[Leica] Poppies at the Tower of London

[Jayanand Govindaraj]

Super. Only politicians and generals like war, after all. From an interview
with Hermann Goring in his prison cell after WW2 - it is what all politicos
do, and we collectively are the suckers, unfortunately - to me it sounds
chilling:

*Göring*: Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor
slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get
out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally, the common
people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor
for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the
leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple
matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist
dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship.

*Gilbert*: There is one difference. In a democracy, the people have some
say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United
States only Congress can declare wars.

*Göring*: Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people
can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you
have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists
for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the
same way in any country.

Cheers
Jayanand


On Sun, Aug 10, 2014 at 2:29 AM, Jay Burleson <leica at jayburleson.com> wrote:

> Took this today.
> A visceral and chilling reminder of the horror of war.
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/93600820@N04/14867990424/
>
> "The art installation Bloodswept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of
> London, marking one hundred years since the first full day of Britain's
> involvement in the First World War. Created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins,
> with setting by stage designer Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies will
> progressively fill the Tower's famous moat over the summer. Each poppy
> represents a British military fatality during the war.
> The poppies will encircle the iconic landmark, creating not only a
> spectacular display visible from all around the Tower but also a location
> for personal reflection. The scale of the installation intends to reflect
> the magnitude of such an important centenary creating a powerful visual
> commemoration."
>
> More info here:
> http://poppies.hrp.org.uk
>
> Thanks for looking and all comments welcome!
>
> Jay
>
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