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Sep. 20th, 2004
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Sep. 20th, 2004 04:36 pmfrom a long and fascinating speech by Bill Moyers:
This relates, in part, to a question I had been wondering about recently: the extent of graphic coverage of human death and destruction in the press. When Americans are outraged by pictures of dead servicemen and women on battlefields or American POWs who have been beaten in captivity, when the administration tried to suppress pictures of caskets coming back from Iraq; when a bus bombing in Israel resulted in a photo in the American press showing one of the bomb's dead victims; when a friend from overseas mentioned that the European press had been much more "graphic" in its coverage of the horrifc debacle at Beslan... I could only think of the photographs exhibited by Matthew Brady of "The Dead of Antietam" and the comment
I think we *need* to see that reality. Most of us do not have to live it. But in a world where we, through our elected officials, the pressure groups, the religions, the professional societies, even some of us through our own jobs influence the world to peace or war, to suppression and tyrrany, to terrorism and the vengeance of coutner-terrorism, we need to be reminded what the costs of such decisions are. This was brought home to me listening to NPR this morning when they played a clip from a film someone was exhibiting in a festival in Canada. It's all shot among US troops overseas, and one artilleryman was remarking that it was all very well for those watching the film, who lived at home, went to jobs 9-5, perhaps saw the doucmentary on tlevision in between trips to the refrigerator. "When we're done here," he said, "none of those people will remember this. Only those of us who were here will remember this." We all need to remember it.
The Chicago Tribune recently conducted a national poll in which about half of those surveyed said there should be been some kind of press restraint on reporting about the prison abuse scandal in Iraq; I suggest those people don’t want the facts to disturb their belief system about American exceptionalism. The poll also found that five or six of every ten Americans “would embrace government controls of some kind on free speech, especially if it is found unpatriotic.” No wonder scoundrels find refuge in patriotism; it offers them immunity from criticism.
This relates, in part, to a question I had been wondering about recently: the extent of graphic coverage of human death and destruction in the press. When Americans are outraged by pictures of dead servicemen and women on battlefields or American POWs who have been beaten in captivity, when the administration tried to suppress pictures of caskets coming back from Iraq; when a bus bombing in Israel resulted in a photo in the American press showing one of the bomb's dead victims; when a friend from overseas mentioned that the European press had been much more "graphic" in its coverage of the horrifc debacle at Beslan... I could only think of the photographs exhibited by Matthew Brady of "The Dead of Antietam" and the comment
"Mr. Brady has done something to bring home to us the terrible reality and earnestness of war," wrote a New York Times correspondent on October 20. "If he has not brought bodies and laid them in our dooryards and along the streets, he has done something very like it."
I think we *need* to see that reality. Most of us do not have to live it. But in a world where we, through our elected officials, the pressure groups, the religions, the professional societies, even some of us through our own jobs influence the world to peace or war, to suppression and tyrrany, to terrorism and the vengeance of coutner-terrorism, we need to be reminded what the costs of such decisions are. This was brought home to me listening to NPR this morning when they played a clip from a film someone was exhibiting in a festival in Canada. It's all shot among US troops overseas, and one artilleryman was remarking that it was all very well for those watching the film, who lived at home, went to jobs 9-5, perhaps saw the doucmentary on tlevision in between trips to the refrigerator. "When we're done here," he said, "none of those people will remember this. Only those of us who were here will remember this." We all need to remember it.
Live music: giving this its own entry
Sep. 20th, 2004 06:52 pmJammin Java, a coffee house and music venue near me in Vienna, has two acts this week I'd like to hear (at least, I know I'd like to hear the Friday act, and I think the Thursday one sounds great). Anyone else interested in going?
http://www.jamminjava.com/
http://www.jamminjava.com/
Thursday September 23 8PM $15 Celtic rock
Wolfstone
Highland music is recognised world wide as a unique treasure and Wolfstone, the shining jewel in its crown. From its birth in 1989 the band has followed its very own Highland roots and delivered the passion that is contained within them onto the international stage. On one long roller coaster ride they have taken themselves from the village halls of Scotland through to headlining major festivals across Europe, Canada and from the West to the East Coasts of America, playing to audiences in excess of 60,000. Wolfstone draw from the very foundations of Highland music, wild tunes, beautiful airs and powerful songs and the unique blend of guitars, fiddle, bagpipes and pulsating percussion combined with a dynamic stage presence, are all well-known hallmarks of the band.
Friday September 24 8PM $15 folk
Nerissa and Katryna Nields We're About Nine opens
The quirky, emotive songs of Nerissa and Katryna Nields have always challenged the mind, even as they touched the heart. At the heart of any Nields collaboration is the sublime vocal chemistry of two sisters who have been singing together almost from the cradle. Katryna's volcanic, mercurial soprano seems almost to need the tawny, rich tones of Nerissa's tethering harmonies to keep it here on earth. And Nerissa's brainy songwriting surges to life in the expressive, vital, engaging vocals of Katryna.