Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Is it just me?
So we just finished watching the tribute to those hurt and killed by that nutcase in Arizona who decided to shoot a bunch of people at a congresswoman's public meeting. It was a fitting thing to do, memorialize the dead, offer prayers for the wounded and praise the brave people who risked their lives to put an end to the killing. It was the sort of thing we expect after a terrible event, probably the sort of thing we want and maybe need. Lots of inspiring words, solemn music and moving symbolism. As I said, I certainly think it an appropriate thing to do.

That said, we seem to be slipping a bit in the symbolism department these days. Maybe we just have no sense of the subtly or depth involved if we want such symbolism to have any real meaning or even just "work." All politics aside, tonight at this memorial there was lots of inspiring speech. Janet Napolotano read from the book of Isaiah. Attorney General Eric Holder read from the book of Mark, prefacing his reading by saying that he could never hope to come up with words nearly so profound. President Obama quoted Job and several other Bible passages. And he spoke of the greatness of America and of Americans, and the greatness of the ideas that make this country up. I agree with all of that. Good job.

The ceremony closed with a majestic musical piece accompanied by a choir. As soon as the music was done the crowd began to get up, and what do the organizers of this event start blaring through the sound system? John Lennon singing "Imagine." Read the lyrics of the first two parts below.

I'll leave it to you to spot the multiple ironies:


Imagine there's no Heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today




Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace
thus voiced The A, Mistah @ 10:16 PM
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