Re: [Leica] Re: Chechnya Off Topic Thought....

["Dan Post" <dpost@triad.rr.com>]

I have to enter in this, having pondered long and hard why our President saw
fit to intervene in Kosovo, and send troops to Bosnia to prevent the killing
of innocents, yet is so obviously avoiding anything to do with Chechnya. It
dawned on me one day that the Chechans want sovereignty of their country
since they would benefit from income for any pipeline running over their
territory, carrying the oil from the Caspian Sea area. The Russian would
rather keep Chechnya subserviant to them, and that THEY get the income.
I feel that the current administration feels that it is better to let the
Russians get the bad press, and take the casualties, since if they do get
the income from pipeline concessions, they are a known quantitity, and we
would be in a better position to deal with this 'ally' than with whatever
government the Chechans might evolve.
I am sure that the leaders of our own revolution were looked upon as
terrorists, rebels, and insurrectionists in the 18th century, and whoever
does oppose imperiealism or colonial intentions is also thought of in
derogatory terms.
It all depends on whose ox is being gored....no pun intended. I am sure that
if an unpopular leader, of say the Hezbollah blew up a barracks occupied by
U.S. Marines in Beruit, our press would call it an act of terrorism, but if
U.S. troops used tanks and chemical agents to burn out and kill a religious
community, in Waco, Texas, some might call it 'keeping the peace' and
enforcing the 'law'.
I don't apologize for any of these acts, or any future ones, but it has
always been a matter of who has the most power usually wins, and then their
actions are justified. Pretty much why the government said in effect, that
the mother holding her baby at Ruby Ridge was killed because she was in the
wrong place at the wrong time. Others would say, "how can standing in the
doorway of your own home be the wrong place at the wrong time?" Go figure.
To keep this even remotely on topic, I have to say that often the press and
photojournalists will tend to look for images that re-inforce their
ideology, or point of view. I don't even condemn this- it is a fact of human
nature. We often see what we want to see, and focus our cameras accordingly.
I can say, with some measure of surety, that in this century, about 100
million people have been killed because of the actions, or inactions of
their governments- these are not combatants, but civilians. This might be
called a slaughter of innocents by some, and necessary adjustment of the
status quo by others, but I am glad that where possible, the photojournalist
was there (sometimes.... and somtimes they were killed along with the rest!)
to record what happened. If the actions are recorded, then time and history
should sort out the agendas (though it depends on whoever prevails!)
One of the most striking images in my lifetime, albeit a TV image, was the
young man standing in front of the tanks in Tienamin Square. I am sure that
this image will be interpreted many ways in the future ("The defendant is
shown in this exhibit committing a terrorist act against the People, and the
People's Army....) but it was thanks to some PJ that we do have it.
Dan( out of breath!) Post
So- everything written- even this- and everything photographed should be
jusdge with the idea that it is advancing someone's agenda.
- ----- Original Message -----
From: Andre Jean Quintal <megamax@abacom.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2000 6:15 AM
Subject: [Leica] Re: Kodachrome -- flip side


> Bernard wrote:
> [ snip ]
>
> "And if your country provides supplies to the Chechen
> terrorists ... "
>
> 1 --> Bernard, are you 100% sure the Chechen "terrorists"
> are not actually patriots defending their land from
> a far larger imperialist power intent on maximizing
> Chechenya's substantial agricultural and mining resources
> and historically having returned just about nothing
> in the way of services or socio-economic advantages ?
>
> Finland, as "rogue nation", really "does not compute".
>
> 2 --> It was never written we had to be Magnum or
> Black Star class photographers to enjoy each other's
> company on this e-mail list. Some comments can cause
> quite substantial damages and build strictly nothing,
> near term, long term.
>
> 3 --> Let's try and stay closer to photography and Leica
> related items, for our Common Good and basic civility.
>
> André Jean Quintal
>
>
>
>