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m ,
{K:15872} 9/7/2006
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Even though I see this image almost later than one year, your message is unfortunately still very active: STOP the WAR! Do you believe anyone would hear it! I am not much optimist! Best regards: Maxime
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Yamil Saenz
{K:12434} 10/17/2005
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Great shot Gyle. Powerful message definitely, no only the sign speaks by itself, but with her very vivid expression she is telling a thousand words . Children are little adults and they understand much more than what we may think. We should listen more to our kids. Not a single one wants to go to war. They have their own opinions too. And they better start taking action now when they are young because historically children are always the first victims. The way I see it, there is nothing wrong with children protesting against the war.Others may disagree and as this child, they are entitled to their opinions. She is fighting it in her own terms but her message is powerful. Congratulations for this pic. I will added to my favorites. Take care. Yamil
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Ian McIntosh
{K:42997} 10/6/2005
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Hi Gayle. Strong.
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Steve Rosenbach
{K:8338} 9/20/2005
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... a very strong photo - you caught her at just the right moment.
I'm seeing your photos in reverse order as it's been a while since I've taken the time to sit down and slowly go through the photos on my Friends list.
I think you've really hit your stride in this series, and I admire your PJ skills even though I disagree with your conclusions.
BTW, I'm a lifelong Democrat, voted for McGovern, Clinton (twice) and Gore - just wanted to make my Lefty credentials clear.
But as King David said so well in Psalm 27...
When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh-- my adversaries and foes-- they shall stumble and fall.
Best regards, SteveR
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Carlheinz Bayer
{K:14220} 8/31/2005
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Great journalistic shot, Gayle. Must say, very interesting discussion. I can agree with a lot what's written here; including the last comment of David Hofmann. CB
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David Hofmann
{K:22223} 8/28/2005
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Interesting. I have never ever heard anyone criticizing parents dragging their children into church saying they have no clue what religion really means.
I have never seen anyone criticizing a child waving the flag on independence day for not understanding the whole meaning of the declaration and its meaning on the nation today.
But all of a sudden, when its against war, children should stay home?
I think this child is old enough to be able to make up her own mind that war and killing based on lies is not worth supporting.
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
{K:91109} 8/24/2005
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Thanks,Hansi for another insightful comment! peace,gayle
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- -
{K:6282} 8/24/2005
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Images of women and children as victims of- and/or protesters against war are about as old as war itself. Though there is a contemporary dimension, I find stopping at that dimension shallow. This is so much more. It is great and universal work. /Best regards - Hansi
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Keith Saint
{K:13784} 8/24/2005
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Your images are really stiring the hornets nest I think that these will become valuable archive material in years to come. I really think you have something here Your views make you who you are and what you believe in shapes your work. Photography is a very powerfull medium and it never fails to amaze me how an image can provoke so many words. You have a talent Gayle
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Tracey MacLeod
{K:3244} 8/21/2005
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I once shot fur protesters and the argument was the same about the parents thinking for thier children... quite honestly the ethnical arguement still doesn't detract from the strength of the image! Very nice shot!
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
{K:91109} 8/20/2005
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Thank you,Sassy and especially for recognizing the value of this image...
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Peggy Christine Skinner
{K:26936} 8/20/2005
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A powerful shot, Gayle and the eyes speak volumes. All the rhetoric aside, a simple, basic plea from a child's point of view. World peace is but a dream and as elusive.
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Paul Lara
{K:88111} 8/20/2005
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Bravo, to both the photographer and the brave young girl.
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Neal Nye
{K:15827} 8/20/2005
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Good work Gayle. Thank you.
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
{K:91109} 8/20/2005
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Thank you,Khalid for your comment about my photo as well as sharing your personal feelings brought about by this image...peace,gayle
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
{K:91109} 8/20/2005
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Long time no see,Josh...thanks for "getting it" with this image.....appreciate your dropping by!
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Khalid Saif
{K:1074} 8/19/2005
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Dear Mr.Bradley Prue; Next time (please) don't take it personally BECAUSE I was telling my opinion on this picture & about what I felt from that argument about it! 1-I didn't mention ur name 2-I didn't speak about IRAQ or THAILAND or ANY COUNTRY ON THIS PLANET!!! 3-We live in a (civilized world) & war to me is not a civilized solution In the end everyone has an opinion & a believe u can't demeaned people to follow ur opinions or believes because everyone of us has his/her mind & logical way of thinking & that's why human beans r the greatest creators on this planet? I do promise that I'm not going to add any more comments on that picture? God Bless All?
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Bradley Prue
{K:30678} 8/19/2005
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You are lucky, Kamran. She is my friend, too!
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Kamran Bakhtiari
{K:24045} 8/19/2005
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Gayle is my friend.
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Joshua Rainey
{K:5069} 8/19/2005
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Wow. This is such a great photojournalistic piece. You've captured it perfectly. What really says a lot is not the sign, but the look on the girl's face. Great shot...
Josh
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Bradley Prue
{K:30678} 8/19/2005
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Dearest Khalid, 1. I will refrain from trying any further, to explain what I don't like about children being used in political protests. If you don't understand my explaination (I didn't say "agree with"....I said "understand") by now, you never will.
2. Yes, I do support our efforts in Iraq. In this country I have a right to my opinion, just like you. But please, my friend....don't confuse "supporting the war efforts" with "celebrating death and destruction". I'm not trying to put words in your mouth, it's just that so many who oppose the war seem to think that if you support the war, that you support death and destruction. War is all of that...ugly, disgusting, sad, regrettable, and filled with death and sorrow. It is even more regrettable that through history, there have been occasions where it was the only way to stop an even greater evil. Yes, this is my opinion.
3. Khalid, in this country they would not let me serve. I'm too damned old.
4. Also...in this country, unlike many, soldiers are not slaves. They are volunteers. They do not do their job out of fear. They do it out of a sense of duty.
5. I agree, children are the first casualties of war. Unfortunately, they are ALSO usually the casualties of a murderous regime that MAKE war necessary. It's an important step in the assessment of conflict, that most people skip. Think about it.....
6. I hope that none of her family has been lost to war. I mourn those losses just like you, and those who are protesting.
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Emily G
{K:320} 8/19/2005
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First of all, A++++ on a wonderful shot. Very powerful. Brings tears to my eyes. I agree... Stop the War, Stop this stupid war. Bring them home while we still can. :(
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Khalid Saif
{K:1074} 8/19/2005
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Photographically I see that pic has a good composition & it has a peace message handled by a little girl (stop the war)...
Politically Why some of the guys got angry from that! Is it because they support the war!!!! I tell these guys loud & clear if u support this war please join the rest of ur troops & die for ur cause (if there is any good cause to be a slave & to be killed for ur bosses)!!!
Don't u all know that children r the first victims during wars!!! & this picture really reflected the true feelings of that sad girl (U don't know that girl & u don't know why she lifted that sign she might has a relative been killed in a war)
Or maybe she is smarter than MANY ADULTS!
Good job Hardman...
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Bradley Prue
{K:30678} 8/19/2005
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OF COURSE we need to teach our children about the realities of the world. OF COURSE we want them to be involved citizens...or at least, be nurtured so that when they are more mature, they can understand and deal with the moral, idealogical, and economic issues of the day. Who does NOT want that? It is the children, that are at the heart of the matter. My point is this....and I can hardly believe that this point can sail clear over your collective heads... What child wouldn't say "stop the killing", or "stop the war", or "war is bad"?? It IS bad. Children are being used at each and every "peace rally" as tools. For until one is mature enough to really understand the intensely deep issues that create wars, and the ramifications of whether a war is worth fighting...they should not be USED. It's perfectly fine in my opinion, for an adult to take a stance against a war, on behalf of their children.... but not the other way around. And please.. don't twist this comment into "those right-wingers don't care about our children", or "the children need to have a voice, too". That's OUR job, as parents, to speak for our children...until they become adults. Until a person has the intellect, and logic to communicate their position with experience and reason, they shouldn't be used as tools.
And as far as people sticking signs on the backs of dogs? Well I'm sure they said that "they wanted to go, to express their opinions, too".... omg.
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Randy Libner
{K:4084} 8/19/2005
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Gayle, maybe my use of the word hate, was too strong... How about if I said it might taint her view of this country? ... I mean I still dislike Fords, and there must be some correlation because of my dads dislike of them. The adults protesting such as the veterans were adults when exposed to the war..... this is a very young child being exposed to the war. I guess I am just concerned about her and what she is walking away with from all this. I am not "pro war" I'm 47 and never been in the service. The problem is how do we get out of it? If we just walk away, there will be more Iraqis slaughtered..... probably in unbearably high numbers, and of course we will then be blamed for "walking out" on them. There is no win in this war until the Iraqis can fend for themselves. We planted a seed of democracy over there.... with any luck it will slowly grow. A sign saying 'stop the war' is nice, but knowone seems to be offering a better solution to do so. I wish it was that easy..... the President wishes it was that easy, the Iraqi's wish it was that easy. Is it that easy? Can we just pack our bags and walk out on them? I don't think so.... I, like everyone else here wish that we could.
Controvercial photos will always spark reactions, I hope mine hasn't been considered to be offensive. The photo is a very good one, and the look on the little girls face says much, but I see more than an image. I see the war as an adult issue, and wish the kids could grow up in a kids environment instead of a political one. My mom or dad would have taken me over to play with the neighbor kids if they were going to participate in something like this. I have always felt that kids are used as ponds when they are injected into stuff like this...... just my feelings. By 'beef' is not with you, it's with her parents.
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Randal Dean
{K:4004} 8/19/2005
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I think it's beautiful, Gayle. Kids can be aware, too. They have opinions, and many times see thru all the crap right into the crux of the matter. "Stop killing people."
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Marcia .
{K:16108} 8/19/2005
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So touching image, Gayle! Those eyes.... About all the discussion here, I think the children has the right to participate if they want, and to be told about reality. They will not grow up alienated of the world and maybe we will have a better world in the future, their future. Excellent!!!
Congrats.
Márcia
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Nour El Refai
{K:12481} 8/19/2005
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it is so meaningful, so true excellent for journalism, those little worlds spoken from the child are heared among the anger voices, hatred, ignorant, selfish ones they really make a difference in our hearts and minds
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Q Zhang
{K:3946} 8/19/2005
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Randy, I don't really want to get into a debate over the Iraqi war. However, to me, there is no difference between someone telling their child to accept the sacrifices of their parents for their country, and someone who tells their child to protest the war. In both cases it is the parents who are bringing THEIR politics to the child.
My comment is that there is nothing to not understand about the look in the child's eyes. That look is much more fundamental than any politics, and is the right of every child to want to be with their parents.
And for the record, I do disagree with the Iraqi war and the way the War on Terrorism has been fought so far. Notice I'm not saying I disagree with fighting terrorism. This war is different than any war ever fought before. Unfortunately, the US military doctrine hasn't had time to adapt to the situation. They are using tactics developed for the Cold War against the Soviets and I don't believe it will work in the long run. But that's my politics, which really has nothing to do with Gayle's photograph.
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Alessandra Frediani
{K:2445} 8/19/2005
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Wonderful wonderful wonderful! Compliments! Alessandra
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
{K:91109} 8/19/2005
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Thank you Mohamed for your very respectful comment and blessings....peace to you and yours! regards,gayle
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Mohamed Banna
{K:34237} 8/19/2005
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great great great face feelings and expressions,, strong silent message from a cute girl to this world,, beside that ( which actualy enough) the photo it self is great perfect in everything,,, and as they said
a photo is a 1000 words
all my best regards and as my dear friend ARMANDO always said God bless you
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
{K:91109} 8/19/2005
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Randy Libner...just now saw this and i don't quite understand what gives you the impression she,or anyone else at the vigils hate their country? Many who attended were either veterans of Nam or earlier wars,relatives of soldiers now in Iraq,or people who support our troops but want them safely returned sooner than later...many feel that this war is based on outrageous lies and is utterly illegitimate,but i have never heard or read about any people attending these vigils,with or without kids, saying they hate their country....BTW, i think a "Positive Vision" is PEACE...so try to "Imagine" ;>
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Mark Julian
{K:36866} 8/19/2005
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My surfer dude friend, Jeff Spicoli, says the seal's already been broken on that one (whatever that means) He likes this one Gayle - he's too lazy to get up and type (Catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world !!)
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Randy Libner
{K:4084} 8/19/2005
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A child should be told that mommy or daddy was brave and died trying to help others......... they need an uplifting and positive vision to live in their mind for eternity. ....... not one to cause them to start hating their country at that young age. My dad told me Fords were junk...... I guess it stuck... I will never buy one...... not sure why... but I just won't. I guess his words stuck in my mind and can't be erased.... maybe the same for the kid in the photo..... will she ever learn to love her country? War is sad, but often the tremendos sacrifices have proven very worthwhile when good overcomes evil. Time will tell on this war.
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Randy Libner
{K:4084} 8/19/2005
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...as far as the comet... Thank you for the 7+ I had such nice responses.... I should have sent out a form letter. :)
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Randy Libner
{K:4084} 8/19/2005
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"...i understand what you are saying and of course it was never my intention to "Use" this child..."
Glad you understood. I was not commenting on you...... just the parents using their kids.
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
{K:91109} 8/19/2005
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"See???? All that,and i still like you"...of course you do,dear Brad,what's not to like? ;>
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Q Zhang
{K:3946} 8/19/2005
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What's there to not understand? Mommies and Daddies are away from home, or god forbid, coming home in body bags. A child has as much right to protest the war as an adult. Kids are people too.
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
{K:91109} 8/19/2005
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LOL...ok,ike,or are you spike? ;> ...you be different,Bradley as i take my dog almost everywhere i go and if i had little kids,they would be there,too, "IF" THEY wanted to come with...if not, then hopefully i could wrangle a reliable babysitter....i think the operative word in your last comment is "if {I} wanted to be taken seriously...." (wink da wink) good luck on being taken seriously,dear flip,or are you flop? ;>
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Bradley Prue
{K:30678} 8/19/2005
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I'm not disputing that it's a good photojournalism shot, Gayle. You don't take bad shots (winky wink wink)! However, I think you made my point.... there were DOGS with signs. If I wanted to be taken seriously, I woulda left the children and pets at home, to be children and pets.
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
{K:91109} 8/19/2005
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ok Mutt, or are you Jeff? ;> ...Dear Bradley, this is one shot of one child who attended this vigil with her mom and who asked her mom if she could hold up the sign...there were dogs there,too,who had signs attached to them but they never stayed still long enough for me to get the shot! There were many people there and i'm only 5'4",so i had to grab what i could get when an elbow moved or a path was cleared...her eyes pulled me in and i would have taken this shot even if she didn't have the sign in her hands..i doubt you believe that these days,tho'..wink wink...This is a valid candid photojournalism photo and no one i know "uses" children to be a messenger of anything...when you document an event as a photographer, it is a "good thing" to shoot a variety of images...she was "one"....
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Mark Julian
{K:36866} 8/19/2005
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...Gentlemen, he said, I don't need your organization - I've shined your shoes. I've moved your mountains and marked your cards.....But Eden is burning. Either get ready for elimination or else your hearts must have the courage for the changing of the guard. Peace will come. With tranquility and splendor on the wheels of fire. But will offer no reward when the false idols fall.....And cruel death surrenders with it's pale ghost retreating between the King and the Queen of Swords.....
(It's Kevin's fault, made me think of someone)
Brilliant Work
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Brian Fillmore
{K:4016} 8/19/2005
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As a northern neighbour I am tired of seeing young Americans coming back either wounded or in a coffin. Now Canadian Troops are being sent to replace US Troops in Afghanistan. Round and Round we go. Need more photos like yours on this site so the rest of the viewers abroad realize we all don't agree that War solves anything.
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Bradley Prue
{K:30678} 8/19/2005
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Hi Gayle! I must admit (though I'm certain, no surprise to you) that Randy Libner has nailed it. Come on... Don't the adults who share your view, have any concept of how they present their perspective? It's one thing to speak your mind about how the worlds conflicts impact everyone, especially children....it is of the utmost importance. But using children as the messenger takes away from the validity of that perspective. Based on "using" children as spokespeople for any issue, I would expect those people to ask for children to have the intellect to vote on ALL important issues, including elections. You have to be able to take a step back and ask yourself how sensible that is. I know that I was not qualified to "raise the consciousness" of America when I was a child. Maybe others were, or are....I wasn't. I was just a kid, allowed to enjoy my childhood. These kids will have plenty of time as adults, to worry. Unless that is...George Bush keeps attacking innocent dictators, raping their women, stealing their oil, and killing all the seals along the way.
Cause....after all, that's what he's doing...right??
See???? All that, and I still like you ;-) ~Brad
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Dina Marie
{K:-1410} 8/19/2005
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i agree this image is powerful but have to agree with Randy -- kids don't really have a clue....
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
{K:91109} 8/19/2005
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About time you commented to me after that glowing comet comment i left you awhile back!..LOL..i understand what you are saying and of course it was never my intention to "Use" this child...her mother let her hold the sign and she was one of several kids there who caught my attention while i was documenting the event...i believe that it is good to expose children,not force,to many facets of life and to explain at their level of understanding what is going on...at a very young age my parents let me go to a political rally and i became very politically active in highschool in the 60's as well as in the 70's at college...now it is many years later and i am contributing in my own way through the medium of photography. Thanks for respectful comment,Randy Libner
As for hand in the pocket guy, i didn't want to lose the original framed-in camera comp,and wished none of the people were in the background,but with candid photos you take em' as you get them!
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Randy Libner
{K:4084} 8/19/2005
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Please take this for what I intend. Children have no idea what war is, yet I see them used by adults for adult purposes. I feel adults can protest a war because they are able to see all sides and come out with an educated and personal viewpoint..... kids have no clue that they are being used for an adult agenda...... not that the agenda is right or wrong.......... just that I see the children as ponds, or cards to play. Children need to be children until they are old enough to understand lifes unfortunate realities.
With that said, the image has impact, but I would crop out a little of the left side showing someone with their hand in the pocket.
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
{K:91109} 8/19/2005
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Nice comment,thanks!...Pioneer Park and haven't heard about next event yet,but will email when i do...her eyes knocked me out!
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Kevin Collier
{K:19076} 8/19/2005
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...if only those eyes could look into the soul of "The Masters Of War" this would not be an issue...where was tghis adn when is the next...??
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mike donovan
{K:3698} 8/19/2005
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Very powerful photo!well done!
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