Many of this year’s films feature some of Hollywood’s most liberal and outspoken actors. Most of plots, it can be argued, have a decidedly liberal and even anti-conservative slant. It may be that liberals were encouraged with financial success of Michael Moore’s film, Fahrenheit 9/11. However, that was during an election year when people were hungry to hear both sides of issue. That hunger, it seems, has subsided.

Can be it that liberals in Hollywood have become so philosophically disconnected from average American that they no longer care about what their audiences really want to see? Almost every film released features characters that are divorced, separated or single with children. Traditional mothers, fathers and couples are portrayed as bored, worn out, soulless people who live meaningless lives. Today’s villains are CEOs of greedy corporations. Didn’t anyone in Tinsel Town notice popularity of The Apprentice?

I have been on this Earth for forty some years. During that time, many things have changed. The one thing that has not is that people go to movies to escape. They don’t want their superheroes trying to teach them a series of liberal social values. They do not want The Godfather trying to save whales. They don’t want every coming of age film to automatically include a gay or lesbian character. They want to be entertained. When films become dreary morality lessons and cease to entertain, people stop going to movies.

With America going in a decidedly conservative direction, it does not seem unreasonable to ask for more films where people who don’t leave, get a sex change operation or reveal they are gay get some credit. There are a lot of moms and dads out there working very hard to keep their family together. Many of them do not see their lives are empty, wasted or meaningless. Not all teenagers are joyriding, smoking pot or having relations with everything that moves. Some actually have some respect for themselves and know better.

It’s pretty much common sense to come up with a good formation for your army but basic idea in most situations is to have your infantry in front, ranged units behind, cavalry protecting flanks and your general right behind infantry. Having general next to your infantry boosts their morale. If you have larger numbers than enemy, it’s usually a good idea to spread your formation so you can surround enemy.

B. Flanks and Rear

The flanks and rear of any army are its most vulnerable points. By placing cavalry on side you can help protect your flanks. When facing an enemy, always try to attack its flanks or rear with your army, especially your cavalry. A cavalry charge to rear can devastate any unit and lower its morale. When facing an army unit such as Greek hoplite phalanx, you must use slow speed of enemy to your advantage to flank opponent. The Phalanx is particularly vulnerable anywhere except front. One tactic that seems to work is to slowly flank enemy is to form your troops in a slight half circle so you can slowly surround your enemy. Never let your infantry become isolated, try to keep them in formation in a line so they dont feel like they are being surrounded.

C. Morale

The morale of your troops is most important aspect of a battle. If your troops are surrounded they will lose morale and try to escape in a rout. Try to prevent this and use this to your advantage by surrounding troops whenever possible. Showering arrows on enemy army lowers its morale Also, launching a surprise attack on an unprotected side has same effect. Having enemy generals near your troops lowers their morale slightly, this is also true of your general and enemy troops. Keep in mind that more experienced troops have higher morale. New troops will most likely rout if your general flees.

All units on battlefield know who is winning battle by observing their surroundings. If they see any unit or a general fleeing, they are more likely to flee. Use this to your advantage; if you have a unit surrounded and they are routing, let them flee rather than let them fight their hardest to get out of their situation. Once other enemy units have seen them, mow them down with your cavalry to show other army who is boss.

D. Unit strengths

Each of different unit types is vulnerable to another type. Cavalry is vulnerable to frontal spear attacks. Light Infantry is vulnerable to cavalry and Heavy infantry is also vulnerable to side attacks from cavalry but is effective in hand to hand combat. Artillery is good offensively against almost any unit but is extremely weak defensively and dies quickly after a head on attack.