IgnatzCat: Catchall

For one thing, writing is a dying form. One reads of this every day. Every magazine and newspaper, every hardcover and paperback, every website and most walls near the freeway trumpet the news that nobody reads anymore, and everyone has read these statements and felt their powerful effects. The authors of all those articles and editorials, all those manifestos and essays, all those exclamations and eulogies - what would they say if they knew you were writing something? They would urge you, in bold-faced print, to stop.

The problem with “sting” operations like these is the argument at the end of the day about the inherent danger of the civilian/terrorist. “He would have done it on his own.” “Look at what he was capable of.” These statements should include the fact that he was not alone, the civilian acted with the aid and encouragement of a massive government agency. “Look at what he was capable of… with the help of the US government.” Which, for me at least, always begs the question; What if he were not helped? Would he have found a way to purchase a weapon of mass destruction on his own? Or would he have become frustrated with the search for a weapon? Would he have, after a few weeks, calmed down, come to his senses, and after some deep thinking, self discovery, and reaching out to his friends and family, would he have instead gone on with his life? No crime committed other than deep and passionate emotion which led him to behave, for a period of time, irrationally. Something most teenagers, I think we can understand, are very, very capable of. 

(Arguments of his lack of friends and family may be accurate but imagine if instead of supplying this troubled kid with the means to attack a large group of American citizens we instead supplied him with a support group of adults, therapists, and advisors. I can’t imagine it would have cost any more money.)

Although these are all hypothetical questions. I understand he did pull the trigger, or so the government says. And I understand he did allegedly plant the explosives, at least that’s what the FBI tells us. I’m not saying he’s innocent. I just think the actions of this 19 year old kid need to be put into perspective.

Salon also makes some nice points about motive. A word we rarely, if ever, hear on any major news sources. He did it to teach America what it’s like living in a country where attacks like this happen all the time. Attacks committed by Americans.

adambhalalough:

Fascinating article from 1967, Ebert describes his experience of watching NotLD on opening night in Chicago. Of interest to horror fans and a must read for anyone studying cinema history.

madaboutpho:

Michael and I spent four wonderful days in these mystical caves this summer. Add the Sassi to your travel list!

The Passion was filmed here and it’s a real testimony to the place that numerous, creepy Mel Gibson shrines can’t take away from the austerity. It’s like kicking it in Gondor.