From: officialflagrant
Comedian Shane Gillis often shares his unique perspectives and appreciation for various historical figures, frequently drawing from his personal interests and comedic takes on historical events.
Military and Religious Leaders
Shane Gillis expresses admiration for figures across different historical periods, often highlighting their unique traits or contributions.
Father William Corby
Shane Gillis holds a particular appreciation for Father William Corby, a priest and military chaplain during the American Civil War. Gillis owns a painting of Corby in his living room [01:41]. His admiration stems from Corby’s post-war role as the President of Notre Dame, where he was instrumental in rebuilding the university after a fire, a feat Gillis describes as being a “beast” and the “second founder” [01:55]. Gillis also notes Corby’s bravery on the battlefield, administering last rites to soldiers while under fire [02:12].
Civil War Generals
Gillis frequently discusses American Civil War generals, offering his distinct takes on their personalities and military prowess.
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Robert E. Lee Despite the historical context, Gillis regards Robert E. Lee as arguably the “greatest of all time” among generals [03:36]. He bases this on Lee’s ability to achieve significant results with limited resources, stating Lee “wasn’t working with a lot” and “did good with what he had” [03:40].
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Stonewall Jackson Shane Gillis speculates that Stonewall Jackson was “clearly 100%” autistic [04:56]. This theory is based on traits described in a book about Jackson, Rebel Yell, such as his consistent hand-holding due to an injury to prevent blood flow and his belief that God would decide his death, making him fearless in battle, which earned him the “Stonewall” moniker [05:17]. Gillis recounts an anecdote where Jackson remained at attention for days after being ordered to by a commanding officer [05:46].
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Ulysses S. Grant In contrast to Lee, Gillis suggests that Ulysses S. Grant perceived Lee as “soft” and a “coward” [06:37]. He describes Grant as a “failure drunk” who was working as a cashier at his father’s grocery store before the Civil War, then “just became a president” [08:01].
Napoleon Bonaparte
Gillis initially posits Napoleon as the “greatest of all time” [04:17]. He later details Napoleon’s revolutionary approach to warfare, suggesting he “invented” “Total War” by mobilizing the entire country’s industry and population for the war effort, a departure from the “gentlemanly” combat conventions of the time [53:56].
Cyrus the Great
Shane briefly mentions learning about Cyrus the Great, describing him as a “great like Persian” figure [10:23]. However, he then expresses a general skepticism about ancient history, stating, “no one knows, no one knows, it’s all made up” [10:38], and referencing Napoleon’s quote: “History is a set of lies agreed upon” [10:41].
Other Mentions
While not always expressing appreciation, Shane Gillis and the hosts discuss other historical figures and their impact.
- Winston Churchill: Mentioned in the context of leaders who retired or had varied military careers [08:20].
- Adolf Hitler: Discussed briefly regarding his alleged interest in the occult [03:02].
- Vladimir Putin: Shane speculates on Putin’s motivations and the “end game” for a leader who seems to be a “prisoner of the power,” unable to step down [01:03:51]. This discussion touches on mental health and public figures and the impact of celebrity and legacy related to powerful individuals.
- John Hinckley Jr.: Discussion revolves around his attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan and conspiracy theories connecting him to the Bush and Obama families [02:21:56].
- Charles Manson: Mentioned in the context of the MK Ultra program, with Shane believing Manson was an MK Ultra subject and a “CIA boy” [02:10:21].
- Woody Harrelson’s Father: Discussed in relation to conspiracy theories about his involvement in the JFK assassination, and his conviction as a contract killer [02:11:42].
- John F. Kennedy: Shane and the hosts discuss conspiracy theories surrounding his assassination, including the involvement of the CIA and multiple shooters, and the “Magic Bullet” theory [02:09:18]. This connects to RFK Jr.’s personal experiences with famous figures through his uncle’s assassination.