Michel Paradis On Eisenhower And Decency

Michel is a human rights lawyer and author. He’s currently a lecturer at Columbia Law School, where he teaches national security law and jurisprudence. He’s also a contributing editor at Lawfare. His latest book is The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower — an accessible, racy account of the run-up to D-Day, along with fascinating snapshots of his entire career.

An auto-transcript is available above (click “Transcript” while logged in Substack). For two clips of our convo — why FDR picked Eisenhower to orchestrate D-Day, and why he’s the antithesis of Trump — head to our YouTube page.

Other topics: Michel raised by a single mom in Allentown who became an Allentown DA; his scholarship to Oxford for computational linguistics; his work on human rights and defending Gitmo detainees; John Adams and due process; the Dish’s coverage of torture; the ways Eisenhower was misunderstood; his self-effacement; his religious pacifist parents; his abusive dad; his Horatio Alger story; Kansas conservatism; the knee injury that ended his football stardom at West Point; the scandal that nearly ended his career early on; the scarlet fever that killed his son; his early friendship with Patton; his intellectual mentor Fox Conner; Ike a protege of MacArthur until they soured on each other; his moderation and suspicion of ideology; his workaholism and stoicism; Pearl Harbor; his uneasy relationship with FDR; unexpectedly picked over George Marshall to lead D-Day; his knack for building consensus; winning over Monty and the other Brits; Churchill’s antics and his opposition to a Normandy landing; haunted by Gallipoli; the Atlantic Wall; Rommel; shouting matches at the Cairo Conference; Ike’s quiet charisma; the alleged affair with his Irish driver Kay Summersby; and how the weather nearly ruined D-Day.

Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: George Packer on his Orwell-inspired novel, Shadi Hamid on US power abroad, Simon Rogoff on the narcissism of pols, Jason Willick on trade and conservatism, Vivek Ramaswamy on the right, and Arthur Brooks on the science of happiness. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

A reader writes:

I just wanted to wish you and Chris a Happy Thanksgiving. I was trying to remember when I first became aware of your writing, but my original purpose was to hear from a complicated, thoughtful, conservative writer — because I was raised in an immigrant Democratic family and lived in the bubble of the SF Bay area. I have learned a lot from you, and even though I do disagree with you from time to time, I generally learn something — even if it’s why I disagree.

I hope the two of you have a lovely Thanksgiving and, like me, remember what we have to be thankful for during this crazy time we live in.

Chris and I are both deeply grateful to all the Dishheads for what is now a quarter of a century. You’re the best readership a man could hope for and dream of. More thanks:

Your latest column, “The Question of Decency,” was breathtaking: the tone was so measured; the prose is so full of grace; the humanity touches my heart directly. Over the years you have produced work that has had a profound impact on me (remember “Untier of Knots”?), and I haven’t said “thank you” enough. I have followed your career since The New Republic, and I am proud to be a Founding Paid Subscriber.

And I’m deeply grateful. I’m proud of that Pope Francis essay — and it holds up, I think.

From a “long-time ardent follower”:

Years ago I read The Conservative Soul, which moved me from center-left to center. I’ve read most of your pieces on every subject. I listen to your podcasts. I’ve occasionally disagreed with you — on male circumcision, for example, and I was honored that you responded briefly and with humor.

I just read your latest column, and reread it. It is nothing less than a defense of civilization. It might be the most moving, persuasive, and powerful piece you’ve ever written. I am sharing it as widely as I can, including to a semi-friend who has accused me of TDS.

It was a cry from the heart. I barely paused in the writing of it. It just came out. Another on that column:

Anyone who accuses you of Trump Derangement Syndrome should be assumed to be delusional and thus ignored. Since his first term, Trump can fairly be described as a xenophobic, misogynistic, morally bankrupt, racist ignoramus. This view is supported by mountains of evidence that grow every day. Please keep this criticism coming. It’s important that it comes from all places along the political spectrum.

I frequently disagree with your views on a number of issues but appreciate the clear-headed, analytical expression of those views and rely on you to provide a conservative perspective I respect. I look forward to next Friday when your words will get my blood boiling again and I can perhaps write a dissent, but this week I thought it important to be counted among those who can see what is in front of our noses.

And another:

The Dish is on a brilliant run, as ever. Your writings on liberal democracy, the essay on decency, the podcast ... thank you. It’s truly fun to be a reader. I learn a lot.

One more reader:

I’m late to this one, but a very short response: yes, I would absolutely stick with the Dish during a book reprieve. We would all remain in touch, especially with the pod. It was good modeling when you took a bit of extra time this past summer. Thank you for everything all of these years!

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend. We rarely post all-positive emails, but we do get them all the time and they definitely keep our spirits up. See you next Friday.