[kj] the league of ordinary gentlemen

Wesley Burkart wesleyburkart at cox.net
Mon Nov 7 22:45:56 EST 2005


Is there possible editing that came into play on this scene?
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Scott Lambeth 
  To: gathering at misera.net 
  Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 7:16 PM
  Subject: [kj] the league of ordinary gentlemen


  It's not the first sentiment I've found questionable from Jaz & his bandmates.  I remember Raven saying that Geordie was "clapping with glee" when he saw those planes hitting the World Trade Centre (I recoiled with horror and disbelief at what I saw - it still has a surreal quality).  Geordie's family weren't in the building, I'll bet.

  The idolisation of suicide bombers as some kind of matyr makes me sick.  There is no bravery in it whatsoever.  The bombers may genuinely believe that their actions are right & just (for mine, their action confirms them as mindless religious zealots) but you'd think one as "worldly" as Jaz would have a less blinkered view of the world.  That he endorses the action is reprehensible & hypocritical.  The bloke lives a comfortable life in New Zealand, doesn't he?!  He's not exactly struggling.

  Geordie applauds Saudi kamikazes, Jaz cheers on the suicide bombers, Raven revels in dog and bird fighting.  Yeah, nice blokes.

  I like their music but I've got almost no ideologic common ground with Killing Joke.

  -S

  * * *

  Alex said:  A week or so back, I started a brief discussion about Jaz's musing during the
  version of "Bloodsport" on XXV GATHERING that he "wants to be a suicide bomber."
  Well, on the interview on the DVD, Jaz re-iterates his admiration for people who
  are able to "die properly" (i.e. "kamikaze pilots, suicide bombers -- call them
  what you will").  Jaz goes onto rapturously extoll the merits of being able to
  "die without fear," and how we -- as Westerners -- would all be better off if we
  could integrate that into our culture (to "die with dignity", etc.)

  What Jaz fails to address -- and again, what disturbs me -- are the
  *RAMIFICATIONS* of the actions of suicide bombers. It's all well and good to
  heap kudos on unwaivering devotion to cause, but I can't help being profoundly
  bothered by Jaz's irresponsibly blinkered depiction of suicide bombers as
  anything other than brainwashed, cowardly murderers.  

  There is nothing noble or admirable about it.










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