Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/11/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ted: Well said. Why is it that the Old Men in power send them off to war to wreak havoc on the land, and it is the Old Men who somehow survive and weep at the spectacle and proclaim, "Never Again". I saw my share though nothing as devastating as your St. Petersburg moment. We need to figure out the "Again" part so that we never need to say, "Never". Yesterday heard yet another newly-elected US Congressman talk about a "Victory" in Afghanistan as the only solution. He was criticizing Obama's 4 more years then out, which is yet another extension. Exactly what victory was this poor fool thinking about? To paraphrase another old fool (Papa Bush), "Not Gonna Happen...." It seems like those who have never been in combat are those who scream for victory. Maybe a night drop into a combat zone could enlighten them a bit. But then, the politicians who visit the war zones don't have to stay on, do they. They come back, hold a press conference and and speak as though they are seasoned veterans - their flak jacket safely stowed back in the zone for the next visiting dignitary. Cheers, Bob Bob Shaw rsphotoimages at comcast.net On Nov 20, 2010, at 9:43 AM, Ken Carney wrote: > That is some story, Ted. I could not have taken those photos - just not > cut out for PJ I guess. > > Ken > > On 11/20/2010 11:07 AM, tedgrant at shaw.ca wrote: >> Ken Carney offered:: >> >>> I have read many books on the Chernobyl incident, but this photo essay >>> is outstanding IMHO. I was invited to be part of a trade delegation to >>> Kiev about a month after the explosion, but I begged off. The images >>> may be disturbing to many. It is impossible to think how this would be >>> multiplied, even in the case of a "limited" nuclear attack or exchange. >> >>> http://todayspictures.slate.com/inmotion/essay_chernobyl/ <<< >> >> Hi Ken, >> I was invited to Russia in 1992 to produce a documentary on their medical >> profession similar as seen in my book "Doctor's Work. The Legacy of Sir >> William Osler" on Canadian, and USA medical professionals. >> >> While there a request to do something on the Chernobyl disaster. >> Surviving children of the day and from the explosion. >> >> In 60 years as a photojournalist I've never been so emotionally stressed >> out photographing children, no where near as bad as we see in the Magnum >> series. Never the less incredible. >> >> The killer for me was while in a St. Petersburg hospital with a great >> number of children. While doing rounds with one of the doctor's she told >> me, "we would be with children whom she knew would never make it, period! >> Not a hope!" That was bad enough to set me off because at home my >> grandchildren were of similar ages as many there. >> >> In a simple clean little room we entered to see a boy, maybe 6 or 7 yrs, >> eyes closed lying on his bed. She sat down took his hand in hers, >> checking pulse. Then in a very gentle soft quiet voice she began to sing >> a Russian lullaby. There was no response from the child and I snapped >> away a few frames. >> >> Then she stopped, a glance at me, then reached for the blanket and pulled >> it over the boy. He had succumbed to his illness while I was snapping >> away and she was singing/humming her lullaby! I couldn't hold it back and >> began to cry stepping out of the room. She finished her duties. Then >> comforted me in the hall putting her arm about my shoulder >> >> Even writing this, creates emotional feelings beyond anything I've ever >> experienced in my career. Wars, destroyed body parts and many other >> horrible situations! Never again! >> >> Dr. ted. :-( >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information