Presence Matters

Living in the greater Washington D.C. area has its benefits and I got to experience one of them this past weekend. An excellent documentary “Most Dangerous Man in America” was showing at the E Street Cinema and there was a small paragraph in the Washington Post under the review, saying that Daniel Ellsberg was actually going to be there after the 7:30pm showing to answer questions. Out of curiosity about this man, we got tickets and somehow ended up on the eighth row.

It is an exciting, very well done film. It tells the story behind the major events  that occurred – of Ellsberg’s profound change of heart – and how he followed his own internal moral compass as the Pentagon Papers (the top secret account of the deception perpetrated by a succession of U.S. Presidents from both parties regarding why we were fighting in Vietnam) came completely to light for the public to read and judge. As you may remember, one result was Nixon’s resignation rather than face possible impeachment.

It was a very important time in the history of this country – for free speech, for the ability of the press to publish pieces that were factual and yet very controversial because of how they exposed a weakness in our political system. It is clear from the film that he had no master plan when he began. He simply knew he had to do it. We get to watch as it all unfolds step by step  - as he followed his sense of integrity and acted with courage.

He could have faced life in prison for trying to stop a war he had originally helped plan. His early complicity and then profound change of heart are all there – we know how the story ends, yet it held our attention in every moment. I found myself racking my brain to remember what happened next. So I tell you all this to say, “Go see the movie!” It is excellent and its message is vital for multiple reasons to each of us in today’s world.

But beyond the film is the man himself. As he took his place in the front of the auditorium at the end of the film, there was no mistaking him. He is 78 and  his presence has not waned at all. He emanates a quiet, clear presence. His answers to pressing questions of today were well thought out, insightful and hopeful. I went with curiosity and no real expectations and I came away feeling much more optimistic about what I can do in my own world in terms of truth telling and courage.

The issue in the film is one of what to do with government secrecy  - today the issues are multiplied and even more complex. He acknowledged that (in response to some rather pointed questions), and said something like: the circumstances may be different today, but remember that we should never underestimate the power of one person to effect positive change.

And then he went on to the importance of  being open to possibilities that one might not have even conceived of up until that point in time. He cited the fact that no one expected the Berlin wall to fall or Nelson Mandela to be released from prison and go on to lead his country…and yet both of those events have happened since Daniel took his fateful path. Opening to new possibilities…important for all of us discouraged by recent Supreme Court decisions or the lack of positive movement in Congress…so, I left the theatre feeling hopeful. The added bonus was that my teenage son got to see a historical film that he actually found fascinating and see Daniel Ellsberg in person, all in one night. A great evening, I would say!

Here is a short review of the film for those of you wanting to know more http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G1SaatIp0w .