Why I haven't been writing of late...

-
I blame Ken Burn's excellent documentary "The War," airing since last Sunday on PBS. Amazon.com has it for pre-order at $79.

I've already ordered my copy.

Comments

Dan Brekke said…
The airing of "The War" coincides with our decision to pull the plug on broadcast TV. So I haven't seen any of the show yet, but will on DVD.

It makes me feel bad on several levels to say it, but from the promotional stories NPR was doing before the show first aired, I feel like "The War" is absolutely the last thing we need right now -- another glorification of our military (this is coming from someone who loved "Band of Brothers" and has always been fascinated by military history). I heard Burns talking about why he did this project, and he said something about how the war generation hadn't been sufficiently honored. Excuse me, but he must be living in a different country from the one I grew up in. My take is that gratitude to the war generation has been the official policy of the United States -- as it well should have been. But at a moment when the military has become a dangerously anti-democratic institution -- an instrument to carry out the will of a reckless commander and a force that's apparently above criticism -- we don't need more "greatest generation" propaganda that puts the armed forces on a pedestal (and, along the way, downplays our allies' role in the proceedings).
9:35 AM
Dr Ralph said…
What makes "The War" interesting viewing (at least for me) is the approach Burns' takes: focusing on how the war affected ordinary people, both at home and in the services.

It's pretty unflinching in how it looks at many topics either glossed over or sentimentalized, including the internment of US citizens in concentration camps because of their ancestry, the shocking ineptitude of many military commanders, the tense race relations both in the military and defense plants, and the overall horrific absurdity of war. I've gotten through three nights: not so many pedestals on display so far.

Your point about the recklessness of our current commander is well-taken (as always). His (and other's) cynical exploitation of history to further a narrow and self-serving agenda is sickening.

I'd be interested in your thoughts on the series once you get a chance to see it on DVD. By the way, I commend you for pulling the plug on broadcast TV. I wish I had the same strength of will!
11:44 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ten phrases that tell me you're an asshole

-
I'm normally not one to make snap judgments, but I have found that if you use the following phrases in your conversation or in your online opining, it's a sure bet you are an asshole . These should  be so self-evident they need no further discussion but since some disputatious dick-weed is probably composing a response already... Brietbart ( as a source ) - if you have reposted even once, just go fuck yourself. Fake News - the favored insult of a certain serial liar, serial sexual predator, serial bankrupt artist, when hearing something about himself that displeases him. Fox News ( as a source ) - see remarks under Brietbart Gay Agenda - code for "please go back into the closet where you belong, sodomite." MAGA / Make America Great Again - code for "make America white again." Don't even try to deny it, cracker. MSM / Mainstream Media - translated: a bunch of socialist, America-hating, eastern elitists. Second amendment rights - used by ...
Read more

Jim Cramer: he's just a symptom

-
By now you've at least heard about Thursday's Daily Show, wherein Jon Stewart pulled off his foolscap and grilled former hedge-fund trader turned business entertainer Jim Cramer about CNBC's (and the business news networks in general) failure to rise above mindlessly parroting the lies and half-truths fed them by the folks who brought you our current financial fiasco. Jon Stewart once again showed his "fake" news show does news better than the "real" news shows: his staff prepped him with a series of clips he rolled anytime his subject protested he was misquoted or hadn't said something. Jim Cramer was left no wiggle room. When was the last time you saw that sort of interview on, say, NBC? It was effective and devastating. By the end, Cramer was contrite and apologetic. Say what you will, Cramer went knowing he was going to get bitch-slapped. He gets marks for doing it anyway - unlike Rick Santelli, who's done little more than whine after Stewar...
Read more

Random Thoughts on AI-generated images

-
Image
It's been a while, but I'm back (bitching as usual). Let's start with....Artificial Intelligence generated art! 1. The first thing to remember is this is the new Bright Shiny Object. LIke the camera once was. Upon seeing the first daguerreotype around 1840, the French painter Paul Delaroche (1797-1856), declared: “From today, painting is dead.” He was a little premature. And there will continue to be be more Bright Shiny Objects that will grab everyone’s attention and cause gnashing of teeth and rending of garments. 2. It’s also version .01 of this Bright Shiny Object. What we’re currently seeing is essentially demo reels: “See what I can do!!” Interesting but not *that* interesting. Once the excitement wears off it will be just another tool, used badly by some, used well by others. The camera did not replace painting, but it opened the eyes of artists to the possibilities of other forms. 3. Where Does the Artificial End and the Artist Begin? in my mind this situation is th...
Read more