Barry Yourgrau writes, performs & attempts humor in multimedia. His early works A Man Jumps Out of An Airplane & Wearing Dad's Head are considered surreal classics. His book Haunted Traveller plays with imaginary travels. Fans know him too from MTV, NPR & the film The Sadness of Sex in which he starred. For kids (?) there's recent NASTYbooks series. South African-born BY lives in NYC, travels a lot. Has great nostalgia for years in LA. More info @ www.yourgrau.com & www.nastybook.com.
There was a thought-provoking and contrarian op-ed in the NY Times yesterday regarding Tibet and the Dalai Lama, by the English author Patrick French. It's titled "He May Be a God, but He's No Politician. (I've linked to a blog that has the whole piece up) I don't really want to do more than direct attention to the piece, which I think is sobering even if it may not be altogether right. Perhaps it's plain wrong. But I do think it's worth reading by anyone with concern for tragic things happening there these days, and ongoing. And what actually accomplishes the best ends, best intentions notwithstanding.
I'll just say this: French argues that any confrontational approach with China on Tibet is doomed. And that all of the Tibet advocacy in the West has resulted in fact in no amelioration of things for Tibetans.
But as I say, please read the op-ed for yourself. French, who wasn't known to me before, is the author of what appears to be a deeply heartfelt, informed, and incisive book about the country, Tibet, Tibet.
I've responded to this tripe on my own blgog: http://richmartini.blogspot.com/ If you want to hear Tibetans speak about the torture and killings they receive at the hands of the Chinese, instead of helping them to save face, check out my feature length doc which I"ve posted on youtube for free in light of recent events: "Tibetan Refugee Part one" or click on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g9PurojxAU Thanks,
