Les Incompetent

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover chapters 1-5 of Lou Savages novel Thunder in the Mountain. We go over the books accessibility, historiography, and the how its never been simpler to understand the conflict in West Viriginia. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over John Boormans 1967 film Point Blank starring Lee Marvin. We go over the direction, cinematography, colors, and the overall storytelling of the movie. Needless to say, its a very strange film. 

Thank you for listening! We have made it to a hundred episodes. This is just a sit down, and we just talk about life, living, and the pursuit of happiness; and making each other laugh. Enjoy!

This week on Les Incompetent, we finish Charles Keeneys Novel The Road to Blair Mountain. We go over the successful campaign, how quickly the coal industry collapsed at the end of the 2010's, and Charles Keeneys tips for successful activism. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over chapters 4-5 of Charles Keeneys novel. We discuss controlling the narrative, and not allowing other influences take over, we go over the education of West Virginia, especially the Golden Horseshoe Test, and how aggravating government paperwork can be. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Charles Keeneys novel The Road to Blair Mountain, an account of an activists attempt to save a historical site. He goes over the importance of activisim, and keeping your message clear, what goes too far in getting your message across, and how the state responded to all their attempts. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we are covering Alex Cox's film Walker and Albert and David Maysles Grey Gardens. With Walker we discuss the altering of the historical character, how the film feels like a fever dream, and how abandoning accuracy can lead to something very powerful, and create a strong statement. With Grey Gardens, we discuss the moral argument over invading someones personal life, a...

This week on Les Incompetent, we finish James Greens novel The Devil is Here in These Hills. We wrap up the conversation surrounding the Mine War, go over what was accomplished in the states during the Great Depression, and how the rise of the KKK led to new obstacles in the miners struggle. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover John Sayles Film Matewan, based on the historical event that occured in the town. We discuss the accuracy, artistic decisions, the casting, and go over the importance that the film was made, and how difficult it is now to get. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over the Second Mine war, the march on Washington, Blair Mountain, and Matewan. We discuss the mindset of what it takes to push someone to choose violence to get their point across, as well as going over the ideas of evil when it comes to captialism. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover part 2 of James Greens Novel The Devil is Here in These Hills. We go over the general elections of West Virginia, the Rise of Sid Hatfields popularity, and tthe increase in action demanded of the miners. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over Joe Johnsons 1999 film October Sky. We discuss the importance of escaping coal country, pursuing your own goals, and refusing to submit to what is expected of you. We also go over the powerful imagery used in the film, and how it showcases a pain and struggle that still has not gone away. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we begin James Green's novel The Devil is Here in These Hills; West Virginias Coal Miners and Their Battle For Freedom. We go over the failure to do anything about the coal companies, even legislation or presidential intervention; we go over the rise of heroes like Mother Jones, and the rise of opposition like the Baldwin Felts Detective Agency. We also go over the in...

This week on Les Incompetent, we go off topic to discuss something we both love; the Predator Movies. We go over every film, the themes of the franchise, what we liked and what we hated, and how where we feel the franchise is headed. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over current events, mostly Iran, Israel, and the United States. We also cover our next topic, which is about the West Virginia Coal Mining Revolts.

This week on Les Incompetent, we are finishing up our talking points of the Vietnam War. We go over what we lost in the war, both in ourselves as a country and as a people, what we gained from the war, and how education on the topic may help future generations stop repeating history. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we are going over Randall Wallaces 2002 film We Were Soldiers starring Mel Gibson. Taking place during the Vietnam War, it is a retelling of the Ia Drang Valley and what occured there. We discuss the significance of the film, what did and didn't work, and whether or not this is a faithful adaption of an event during the war. 

Frea This week on Les Incompetent, we cover the controversial figure throughout a large portion of the Vietnam War, Dr Henry Kissinger. We cover his political philosophy Real Politik, and how it has had massive consequences to Americas foreign policy, while also covering current events to tie into his philosophy, and whether it aligns with Americas ideals. Needless to say, he's a interesting figur...

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Frederick Downs Jr's novel Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War. This is a first hand account of a single persons tour of the Vietnam War and it is, arguably, the best to read to understand the conflict. We discuss what was lost, what was gained, and what it was all worth in the end. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we are watching Oliver Stones film Born on the Fourth of July starring Tom Cruise. We go over whether it is a good representation of the Vietnam War, PTSD, veterans coming back to society, and if the overall message works. Needless to say, we were not fans of this film.

This week on Les Incompetent, we discuss Robert McNamaras novel In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam. We go over the idea of Hindsight, shifting the blame, and putting yourself in the fire the better explain the situation; all of which we felt while reading this book. We also discuss his open debate at Harvard University, which was both an admirable attempt, but also may have done mor...

This week on Les Incompetent, its a snow day in the Triangle, so Austin will be solo talking about Stephen Kings The Shining and Misery since we are snowed in. Both films showcase isolation, loneliness, and losing yourself, but also the humanity that prevails. We are back next week to discuss Robert McNamaras In Retrospect.

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Francis Ford Coppolas film Apocalypse Now. We cover the significance of the film, the meaning of the ending, and how director cuts have ruined cinema for us all. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we finish Ken Burns' series The Vietnam War. We go over the Watergate Scandal, the resignation of Nixon, the fall of Saigon, and what the war was for. We also discuss the veterans reaction to the aftermath, and them coming to terms to what they had been put through. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover episode 9 of Ken Burns' The Vietnam War . We cover the Vietnam Veterans joining the anti war effort, the release of the pentagon papers, and the creation of Nixons group of burglars, the plumbers. We also discuss what the Vietnam War was for, what was gained and what was lost.