Re: Leica photography (was: [Leica] Re: leica lens cleaning tissues)

["Dan Post" <dpost@triad.rr.com>]

Go Oddmund!
One of my past times now is watching the National Geographic Channel, and
watching the programs about the likes of Tomaz Tomazewski (sic) and what I
have found is that ALL of them have some sort of agenda! Now, I may not be
compelled to slog through some mosquito infested swamp, or hike through
verdant jungles to get photographs of indigenous inhabitants, but then I
wouldn't mind spending two or three weeks exploring the distilleries of the
highlands of Scotland, and photographing them! That's my personal agenda.
I really don't mind reading about others' "agendas"- even if I don't agree
with them fully, so in the interest of 'diversity', perhaps we should enjoy
the ones that pique our interest, and simply bypass the ones that don't!!
An example is when I heard the hoorifying report that in South America, the
equivalent of 20 football fields of forest was being cut down everyday.
Well, I sat down, figured the acreage (using American football fields, of
course) and deduce that if the area of Brazil were 80% forest, that at that
rate, it would take almost 400 years to clear Brazil- by which time, the
first cleared area might well have a couple of hundred years of new growth.
I know this is simplistic, but there is a grain of truth in just about all
things blieved and held true by advocates. I don't mind listening- it's all
part of being human.
Having American Indian ancestors, I can relate to 'our' people seeking
dignity, but when I read about the un-Godly high rates of alcoholism,
unemployment, child abuse, and the high infant mortality rate amoung the
various tribes, I find it hard to be concerned about the Atlanta Braves
using an Amerindian for a mascot- there are simply more important issues to
deal with.
In a sense, the Leica group has a more important role in the greater scheme
of things! Keeping the Leica in the forefront, and as a viable means of
expression- no matter what the cause!
So, I personally say, let Oddmund inject his agenda- we all do in one way or
another. Just glean what you find useful, and let the other 'chaff' go! Big
deal!
Dan (Thankful that we only use Leicas with which to snipe at one another!)
Post