Hijacking the Hijacking - The problem with the United 93 films
A fascinating essay by Ron Rosenbaum, the author of "Explaining Hitler: The Search for the Origins of His Evil" (which I totally loved).
Yes, it appears from the cockpit recordings recently released that something noble—a passenger uprising that disrupted the hijackers' plans—happened on that flight. But is it possible to separate it out from the other events of the day? In three out of four cases savage mass murderers prevailed. A "war on terror" has ensued; a war in Iraq followed. In neither case is it clear that the outcome is going to be favorable. The story of 9/11 as a whole increasingly seems a portent that Flight 93 was an aberration and that those intent on suicidal martyrdom may well prevail over those who value human life over holy books. This possibility is something no one likes to dwell on, and in that sense the "triumphant" fable of Flight 93, genuinely heroic as it is, represents a comforting diversion. There must be a pony.
This is not a message anyone wants to hear. I recall when working on a documentary on the theodicy of 9/11 for PBS' Frontline, Helen Whitney's Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero, I had to threaten to take my name off the piece if they changed the title from our Faith and Doubt to just plain Faith at Ground Zero. No one wants to hear any doubt that "God is in charge," as the orthodox theodicy has it. But what if no one is in charge?
edit to fix link
Your link goes to JohnSweden's post, tommy.
Oopsie. Thanks, ita. I entered "<a href="">blah blah blah... " forgetting the URL. Huh - so that's what happens when you do that....
Having watched Match Point last night, I can officially say that I'm over Scarlett Johansson.
Having watched Match Point last night, I can officially say that I'm over Scarlett Johansson.
Really? I had the same amount of Scarlett love exiting as entering that movie. What put you off?
I thought she and the main guy were both trying so hard to emote SEXY that it was really offputting. We were both laughing in places that weren't supposed to be funny. Plus I just thought overall she wasn't very good. I could see the Acting taking place.
I thought she and the main guy were both trying so hard to emote SEXY that it was really offputting. We were both laughing in places that weren't supposed to be funny. Plus I just thought overall she wasn't very good. I could see the Acting taking place.
They didn't have a lot of chemistry, I'll grant. Though I was kind of blaming him. I thought her part was underwritten and she did pretty well putting something into it.
I liked the movie though for the London Real Estate Porn.
A fascinating essay by Ron Rosenbaum, the author of "Explaining Hitler: The Search for the Origins of His Evil" (which I totally loved).
Going back to read the essay now, but first I must say how deeply I heart tommyrot. "Explaining Hitler" is an amazing book, intelligent and profoundly uncomfortable and with a conclusion that still gives me unhappy bottom-of-my-gut/lizard-brain/depths-of-the-soul shivers when I think about it. If you haven't read his collection "Travels With Dr. Death," you must. Like, today. He's such an utterly fucking fantastic essayist and journalist.
first I must say how deeply I heart tommyrot.
Yay!
If you haven't read his collection "Travels With Dr. Death," you must. Like, today.
That sounds cool. But it looks like I'll have to order a used copy or something, so I can't read it today....
