Re: [Leica] LUG Netiquette & Mr. Garvik

[Oddmund Garvik <garvik@wanadoo.fr>]

At 10:51 02/12/1998 -0600, Bud Cook wrote:

>However, after all the prior comments about Oddmund Garvik and his
>initial political/morality posts I also routed Mr. Garvik's posts to the
>Trash.  I've since discovered that this was a mistake because I've found
>that Oddmund makes some interesting observations about photography.

Thank you for finally reading my messages, and not falling in the trap of 
prejudice.

>If Mr. Garvik and others would simply state their political opinions as
>if they were opinions rather than fact then I probably wouldn't be so
>negative about the huge stretch some people are making to associate
>one's photography with some kind of political statement or agenda.

I never state my opinions as if they were facts. Where do you get that from? 

If I am stating facts, it is facts. For instance, if I am telling you that a 
little less than 4% of the accumulated wealth/fortune of the 225 richest 
individuals in the world would cover basic needs for the whole humanity 
(health, education, food), IT IS A FACT. In the Annual UN report about the 
state of the world we also read that these 225 fortunes altogether represent 
1000 billion dollars, the equivalent of the total annual income of 47% of the 
poorest in the world, i.e. 2,5 billion people. 

This, among many other similar facts, is the basis for my appraisements, and 
finally for my photography. I'm not busy with labels (communist, socialist, 
anarchist, humanist), I was just hit by a rage at an early age, and this rage 
have been pushing all my action since. Studies and experience have 
strengthened the revolt. I am not mad, not special, I am exceedingly normal 
and sane. Revolting against injustice and obvious lies is normal, and has 
been one of the driving forces in history. 

Not having sense of justice, not revolting against evident lies is anormal, 
and for me unacceptable.

I am taking my old Leica in hand with this rage, and I hope that somewhere, 
or somehow my images might move someone, at least a few, and push them into 
reflection. I am writing with the same idea. Trying to stop me is useless. 
Preventing the thought is impossible. It would be like trying to stop the 
rain.  

Oddmund