I'm concerned about global warming, but this is offensive. I hope TIME catches major heat for this cover.HT: the winding tale
UPDATED 10:53pm - Kevin Williamson writes at NRO: "In this age of dung-Madonnas at the art museum and mock-crucifixions of that other Madonna at pop concerts, it is tempting to forget that there are images that decent people hold above mockery and misappropriation: the death gate at Auschwitz, the fall of the World Trade Center, or nine-year-old Phan Thị Kim Phúc fleeing napalm. It is never appropriate to alter those images for crass commercial ends — or for petty political purposes...If it exists, and if we can do anything about it, man-made global warming deserves our attention. But global warming is not World War II."
While I agree that the use of this image other than to honor our servicemen is dubious, tasteless, and crass, I think a perusal of James Bradley and Ron Powers' Flags of Our Fathers or its film adaptation would more than indicate that this symbol was essentially a misleading propaganda device. While the image is powerful, let's not forget that it was itself somewhat born of dubiousness and deception, a true disservice to those who spilled their blood for this land of ours.
ReplyDeleteAnd..."If it exists, and if we can do anything about it, man-made global warming deserves our attention. But global warming is not World War II." Maybe not yet, Mr. Williamson. Check back with your children and grandchildren on that one.