[Media-watch] Drunken Rant was fab!! + Media and Patriotism

[Sigi D]

My dear Ian Brotherhood,
thanks for your inspiring rant! 
I shout and scream at my radio whenever I hear the
ridiculous statements of those tin pot politicians.
I don't know anybody who supports Bliar (sic).
I don't know anybody who supports this mad war.
I write many letters, send emails, I contact our
politicians. And I stand up and ask questions, so
nobody can say: "I didn't know".
 I have become active, go to many meetings. 
You need to see your fellow friends of peace, because
they don’t get much coverage in the media.
There are many people out there who work for peace and
understanding, with all their hearts.
We all do different things: some of us pray. Some sing
songs for peace, some collect money for charities.
Some begin acting - for peace.
I know of many people who are scared and afraid -
including myself.
It's as if the collective subconsciousness has been
woken by this awful war.
Fragments of memories, of terrible fears, of loss and
pain, are floating to the surface of awareness.
 - My mother begins to remember those unspeakable
things she experienced in the war in central Europe -
as a child. 
But I also know of a little girl in Ireland who was
very scared of this of our -  forthcoming war - until
her mum started tea afternoons with home-made cakes,
and the guests give a little donation, that goes to a
peace group.
The girl can sleep now.
If you or your children are scared make sure that you
become active - What do they like doing?  If they like
painting they might want to paint pictures of what
peace will look like - the colour of peace... If there
is no group around which does things you like - start
one! Not fighting those political idiots might end in
your own depression. This love you feel for your
children and your wife - is the most powerful force -
to create.
All this fear and anger we feel can be channelled into
something positive, into activity for peace.
That is probably the reason why so much wonderful
creative stuff is around right now.
I have seen the most stunning and inspiring
performances here in London. I will never forget
Corrin Redgrave’s 'de profundis'.
It was as if his performance was waking me up, to
something - the vibes were amazing - the audience
connect, people talk to each other afterwards.
I’ll ll never forget Dame Judy Dench singing 'Cabaret'
- for peace  - and I will remember the small
children's chorus, singing excitedly out of tune and
they were so sweet - sweet like children in Iraq they
were singing for.
And yes, art and politics are mixing freely. 
Politicians are trained to abuse words, and the truth.

Artists can show us what politicians want to hide. 
Artists are playful and creative, and thus go beyond
'black and white', beyond 'good and evil'.
Creative people connect between opposites - they
bridge gaps. Creative people speak out, open up a new
ways of discussing things.
Interestingly enough poets are at the forefront of
this peace movement. They touch a different part of
our 'understanding'.
A poem is a much more complex way of expressing
thoughts and feelings, than logic. A good poem can be
like a map of the soul.
There are some good developments (in London):
I have met many middle class people who are hopping
mad about this disgusting war - people who were never
politically active. 
They are out there right now, organising small groups.
Friends meet friends, to read, to discuss things, well
beyond this war.
You will not hear about it. It’s too boring, and thus
not newsworthy. 
But the personal is political - the feminist movement
started like that and changed a lot.
There is a solid antiwar grass-root movement growing, 
quietly, steadily, out there. Right here. Right now.
Dear Ian Brotherhood, thank you for sharing what many
of us felt in dark hours, when the black dogs want to
bite. But of course you would speak out. You are an
artist!
So thanks for saying what I  have felt, and yes, I
also tried to drown my fears and my heartbreak in red
wine. 
hey, but there are always those small things that will
make you smile. I love this one:
“If you think you are too small to be effective, you
have never been in bed with a mosquito.”

for the academics on this list:
What about  doing a session/ study day /  on the use
of the word ‘patriotism’ in Britain? 
Its mystical contents - whatever they are  - seem to
override  morals, AND the ten commandments, AND
ethics, AND individual responsibility. 
Has anybody from Media Studies done some research on
that?

‘Patriotism and me.’ Joe Bloggs speaks out. ‘What
patriotism made me do. Dirty secrets revealed (with
photos)
Or let's do a Deliah Smith brainstorming session here:
RECIPE FOR HOT POT PATRIOTISM:
“To cook a nice pot of patriotism you will need.....”
Love, and best wishes
Sigi


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