2010年5月25日星期二
Rainbow Death
Hubert WilsonSsgt USAF, 1968-1972
This small poem speaks of a modern day ingredient of warfare that has caused appalling death and suffering – not only to its intended victims, the Vietnamese people, but also the service personnel that used or even just came into contact with “Agent Orange”. Wikipedia reports, “Agent Orange is the code name for a herbicide and defoliant—contaminated with TCDD—used by the U.S. military in its Herbicidal Warfare program during the Vietnam War. According to Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange, resulting in 400,000 deaths and disabilities, and 500,000 children born with birth defects. From 1962 to 1971, Agent Orange was by far the most widely used of the so-called "Rainbow Herbicides" employed in the herbicidal warfare program. During the production of Agent Orange (as well as Agents Purple, Pink, and Green) dioxins were produced as a contaminant, which have caused numerous health problems for the millions of people who have been exposed. Agents Blue and White were part of the same program but did not contain dioxins.”
This is what Hubert himself commented about this poem:
Rumors persist of still another more toxic color coded herbicide at the end of this deadly rainbow! I am a Vietnam War veteran (as are my four brothers) who served in the USAF Security Service. I, along with a dozen or so intelligence school grads, prepped for about 14 months at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, Texas, before anticipating being sent to Vietnam or elsewhere in southeat Asia in 1970. About half ended up in Da Nang (an Agent Orange hotspot) in the 6924th Security Squadron. The rest of us were assigned to Shemya Island, Alaska, with the 6984th Security Squadron, and what eventually was a MORE contaminated environment than Da Nang! My health problems started approximately 15 years ago with unexplained headaches and limb pains. Four years ago my central nervous system radically deteriorated with Parkinsonian type tremors, severe headaches, progressive limb pains, etc. No physician has ever diagnosed the specific illness. NO VA physician has ever rendered ANY medical assistance! My number one educated guess is the heavily contaminated drinking water at Shemya during my year there as an intelligence analyst. Organo-phosphate toxins may not run their toxic course until 20 to 30 years after initial exposure. Since my brain still functions moderately well (and I have mobility issues), I have turned to writing just like my late Father and the late singer (and writer) Johnny Cash.
Source:
http://mon-aime.blogspot.com/2010/05/analysis-of-rainbow-death.htmlPoint of view: First of all, Hubert Wilson wrote this poem from a perspective of a narrator, although the poem does not contain any 'I'. The poem is written in a dramatic voice, on account of all the exclaimation marks and bombastic terms, and offers a very political and social tone. The background of the poet afects the perspective view alot as Hubert Wilson was a soldier himself during the war. What he wrote in this poem was what he felt during the war.
Setting and situation. The setting like the genre of this poem suggests, is at the battlefield. The situation this poem is trying to depict is about the reflections of the death at war.
This poem uses very bombastic and difficult language and dictions, which suggests that this poem might have been meant for the government to read. The bombastic words create a strong impact of the death at war, magnifying the reality.
I personally thinks that this poem is not written in a smart way. First of all, lets presume this is meant for the government. The government are the ones who are spreading the propaganda of joining the war is good, dying for your country is good, so if Hubert Wilson send this poem to them, its not very likely that they will change their mind, looking at the fact that many other poets failed at this already.
votexron
@ 01:46
2010年3月4日星期四
England-Italy final: CapelloPARMA (Italy) - FABIO Capello would be more than happy to face his native Italy in the World Cup final in South Africa this July, the England coach said on Wednesday.
Italy boss Marcello Lippi said last week he wanted the holders to meet England in the final so he could see his counterpart's reaction when the Italian anthem is played.
Capello is up for the challenge. 'I would sign up straight away for an Italy-England final, like Lippi says,' the former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach said during a lecture in sports management at Parma University.
Capello, who refused to discuss the axing of John Terry as England captain after allegations about the player's private life, is enjoying the support of English fans even though he is Italian.
'The main difference between coaching a national squad and a club is that when you coach a national squad you have a nation behind you. And you feel it. You really feel it,' he said before lamenting the recent fan violence again scarring Italian soccer.
'Football's really great when you have people, families, who can go to the stadium with their children (in England). I must say that's beautiful. It's a pity that in Italy, as we saw last Sunday, things are not going as they should in this respect.' -- REUTERS
I am going to look at this from two points of view, the English and the Italian. First of all, I feel that Capello should not be afraid of people going on riots saying that he is scarring Italian football. Italy should also not blame Capello for betraying Italy in helping the English team. I believe that coaches are important to the team, but the quality of the players are even more important. Players are the ones playing on the field under sheer pressure of the whole nation. Coaches are not suppose to be tied to a particular team, they are hired to help train the team. If they want to, they can change and transfer teams, but of course with a reason. They are free men.
From the Italian point of view, Capello should not be helping England in fighting Italy for the world cup. Italy is after all the one who produce Capello. Italy should be given credit for grooming Capello. According to moral studies, Capello should instead help Italy, as Italy is Capello's home.
votexron
@ 03:44
Redknapp in court on tax chargeLONDON - TOTTENHAM Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp and former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric appeared in a British court on Thursday jointly accused of cheating the public revenue.
The pair face two charges relating to two alleged payments totalling US$295,000 (S$416,593) made to Redknapp during his time as manager of Portsmouth by Mandaric via a bank account in Monaco, evading tax and national insurance contributions.
Appearing together in the dock, Mandaric, 71, and Redknapp, 62, spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and ages and lent forward and listened carefully to proceedings in a brief, five minute hearing at the City of Westminster magistrates court in central London. The pair were given unconditional bail and must now appear at London's Southwark Crown Court on Apr 14 where they will enter their pleas.
After the hearing, Mandaric's lawyer said his client was 'surprised and extremely disappointed' that the authorities had decided to prosecute him, saying the case was 'misconceived and extremely ill-judged'. 'We are absolutely confident that this prosecution will fail,' his lawyer Mark Wilson told reporters.
Redknapp took over as Portsmouth boss in March 2002, won promotion to the top flight Premier League the following season, but resigned after a dispute with Mandaric in 2004. However, he returned the following year and led the south coast English club to its first FA Cup success for 69 years in 2008, before he left for Tottenham just months later.
His current side are sixth in the Premier League after losing 1-0 to Wolves on Wednesday. Tottenham have given Redknapp their full backing after learning he would face legal proceedings. -- REUTERS
I cannot really understand why does Mandaric's lawyer actually protect his client like that, saying that Mandaric was surprised and extremely disappointed at hearing about this case. From what he is saying, he gives me the understanding that Mandaric knew about this case, which shows that he is somehow linked to this, but yet acted ignorant. Redknapp, onthe other hand, I believe that he should be innocent. Based on his wonderful results of producing miracles in matches, he does not need to undergo such despicable act to earn a quick buck. I believe that clubs are willing to pay him big money for him to win matches, especially against the top clubs. However, his unstable movement of clubs does give rise to suspicions.
From this, I feel that this incident should not be Redknapp's fault. This should be Mandaric's fault as by not paying tax fees, it is Mandaric who gains whereas Redknapp does not gain anything.
votexron
@ 03:33
2010年2月26日星期五
Messi tops Ronaldo, RooneyMADRID - Barcelona's Argentine winger Lionel Messi outshines both Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in terms of media value, a team of Spanish researchers claimed on Friday.
The team from the University of Navarra rated last year's Golden Ball winner as the player with the highest profile in the world for the second year running.
Second was Real Madrid's Portuguese winger Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player, and third Manchester United striker Rooney, according to the annual study.
Real's Brazilian playmaker Kaka was fourth ahead of the Liverpool pair of Spanish striker Fernando Torres and English midfielder Steven Gerrard.
Ivory Coast centre forward Didier Drogba, Brazil winger Ronaldinho, Spanish central midfielder Xavi and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic completed the top ten. European and Spanish champions Barcelona topped the club ranking, ahead of Real, Manchester United, Chelsea, AC Milan and Liverpool.
United's Sir Alex Ferguson beat Liverpool's Rafael Benitez and Inter Milan's Jose Mourinho to be named as the manager with the most media pulling power.
I feel that United's Sir Alex Ferguson should not be named as the manager with the most media pulling power as he as a bad reputation for reprimanding referees shamelessly. He is also renowned to support the bad boys of his team, such as Cristiano Ronaldo's divings. Rafael Benitez should also not be a candidate for this award as he does not delivers what he promised to the world; Champions League and Barclays Premier League. Instead, Liverpool, under his command, lost to teams which are struggling to prevent from being relegated, and got knocked out in the first few rounds. I feel that Jose Mourinho should earn the award as he commands well, bringing Chelsea to their closest to getting the title, and now he commands Inter Milan to dominate the Italian League.
votexron
@ 21:28
a. Write a song about the Tom Robinson Trial / life in Maycomb/ any other incident
"one day down the road of maycomb,
I saw my papa walking side by side
with this young black man, called Tom
they were walking downtown to the courtroom.
one day down the road of maycomb,
old Tom went and sat on the chair,
and old papa said,
This tom is a good man,
I realise that maycomb was a town
with both racism and prejudice,
I went home crying."
b. Write a poem on the Tom Robinson Trial / life in Maycomb/ any other incident.
Tom was a good man,
with a good heart and a good mind.
One day he went to Mayella
helping her to do some work,
and then poor old Tom went to court,
being accused of rape.
Good man Atticus came and stand
before Tom trying to make him
become aquitted.
He failed and Tom was murdered.
a. Who would you want to be friends with in the novel? Explain.b. Which character would you like to play in the movie version of the novel? Explain.c. Write a diary entry for a major character of the novel.
a.. I would like to make friends with Atticus in the novel. By befriending him, I would be able to become wiser in making decisions as Atticus is calm and steady, making good choices, and he can influence me. By befriending him, I can also learn alot about being a well groomed gentleman, with good manners and moral values. For example, I would not discriminate a black american as I know this is not morally correct, even though many people in America do not care. I can be more well mannered like Atticus, for example in the novel, when Mrs Dubose scolded Atticus using vulgar language, he smiled back and send his greetings. This can allow me to make more friends.
b. I would like to play Jem in the movie version of the novel. First of all, I am a young boy too, allowing me to display as Jem better than any other character. I would also have the same mindset, the same reactions, and possibly even the same type of characteristics.
c. diary entry for Jem
Dear Diary,
Today was one of my worst day in my whole life! In the courtroom, we heard Atticus's closing speech and yesterday we heard his explaination to defend good old Tom Robinson. I thought he had it! I thought he had the whole game in his hands already! But no, that was not to be. All seven judges charged Tom Robinson guilty. And the most shocking thing was the Cunninghams was one of the judges! They owe us a favour and yet they went against us! This is preposterous.
Atticus had questioned old Bob Ewell so well that he went to contradict himself, and that was good enough to prove Tom innocent. Can you imagine how angry the people are? And that bad Bob Ewell actually use foul words infront of all the women. How in the world did he went off happily whistling?
Well, anyway, theres nothing we can do about poor Tom Robinson now. Atticus is now too exhausted after this case and now he can have a good rest.
Yours truly,
Jem
votexron
@ 17:08
