03/24/2003
I watch Al-Jezeera television in my living room. I have the sound down because I can't understand Arabic, but the pictures all but drown out the speakers anyway. Pictures which, in their silence, are louder than words. It looks like a badly filmed war. I've seen "Platoon" and "Saving Private Ryan," so I know what war is supposed to look like. These pictures are close, but there are subtle differences that these film makers obviously overlooked. The faces are too pale, there's not enough blood, there should be more screaming, and the camera angles are awful. Low-budget and hastily done.
When I look at Jim Clancy, reporting from the war zone in Kuwait City, I see a well-lit comfortable studio. Now this is a professional war correspondent. Lots of graphics and scroll bars assist him. The text on the screen tells him who he's got on the phone. CNN knows how to cover a war. They even have great theme music. And talk about close to the action! They've got reporters on the decks of aircraft carriers just hundreds of miles away from the conflict.
Media coverage is what it is. Whole careers are built on media studies. Discussions about ethics, morals, and constitutional rights fill the airways and magazine racks. Do I really want to talk about its influence on people's opinions? No. That's another discussion. Media is what it is.
I have heard from many people weighing in on their side of the war issue. I haven't heard this kind of response since I wrote about using a can of raid as a hammer. I appreciate the time and thought people have put into their emails. It has helped me to understand. Thank you.
All of my life I have struggled with the idea of upsetting people. I hate it. I'll often withhold my own opinion just to pacify a situation. I wouldn't want to make anyone mad at me. So long as I continue to write about misadventures in taxis and exotic foods I can avoid hurting anyone's feelings.
What I often forget, though, is that it's okay to disagree. It's even okay to get upset or angry or even mad sometimes. These are okay emotions to have. It doesn't mean you don't like a person anymore. It doesn't mean your feelings change. In fact, sometimes two people can have a closer relationship after a conflict if they communicate their feelings adequately. That's what Doctor Phil says anyway.
So, in the spirit of practicing what I preach, here is my opinion
You're ALL right. Everybody wins! You have all expressed yourselves in an excellent manner. I wasn't looking for a "right" answer, I was looking for "how" you said the answer. I agree with each and every one of you, completely.
(That's a little trick I picked up in the classroom.)
Keep watching this space. I'll be going to the Airport next week and that's a taxi ride you don't want to miss!