'Sirens'. J.W. Waterhouse.

 

Of all the ancient poets, Homer has continued to hold fast to modern civilization's imagination because the stories epic proportions of his tales capture the human condition… even today.

There are many examples, including the representation by the 19th-century painter J.W. Waterhouse and his rendition of Ulysses' long journey from the useless and proud war at Troy. Over his long journey home, they have to sail through the Halls of Hercules, his loyal followers obeying his every order. The Halls of Hercules is known for its deadly songs of wisdom and destruction of the Sirens. As was commonly known, ships never ever passed through because of the Sirens' words and songs, causing the vessel to dash against the rocks, the shipmates dragged under, slaves of the Sirens, forever.

As the story goes, Ulysses created the famous Trojan Horse that led to the destruction of Troy and created the vengeance of Poseidon, the god of the sea, against Ulysses…thus Ulysses' treacherous and suffering journey home.

However, the Sirens knew of this vengeance from Poseidon and did their best to dash their vessel and the men on it, including the impressive Ulysses.

In this Waterhouse painting, commissioned by the 19th-century curator of Melbourne's Art Gallery (who requested Waterhouse paint this particular scene; and paid a pittance... the painter's only second painting), J.W. Waterhouse soon, over time, working in Italy, painted wonderful, beautiful depictions of myth, art, and life. And delivered the work, landing in our museum, where it has moved from time to time but often hangs in the Melbourne Gallery.

Australia owns this painting as it was specifically commissioned by the then curator of the National Gallery of Australia. (Interesting choice of subject matter) This was the young Waterhouse's second painting he ever sold. Thus the start of his inspiration and productivity.

The print of this painting had hung on the wall above my desk for many years: beautiful memories. Ulysses is an inspiration for so many essays and stories, sadness, sorrow, and pure joy.

The print continues to hang above a conspicuous place in my flat.

The question must be asked?

Why did Ulysses order his men to tie his body to the ship's mast? He then ordered the crew to cover their ears as best they could: wax, cloth, anything, and ignore the song.

"Tie me tight to the mast and do not follow any of my orders until we're through the halls of Hercules. Cover your ears and not listen to anyone until we are through…."

The sailors row through the halls of Hercules, the Sirens emerge from the water and descend from the sky, singing their songs.

Their song is sweet, alluring, and seductive. They promise everything that a man would ever want…though the crew continues to push their paddles, going harder and harder through the halls, yet can just make out the screams of their leader, Ulysses, pleading to row ashore and join them…but they never do.

This is the painting scene: the curious and brave attempt to understand the "unknown" and be free; the loyalty of a few men, despite the temptations, cover their ears because they want and need to get home.

Once through the halls of Hercules, the crew unties their master as he falls into a heap of sleep. Two of the staff take their leader below to his bed to slumber, which he does for many days.

Thus the story continues.

To finally see the original of the painting was dazzling, the colors accurate, the artwork stunning, the story clear…

To actually experience seeing a painting close to one's heart is a real gift.

An aesthetic moment to remember.

"Summer Night" by Andrey Selenin

 

This painting is titled "Summer Night" by the young Russian artist Andrey Selenin. (1973-) Selenin is a student of the Repin School in St. Petersburg, the Academy calling their particular style "Realism."

Whether viewed as print or in digital form on the net, certain paintings reach out and create an effect for the observer.

"Summer Night" reached out from my computer screen and held me spellbound for only a matter of seconds, but the image in my mind's eye continued...

I remember having a discussion years ago with a friend concerning "hype-reality," "representation," and the "original" of a particular work. The question was whether the artist's authentic (creative) energy can impact the viewer in a mere copy like a digital representation?

I concluded that if the painting is beautiful or outstanding somehow, a digital representation would be just as powerful as seeing the original.

 Since that discussion, I've changed my mind, and admittedly, original works have a "deeper" impact on the viewer than a copy. Why?

Art, for me, is mainly a visceral experience. To rationally explain why an original Picasso hung on a wall in a museum in Madrid named after the artist, for example, "The Guitarist," bowls me over, yet a digital representation merely gets the heart-pounding...there is a difference; maybe a matter of degrees of heart-felt response...who knows?

I believe "knowing" that you're seeing the "original," the brain sets the heart up... 'this is the real thing,' and the viewer responds appropriately.

The above piece by Selenin, no matter a digital representation, impacts aesthetically and viscerally, making the mind wander to cool summer evenings... and a certain calmness as the crickets play their songs.

That center point of the lighted window amongst the natural light of dusk is absolutely fabulous.

Some of us must be content to see only copies of copies and digital representations of great art.

However, as my old friend argued years ago, the original has the most significant impact on the viewer.

I'd love to see "Summer Night" in the original...outstanding.

“Regime-Change” : the Arrogance of the US Empire -Opinion

 

                                                              

                                                                                                       

Early this morning, I heard the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, declare (paraphrased) that following Biden's earlier statements, the US will not be performing “regime change” in Russia. My reaction was visceral, combined with humor and pure astonishment. The first words out of my mouth were, “Who in the hell do you think you are?” That's the problem: the deep-seated notion of US government “exceptionalism”; that America is above the fray and can do bloody hell whatever it desires on the world stage, including war crimes. 

As history has revealed, US regime-change operations in Vietnam and Afghanistan failed. So considering, even attempting such an act with nuclear power is utter folly. Moreover, it's evident to many, anyone with half a brain, that such an action would end in WWIII, if not earth's total destruction.

The hypocrisy of the United States since the Russia/Ukraine war has become more apparent than ever before. US media and their "expert" guests declare Russian war crimes and the killing of civilians, creating massive refugee crises. This is true and tragic. That said, over the last 30 years, the US has been committing war crimes and creating humanitarian emergencies in several countries, and continuing to do so, is quite pathetic.

Are these people stupid, ignorant, or simply spewing propaganda hoping their viewers are just as unaware of history? It could well be a combination of all the above.

Another glaring hypocrisy is accusing Putin of suppressing dissent in Russian media and its population. (Of course, he has and continues to do so.) I hope we have been paying attention, but we have the most essential publisher on the planet (Julian Assange) in a UK high-security prison for revealing American war crimes and extensive political maleficence. Anti-war and most left voices across social media are being censored in droves for even attempting to present an alternative narrative to the States narrative. We are doing the same exact thing, yet the US projects all their crimes onto Russia and expects people not to recognize the hypocrisy.

As an added note, the US position on Julian Assange is that he is a spy and a State Actor, an enemy of the United States. Recently when some state department dupe stated this on Australian national television, the journalist didn't come back with any facts or important follow-up questions.

The proper response would have been: you mean he's an enemy of the US for revealing American war crimes? Assange is not a spy but is a whistleblower and a facilitator of whistleblowers. Exposing corruption and crimes of the state and its governments is the job of journalism – it was called the Fourth Estate. It seems those times have long gone. Where "experts" and talking heads spew propaganda for the establishment is now what is called the Free Press. It's truly pathetic.

When it comes right down to it, when and why is the term "regime change" become so accepted as everyday social discourse. It literally means the forceful takeover of a foreign sovereign government.

The typical response from the US government is: "This is a matter of National Security."

Over the last twenty years, I've understood that the term National Security is code for Torture and War Crimes.

Both Russia nor the United States do not recognize the International Courts in the Hague. As a result, either country's war crimes cannot be put on trial, and those responsible are not punished under International Law. If these superpowers can commit war atrocities without legal consequences,..there is no justice anywhere.

Free Press is virtually gone, and the term and action of US "regime change" have become a normalized term in social discourse.

Our civilization has lost its core values.

20th Century history and Nazis...

 

I talked to the old Ukrainians and Russians back in the day, usually at a wedding or a funeral.

At first, they would dismiss me.

For the Ukrainians, the Stalin era was too hard to talk about. For the Russians, they destroyed Hitler. Then, over Vodka, Vadim would begin to speak.

A little boy, the Americans made Vadim and his mother walk on a road; (Vadim remembers holding his mother's hand) on each side were Jews, German people, soldiers, and children, dead bodies as far as they could see. Then, finally, a Russian and an American soldier stopped and gave Vadim and his mother food and a Hershy Bar.

In the present time, the US is supplying "lethal aid" to Nazis.

The war is over. Vadim's Aussie experience. ..is another story.

War is a terrible experience. Ukraine has been touched by US $ corruption and neo-nazi sociopaths.

This war can end right now. Yet, US neocons will not permit peace. We should ask, Why?

(The Nazi problem)

Diplomacy and peace.

Why not?

Ukraine – I guess I need to explain myself...

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I've written several articles (BLOGS) offering my views on the situation. A few friends overseas, have called me a liar and blocked me on social media. Like I've said before, war is an emotional topic. Some years ago, I taught history in high school, mostly about war and revolution. I conveyed to my students that a single narrative on a particular war is usually written by the winners. During war, propaganda is rampant on all sides of the conflict. We're seemingly in a climate where expressing one's point of view on any issue of worth, that is contrary to the establishment narrative, is met with scorn. Ukraine is no different.

Let me explain myself. 

First of all, I've never been a fan or supporter of Vladimir Putin. More to the point, I'm not a fan of Australia's Prime Minister, Scott Morrison. Indeed, I've never been a fan of any American president since Abraham Lincoln. President Biden's corruption in this Ukraine mess is evident. Those leaders who push for war or regime change of a foreign nation have other nefarious agendas.

The Russian military invasion of Ukraine, in my view, was simply not an option. But I know the history and have listened to Putin's speeches for years. He warned the West that pushing NATO on the Russian border was unacceptable and those responsible would pay the price. In the '90s, the US signs an agreement not to expand NATO close to Russia's borders. The US and NATO ignored this agreement and expanded militarily anyway. For Russia, this is a national security issue. And it's not hard to understand why.

Ukraine is one of the most corrupt nations in the world. President Zelenksky, once an actor and comedian, won the last election based on a platform for peace. He wanted to work with the Russian government. What happened? Neo-Nazis within the government threatened the man's life and his family. The US, a country that has been itching for war with Russia for years, also pressured the Ukraine president. He now is more or less a tool of the Neo-Nazis in Ukraine and the neocons in the United States. It comes down to the fact that the US is fighting Russia with US weapons and Ukraine bodies. Otherwise known as a *proxy war*.

Let me just say emphatically, Neo-Nazis are spread throughout the Ukraine power structure. Their presence in the Ukraine military and government is pervasive. One of Russia's demands and reason for invading Ukraine is to DE-nazify Ukraine. That reason should be easy to understand. It was Russia's efforts that defeated Hitler in WWII. Over 30 million Russians died during this war. Unlike western minds, the Russian people have a knowledge of history. So for Nazis screaming "Russian cockroaches" in the media and social media, alarm bells are ringing as loud as the churches in the Vatican. Russia's hate for Nazis is palpable. Yet the US and their obedient poodles want to cover up this fact. The US and NATO have also been training these extremist fools. The US will have carnal knowledge with the devil if it suits their goals.

The Russian military and their weapon stockpiles are daunting.

One experienced analyst said (paraphrased) that if Russia wanted to occupy Ukraine, it would have happened in the first two weeks of battle. So what is the Russians attempting to achieve?

Russia targets the Neo-Nazi forces within the Ukraine government and the Nazi forces within the military. The Russians want NATO forces to back away from their borders. They want Ukraine to be a neutral country, not influenced by them or the West. Ultimately, they want the US sanctions to stop and agreements in international trade. They want the slimy tentacles of the US and their allies out of Ukraine.

I find it evident and depressing that the US ignored these simple requests. Instead, the US is the planet's bully boy and will do anything to create more war and dominance on the world stage.

All nonsense aside, I'm not a Traitor, Putin Puppet, or a card-carrying communist. On the contrary, I'm a pacifist and a firm believer in the power of diplomacy.

I hope I've explained myself.

A Love Letter from the Front…WWI (Short Fiction)

 

My Dearest,

Between the shouts and bombs, the opportunity to write has arrived through this lucky window of opportunity that could be short-lived.

How I miss you...

Currently crouched in a trench next to a sick friend, his body temperature is growing by the minute, but there is absolutely nothing I can do about it! We have been forced to remain in this hole because the gunfire begins at the slightest movement…we do not dare lift our vulnerable heads above the ground.

Yesterday the sounds of guns and bombs had been unrelenting. My dearest, I honestly thought I would go outraged. This war is not natural. Why do we continue to kill each other…in the name of what…the pride of our country, a dispute over a small slice of land?

Please forgive me, my dearest, ranting again, talking only about myself.

How is your mother? Has this remarkable woman’s condition changed at all, and have you managed to find some spare moments to work on your novel?

Thank you for sending the third chapter; it read like a tale that one would read many years ago, a romantic poetic piece of pure unrequited love.

My darling, this is what I feel for you.

(Sorry, my love, against your request, I let a few of the boys read the chapter, and they absolutely loved it!)

As the bombs pounded through the night, my thoughts were only of you…your beautiful smile, those deep hazel eyes, and that future time when we will meet again. Your image has kept me sane, my love; the notion of meeting you at the train station, your lovely smile, those tender lips, and the thought of kissing them, over and over, has kept me alive through this stupid and evil war.

Please forgive my candor, but there is something I must tell you.

You are the only woman I have made love to…this may shock, considering I am a man of twenty-five, but you are the first…and may I say, the last.

Touching your white skin and merely the act of lying beside you, our toes, (of all things) touching, and feeling that moment would never come again, forcing myself to remain awake. I know this might sound thoroughly childish; however, my love, I adore those beautiful toes.

***

Sorry, but it has been a full day, a long one, since continuing this letter. The bloke who I mentioned before has died, you know, the one with the fever. To be brutally honest, this poor man’s death has disturbed me. I think the sounds he made while dying upset me the most…but the enemy, at that moment, launched another attack… So my fellow dead soldier forgot for fear of my OWN life.

(We are a selfish species!)

We are still trapped like rats in this hole for fear of our own deaths.

We have not moved for weeks.

I miss you so much: the almost hypnotic scent of your beautiful hair in the morning; the delicate and flattering lines around your hazel eyes; the whisper of your voice next to my ear; that unbelievable smile and the utmost feelings ecstasy when we make love through the night. I desperately want to see and feel you again.

It is now late at night, and the bombs have finally stopped.

The sun is setting over the Western Front, and the explosions have started again…please think of me, my darling, and know, we will see each other again…in this life or perhaps, the next…

Remember me.

All my love,

XXX

Short comment: War in Ukraine and the Innocent.

 

I despise war of any type. The people of Ukraine are in deep shit. I can feel their suffering.

Remember, Palestinians have been bombed, abused, and oppressed for over 50 years.

Syria has been bombed into oblivion, including thousands of the elderly, women, and children exterminated.

The US sanctioned Iraq causing thousands of unnecessary deaths of children. (blocking needed medicines) The US government on record at the time said, "It was worth it."

The US and their allies, including the propagandized people, now suddenly recognizing the suffering of the war in Ukraine, need to wake the hell up. Where were you while these other countries were decimated? Not a word. Believe no- one on both sides of this war.

In the fog of war, everything must be viewed with a hefty grain of salt.

Image: a beautiful child from Palestine.