If you feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle, against forces that are bigger than you and “not playing fair” — chances are you’re right!
In the midst of your battles, you may find hope and encouragement in the following:
(Many of these are not for children or the easily-offended):
The Mauritanian: The true story of the trial of Ould Slahi, held at Guantanamo Bay without charges for 14 years. The story outlines how U.S. government officials had delivered a report of Slahi’s “confession”. Only after a tenacious battle to get the detailed case-notes from the government’s “investigation” was it revealed that the government had spent months torturing a “confession” out of Slahi.
How to Fix a Drug Scandal: Series about the drug testing scandal in Massachusetts, and the cover up by state police and attorney general.
The Keepers: The series about a murder, pedophile ring and cover up in Maryland that was revealed by the persistence of individual citizens working together on social media to solve the crimes and heal the wounds.
The Coverup: The true story of the death of Kevin Thacker of Marshalltown, Iowa. Police arrested Thacker for DUI, but in the hours after his arrest, Kevin was found dead in an ally behind the police station. The police tried to cover up that Thacker had been beaten to death. The jury awarded damages, but the local judge vacated the damage verdict.
Spotlight: How a group of Boston Globe writers battled to uncover the damage caused, and concealed by, those in power in the law and in the Church.
The Big Short: In 2007-08, when political and corporate leaders were telling the public “everything’s fine….” a tiny group of people used research and facts to uncover the lies of these “leaders” —and profit from the truth.
Erin Brockovitch: How one woman, armed with the truth, helped bring financial restoration to hundreds people damaged by PG&E.
The Insider: The true story of executive Jeffry Wigund’s whistleblower stand against “big tobacco.” Starring Russell Crowe and Al Pacino.
The Untouchables: The story of how accounting brought down Al Capone.
A Few Good Men: The military court-room drama where the truth was literally both closeted, and hanging in plain sight. Made famous the line: “You can’t handle the truth!”
Glengarry Glen Ross: Writer David Mamet’s look at characters who’s sole purpose in life is to “close the deal.”
Wall Street: A cautionary tale about the power—and pitfalls—of greed.
Watergate: The story of Washington Post reporters Woodward & Bernstein and how it wasn’t the crime, but the cover-up which doomed President Nixon.
And Justice for All: 1979 film about the insanity of the legal system that made famous Pacino’s line: You’re out of order! The whole trial is out of order!
Network: The film that made famous the line “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any more!”
The Godfather: Few stories are more instructive about the power of family, than this story of a family of power.
Moneyball: How details, facts and statistical analysis turned the lowly Oakland A’s into a winning team, and changed (baseball) sports.
Jerry McGuire: The film that coined the phrase: “Show Me the Money!”
Holy scriptures: Finally, for those who believe Scriptures are “The Book of Life”:
Genesis reminds us that one of the oldest sins in the book is deception (fraud). (Don’t be surprised when it crosses your path!)
David & Goliath: The story of a young shepherd, armed with a slingshot, who takes on a giant Philistine warrior—and wins.
Exodus 20; 15: Thou shall not steal.
Exodus 20; 16: Thou shall not bear false witness.
Exodus 20: 17: Thou shall not covet.
Proverbs 11;1: Dishonest scales are detestable to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
Proverbs 12:22: The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.