Comments on: Holiday snaps, part I

By: Julia

Julia — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 02:54:31 +0000

So what’s this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/us/politics/30ledbetter-web.html

all about?

I am very interested in hearing your thoughts, Historiann! When you have time, of course.

By: Historiann

Historiann — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:14:57 +0000

Yes–the website is an EU website. Good for Europeans. A similar campaign in the U.S. is totally unimaginable to me.

By: jamie

jamie — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:25:19 +0000

Just so you know, Historiann, those same ads are also in the UK and in Germany (and possibly elsewhere, but that is where I saw them), in the tube and U-bahn stations respectively, with the same people but the words in the native language. So it seems like an EU-wide ad campaign. I was quite excited when I saw it!

By: Matt L

Matt L — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:11:36 +0000

I think speaking ill of the dead is something like lying about the dead. Of course, slander is wrong (and tacky) whether the person is dead or alive.

There is such a thing as ‘victor’s history,’ which is also a violation of the truth. Gloating over the failures and crimes of others to make ones own sins seem smaller in comparison; hagiographies of the 40th President of the United States; falsifying the historical record by making up interviews – these are not only impieties against the past, they rob the present as well.

By: Comrade PhysioProf

Comrade PhysioProf — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:36:42 +0000

Holy fuck! No more moderation? FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Comrade PhysioProf

Comrade PhysioProf — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:35:41 +0000

Fuck the dead. What are they gonna do to me?

By: Trudy

Trudy — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:19:19 +0000

When I was growing up, the thing was that one shouldn’t speak ill of the dead because the dead cannot defend themselves. Well, one can’t really defend oneself from gossip told behind one’s back either, and it happens. So what? Moreover, it’s a matter of opinion, so might call it the truth, some might call it “ill speak” … it’s silly. The dead don’t become sacred just because they are dead. One can speak one’s opinion. Plus, they probably don’t care anymore either!

By: Historiann

Historiann — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:22:54 +0000

Tom: “Lying about the past or the dead is the greater impiety.” Well put.

rootlesscosmo and Notorious: LOLSOB! (That is, thanks for laughs–LOL–and the reminder, SOB.)

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:19:24 +0000

I think our task as interpreters of the past is to try our best to tell the truth about the past (to the degree that imperfect human understanding can ever hope to approach truth): any dead folks (or their heirs) who feel “insulted” by our sincere attempts at truth-telling need to get over it, or even better gently prompt us towards greater truths by their own equally sincere efforts. Lying about the past or the dead is the greater impiety.

By: rootlesscosmo

rootlesscosmo — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:12:08 +0000

The comedian Jackie “Moms” Mabley had a wonderful line:

“They say you shouldn’t say anything but good about the dead. [pause] He’s dead. [slightly longer pause] Good.”