(From the NYPD years)

My daughter and I watched Beauty and the Beast, our first movie at the theatre together. 

I’m not much of a film connoisseur, but I thought it was well-executed.  My daughter got a bit scared but she recognized the songs and as always, her favorite part was the happy ending.  

On a side but related note, I’m reading a book about JRR Tolkien’s and CS Lewis’ friendship after the First World War and how their war experience affected their writing.  One of the key points was that their work incorporated ideas of the more noble parts of human nature, even in periods of crisis and destruction, in contrast to the bitter (and justified) cynicism that pervaded the post-war environment.

Watching Beauty and the Beast reminded me of the value of these stories – that darkness doesn’t always have its way, and that beauty, hope, and light are still present.  This to me is an important lesson to ground Eowyn and her brother in.  Over the past several years, I have studied and practiced strategy and policy.  The underlying principles and tactics in themselves are amoral; but as Sun Tzu and his modern acolyte, John Boyd, would point out, a key component of conflict is the moral dimension.  And this on some level can be found in these classic tales and stories