May 06, 2004
A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words
I am pleased at the response to the photographs of the Iraqis being tortured by our soldiers. I am not pleased that it took photographs to elicit outrage from the populace. Evidently a photograph has much more impact than the written word , since people, inside the military, have been writing about this at least since January, and no action was taken until the pictures were published.
The problem is, how can some of the other atrocities of this administration be visually documented so that people will understand what is happening? For example, the enormity of $25 billion dollars the administration is asking to spend on war rather than foreign aid and healthcare for all? Staple five dollar bills to Mt. Everest, step back and shoot?
How can you photographically capture atrocities like a tax cut that so outrageously benefits the rich and robs our children for generations to come, or the extent of the damage that the vindictive, traitorous outing of Victoria Plame has had to our intelligence operations? You have to admit, it's a true photgrapher's dilemma.
The political cartoon, though most effective, in these instances, isn't nearly real enough.
Have you noticed that there are no pictures of coffins arriving home from the war. The Frontline visual tribute to those killed in Iraq was blocked in half the country Soldiers with amputations and severe injuries are rarely shown. A shot of crying widow hardly gets us, especially if it's one of the "brown skinned people" to whom we are bringing democracy. One can see why the administration doesn't encourage pictures, and how embedded reporters come in handy.
Photo note: A dead fish who has taken on more than he can chew. A most unattractive sight. You are left to draw your own conclusions.
Those who have been following this blog for awhile will be pleased to finally see the dead fish photo, that you know I have been saving for just such an occasion. I have now blown my wad of shocking shots. I hate to manifest uglier pictures, but I might need some more, if W. wins again.
Posted by Dakota at May 6, 2004 05:58 AM