted Suicide There Are
Words: 1904 Length: 6 Document Type: Research Paper

If the act of killing another is imply universally banned, the definition of ethical action is greatly simplified, and all gray areas are decided on the side of caution. The above areas of concern are very real; there is evidence that non-voluntary euthanasia occurs in other countries where assisted suicide is an accepted medical practice (Debate, 2009). Mental health is often in issue with chronic diseases and end-of-life care,

Juvenile Death Penalty Sentencing Is
Words: 1651 Length: 6 Document Type: Term Paper

" (Potter, 1999) Supreme Court finally strikes down juvenile executions On Mar. 1, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down once and for all juvenile executions in the United States, abandoning nations such as Nigeria, Congo, China, Pakistan and others whose records of human rights abuse are staggering. The 5-4 decision reverses the death sentences of about 70 juvenile murderers and bars states from seeking to execute minors for future crimes. The executions, the

Hook or Me This Time Ideological Changes
Words: 1323 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Hook or Me This Time Ideological changes of a Pirate and a former Lost Boy in two narrative essays) Life is defined by the changes that take place during it. Our bodies change and we grow larger; time passes and we grow older; our philosophy and ideals change and we grow up. These metamorphoses compromise any coming of age story, whether the story be one of a small juvenile accomplishment or

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now