“I think I’ve earned some of (my dad’s) courage and lust for adventure.” — Joel Kinnaman
The Killing star Joel Kinnaman, who stars in the current comedy Lola Versus and the new thriller Easy Money, has an unusual family history. His American father went AWOL during the Vietnam War and after four years in Laos ended up in Sweden. “My dad was prepared to put everything on the line and was prepared to throw everything away for his convictions,” says Kinnaman, 32. “I think I’ve earned some of his courage and some of his lust for adventure.”
BONNEVILLE
For Hugh Bonneville, 47, managing the world of Downton Abbey (in which he plays the Earl of Grantham) is a lot easier than managing the world of the Olympics, which is the premise of his BBC comedy Twenty Twelve. Bonneville lives outside London with his wife and son, and fellow Brits are already leasing their houses for the Games. Is he? “No, but hey, I could live in a tent in the garden.”
Who’s News Column Contributors: Nancy Mills and Brian Truitt
I completely agree with you the best thing about maikng the leap from hearing what the experts say (at least for me) is that the people around change from being a statistic to actual being actual people whom I dearly love. I used to talk about people as a collective whole, but now I am thankful that I can actually know people. The second bit to what you wrote about is also sadly true. I wonder how many of my believing friends could search the scriptures for themselves and figure out what to believe and practice without someone more qualified’ telling them what to think and do. I do think that it’s good to learn from other people, but taking what others say as fact without personal reflection or study is like being a 30 year old man still ok with his mom picking out his clothes. Thanks for the post
War is immoral, so is property.
Joel, your dad was at least smart back then. There was no reason for American guys to loose their lives in totally pointless war. Vietnam never did attack USA, powerful guys just wanted army base there. Maybe, he was even descent person and did not want to kill civilians or take side in civilian war, which by the way USA and allies made up in the first place. In that war I would do the same or any war that USA entered so far. Even WWII, as USA made D-day only because rich guys did not want that communists march more south or I would not want to fight with Japanese or throw atomic bombs on children in the country that already lost the war , again just because rich guys wanted to sell more steel, government to find out how atomic bomb works and because UK did not want their boys to die. Yeah, I think Pearl Harbor was set up by UK and USA.
Mr. Kinnaman portrays his father as an “adventurer”, but his father left my brothers and uncles behind (fighting) while he found his way to Sweden. What if half of a platoon turned around and ran? I agree with Thomas. Your dad was a coward, and I wouldn’t brag about him being “courageous” or lusting for adventure. Just the opposite. I felt ill this morning when I read this.
I am a 100% disabled Vietnam veteran,and I am neither a “selfrighteous zipperhead” nor a “know it all”. Michael is certainly entitled to his opinion. The reason of course that he has that right is because all of those “zipperheads” fought and died to insure his freedom of speech. Mr. Kinnaman is a bit naive,his father had other options instead of desertion in the face of the enemy,which is cowardice. A close friend served in the Army during the Vietnam war,but as a medic in Germany thus honoring his religious belief as a conscientious objector.
Joel, your dad was smart. If I knew then what I do now, I’d have gone to Canada. You’re dad wasn’t a coward. Don’t listen to those self righteous zipperheads who think they know everything.
My Dad did 30 years and myself 20 years in the Navy. My brother was in the Army 20 years. He was a helicopter pilot and suffers greatly from combat related injuries. Your Dad was a coward.