The Political Messages in The Mark of Zorro

The Mark of Zorro (1940), directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Tyrone Power, Basil Rathbone, and Linda Darnell, stands as one of Hollywood’s most enduring classics. The film truly shines, with its charismatic cast, sharp dialogue, beautiful cinematography, blending romance and witty one-liners with cinema’s best sword fight.

Set in colonial Spanish Los Angeles around 1820, the movie takes viewers back to a conservative and traditional society, very different from L.A. today. Yet, like the original novel from 1919, it explores timeless themes: identity and deception, the inspiring force of heroism, the tension between individual will and societal expectations, and to top it off; justice and political struggle. One reviewer put it well: “The Mark of Zorro emphasizes the significance of fighting against injustice and standing up for what is right, even if it means taking risks and going against societal norms.”

Argentina’s Rocky Road to Economic Freedom

The ascent to power in Argentina of an avowed libertarian, in the person of Javier Milei, was seen not only with excitement by many libertarians but also as a moment of truth. Not only did it show that it was possible to get a majority of the electorate of a large country to vote for a radical agenda of freedom, but it also suggested that libertarians might finally be able to show the entire world that the unhampered free market is not only possible, but also highly beneficial for society.

Western Political Lies Signal The End of an Era

The previous article highlighted the incredible amount of lies and falsehoods that Western politicians are spewing on a daily basis nowadays. Unfortunately, it seems to be a sign of the times, in the sense that the prevailing post-modernism makes lying more acceptable generally. And politicians do not have to worry much about any fourth estate determined to roast them over the fire for their dubious and untruthful statements. But there is a political side to this recent surge in mendacity in the high political spheres of the West, which needs to be explored as well.