Monday, May 4, 2009

Four Dead In Ohio

In a hyper-mediated environment, the State doesn't actually have to kill many of its citizens to make the point. Just kill a few of them, but make sure it's on tape, and endlessly recycle the lesson...

39 years ago last week, news broke that Nixon had spread his war against Vietnam to Cambodia. Far from 'ending' the war, as he had promised during the campaign, Nixon and Kissinger were expanding it.

The anti-war movement responded furiously, all across the country.

39 years ago today, May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard occupied the campus of Kent State University, in Kent, Ohio. They were carrying "live" rounds.

Eventually some members of the occupying Guard unit opened fire, killing four innocent students, wounding others. No weapons were EVER found or even alleged to be harbored among the student demonstrators. The dead students were not even members of the protest. They were just kids.

Dead kids.

On tape.

1 comment:

nickname said...

Just found your blog via Avedon.

Fine dog you have. The eyes have it.

Perceptive sayings, all. Thanks.

I'll be back soon.