PHOTOS: Photographers capture stunning contrasts of grief

[Bluebear]

The difference between true anguish and a public show?

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

1. These pictures need no comment from me.

Excellent contrast.

[lolly]

47. Geez, what slobs

What is it with wingnuts and their astoundingly tacky, disrespectful attire?

Didn't conservatives used to make fun of hippies for not dressing appropriately?

First Cheney at the Holocaust memorial service looking like he'd been called away from a duck hunt, and now these dorks in bright orange tee-shirts and baseball caps. And is that an ersatz "nun" in half-habit, half polyester flowered skirt lying on plastic sheeting looking like she's got the worst case of constipation I've ever seen?

Look, I understand it if people can't afford full dress suits or whatever, or if someone is thrust into a scene of grief unexpectedly (like the poor young woman who had to rush to this hospice in pajamas and barefeet trying to get to her grandfather in his last moments), but this is just revolting to me. Dressing appropriately *is* a sign of respect, and if these people really respected Ms. Schiavo, they would not dress as if they were in their backyards drinking beer.

Poor "Terri." She was just a little mascot for them.

On edit--oops. Meant to reply to original thread, not bump into the queue after another reply. Sorry!

[ltfranklin]

54. A simple answer

Dressing funny attracts the cameras.

No big mystery.

[lolly]

67. I'm not even talking about them

The ones dresses like Jesus or whatever.

I'm talking about the schlumps with the beer bellies, ill-fitting tee shirts, and baseball caps standing behind Terrorist Terry with his cell phone.

If I'm trying to convince the rest of the world that this is a serious issue, I'll at least get clothes that fit and take off the damn baseball cap.

[ltfranklin]

70. Oh, Those?

Locals, I would guess. Probably nothing on TV that day, so it's down to the picket line to see if you can get lucky with the female wingnuts.

[PA Democrat]

62. How about this woman?

Come on DU, let's take up a collection and buy this poor woman a bra! And maybe a tattoo across her forehead that reads, "I NEED ATTENTION."

[yorkiemommie1]

78. oh my!

:crazy:

[AuntiBush]

77. They certainly tell the story.

Agreed. No need for words. Photos tell it all.

What a "major" difference.

[BlueEyedSon]

2. Gotta love the monster spoon!

[elcondor]

12. THAT'S what that's supposed to be?!

Thanks for the clarification--I was so confussed for a moment because it looks like a bowling pin to me!!

Beautiful thread, by the way. The picture threads of the past couple of days have said more than words ever could!

[Bluebear]

16. Giant spoon lady -- got her own news write-up, advocating force

"When she heard on Sunday that religious activists planned to stage a protest in Washington on Monday, the Florida woman left the vigil outside Schiavo's hospice and checked herself -- and her five-foot-high Styrofoam spoon that says "Jeb, Please Feed Terri" -- onto a flight to the capital. The utensil was still wrapped in United Airlines plastic and tagged with a security seal from the Department of Homeland Security when Porta carried it into a rain-soaked Lafayette Square yesterday to demand action to save Schiavo.

"I'm wanting the government officials in D.C. to come in, even if there's force involved," Porta said, using some of the wrap that covered the spoon as a makeshift poncho.

Fellow demonstrator Bob Hunt heard Porta's idea and seconded it. "The government should declare martial law for the whole county, arrest the judge, arrest the sheriff," said Hunt, who identified himself as a government subcontractor.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7802-2005Mar28.html

[Pool Hall Ace]

24. And the spoon is symbolic of . . . . what?

I guess the twit didn't know that Terri could not eat from a spoon.

By the way -- wonderful compilation of pictures -- thanks. :applause:

[BrklynLiberal]

51. I noticed that Sandra Bernhardt look-alike managed to get into a lot of

pictures...and she is looking right into the camera in this one. Very devout, isn't she? What a fraud! :puke:

[BlueEyedSon]

32. Maybe you're right... she's with the "take Terri bowling" activists!

[Kipepeo]

61. I thought it was an at-home pregnancy test

Those ept sticks...the "spoon" escaped me too I guess.

[NYC]

68. I also thought it was a bowling pin.

Didn't understand it.

[CoffeeCat]

56. It's the spoon lady!!!!

I posted about this nitwit a few days ago!

When Jesse Jackson was giving his press conference, she was one of the protesters, behind him, walking with her gigantic spoon.

She kept circling in back of Jesse, and she came into view at least 20 times during Jackson's 5 minute speech.

Notice her tin-foil hat crown thingee? The horns on it kept poking the other protesters. I think she's dressed as the Statue of Liberty.

She was a hoot, people.

She'd saunter in front of the camera and make eye contact with it.

I don't think this woman's elevator goes all the way to the top, if you know what I mean.

[Pirate Smile]

OMG - She took her spoon to the Capitol in DC. They kept showing her

on the news (I'm not sure what day it was but they decided to take their protest to DC - of course, Congress is out of session and no one is there).

She was walking up the steps of the Capitol with the spoon wrapped in a huge plastic baggie because it was raining.

I just kept literally LOL every time they showed her and her spoon.

I didn't even know about the jugglers yet -

"It's been very hard watching a circus outside and be there with her while she was dying," said Susan Agines, a senior nursing supervisor. "I think what finally did it was when the juggler came. To me it was ... awful."

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/02/Tampabay/Routine_returns_a_sen.shtml

[ltfranklin]

71. Wow, what great coverage...

You mean all I got to do is make up some lame-ass costume, spout mumbo-jumbo and show up at one of these deals, and I get air-time?

Sweeeeeet!

[CitySky]

79. yes, but there's a catch:

It has to be a right-wing-nut type protest.

If you had donned YOUR kooky duds to join the tens of thousands of us who marched, sang, chanted, and prayed at protests around the country last month on the second anniversary of our military's invasion of Iraq, you wouldn't have gotten any camera time whatsover from the corporate media.

But these coupla dozen loose nuts and their fearless leader Terry the Terror(ist) get press conferences every time they belch.

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. Thank you

recommended for greatest page.

I'm pretty much speechless. :(

[unhappycamper]

4. this does put things into perspective. thank you, Bluebear.

[mondo joe]

5. Miss Toni Home Perm is really a publicity whore above all others

She really knows how to convey every mood to the camera.

Bluebear, I hope we might get a retrospective of her greatest hits!

[bertha katzenengel]

63. Stupid sick attention whore fuckhead lamebrained asshole jerk.

And did I mention flaming assclown and blistering idiot?

[MidwestMomma]

6. Beautifully done

Thank you!

[etherealtruth]

7. For whatever reason I have been "running into" your posts ...

...all weekend. You are very insightful and express your thoughts (often) poignantly.
The photos are great!

[mhr]

8. The Fundies Have Become A Christian Cartoon To Be Scorned,

Laughed at and ridiculed!

[Reverend_Smitty]

9. I can't say anything other than wow

that is a terrific contrast

[Piperay]

10. Death with class and dignity

verses tackiness and politicization.x(

[nonconformist]

11. Great post.

I'm finding it hard to comment, because the pictures speak so well.

[beam me up scottie]

13. Wickedly accurate.

:evilgrin:
nt

[BeatleBoot]

14. Media Circus versus Authentic Grief

I just can't relate to poseurs. Never could.

[DistressedAmerican]

15. Bravo! Great Post!.

The hypocrisy never seems to end. It is going to end up being quite a month for religion and politics:

[MADem]

17. I'm sure the Pinellas Parks punks

...think those folks in the piazza just don't know what they are missing out on. No circus is complete without a juggler and a bunch of clowns selling tee shirts--at least that's their perspective, it seems.

[Bluebear]

20. Or a 'trailer hitch Savior'

[MADem]

27. Good grief

That is just...OFFENSIVE...on so many levels! Thank you for posting that shot, I'd never have believed it had I not seen it with my own horrified eyes.

And what's with the terry bath towel wrapped round the waist of our Lord and Savior? Did they snatch him from the shower and pin him up on the cross? Such an incredibly perverse representation, the trailer hitch just ices that poisonous cake!

Sweet Jesus, save us from your "followers'...!!!

[tammywammy]

18. Excellent post.

Wow, that's all there is to say. The contrasts are striking and real.

Thank you for sharing these pictures.

[saracat]

19. Thank You.

Truly , a photo is worth a thousand words!

[Pharaoh]

21. WOW! Pictures truly speak a thousand words

[_TJ_]

22. What a great post!

Thank you! :D

[LibraLiz1973]

23. Recommended

What a great post

[kevinmc]

25. You have .....

captured it perfectly.

[DeepModem Mom]

26. A powerful contrast -- thanks!

[Redstone]

28. God, I wish this could go on CNN.

Truly, truly outstanding work. I salute you.

Redstone

[Jilly Beans]

29. I read an article by a nurse at the hospice. She said she knew it was...

a circus when the JUGGLER showed up. WTF?

[Bluebear]

34. Yes the juggling evangelist

Nathan Dorrell, of Temple, Ga., a juggling evangelist, prays for Terri Schiavo outside the Woodside Hospice Wednesday afternoon March 30, 2005, in Pinellas Park, Fla.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

35. Malloy talked about the juggler the other night.

He kept saying how Mr. Juggler kept moving in camera range.
These idiots have shown absolutely no class; outside a hospice playing bagpipes and trumpets.
It just shows how their freaky agenda and desire for the spotlight trumps dignity.

[Bluebear]

36. Great point

I saw no bagpipers and bullhorn shouters outside the Holy Father's apartment. Nor did Dr. Frist diagnose him via videotape. If only some of these idiots would look outside these 50 states once in a while to get a clue.

[stpalm]

57. look at the crazy juggler!

he has such a funny tie! He seems like a cool guy. I think I will talk to him about religion- he seems "down" with young people like me!

[Just Me]

30. Whoah! Impactful comparison!!! I can't miss the "exploitation",...

,...on the one hand and "graciousness" on the other.

Truly,...stunning.

Sad.

[mopaul]

31. just wow

[riverwalker]

33. thank you, thank you

your photos state what I have been trying to express. No words are now needed.
Thank you.

[Jon_da_brockman]

37. Wow...

Wow, very poignant. Thank you for that.

[Mr_Spock]

38. Wow - nice job

I like the contrast between fundie freaks and real people

[thecorster]

39. Brilliant. Thank you. n/t

[VOX]

40. Pure, honest grief vs. media-fueled display of vulgarity.

Bluebear, you ROCK! :yourock:

[sundancekid]

41. another kick, and a very grateful heart here. please send to olberman -

he sure gets the compare-and-contrast power of images ... americans need to see these profound differences: dignified and gripping grief vs. carnival and circus photo-ops

[arikara]

42. Thanks, but

you made me cry. I think for the state the world is in today.

[Straight Shooter]

43. Bluebear, the spirit of the Pope has inspired you today.

Nominated. Awesome, in the absolute sense of the word.

[Catchawave]

44. Very nice, thanks blue..........nt

[Spiffarino]

45. What has become of America?

I thought those people were run-of-the-mill nuts before your photofest. Now I fear that we have been taken over by aliens from an intergalactic trailer park.

[FreedomAngel82]

46. What a big difference

Wow. A big difference between the people who are "grieving" for Mrs. Schavio and people really greiving for the Pope. You can tell the people are really greiving for the Pope and people really did love him.

[bling bling]

48. Just excellent.

You have captured the meaning perfectly with pictures that speak volumes about people in true grief vs. people who feign grief and use it as just a vessel towards their goal of grandstanding.

This is media at its best.

[brook]

49. Thank you.

for this clear contrast between dignity and delusion.

The difference is profound and beautifully illustrated by your photos.

[mogster]

50. Incredible!

You've just showed what it's all about. Kudos!

[ronnykmarshall]

52. You Bluebear ROCK!

I was just thinking the same thing earlier.

When I watched the people at Vatican when the Holy Father passed, were grieving with grace. There was even a woman that noticed a camera focused on her that moved away to that moment was private. Unlike the circus that went on when Terri Schiavo passed.

[DemBeans]

53. perfect....

I wish you'd send this link to every media outlet who gave these thumpers free airtime 24/7. They cared nothing for Shiavo, all they wanted to do was mug for the cameras and act like asses.

Seeing the contrast really makes me sad for the freak show our country has become. Thanks for posting this, it should give everyone pause.

[seito]

55. A touching contrast

:thumbsup:

[Cleita]

58. You've gotta add Jesus on a trailer hitch to this in

contrast with the papal tribute.

[Bluebear]

59. He is in post 20

I remembered him too late for the editing period. :rofl:

[Kimber Scott]

60. Incredible. Would make a wonderful museum exhibit. Such a powerful

statement.

[dhinojosa]

64. Did you see the lady in the back of this picture though ?

Sometimes I think that the guy in the foreground is crying because he wishes that she'd shut up.

[bertha katzenengel]

65. well done, bluebear n/t

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

66. Thanks

[flygal]

69. Damn

I'm glad I live in Europe - nominated!

[leftofthedial]

72. Murkans have zero class

Zero

[Swamp Rat]

73. N.C...

No Class!

[bluedonkey]

74. Thank you

seeing these pictures side by side shows how truely demented these "Schiavo Christians" are.

[Indykatie]

75. Unbelievable

Were it not for the Pope's death, it would still be Terry 24/7 on the tube.

[ngGale]

76. Kick this one please...

and hope the media will pick it up. They say a picture is worth a thousand words.