Darin Miller is a freelance writer based in Washington, D.C. He began writing at Grove City College in Grove City, Pa., where he served as the editor-in-chief of his college newspaper and yearbook. He held internships in magazine and newspaper journalism during that time, in New York City and the Philadelphia suburbs, and has freelanced for online and print publications, including WORLD Magazine. Darin is also a screenwriter, with a focus on historical events. He can be contacted at dbmwriter@gmail.com.
Darin Miller
‘The Surge’ Shows That Numbers Matter
by Darin MillerWhile President Barack Obama prepares to discuss potential military strategies for the war in Afghanistan today, the nation prepares to honor veterans of our nation’s wars. On the Monday before Veterans Day, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Institute for the Study of War took a constructive look at major military efforts in Iraq. The Institute presented “The Surge: The Untold Story,” [which you can watch in full below] a 30-minute briefing on the strategy that brought about a massive swing in the course of the Iraq war in a matter of months. The film premiered at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
“The Surge” is really a snapshot, briefly summarizing the events of late 2006 to deliver key background, setting the stage and highlighting key strategic elements implemented in 2007 that ultimately pushed terrorist groups out of Baghdad, with the help of an emboldened Iraqi nation.
The story is told in a fast-paced, modern style, transitioning between interviews, live footage and pictures with military-style cuts and zooms. The interviews are very informative, though there were two problems. First, there is little if any negativity reflected in the film when analyzing the Surge strategy. Some opposition would have more effectively recaptured the atmosphere surrounding the controversial troop increase, and also lent further credibility to the effort’s effectiveness. The reason no negativity was shown, however, is that the generals, and now most politicians, agree that the Surge worked exactly as it was supposed to. (more…)
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Disney’s ‘A Christmas Carol’: Charity Vs. Big Government
by Darin MillerGenerally after a story has been told as a book, play, musical, numerous animated, live, made-for-TV films, and Muppets movie, its content is completely exhausted. But Disney’s latest, “A Christmas Carol,” by writer-director Robert Zemeckis of “Forrest Gump” and animated films “Beowulf” and “The Polar Express,” resurrects the classic tale through vibrant visuals while sticking to the classic story.
Briefly, “A Christmas Carol” is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey), a miser who hoards his money and pays his single employee, Bob Cratchit (Gary Oldman), the bare minimum. Scrooge lives alone in a huge, dark mansion, leading a lonely life. When his nephew Fred (Colin Firth) invites him to Christmas dinner, Scrooge berates him for being happy when he has so little money. When local charity representatives ask for support, Scrooge tells them that he supports the poor through paying taxes. “Are there no work houses? Are there no prisons?” Scrooge asks. To him, taxes are all the dues he owes to society. (more…)
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
|
Inconvenient Truths Surface in ‘Not Evil Just Wrong’
by Darin Miller“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.” Former vice president Al Gore uses this Upton Sinclair quote in his 2006 Oscar-winning documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” when describing politicians and businessmen who oppose his belief that the world is in trouble—big trouble—due to the increasing threat of global warming. But a just-released film is reversing the role.
Irish directors Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney have brought Gore’s controversial picture back under critical focus in their new documentary, “Not Evil Just Wrong,” which addresses the science and language of Al Gore and other environmentalists who see global warming as a major problem. Nearly 10,000 people in 22 countries simultaneously watched the film as it was streamed online via USTREAM (28,000 tuned in at different times), as well as almost 8,000 screenings across the U.S., all of which started at 8 p.m. EST. yesterday, October 18. (more…)
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
|
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Tips & Feedback