FOG & PASSION
The film The Fog of War inspired many emotions in me, so much that even though I immediately admired the film, I had to note that it was difficult to watch, especially after experiencing what an amiable and insightful man Robert McNamara seems to be. But one cannot forget the happenings of this past century and perhaps feel that watching this film cuts like a double-edged sword. While we want to empathize with the man we see on screen who is obviously full of remorse concerning the catastrophes with which he was involved, to let your heart go out to him completely seems to be in spite of the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians and their families.

Thus, I was surprised to see how easy it was for Patrick Franklin [March 10] to criticize Errol Morris' so called "intrusion." It's important to note that, even though this intrusion is uncharacteristic and perhaps unnecessary, the first half of the film without Morris' involvement does give us the chance to form a relationship with McNamara. But Morris' aggressive questioning further into the film helps to put this man's gentle demeanor in perspective with what some consider the crimes with which he was involved.
And what baffles me even more is how self-righteous Franklin comes across with his blurb [March 3] on The Passion of the Christ, basically implying that any accusations of anti-Semitism and excessive violence are unfounded because "hmm, a man dies a gruesome death for his beliefs." Well, were the deaths of thousands of civilians during W.W.II and Vietnam so easy for you to write off just because McNamara seems to be a nice guy? And to say that The Passion was an "unflinching look" at the last 12 hours of Christ's life is rather naive. This movie completely counted on evoking as much flinching as possible. Of course, you'd never see anything like this on Pax TV - they don't have near the resources or finances that Mel Gibson and his producers have access to. So, Gibson made the movie he wanted and paid for it out of his own pocket you say? Well, I wouldn't worry too much about Gibson's financial situation, especially when the cumulative gross for the movie at this point is $264,510,209 - you can compare that to Fog of War's cumulative gross of $3,314,317.

Finally, Franklin ends his blurb on The Fog of War by saying, "Learning from mistakes is one thing, but damning generations we don't have the capacity to fully understand or appreciate is something I can't endorse." Forgive me for saying so, but Morris did anything but damn a past generation. He, with the help of McNamara, helped paint a picture of not only the political but emotional strife of the last century. I'm amazed that Franklin claims to be unable to make judgments of the decisions of a recent generation, when he is so quick to endorse Gibson's fictional interpretation of an event that took place several thousands of years ago. For the millions of people on this planet who were directly affected by the decisions made by McNamara and others during W.W.II and Vietnam, myself included as the daughter of a Vietnam veteran and a Vietnamese mother, Morris' intrusion was perhaps a bit easier to understand. I just wish that the weight of remembrance wouldn't be placed solely on our shoulders.

C.M.E.
Athens

GLBT SCORECARD
The debate for the right to represent Democrats in the race for the 12th District in the U.S. House of Representatives was incredible: Haines, Cortellino and Center all came OUT in favor of same-sex marriage.

And, Barrow, a vote for John Barrow is a vote against all glbt people.

Chad A. Munsey
Athens

MEMORY LANE
Thanks to Mr. Lamb for taking us down memory lane with his piece on the Olivia Tremor Control [March 17]. My first recollection of OTC was hearing the buzz when they were in Europe touring with Beck at the height of Odelay's success. That buzz was nothing compared to their first show in Athens upon their return from the aforementioned tour. I still can't believe the fire marshal did not shut down the Atomic that night! It was so packed that people were literally hanging from the rafters. I remember feeling lucky to have one of the best spots in the house atop the cigarette machine with my girlfriend. When Mr. Lamb mentions the "galvanizing effect" the Olivia Tremor Control had on the music scene in Athens, I also remember the large number of hippie kids that were into OTC. By the time they released Dusk at Cubist Castle, the whole grunge movement was little more than an afterthought. However, the jam-rock-hippie-thing in the mid-'90s was in full swing with bands like Day by the River, Underwaterfall, and the Fuzzy Sprouts packing the Georgia Theatre on any given night. Those same kids embraced OTC, though, because they could recognize great artists with integrity when they saw them. Reminiscing about the "glory days" of the Athens music scene makes me feel like an old geezer, but I think retrospectives like Mr. Lamb's are crucial to remind us of special times and special bands that never signed the mega-huge record deal. More importantly, he reminds us that the Athens music scene is cyclical. Let's see, it's been eight years since OTC's Cubist Castle and seven since Neutral Milk Hotel's Aeroplane Over the Sea; I think it's about time for the sort of "re-renaissance" Mr. Lamb mentioned in his article. Here's to the next great Athens band!

Steven W. Havick
Athens

GREEN FEST
Ever felt helpless to change the quality of life around you? You watch in dismay as the bulldozers push through the woods, leveling everything in their path. Huge old trees fall to the ground, their majestic beauty and spiritual wisdom lost forever. The diversity of wildlife they once supported will need to find a new place to call home. The soil held firmly in place by their massive root structure is heaped into a pile.
Another clear-cut subdivision has been approved. This was once a forest. Now it lies barren, the earth stripped down to its bloody red clay. The sun sucks the moisture out of the exposed soil, creating an almost impervious surface. Rain will come and this land that once acted as a biological sponge to recharge the water table will now be transformed into ecological disaster. The rain droplets dislodge the exposed soil particles. The water not able to infiltrate the compacted soil flows downhill. As the runoff carries its load of sediment, it erodes more soil from its path, increasing in velocity and cutting channels into the landscape. It's headed for the river. All storm water runoff drains to our streams and rivers. This silt and clay soup enters a nearby stream, turning its waters orange and smothering its fragile ecosystem. Soon another heat island will be created.

Why? Why you ask yourself? Why do we allow this kind of environmental destruction to take place? What can you do to lessen the impact on the ecosystem and increase the quality of life where you live, work and play? Is there anything you can do?

During the month of April, Athens will be the host to Green Fest 2004 - "a community-wide celebration providing citizens with the opportunity to increase their awareness of and interest in improving the environment of their home, yard, business and community."

The Upper Oconee Watershed Network will be hosting their annual River Rendezvous 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 3 at the Sandy Creek Nature Center's ENSAT building. Come out and learn about the watershed that provides you with your life-giving water. It's fun for the whole family. Breakfast, lunch and instruction will be provided to all. See www.uown.org.

The Athens Grow Green Coalition hosts "The Best Development of 2003 Awards" Ceremony 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday April 30 at the Athens Heritage Foundation, Firehall No. 2, 489 Prince Ave. See www.athensgrowgreen.com.

The Athens Clarke County Community Tree Council hosts "Who's Minding The Trees?" 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday April 13 in the Athens Clarke County Library Auditorium. More at www.athenstrees.com.

Also check out all the great Green Fest events at www.athensgreenfest.org.

Mark McConnell
Athens