[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Another take on it:
The image of the post-race goings on at Sydney will remain an
emblazoned image in the mind of the general populace who hadn't
heard of Greene before Sydney, until a different image takes its
place.
Interviews and carefully crafted 'up-close-and-personals' will not change
it.
The only thing that will work is a major victory (are the WC's enough,
or will it have to wait until Athens '04?), followed by a lap around
the track with Greene holding aloft the hand of his most despised
competitor, raising others up to his level, rather than pushing himself
above them.
Graciousness in victory is the only thing that will overcome an
image of self-congratulatory decadence.
The image probably doesn't fit if you really know Greene personally,
but it's the image that he's now stuck with.
Try on the relationship of Jesse Owens and Luz Long for size. That's
what the public wants.
Warning: anything that smacks of such a scene being crafted by
'handlers' will have the opposite of the intended effect.
<zip up flame-retardant suit>
RT
In general, this is under the assumption that people are looking for the
better good. I submit that today's, American media, and its viewers are not
interested in the better good of any situation. It is fashionable to talk
about the problem until the cows come home. Any attempt to discuss the
solution is met with screams of favoritism, nationalism, bigotry, sexism, etc.
This man made crisis will revisit us all in 2004. We all know the story line
that will last until the next Olympiad, "Let's hope the USA 4x100 m can
redeem themselves from the embarrassing, buffoonery we witnessed in 2000!"
Every time you see a member of that team, you will be bombarded with images
of Bernard and Brian flexing, and preening for the crowd. You will be told
how sorry they were post celebration, and we will be treated to the dark
room, up close quote, "I was just so happy! I was unaware that I had
offended anyone. The crowd was calling, and cheering, and we were just so
happy to have won the gold."
Walt, I respect you and all the knowledge you share, but you are wrong on
this one. The only audience interested in this work in the truck. Even
here, the ultraconservative, Oregon list, folks have grown weary of the brow
beating.
Costas' show was a cheap thrill. But it was indicative of today's mindset in
the States. ( I cannot speak of the world, I live in the States) Bad news,
sensational, scapegoat, and sound bites. Who cares what the real story is,
just tell us who got maimed, and did they catch anyone that might have done
what was alleged.
Darrell
Faith is a road seldom traveled
