City - Venice Beach (artist area) State - CALIFORNIA Country - United States
About
Went down to the beach on Monday to get away from all the horrible, sad news when I noticed a few buildings and houses were flying their flags upside down. I was slightly taken a back. To make a long story short I ended up at a big table at an outdoor restaurant with alot of the locals - they invited me over after we started talking table to table. We were filling up on chips/salsa, various Tequila based drinks and Muy Macho Double Wrap Burritos. Eventually I got around to asking my new friends what's with the flags flying upside down? Bad move. It started off calm enough where they told me it means "distress" and that this country's in DEEP distress after what happened in New Orleans last week and the M.I.A. federal government (their words). 15 minutes later there were curse words flying around like helicopters flying over the Bayou and certain names were mentioned over and over. It was surprisingly intense and I really shouldn't repeat what was said but I have to say I've never seen this much anger since the L.A. Riots in '92 (and these were mainly artistic white and hispanic guys and gals). The alcohol didn't help but that wasn't the root cause - these people were ANGRY. As one guy was lowering his flag in the late afternoon where his business was I asked him to stop for a second and took this shot (along with some others). This is how some people feel around here and I thought I'd document it. It's Photo Journalism and has nothing to do with my personal opinion.
As to the Katrina reaction, as of today (Sep 28th, 2005) we're learning that a lot of what we were told by "on-the-scene" CNN, Fox, MSNBC etc, as well as "eyewitnesses", was either grossly exagerated or just not true. I think it will take some time to piece together the real story - unfortunately, our 24-hour-a-day news cycle almost guarantees that a lot of hogwash gets "instantly" put out.
Ah yes. I was, for four years, a Signalman in the U.S. Navy, so flaghoist and flag maintenance WAS my job. A symbol imminently reocgnized by any mariner.
I like the effect in this photo that seems like off-camera forces are tugging hard, trying to wrest control of the flag away from the others, as if it is nothing more than a corporate brand.
ok, just left a long comment here and it didn't post,so will wait to see if shows up...if not,i give up!.......regards,gayle
Fine PJ image representing the sincere sentiments of what many of who are "open-minded and rational thinking people" believe...we have read the "truth" of firsthand reportage by the paramedics,doctors and yes,even the evacuees.....
But alas, "ignorance is bliss" with the few who choose to ignore the true experiences of the people who were, or ARE down in the katrina hit areas......
Whoa, powerful shot! I'm in Tarifa at present and it's feria time, so not much serious news is coming through. I'm probabaly getting more from UF, especially from guys like yourself who tell the real story of what's happening on the ground...
Well it can't be said that this is not a strong photojournalistic shot, I'm sure reprentative of the mainstream anti-administration feelings of Venice Beach California. Interesting to contrast their display of the flag with that of several I've seen displayed(upright)by victims themselves, one of which was being flown by a couple in front of where had stood their home, the flag being virtually the only thing salvaged of their possessions.
Also interesting if these supposingly informed artists direct their anger at only federal response efforts, when any dissaster response/relief lawfully begins at local and state levels. I think anyone witnessing the unfolding events should feel anger, but open minds will find responsibility at all levels.
Today, as local police and the state's national guard units try to force remaining citizens to leave the city, they will not provide any necessities(food/water)to those remaining. It is the federal troops that said they will not withhold these provisions to the populace. Following is part of a comment to another post that I just left: "What is not needed at this time is political finger pointing. Mistakes were made at all levels of government, begining at local level. A parking lot full of school busses less than 1 mile from Superdome sat unused, left to be submerged under water, the Red Cross and trucks filled with emergency water were ordered not to enter area by the governer. The order to evacuate the city could have and should have been issued 24 hours sooner, and wasn't issued until a second call urging that action was made from the White House. Existing evacuation plans called for use of city and school busses to be used for those citizens who didn't have means to get out on their own, but these plans were not followed. The Superdome was already designated as emergency huricane shelter before Katrina, but even though there was time, it was not stocked with provisions, portable toilets, or security. There should be and will be an investigation of breakdowns in the entire response to this disaster, but the political finger pointing going on, starting just 2 days after Katrina struck, is disgusting at best, and certainly not benifiting response to victims at this time."
(This does have something to do with my personal opinion.)
You documented it perfectly, with your image and with your about. I can?t believe this happened in a modern and rich country, looking at the tv news I feel the same sadness I felt for poor Asian people for the Tsunami tragedy. Unfortunately, I must say Nature is really democratic :(
Thank you for your comment and for your advice, I didn?t know about the Rolling Stone?s last album (I?m very busy now and I have not many time for music :( ), but I?ll try to listen to the radio!
Yeah, well i just heard on the news that FEMA (A Government Agency) is telling the print / television media to not shoot or broadcast any images of dead bodies...(no opinion , just doing Photo Journalism) Take Care, Mark
Back in the USSR / you don't know how lucky you are..... (wow, that's on the radio right now - strange)
Yeah, my dad has a few friends in New Orleans and they've been having to /shoot/ at looters to save their businesses (they're business owners down there). It's really sad that they have to resort to shooting to get rid of looters. Also, I'm really mad and really sad that we can get help to people in other countries faster than our own. I wish I could help, but I'm just a kid who's broke. However, tomorrow is my last day of summer and I will be working at my public library. At least I'm doing community service, I suppose. And on my last day of summer!
I was living in LA in 92 and what you say is so true - LA in 92 was the wild west just as New Orleans wes for a few days last week - distress is what so many Americans felt - we were not there but I felt as abandoned as those thousands waiting for food and water and safety - waiting for a rescue that too long in coming and TOO much like a media event in the end a sad political event as it were...a sad week for us all...the true result of billions spent on readiness was an utter waste...my personal flag is flying upside down these days too...K
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