Grim prediction

I posted the following image in April under the headline "Is this picture worth a thousand lives?" - an unfortunately prophetic question. Common Ground magazine made it the cover of their July issue and they were kind enough to post my comments on it there:

Art is art and should not have to justify itself. What the viewer brings to the experience always colors the experience. In the tradition of the best of art, your image is neither didactic nor easily interpreted. As a veteran myself, I find the images of my fellow servicemen and women to be both poignant and a tribute to their willingness to serve. What wartime leader would not acknowledge that their "image" is truly built on those that serve at the frontlines? I congratulate you on creating an image whose meaning and motive is not simply discerned, unlike the subject of that image.
- The Limerick Savant

The War President
courtesy of Joe Wezorek at American Leftist


Click image for enlarged view

Fortunate Son

Creedence Clearwater Revival


Some folks are born made to wave the flag,
Ooh, they're red, white and blue.
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief",
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no senator's son, son.
It ain't me, it ain't me;
I ain't no fortunate one no,

Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,
Lord, don't they help themselves, oh.
But when the taxman comes to the door,
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes,

It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no millionaire's son, no.
It ain't me, it ain't me;
I ain't no fortunate one, no.

Some folks inherit star spangled eyes,
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer More! more! more! yoh,

It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no military son, son.
It ain't me, it ain't me;
I ain't no fortunate one, one.

It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate one, no no no,
It ain't me, it ain't me,
I ain't no fortunate son, no no no,


(c) Creedence Clearwater Revival - Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits, 1976 & 1991 Fantasy / Creedence Clearwater Revival - Willie And The Poor Boys, (Original 1969) Fantasy / John Fogerty - Premonition(Live), 1998 Warner / Creedence Clearwater Revisited - Recollection(Live), 1998 Fuel 2000

U.S. Death Toll in Iraq Surpasses 1,000
NPR, Morning Edition, 9/8/04