BAGnewsNotes

McCodependence

What is becoming abundantly clear (at least, studying the images "with the sound off") is that McCain not only lacks any idea how to present himself professionally to the public, but that he seems characterologically unable to lend himself to this kind of management. 

Comparing Dubya to McCain in terms of basic raw material, there may not be much difference in terms of underlying meagerness of vision, patience and depth.  The major difference, however, is that Bush -- as Rove's construction -- was a near-perfect study in terms of staying in role and following his (mostly written out)  lines. 

I raise the issue not as a political problem for McCain.  In fact, nothing would satisfy me more than to see his campaign go down in flames before he really gets out of the gate.  Why the presentation of incompetence is particularly noteworthy, however, has to do with the way the traditional press seems so intent on catching him before he hits the ground, by either ignoring these demonstrations of incompetence or dispelling them as insignificant. 

Maybe the press is so hopeful about having a competitive race to cover (especially since the getting has been so good up till now), that they (however unwittingly) are willing to do what it takes -- and believe me, it's going to take a lot -- to save McCain from taking himself out.

Of course, isolating the (bone-headed) pictures from the (mediating) words is the simplest way of bringing the wobbling, warbling McCain into greater relief.  My advise, as a result -- focusing, this time, on Joe the Babysitter's on-air correction of Mac's incredible Iran-al Qaeda gaffe -- is: just look.

Campaign denies McCain’s Iran/al Qaeda ‘gaffe.’ (includes video - Think Progress)

Our Man In New Hampshire #3: McCain/Lieberman '08 (Chin's photo-essay does a particularly good job illuminating Lieberman as a "crutch," although the press continues to ignore it.  In retrospect, I think the final shot is also particularly interesting -- BNN)

(image: Nader Daoud/AP.  Amman, Jordan, March 18, 2008)

Pew Trust

The fact this file photo -- taken in February '07 at the "National Prayer Breakfast" -- is circulating again is extraordinarily clever.  The way I read it now (since I posted a variant, with Hillary alone at the time) is as a reminder that Obama is not the only one with a prayerful life to spotlight.

In spite of this,

...and this,

... and, especially, this (note the reference in the last paragraph to the murky group that hosts the National Prayer Breakfast itself)...

it is interesting how Obama could be crucified for his relationship with his pastor while an incurious media simply takes a pass on the spiritual vulnerabilities of Hillary and John.  The other commentary I believe this image nails, by the way, is the current alignment between the Clinton and McCain campaigns in seeking to not-so-divinely drive up Obama's negatives.

The (Visual) Politics Of Prayer (BNN)

(image: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters. Washington. February 1, 2007. via YahooNews)

The Mere Sight Of Wright

Both Mark Halperin and the NYT call out the Obama campaign for circulating this photo.  It features Reverend Wright at the prayer breakfast where then-President Clinton apologized to and for Monica Lewinsky.

The photo has an interesting composition.  The fact Bubba swerved to make a point right at the snap creates the impression he's not that engaged.  And all the better now, the picture offering Bill avoiding direct eye contact with this future pariah.  What's a little buried, otherwise, is the right hand action, and a pretty friendly shake.  Of course, Wright's expression confirms a more connected moment.

But whether there was more connection there or, as the Clinton spokesperson said yesterday, "Bill Clinton met with, corresponded with and took pictures with literally tens of thousands of people,” the facts are no longer the issue.

Sadly, in spite of Obama's eloquent snapshot of Wright the other day, the pastor has come to symbolize the racist stereotype of the scary, angry, unpredictable and anarchistic black man.

Strange turn of events, I'd say.  A few months back, the idea of Bubba's infidelity being referenced in the media sphere in any way at all would have set off a three alarm fire in the Clinton camp.  But instead, Bill's "sin," which is what he was airing that day at this ecumenical breakfast, is completely overshadowed by the sight of a man who has come, somehow, to represent some far deeper stain.

(slightly revised: 12pm PST)

Rev. Wright Was Clinton White House Guest (TIME/Halperin)
Photograph of Bill Clinton and Rev. Wright Surfaces The Caucus
Trying Times for Trinity  -- Features what has become the "gotcha" shot of the campaign (Newsweek)

(image: truthabouttrinity.blogspot.com)

Philip Jones Griffiths

The photographer Philip Jones Griffiths, famous for his singular focus on the war in Vietnam, passed away earlier this week.

Of the various themes in Griffiths' work, one of the most central dealt with his understanding of the war as a mission to turn the Vietnamese into consumers of the American brand.  Given Griffiths' long time dedication to following the aftermath of the war, his contribution, as much anything is, was a portrayal of the long-term effect of the conflict on the consciousness of that country. 

If a sense of irony passes back-and-forth here between Griffiths and the viewer, I don't get the sense that this passerby registers, in any way, how much these Western figures evolved, over decades, into such a normative model.

It's both strange and curious that the photographer would die on the five-year anniversary of the Iraq War.  Is part of the resonance here the possibility of observing a similar phenomenon in the shops in Baghdad in, say, 2038?

The Vietnamization of Philip Jones Griffiths (Digital Journalist)
Presence Of Mind: The Photographs of Philip Jones Griffiths (Aperture)
Magnum: Wars (Vietnam) - (Magnum video)

(image © Philip Jones Griffiths / Magnum.  February 5, 1996.  from: Vietnam at Peace / Trolley Books)

Before I Could Explain

Compared to almost any image and accompanying description I've seen these past five years, this says everything one needs to know about Cheney/Bush's Iraq war.

It was included in FirstPerson, a feature of the MSNBC website where readers can post their own pictures.  The specific section, titled "FirstPerson from the frontlines," is dedicated to images from U.S. soldiers in Iraq.  The picture was posted by "Anonymous," and the description reads as follows:

Picture of me and some Iraqi kids home alone in Ta'meem Ramadi in 2006.
They had a wall rug with a picture of the signing of the United States
Declaration of Independence in their living room.
I asked them if their parents told them what it meant and they did not have a clue.
Their parents purchased the rug in a market.  I also have a second picture of the entire wall rug.

We had to leave before I could explain what the picture meant.

Every time I think about this, I just want to cry.

FirstPerson from the frontlines (MSNBC)

Help Grow The BAG

If you get some comfort, pleasure, food-for-thought or just a non-caffeinated boost out the post above, the one below, or any other at BNN, click on "Email This" at the bottom of the entry and share it with some like-minded friends.  Besides striking a blow for visual literacy, God knows everyone (at least, left-of-center) could use the more vivid perspective (and/or quirky sarcasm) right now.  Or, click "Add This" to bookmark, stumble, digg, or facebook (if that now passes for a verb), etc.

Your Turn: Halo

Bush Defends Iraq War in Speech (NYT)

(image: Gerald Herbert/Associated Press. Washington. March 19, 2008. nyt.com)

Saving Face

For it's coverage of the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War, the NYT is using the platform of its new Baghdad Bureau blog to highlight key images and recollections.

In this instance, The Times paired this highly controversial image with a vignette from the soldier who lent his flag for this act in Firdos Square.  In that reflection, then Lieutenant Tim McLaughlin recounts how the U.S. flag that covered the Saddam statue's face was given to him after the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11.

Writes Mr. McLaughlin, who left the service as a captain in September '06 and is now a second year law student at Boston College:

On April 9, my tank was the first to roll into Paradise Square in Baghdad. The world’s media were there, too, confined to the Ishtar and Palestine hotels, but I didn’t know that at the time. I was scanning for people who were trying to kill me. Turns out the bad guys were a few blocks to the northeast where my friend Chad’s platoon was. My American flag was placed on the statue of Saddam Hussein that day so I could take a picture of it. People watching on their televisions at home saw it too.

They liked it. Or didn’t. Or changed their minds later on. I told a reporter, “I know Iraq didn’t have anything to do with Sept. 11, but I think that given the opportunity, a person like Saddam Hussein would certainly be capable of trying to hit London or Paris or New York.”

What's wrong here?  Let's count.  In pairing the image with this defensive account, there is the suggestion that:

1. The military condoned the act, when in fact it realized, almost instantly, that the placement of the flag was a symbolic disaster.

2.  The military supposedly didn't know the press would be there!!!

3.  Even in retrospect, the act is seen as serving a strictly private purpose.

4.  In spite of the disclaimer, Saddam Hussein is still mentioned as a threat in the same breath as 9/11.

What is mostly wrong here, however, is the editorial act of using McLaughlin to run interference for the image.  What we see, and need to continue to take away from this visual, is the instinct to conquer.  Also not to be obscured is the evidence of the machinery (the outstretched hand of the man from the "rent-a-crowd," notwithstanding) used by the American military to rip down Saddam's statue, while simultaneously attributing this act to the popular will.

Maintaining the Times anniversary slant, you can check out more "fast-and-noose" coverage on this companion post.

From 9/11 to Fall of Baghdad, an Ex-Marine Explains What It Means to Him (baghdadbureau.blogs.nytimes)
U.S. Flag on Iraqi Monument Causes Concern (Common Dreams)

History To Some, Coney Island To Others (BNN)

(image: Jerome Delay/AP.  Baghdad, 2003. via nytimes.com)

Bush's Sub-Prime Moment

If Katrina only crippled Bush in the compassion department, I'm thinking this shot should finish him.  (And watch out for the bull!)

I can imagine they're embarrassed as hell, but it's just remarkable Prez and the financial SWAT team would actually be grinning like idiots in front of the visual press while the financial system is bleeding out.  What else can you make of this but: "Good job, Brownie Paulson!"  and "Good job, Brownie Bernanke!"

Before the Coke is all gone, break out the bourbon!

image from: Bush Supports Fed’s Actions, but Critics Quickly Find Fault (NYT)
How to Make a Perfect Bourbon and Coke (wikihow)

(image: Stephen Crowley/The New York Times.  March 17, 2008.  Washington.  nytimes.com)

Those Kingly Tools At Bear Stearns