<underfire> image as event 2

[Allan Siegel]

hello

jumpy and compact but here goes...

"The threat of Terrorism just does not have the magnitude of effect  
on the imagination that the Cold War did, particularly as there was  
no evidence of either wmd or collusion with Al queda.  The mask was  
tron from the Official Story earlier than it was with Vietnam." from  
Linda Robertson is a bit off the mark. The 'threat of terrorism' not  
only has an 'effect on the imagination'  but a very real impact on  
day-to-day realities.  The use of a 'terrorist threat' strikes a very  
visceral chord in most people (in many parts of the world) especially  
when increased surveillance, body searches, and many other form of  
abrasive intrusions occur to disrupt ordinary daily routines. The re- 
invoking, re-modeling of 'the terrorist threat' is very much attached  
to (as we all know) a political agenda - previously  we had the  
Saddam is Hitler construct. Remember that Reagan said the Sandinistas  
were going to invade Texas - an earlier version of the 'terrorist  
threat.'

The 'threats' grounded in the Cold War imaginary evolved over a  
period of time whereas the present-day  'terrorist threat' is a  
mantra that has been chanted most strongly by heads of state in  
Washington and Israel. This has the effect of neutralizing (and  
obfuscating) the imagery as well as masking the harsh political  
objectives associated with the Iraq War/s, the Lebanon incursion and  
the occupation of the West Bank.

Within the colonial and neo-colonial mindset there is a seemingly  
facile ability to propagandize, 'change course' and distort events if  
it allows one to 'save face' and maintain equilibrium. As in the  
BATTLE OF ALGIERS the defense of the colony was justifiable (by  
whatever means) as long as it could be successful. In Vietnam a more  
sophisticated, devastating strategy 'for victory' also failed. And,  
it was at this moment when many journalists realized they were  
promoting a losing strategy that they changed their tune. Similarly  
in Iraq.

  'The images as event' promulgated in the Western media resonate  
because in the popular consciousness the 'terrorist threat' is  
associated with real events - similarly, throughout the Middle East  
and much of the Islamic world there are - As Negar's images point out  
- other images that resonate and with an equally powerful impact on  
popular consciousness. Acts of state terrorism are no less vivid than  
other forms of terrorism. They also provoke outrage.

The following were taken in Istanbul during the Lebanon bombing. This  
was in a very busy part of the city.

A.S.

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