British Photographer Tim Hetherington wins 2007 Award

Above: Exhausted American Soldier by Tim Hetherington.

World Press Photo: “World Press Photo is run as an independent, non-profit organization with its office in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where World Press Photo was founded in 1955.” A prestigious competition, their website also offers a vital resource through their online exhibitions.

Surely, this is an image that speaks to the entire world.

Geotypografika Kommentar: A humble proposal.

I would like to politely suggest that when this current administration leaves office,
the chief executive and his entire cabinet, past and present, and all responsible for this continuing quagmire, should voluntarily relocate to Baghdad were they can continue their good work. I am sure they would be welcome, since they assured the entire world of that fact in the first place. They will also want to commute to Afghanistan, where this photograph was taken, and roll up their sleeves to pitch in.

Surely, their sense of mission will not stop with the trifles of public office, mere commitments to truth, justice, and a constitution that is supposed to protect us from people like them. Moreover, it would be a huge loss to lose all of their combined experience, I am positive each and every member of this administration would be honored to continue the work they started, and help Iraq and Afghanistan
move forward.

Gentlemen, and later Madam, we need you yet! Do please stay on and help us all move forward. But what am I saying? Of course Halliburton und Co. will surely stay on in-country, to use a military term, so all is well. It will be as if the current administration had stayed, and the money will keep coming. The perfect circle.

I cite as a contrary and inspiring example the continuing career of Jimmy Carter, America’s finest ex-chief executive. Not only did he ask us to wear sweaters while he was still in office, for which he was reviled, he also later took up hammer and nail through Habitat for Humanity, and has continued to ceaselessly engage the most complex global discussions.

But, I imagine there is brush to be cleared on a ranch in Texas. Then there are those mountain-biking trails. Attractive distractions, to be sure.

Thank you, unknown soldier, and I am sorry. I hate to take such a cynical tone, but I invoke the memory of all that have died in this senseless conflict and can’t help but compare that to the scenes of a retiring ex-president and his cronies, complicit all, which we have been and will surely be subjected to again in the future.

In fact, I imagine our fearless leader is on vacation somewhere right now. I wonder, since they apparently enjoy having other people do this for them, are they shooting at each other for fun? The VP is quite an excellent shot, they say.

This is yet another photograph of the world’s broken heart. Why do we still need to see these images in the 21st Century? Where is our imagination, our creation?

We must reinvent the world, let them eat cake, we must work together
for a new global identity.