Given the importance of opium to funding the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, the poppy as a symbol of remembrance of the sacrifices made by soldiers and civilians in WWI, WWII and other armed conflicts in recent memory, definitely takes on an air of irony that it previously lacked.Today, of course, memorial services are being held at Brandt Centre and at the Cenotaph in Victoria Park to commemorate Canada's war dead. I'm not going to slam them, but as was made evident by the recent two-part exhibition Diabolique at the Dunlop Art Gallery, when it comes to war and violence, we definitely have "issues". On one hand, we profess to abhor this dark side of human nature. But in ways to numerous to mention, in our politics, news coverage, entertainment and sometimes even art, we not only tolerate, but actually glamorize and celebrate our capacity for inflicting injury and death on others.
Take time today, certainly, to honour those who, in Orwellian-style newspeak, made the "ultimate sacrifice." But tomorrow night, be sure to check out a screening of the documentary Rethink Afghanistan that's being held at the University of Regina (College West 113) at 7 p.m. Here's the trailer (YouTube)
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1 comment:
This is an excellent film. I hope many will come to see it. Thank you Greg for bringing attention to this very serious issue.
Larry Bergmann
Regina Peace and Justice Vigil
[come join us Thursdays at noon at the north end of Scarth Street Mall]
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