spcglider
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- Joined
- Sep 15, 2004
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My boss sent me this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGInYjY7QrY&mode=related&search=
After you watch it, come back and discuss. I realize from square one that this is potentially a hot-button thread, so I am going to immediately request that we keep as far away from the politics of the subject and strictly discuss the Muppet element here.
Frankly, I don't really know how to feel about this.
For several reasons I find the idea to be repulsive. I do not agree with the entire reasoning, method, or continuation of the Iraq conflict, and I'm just going to hazard a guess that both Jim Henson and Kermit would not want to be involved on any level. That's about as anti-Muppet as you can get. The sight of Kermit dressed up in leaf camo and aiming a monstrous rifle at unseen enemies is just wrong. Like some bad gag on SNL.
On the other hand, I recognize the need for our troops to comfort themselves while they are being asked to put their lives on the line. Obviously the soldiers who have brought Kermit along as a "mascot" are Muppet fans like us. Muppet fans in a very difficult situation. And who can blame them if they want to have Kermit along as a reminder of and symbol of the other, calmer, gentler life they live when NOT in uniform?
And just like the old Reeses Peanut Butter Cup commercials... you can't get chocolate in your peanut butter without getting peanut butter on your chocolate. So Kermit being dressed up and posed with elements from the soldier's insular universe is something that surely must be expected, but also must be identified for what it is... projection.
Perhaps the soldiers involved felt that bringing Kermit into a battle area would be unfair unless he had been "taught to function in that environment". If they love the Muppets like we all do, they'd never purposely endanger Kermit unless he was on a par with them.
Or perhaps the soldiers are telling us something even more personal. Maybe Kermit represents them in a way not immediately recognizable. For many of them, this is the first full-combat tour they've pulled. So, what we have is basically a bunch of "innocents" putting on soldier's uniforms and heading into a decidedly non-friendly situation. (Yes, I know, they ARE soldiers and have been trained, but it is someting quite different to actually step into real combat). Is Kermit actually representing their innocence? Are they using Kermit as a totem to safeguard that part of themselves that they cannot, by necessity, safeguard themselves in this situation? Is this Kermit figure a "safety deposit box" for all their kinder, gentler natures while they must do their duty?
Just thoughts I've had on the subject.
What do you all think?
I pause here to remind you again, this is NOT a thread about politics. Please keep all commentaries focused on the video and the Muppet connection to the subject.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGInYjY7QrY&mode=related&search=
After you watch it, come back and discuss. I realize from square one that this is potentially a hot-button thread, so I am going to immediately request that we keep as far away from the politics of the subject and strictly discuss the Muppet element here.
Frankly, I don't really know how to feel about this.
For several reasons I find the idea to be repulsive. I do not agree with the entire reasoning, method, or continuation of the Iraq conflict, and I'm just going to hazard a guess that both Jim Henson and Kermit would not want to be involved on any level. That's about as anti-Muppet as you can get. The sight of Kermit dressed up in leaf camo and aiming a monstrous rifle at unseen enemies is just wrong. Like some bad gag on SNL.
On the other hand, I recognize the need for our troops to comfort themselves while they are being asked to put their lives on the line. Obviously the soldiers who have brought Kermit along as a "mascot" are Muppet fans like us. Muppet fans in a very difficult situation. And who can blame them if they want to have Kermit along as a reminder of and symbol of the other, calmer, gentler life they live when NOT in uniform?
And just like the old Reeses Peanut Butter Cup commercials... you can't get chocolate in your peanut butter without getting peanut butter on your chocolate. So Kermit being dressed up and posed with elements from the soldier's insular universe is something that surely must be expected, but also must be identified for what it is... projection.
Perhaps the soldiers involved felt that bringing Kermit into a battle area would be unfair unless he had been "taught to function in that environment". If they love the Muppets like we all do, they'd never purposely endanger Kermit unless he was on a par with them.
Or perhaps the soldiers are telling us something even more personal. Maybe Kermit represents them in a way not immediately recognizable. For many of them, this is the first full-combat tour they've pulled. So, what we have is basically a bunch of "innocents" putting on soldier's uniforms and heading into a decidedly non-friendly situation. (Yes, I know, they ARE soldiers and have been trained, but it is someting quite different to actually step into real combat). Is Kermit actually representing their innocence? Are they using Kermit as a totem to safeguard that part of themselves that they cannot, by necessity, safeguard themselves in this situation? Is this Kermit figure a "safety deposit box" for all their kinder, gentler natures while they must do their duty?
Just thoughts I've had on the subject.
What do you all think?
I pause here to remind you again, this is NOT a thread about politics. Please keep all commentaries focused on the video and the Muppet connection to the subject.