"These guys must be crazy," I was told by someone I know. He was referring to those who keep fighting no matter how bleak things look. "Why would someone of retirement age stuck in the rubber room not just retire," he said? I can't explain it but I understand it. I could add: Why fight Unity Caucus? Why stand up to BloomKlein when they own the world, including the press?
I had no easy answer for my friend but I thought of that guy standing in front of the tank in Tianamen Square. Or the people who stand up for human rights against Putin in Russia no matter how many of their friends are killed. Or any number of people throughout history who were mad as hell and wouldn't take it any more.
I thought of this as I was watching the academy award foreign language winning film The Secret in Their Eyes (Argentina) on Friday. One review states:
"A thoroughly entertaining murder mystery, The Secret in Their Eyes (El secreto de sus ojos) stars Ricardo Darín (Nine Queens) as a retired prosecutor who can't let go of a 25-year-old rape and murder that he considers still unsolved, but solvable."
Benjamin, the detective, is relentless in pursuing answers. But the movie is really about passion. His 25 year unrequited passion for his married boss, who may have had similar passions (they keep you guessing.) The unending passion of a husband for his murdered wife. Benjamin's alcoholic sidekick Sandoval helps track the killer by figuring out he is a passionate soccer fan. "You can change almost anything," he tells Benjamin. "But you can't change passion. It will always win out."
Maybe that passion is what explains so many unexplainable actions by so many people. And thank goodness for these crazy, passionate people. If not for them we would all be living like the zombies in that revolutionary Apple commercial at the 1984 Super Bowl. Or like the drones at Tweed.
Add On
I saw Bogart in "Have and Have Not" last night and there is a similar relationship between him and the Walter Brennan character who also makes a case for drinking, just as Sandoval did.
Passion... I love that quote. The facts you said about the movie are really good. I actually, understand the passion for soccer, because I seem it. And I dont know you, but maybe the fact that that quote is the introduction to the scene in the stadium maybe make it even more memorable. One question:Was Pablo Sandoval funny for you?.
ReplyDeleteHe was funny and tragic. He actually made the case for drinking. I saw Bogart in "Have and Have Not" last night and there is a similar relationship between him and the Walter Brennan character who also makes a case for drinking.
ReplyDeleteTRUE PASSION ALWAYS ENTAILS SACRIFICE
ReplyDelete+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Whoever asks why people contine to fight on when all seems lost needs an immediate refresher course in History 101.
Every bit of progress the Human race has achieved throughout all of history has been due to individuals who refused to surrender to evil doers such as the NYC Dept of Education.
The fact that sub humans like former Federal Prosecutor, Joel Klein, can wreck the careers and totally destroy the lives of individual NYC Teachers does not negate the fact that the collective
efforts of all those who sacrifice themselves in the struggle, will over time have a powerful effect and create change.
Every struggle that has ever occured since the dawn of time to create a more Just world has been the result of countless individuals, each in his own way, contributing what he could to achieve the ultimate goal.
Many fall but a few survive to carry on the struggle- whatever that struggle may be.
I just returned from Prague last night, where I had accepted a consulting job to make up for the fact that the NYC DOE has been illegally withholding all my City paychecks since Oct. 1, 2009.
In the large pile of mail awaiting me were 9 (Nine) separate envelopes from the NYC DOE containing a set of new, additional 3020-a charges against me.
Thus, despite the fact that my current Teacher Trial has not even ended and may not end for months, Joel Klein's stooges have already memorialized the charges that will be leveled against me the day my current 3020-a trial concludes.
Therefore, even if I am totally exonerated of all the preposterous allegations in my current trial, it will be a hollow victory since new charges will take effect immediately.
Any reasonable person might say to me:
"Why not just give up now because clearly Klein's lapdogs plan to hound you into your grave?"
I have already partially answered that question above. In every struggle it is to be expected that some- even many will fall. That is always the price of the ultimate victory.
Think of the sacrifices required for the ending of American slavery and the final victory over the Third Reich.
And then, as mentioned above also, though many fall, some do not, some survive to fight another day.
And among the latter group there are often a few individuals who ensure that the evil wrought by such sorry specimens of humanity as those who work their evil deeds along Chambers Street in Manhattan, are forced to pay a heavy price for the pain and havoc they have visited for years on others.
The final Hearings of my current NY State 3020-a Teacher Trial commence on May 10 at 49 Chambers Street, 6th Floor at 10 AM -the Hon. Douglas J. Bantle, Esq., presiding.
These final Hearings will be about snatching Victory from Defeat.
That is not to say the DOE will fail through their ruthless and criminal actions to bring me down.
It was preordained, years ago, when I first became a Whistle-blower that the NYC DOE would eventually destroy my teaching career.
But sometimes it is necessary for some to fall, for some to sacrifice themselves, to achieve the ultimate victory of those who follow in their footsteps.
It is a cardinal rule of history.
I consider it the ultimate honor that I was able, for forty years, to be a part of the long struggle to obtain Respect and Dignity for America's Public School Teachers.
David Pakter
__________________________________
Great essay, Norm! Inspirational! Haven't seen a better one from you!
ReplyDeleteDavid:
ReplyDeleteWhat they are doing to you is threatening not just to all teachers but to every US citizen who believes that tyranny went dead when the revolutionaries knocked out the British here!
It is a threat to us all of continual harassment, defamation, retaliation and a vengeful monstrosity that can only be called ADMINISTRATIVE TERRORISM!
Are they trying to warn us that they will never stop gunning for you and hounddog you if you should question their gestapo-like antics?
Is this a new take on double jeopardy?
Are they mockingly saying that they can and will do this with impunity and with the arrogance of a third rate third world banana republic dictator?
Shame, shame, shame on them!
Keep the passion burning, for in light of the history of right and wrong, you will ultimately prevail and they will surely go down in shame!