Reasons to protest
I was listening to the radio when the massive bombing of Baghdad started this evening. I instinctively switched on the TV to watch, but soon found myself being sucked into that war-porn feeling of unreality; somehow the grainy, compressed images from a hotel balcony of distant flashes, flames and smoke made the attack feel less real rather than more so. Perhaps I’m so used to seeing sanitised explosions and destruction in Hollywood films and on TV shows, that when I view the real thing, my brain just switches into “Don’t worry, just special effects, seen it all before” mode.
The radio, on the other hand, brought home more of the sheer terror such an onslaught must bring. Sitting in the room, it was easier to imagine what the people must be going through, sheltering in their basements, listening to the massive explosions and pounding all around, not knowing what was going on, or where the next bomb would fall. (Of course I had the luxury of not wondering whether myself, my friends and family would be killed, whether my place of work would be destroyed, or whether I’d still have electricity, food and water in the morning. Frankly, those few minutes of audio were more than enough for me.) So I turned off the telly and went back to the radio.
I guess it’s good to be reminded about the true horror of war (warning, linked site features some graphic photographs). Anyway, I hope anyone reading this will be joining some sort of protest on Saturday. In London, the Stop the War coalition march to Hyde Park starts at midday. Meeting points, as on February 15, are Gower Street and Embankment. Stop the War Coalition and 020-7053-2153/4/5/6 for more info.
- US using napalm
- Cream Crackered
