November 28, 2003

Governing Hollywood Style

George W. Bush has performed another one of his Hollywood stunts, this time, on the tarmac of Baghdad International Airport, to give thanks to the troops on Thanksgiving.

According to the NY Times, “Now, in a single day, Mr. Bush may have managed to supplant what has become the single most problematic image of him in this war: The picture of him swaggering across an aircraft carrier in front of a banner reading ‘Mission Accomplished.’”

The first stunt was a real bomb (no pun intended), but has George W. finally delivered a performance that will bring acclaim from the critics?

It was a moment fraught with imagery. Ronald Reagan’s role as US President during the 1980s is beginning to pale in comparison to the artistry and sheer audacity of George W. Bush. Fortunately, too many people see through these laughable attempts to stage empty theatrics designed for political gain. When you have nothing of substance to say to the world, when you must lie to cover up failed policy, you turn to the tricks of media and illusion to deliver your message.

Governing Hollywood style can only go so far. Yet, with the Terminator now fully installed in Sacramento, is America’s view of reality numbed if not entirely eradicated by the political suspension of disbelief?

Randall M. Packer
Secretary, US Department of Art & Technology

we the blog re: founding statement of nmk 03.05.2004              February 10, 2004------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://wetheblog.org/archive/000071.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ True artistic freedom is revolutionary because it opens our eyes to the unknown and forces us to see the world in new ways. Without artists, the human spirit would shrivel in its tendency to close in on itself when it fears the unknown. "What seek you? Say! And what do you expect? I know not what; the Unknown I would have! What's known to me is endless; I would go Beyond the known: The last word still is wanting." Ferruccio Busoni. Prophet of Electronic Music And so it is for any artist.