From the Editor’s Desk
I've
been asked to update this dusty section of Hollywood Outsider a number of times
over the past year and haven't. Why? Hell, I'm lazy and feel like I've got better
things to do with my time (which sometimes includes doing nothing!). Be that
as it may, today, February 15, 2003, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers took
to the streets to protest the impending attack on Iraq. No matter how you feel
about this situation, I have to tell you that there were many of your fellow
citizens who voiced their concern over the course that the United States has
choosen under the Bush Administration. Not surprisingly, the media coverage
was all but nonexistent and the treatment of today's events on the evening news
were equally scant. If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to hear,
does it make a sound? Well, we will see... or hear... or... you know what I
mean. The point is that this was the biggest public demonstration in New York
City (the epicenter of 9-11) in living memory, yet, you wouldn't be aware of
this fact if you were not actually there.
Hollywood
Outsider is a movie review and humor site but sometimes extraordinary events
call for out-of-the-ordinary editorials. Linked to this page are a few dozen
photos taken on Manhattan's East Side (near the Untied Nations). They are snapshots
of a small area, from Lexington Avenue and 45th Street up to 55th Street. It
took about 2 hours to walk that far because of the enormous gathering of people.
These photos are very informal. I didn't take them with the intention of putting
them up for public viewing. Most were obtained by simply sticking my hand up
over the heads of the people around me and releasing the shutter. The crush
of people made any other pictures nearly impossible. The intention was always
to make it to 1st Avenue and 53rd Street where the main demonstration was taking
place. Because of the number of people and police barricades, this goal proved
impossible. You'll notice that the crowd fills Lexington Avenue and that there
are cars and buses that have become stuck when the crowd spilled out into the
Avenue. Here is a sample of photos of just a few of the people that I witnessed
that came out to oppose the impending war against Iraq, the curtailment of the
Bill of Rights ("Homeland Security Act"), and a visible show of support
to the United States Armed Forces (by bringing our young men and women home
where they belong). These pictures are to bear witness to this afternoon's events.
If CNN won't show it, HO will (something has gone terribly wrong in the universe).
The issues are these:
American
Democracy—The US Constitution (including the Bill of Rights) protects
citizens against the tyrannies of its own government and must not be undermined
even during times of national threat. Only strong democratic institutions will
make America strong and free. As Thomas Jefferson said (founder of the Republican
Party), "People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve
neither and will lose both."
Multi-lateralism—As a world leader, the US has a responsibility to achieve peace and stability through lawful and democratic means and through international organizations such as the United Nations and International Criminal Court as well as the full support of international arms control, human rights, and environmental treaties.
US Social and Economic Security—The Bush Administration is pouring billions of additional dollars into the military to create a permanent war economy at home, while removing support for Social Security, health care reform, public schools, and public transportation. It has rolled back decades of environmental law, while abandoning energy conservation efforts, to the benefit of the oil industry. Only economic fairness can bring true security to the United States. Tax cuts for billionaires and the use and abuse of State power will not achieve the goals of security and happiness. Actually, there is no better way to undermine a powerful nation.
© 2003 Hollywood Outsider