Dad Was Not Only a General, But a Patton

A look at Rotten Tomatoes gives the crown to the Civil War

(NEWSER) - The new Steven Spielberg-Tom Hanks series The Pacific got the folks at New York magazine's the Vulture blog wondering which war has produced the best movies. They looked up every one they could think of at Rotten Tomatoes, then averaged the scores. The winner: the Civil War. Here are the results, along with a top scorer from each conflict: More»

Watch clips from Patton to Glory to Full Metal Jacket

(NEWSER) - In honor of Veterans Day, the Huffington Post runs down the best war movies of all time:

• Apocalypse Now: Vietnam War
• From Here to Eternity: Pearl Harbor
• Patton: World War II
• Braveheart: Scotland’s battle for independence
• Lawrence of Arabia: World War I
• Band of Brothers: World War II (and, yes, a mini-series, but a good one)

Domestic issues must trump unwinnable war: Dem elder statesman

(NEWSER) - When George McGovern hears about President Obama's plans for Afghanistan, he reluctantly reaches an unavoidable conclusion. "I can only think: another Vietnam," the 1972 Democratic presidential nominee writes in the Washington Post . "I hope I am incorrect, but history tells me otherwise." After 9 years at war, he asks: "Why waste these fine soldiers any longer?" More»

(NEWSER) - Felix “Doc” Blanchard, who won the 1945 Heisman Trophy as part of Army’s famed “Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside” backfield tandem, died yesterday of pneumonia, ESPN reports. The legendary fullback, linebacker, placekicker, and punter was 84. In 1944-46, Blanchard— “Mr. Inside” to fellow Heisman winner Glenn Davis’ “Mr. Outside”—led Army to a 27-0-1 record, scoring 38 touchdowns. More»

American icon set to sell its 500 millionth lighter by year's end

(NEWSER) - At some point this year, the Zippo factory in Bradford, Pa., will churn out its 500 millionth lighter, NPR reports. The windproof gadget has become a cultural staple since 1932, from the wartime foxholes of Germany and Vietnam to the glitter of the Silver Screen, but NPR notes that the company faces a host of modern challenges, among them a drop in smoking and a rise in counterfeiters. More»