In today's Washington Post...

[heidi]

They profiled one of my favorite books in life - Josephine Tey's The Daughters of Time (and yes, Cassie, I like it more than Brat Farrar, despite the lack of cute boys). Winston Churchill disagreed with Tey's conclusions about Richard III, but they certainly have to prove food for thought about perspectives - both literary (i.e. Shakespeare as a writer, period) and historical (Shakespeare as a writer in a Tudor (i.e. Lancaster-descended regime).

Then again, as queerasjohn pointed out over the weekend in his post about the "butcher of Tianamenn Square, it's all a matter of spin anyway. Some congressman said over the weekend that all political protest (i.e. protest against the regime in power) is illegitimate and traitorous.

Well, of course it is... if you're Saddam Hussein, or the man who sent the tanks into Tianamenn. In other words, if it's traitorous to speak out against going to war against Iraq at this moment, and was likewise traitorous to speak out agains the Spanish-American War (hello, Mark Twain!), what is it when you're living in a democracy and speaking out against the decisions made by the government? In other words, would that congressman be so set against a French citizen who said that his government was losing face by not standing up with the United States?

Or would he invite him over, and ask him to bring some brie?

Comments

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

I love The Daughter of Time. One of my favorite mystery novels. :)

(For an entertaining spoof, see Elizabeth Peters' The Murders of Richard III, a murder mystery set at a meeting of Ricardian devotees...)

Every time I see US citizens making statements such as "protesting for peace means you're anti-American and treasonous!" I feel like pointing out the same home truth -- the US was founded on freedom of speech, even if you don't like what the other person is saying.

Of course, the fact that Congress' cafeteria is now serving "Freedom Fries" and "Freedom Toast" says much about their opinion of those who disagree with the US administration.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Of course, the fact that Congress' cafeteria is now serving "Freedom Fries" and "Freedom Toast" says much about their opinion of those who disagree with the US administration.
Well, that's not 100% accurate - it's not Congress' opinion - it's the opinion of the one Congressman who has the power to mandate things in the restaurants & cafeterias there. It's not like there was a vote - not even a committee vote...

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

It's just the one guy? I thought it was a vote. Interesting. Glad to know the guy in charge of lunch menus is taking his job so seriously. *rolls eyes*

My favorite is how people forget that the damn country was founded on dissent. Le sigh.

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

You know, despite the fact that it was the choice of one person (to change the name) -- if I were in Congress and saw that change, I would immediately request that they change it back because it makes the US look stoopid.

I am amused, however, that the French ambassador's only comment is that French Fries are really Belgian. ;)

*wishing I had some pommes frites right now...*

Re:

[sundancekid.livejournal.com]

I am amused, however, that the French ambassador's only comment is that French Fries are really Belgian. ;)

Really? Oh, that's wonderful! Way to be dignified and remind Congress what idiots they are at the same time. Brilliant, I say.

And I'd each french fries except no solid food for me. :(