Lawrence Lease
Bio
Alaska born and bred, Washington DC is my home. I'm also a freelance writer. Love politics and history.
Achievements (1)
Stories (308)
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A Love Divided by War: Letters Between Mary Whitmore & Captain James Ellsworth
April 14, 1863 My Dearest James, I scarcely know where to begin, save to say that my heart is heavy with longing. It has been three months since you last rode away, and each day without word from you is an eternity. I sit beneath the old willow tree where we once lay, watching the Susquehanna drift by, and I wonder—do you still carry my ribbon in your pocket, as you promised?
By Lawrence Leaseabout a year ago in History
The Day the Berlin Wall Came Down
Sometimes history flips on a single, unexpected moment. November 9, 1989, was one of those nights. What started as a routine press conference in East Berlin ended with people from both sides of a divided city climbing the Berlin Wall, hammering it apart, and dancing on the rubble. It was chaos, it was joy, and it was the beginning of the end for the Cold War.
By Lawrence Leaseabout a year ago in The Swamp
The Capture of Robert Hanssen: A Shocking Betrayal that Shaped the FBI’s Future
The arrest of Robert Hanssen, a veteran FBI agent turned Russian spy, stands as one of the most significant betrayals in the history of U.S. intelligence. His capture, in 2001, marked the end of a nearly 20-year espionage campaign that had compromised U.S. security on multiple fronts. The impact of his actions reverberated throughout the FBI and the broader intelligence community, forcing major reforms and a reevaluation of internal security practices. Hanssen's story is not just one of espionage, but of systemic flaws within the FBI and the intelligence community, lessons from which continue to shape practices today.
By Lawrence Leaseabout a year ago in Criminal
Aldrich Ames: The Spy Who Shook the CIA
Ever met someone who just blows up an entire system from the inside? That’s basically the story of Aldrich Hazen Ames, the guy who turned his CIA career into one of the biggest betrayals in American intelligence history. He didn’t just poke around with secrets—he sold them off to the Soviet Union (and later Russia) for some serious cash, and the fallout was colossal. This dude’s arrest in 1994 flipped a switch in the intel world, forcing the CIA and all the other three-letter agencies to rethink their game plans. Below, we’re going to break down how Ames got caught and why his capture still matters for the spy world today.
By Lawrence Leaseabout a year ago in Criminal
The Door to Korruption
There was only one rule: don’t open the door. Laura Kelly sat alone in the Schmoedown studio, the eerie silence a stark contrast to the usual roar of the crowd. Tonight, it was just her, her notes, and a single door at the far end of the room—a door that wasn’t usually there.
By Lawrence Leaseabout a year ago in Chapters
The Montreal Screwjob: A Necessary Evil
The Montreal Screwjob remains one of the most infamous moments in professional wrestling history. On November 9, 1997, at WWE’s Survivor Series, the match between Bret "The Hitman" Hart and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels ended in controversy when Vince McMahon, owner of WWE, orchestrated an unscripted finish to forcibly remove the WWF Championship from Hart. To fans and many wrestlers, the event felt like a betrayal. However, despite the negative response from certain circles, there’s a compelling case that the Montreal Screwjob was not only justified but necessary from a business standpoint.
By Lawrence Lease2 years ago in Geeks
Are Star Ratings Ruining YOUR WWE & AEW Experience?
It's inevitable—star ratings in professional wrestling will always stir up conversations, debates, and sometimes, heated arguments. Today, we're diving into the world of star ratings, specifically those handed out by Dave Meltzer and other prominent figures in the wrestling community. But this isn’t just about Meltzer’s opinions or whether you agree with them—this is about the broader picture, about how we, as fans, perceive and discuss wrestling.
By Lawrence Lease2 years ago in Geeks
Seeing Through Elena's Eyes: A Journey of Empathy and Understanding Through Queer Representation
In the vast sea of media I’ve consumed throughout my life, one particular moment stands out as a turning point in my understanding of queer representation and the broader LGBTQ+ experience. This moment didn’t occur during a grand cinematic spectacle or in a pivotal novel. Instead, it came from a simple, yet profoundly moving episode of a TV show that I initially tuned into for its humor and lightheartedness, not expecting it to challenge and reshape my views so fundamentally.
By Lawrence Lease2 years ago in Chapters
Buried Secrets: The Night My Sanity Slipped Away
I always knew something was wrong with my neighbor, Mr. Langley. People thought he was just quiet, maybe a little eccentric, but I saw right through him. Every night, when the rest of the street fell into its peaceful slumber, he would be out in his garden. Not tending to plants or flowers, no. He’d be out there digging, always digging. No one else seemed to notice or care. But I did.
By Lawrence Lease2 years ago in Fiction
Is Roman Reigns Stealing Cody Rhodes' Spotlight?
Pro wrestling fans are in for a treat these days. The clash between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes has sparked endless debates, and this weekend’s events only amplified the excitement. Roman Reigns made his long-awaited return to SmackDown, reigniting the flames of the WWE Universe, and fans can hardly contain their excitement. The upcoming tag team match at Bad Blood, where Roman and Cody will team up, feels like a dream come true. Yet, amidst the excitement, there's a divide within the wrestling community. Some fans argue that Roman is overshadowing Cody, while others claim the reverse.
By Lawrence Lease2 years ago in Geeks
Leftists Are Against Football Now
In what might be the most bizarre article of the 2024 election season, a writer from The Nation has expressed deep concerns over the Democratic Party's embrace of football. Yes, you read that right—football, America's most beloved sport, has become the subject of a heated political debate. The article claims that football, with its hyper-masculinity and violence, is steering the Democratic Party toward a right-wing trajectory. This absurdity perfectly encapsulates the chronically online perspective that often detaches itself from reality.
By Lawrence Lease2 years ago in The Swamp
