Post # 666 667

"Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast:
for it is the number of a man;
and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."
The Bible (King James Version), Revelation 13:18

(This was intended as post #666 -- one of those rare occasions when I actually plan a post in advance. But Alan Johnston went and got released, and I couldn't let that momentous occasion go unmarked.)

I love tales of fire and brimstone. Films like The Exorcist and The Omen tap into something rooted deeply within our consciousness -- whether or not we are religious, whether or not we believe in God. Such stories, when well told, can raise questions within us. Even stories and films that are a bit average can get away with it because it's a fascinating subject: movies like The Ninth Gate, for example.

As a longtime non-believer, I like to be challenged in this regard, to be made to contemplate my belief system. It's just like when, as a kid who no longer believes in Santa Claus, on Christmas Eve you just want to keep your options open.

"I don't believe in God, but I do believe in the Devil." I've heard people say this, just as I've heard the opposite. Neither makes sense to me. I think if you buy into one, you've got to accept the other. They're a toofer, a BOGOF, the double act of their day. I opt of course not to believe in either and to believe instead in the good and evil of Man.
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There's also the popular notion of rock music as the Devil's music. That theme, I'm sure, has run for as long as music has been made, with each adult generation seemingly more convinced that what their kids are listening to is bad for them, whether ethically, morally, or spiritually. I love especially the way bands that appear "anti-Christian" can upset some people so much. Look at the stir Marilyn Manson causes in the minds of Wal-Mart type consumers in the United States. How I laugh when I hear the lyrics of some of these acts. Sometimes because they are so lame; and sometimes because they are so funny. Either way, I find it interesting that somebody somewhere is getting upset by them.

I think, though, that some people confuse atheism with Satanism. That somehow, by being an atheist, I must be some sort of Devil-worshipper. That amuses me; but it also scares me. Because the sort of people who would be likely to think such things are probably not the sort of people you would not want to find yourself alone with. Their God-fearing ways might get the better of them, y'see. I suppose a parallel could be drawn with radical Islamists wanting to wipe out the infidels.

But some Satanists do seem to have a sense of humour. My favourite fun-loving Satanists right now (not that I know very many) are rock band Alkaline Trio. Their music sounds so benign. Indeed, it's quite poppy and singalongy. And while their lyrics are not overtly satanic, they are dark and make for quite a stark juxtaposition with the musical accompaniment. Here's a bit from the sweetly titled "This Could Be Love":

Step one: slit my throat;
Step two: play in my blood;
Step three: cover me in dirty sheets and run laughing out of the house;
Step four: stop off at Edgebrook Creek and rinse those crimson hands.
You took me hostage and made your demands.
I couldn't meet them so you cut off my fingers, one by one.

I love the graphic imagery in this chorus, like an extreme S&M relationship gone bad. And so jauntily catchy. Before you know it you're hooked, reaching for the phone, and calling Satan-Busters on 555-666-SATAN.

Free at last

Going straight from 114 days in captivity to two hours of press interviews, BBC reporter Alan Johnston nonetheless looked good for the experience and sounded pretty damn chipper.

All in a day's work? Probably not. But you could be forgiven for thinking so. He described his abduction and four-month captivity as the worst time of his life. A colleague at the BBC said Johnston is a "superman".

Perhaps it's fitting that he gain his freedom on Independence Day. Happy 4th of July to one and all.

For what it’s worth

I could never be a journalist. I mean, I know I'm a member of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), but that's because the union is open to editors, photographers, designers, etc, not just journalists.

I admire greatly what journalists do. How could I not? Some of these people put themselves in positions of great danger on a daily basis simply to inform those of us in our comfy chairs just how good we've got it.

Sometime last week I rather belatedly added the Alan Johnston button to my sidebar. I notice that a few of my UK blogpals have done the same.

Alan was kidnapped two months ago while working in Gaza, where he has lived for the past two years -- the only foreign journalist in the area.

I hope he returns safe and sound soon, but the more time passes, the more difficult it must be for anyone to see a happy outcome. Especially given that we have no evidence he is even still alive.

Last night, Alan Johnston was named Broadcast Journalist of the Year. Would he have been awarded this if he had not been kidnapped? Who knows. Certainly we know that his nomination was made before his disappearance, so maybe he would have.

And even if he wouldn't, does that matter? Doesn't the very fact that he has been kidnapped somehow mean he should be given some sort of award? He doesn't have to be there, y'know? He could just as easily be covering safer stories back home in the UK. On the whole, no one would think any less of him for that.

Is it worth it? Being kidnapped, putting your life on the line, just to bring truth to the great unwashed. Who can say? For some people it is. For me, I'm sorry to say it's not. For me, personally, that is. What do they say? "It's a dirty job but someone's gotta do it."

What frustrates me in all this is that there is a horribly high chance that Johnston was taken by Palestinians. But how fucking dumb is that? Knowing how pro-Palestine we are in the UK, to then go and kidnap (and possibly worse) one of the people out there bringing your story the attention it deserves... That's got to be the height of stupidity.

Anyway, why not click the Alan Johnston button in my sidebar? Why not put it on your own blog? Events such as 9/11 and 7/7 reinforce the bravery of firefighters, the police, and paramedics, but reporters in hostile areas are out their doing their thing every day too. Why not show some support?