PROUD AMERICAN

this is a nice compostion. The big truck just by its size balances the size of the barn quite nicely, and as a (big) bonus the colour of the truck matches the colour of the stripes on the flag. (Did you play with it to colour-match them?). Also, the service sign on the side of the barn gives it a punctuation mark (on the other hand, it would be hilarious if it said "Barbies for sale"). In this photo I like the bland, gray, sky, (and the barn), as it highlights the saturated colours of the truck, flag and sign. Cheers, Micheal

 

Glad you like this one. I did not really "play" with the colors. I did tweak the saturation, but not specific to the truck. I had one taken from a little more forward and to the right, that didn't have the truck in it, but decided I liked the color tone and shape offered by the truck, and picked this one instead. That truck looks like it took a healthy dose of V8.

There is something about this picture that touches me in a sad way. There was an article on Newsweek where the writer, snug in a comfortable air conditioned office was waxing eloquent--he believed--on why it is that polls show that 69% of Americans are unhappy about the direction the country is headed. He flat out called them whiners in so many words, talking down to them like they were five year olds, demanding to know why an American that has running water and electricity 24/7 would dare complain.

 

I cringed when I read it because I did my legal internship in Kentucky. We held conferences in rural Kentucky, in places where folks still had that naive and unfettered love for a vision of America that is unfettered by multi-national corporations like, yes, Newsweek, where they still believe that the America of the 1950s still exist, where people wear their genuine patriotism on their bare biceps like a proud tattoo.

 

This gentleman, God bless his soul, strikes you as the sort that would have two children serving in the military overseas, not because he sees it as a way out of poverty for them, but because he really believes in that flag that dominates his home, really believes that politicians do not manipulate public sentiment to serve their selfish ends, that companies are not shutting down all around him and moving overseas so they could fire him and hire a poor Third world slave to do his job for a fraction of what they pay him.

 

This gentleman, in all his naive simplicity, and stubborn refusal to believe that his country is capable of anything but the most noble of intentions, really is a sad figure in today's Orwellian society. Yet, there is a tinge of honesty and dignity in him, for he is a true believer, and in todays world, a jewel in a sea of rocks.

If you are going to judge it, please look at the large version. Thanks

Eloquently and well spoken my friend. I could not agree with you more. I have a friend who, whenever I comment on our country in a negative manner, is fond of pointing out that there are still millions of people trying to come here. His smugness is infuriating. Those people as we know are coming here not because of their fundamental political and philosophical beliefs, but because they live in the most abject poverty and see some hope that they might improve their lot by doing the work we won't do ourselves. They would still be coming even if we were a Hitlerite fascist country (which we are attempting to achieve) because they have no choices.

And people like my friend are comfortable with their existence, because they have pensions and health insurance, and don't need to worry about anyone else. Nothing wrong with a limited amount of patriotism I suppose, but IMHO, just like religion, it has caused as many problems as it has solved.

 

Thanks again for your cogent commentary.

Now that you two are done "waxing politically" or is it "poetically", (I found Emmanuel's commnets interesting based on the fact that he's an immigrant to this country)I just want to put in my two cents worth about the image, you don't want to hear my take on the state of the Union.....there's a lot of interesting "cliches" in this image, the new new Dodge truck and the obviously old log building, the "Star" and the flag, both strong symbols, warm red colors surrounded by cold snow, a fine example of "American yard art", but sad??.....I think not, I think I'll choose to be optimistic, life is good when you drive a new Dodge. Definitely one of those images that tells a story and everyone will interpret it differently, that's what makes it so interesting and appealing.

Well, I guess in one sense you are right. We are here mostly to display and talk about photos. But I am easily baited into talking politics, and I am rather zealous in my views (as I think you have noticed).

 

Artistically, I really liked the reds, especially in the truck. The scene is archetypical Americana.

Zealous is good......

Not always. Now quit arguing with me. You've been gone all that time, and now that you just get back you are stirring up trouble. Must be the strong tea. Just kidding.

 

Glad to hear you are staying put and have employment. Unless, of course, that is not what you wanted.

There is nothing wrong with optimism. I used to live in that state myself, but I become more and more pessimistic as each day passes. Yes, I noted the new Dodge, and, yes, I noted it is a Dodge fullsize truck, a Ram or Durango, both macho, militaristic terms that connote a false bravado. Yet, look again at the picture. There is washed out snow and desolation, with the only signs of humanity the truck, the flag, and the log cabin, which was probably built by the man's grandfather. He is still living in it, and still clinging to his grandfather's worldview. These give me no cause for optimism.

 

Finally, to sound the final dire tone of pessimism, in Detroit today, a LOT of houses are foreclosed and selling for less than $15,000, the saddest part being that NOBODY is buying them. So, his truck probably cost him more than a house would. Yet, the truck is nothing but a shiny prostitute, whose value drops as soon as the euphoria of the newness wears out. I find nothing optimistic in the picture, not the cold snow, not the shiny truck that looks out of place in such meagre surroundings, like shiny rims on a beat up Caprice Classic, and certainly not the log cabin with its oversized flag.

 

To the extent that the man is sincere in his beliefs, I doff my hat to him, but like the man who STILL believes that the earth is flat--wait a minute, I never quite got THAT explanation--you can't convince him otherwise, nor can you sincerely agree with him. You just nod and move on.

 

In ending, maybe I should say something about the composition of the image or the aesthetics, but, then again, maybe I just did.

I'm still chuckling, I know darn good and well what the truck costs 'cause I'm driving a 2006 4x4 Dodge diesel truck that cost twice what my humble little house did and at the current cost of fuel I'm one of those "energy hogs" on the roads. I drive such a big and powerful truck, not because I have something to prove, but because I'm a rancher and I need the horsepower to pull a large stock trailer full of cattle, got to get that beef on the hoof to market somehow. I enjoy reading your comments on others photos as your interpretation is always an interesting story and often a good social commentary. I live in a small town full of images/stories just like this one, the local good ol' boys like to sit at the little coffe shop and complain about how this country is being run, but they all believe in honesty, justice, hardwork, and certainly the right to bear arms. If Grandpa did build that old shed you can bet he had it lasting for a long time in mind so that the next generation could benefit from his endeavors, and now someone down the line has embellished it with his honest sentiments. These small rural communities are almost cliches for the way America used to be and I like living here. I have great respect for those folks that worked hard so us spoiled offspring could drive big trucks. Remember Emmanuel, sometimes when things seem to be as bad and as desparate as they could possibly get a miracle happens (but sadly not always), you're a prime example of that hope for a better life.

I was born in a small town as well, the first of five children. I, too, love the rural life, and hope to someday return to my town and document what's left of life there. I never meant to imply that small town folk were somehow naive or sad, but remember clearly stating that I admired the simplicity of their beliefs, and their dogged clinging to that belief. These feelings are universal among rural folk, from Kentucky to Nebraska, to Alaska to the Andes mountains, to, yes, Eastern Nigeria. My late grandmother would have fit in with those "good old boys" discussing city slickers. We all are really one.

 

I own a small car, not because of gas, but because I like the feel of a small car. I once drove a Ford F250 from Fresno to San Francisco and felt I was leaning forward the entire time. But, anyway, I am not against simplicity, but rather greatly admire it. I simply think that the course of human events have always gravitated toward more power to the more seedy elements of the population. The meek may inherit the earth, but only after the aggressive have finished with it. That doesn't give me much hope.

Emmanual, you use your past like a crutch and obviously haven't learned much from those experiences. In September, a small town here is having a rodeo. You can come and tell the folks in this image that all of their trucks are just capitalist accoutrements and wasteful devices.

It would seem to me that if you wish to be rude to fellow Photo netters, you could at least do it on your own pages. Emmanuel's past has no bearing on how he perceives the future and even if it did, I happen to believe he has a pretty good handle on where we as a culture and a people are heading.

My recommendation is to not play head games with pictures; just ask for a straight critique and park the politics. Emmanuel can take care of himself.

I'm sure that Emmanuel is well aware that certain jobs need certain tools. One cannot haul a big trailer with a 4-cylinder car. I think it's up to Dave what he allows to be said on his pages, so a visitor should respect that. From your intense reaction it would seem that something that you projected into Emmanuel's comments touched your self-image. We all have our opinions and I find it helpful to respect the opinions of others, even if I don't agree with them. My opinion, for example, is that rodeos are wasteful, un-intelligent entertainment. Would I go to a rodeo and announce that? Of course not, at least not unless I'd be sure that all the present folks are respectful of the opinions of others. Cheers, Micheal

Well said amigo. It seems to me that Mr. Falkenstine has taken the virtue of straight talk and turned it into plain ordinary rudeness. I have had encounters with him previously, and there is no give or take with the man. He must have studied under Dubya (my way or the highway) school of thought.

 

A toast to you (V8 of course)!

Oh, I know John Falkenstine, as I have butted heads with him on two other different pages. No need to defend me, my dear colleagues. I can more than acquit myself. I use my past as a crutch? LOL! That is simply a biographical sketch and has no bearing on my present. To the extent that it comes across that way, I apologize, and would gladly delete my biography. In fact, I'm debating doing that anyway.

 

I only regret that John did not bother to read my comments before speaking, because he would have noted that I said I admire small town folk, being one myself. But, I do NOT admire having huge flags tattoed to your front door the same way I do not admire having a tattoo of your sweetheart on your back or a little lower, as some people feel a need to. True love does not need such overt and superfluous manifestations. I can guarantee you that if you examined the bodies of 1,000,000 couples who have celebrated their silver wedding jubilees, you would find less than 1% of them tattooed each other's names on their bodies. Still waters run deep, while noisy waterfalls try to mask the rocks under that bubbling water.

 

As to capitalism, I, as a trial lawyer, am probably more capitalistic than he is. My comment on the picture was not politics but social commentary, commentary that the picture inspired me to make. I've seen John's work, and I have stated more than once that I admire his direct approach to his subjects. I, myself, take the same approach, and therefore believe we have a lot more in common than he admits.

 

Spend some time on a ranch working; it can be done. Sign up for it and experience something new and different. (A serious suggestion, there are ranches who do this to show people how tough and hard this life is). Here is a good link to apply.

http://attrainternships.ncat.org/internDetail2.asp?id=1195

 

BTW, a long time ago, in Paris, a gentleman caught a young American kid goofing off. (I would ride the metro and commuter rail all day by jumping the killer 3rd rail). He pulled him aside, bought him a lunch and a coke and described the horrible happenings going on that he had experienced. His name was Dick Tiger, a once famous boxer.

You are completely irrelevant.

Ah, yes, Dick Tiger. His fights with middleweight champion Gene Fullmer were some of the classics of boxing history. But, he was a great champion, who died of liver cancer in 1971.

 

Btw, John, I grew up in a farm. Look again in my color portraits folder. There is a picture of a woman peeling cassava with another man there. This was the life I led with my late grandmother. I have written a manuscript of my trip back home in 1995 when all these pictures were taken. I eschew modern life for rural simplicity.

 

I also began a short novela of the year I spent in Kentucky. It is called The Beekeeper of Franfort, and it is about the family of Bill Lee and the year we spent growing and harvesting honey bees in Kentucky. Mr. Lee was probably the nicest man I met in the US. He let me use his house for two months while I studied for the bar exam in exchange for painting it. After I passed the bar, I got a job in California, but had to turn it down to return and paint his house. He seemed shocked and told me I didn't have to do that, but to me, going back to fulfill my end of the bargain was more important than any money I could have made.

 

Mr Lee had quit his job in the Kentucky government to raise his family on his rural farm. He would go on and on about Thoreau every time we got in the car to go out to the bee farm. He is a hunter, but not in the "sport" sense, but only killed what he ate. His fridges were always full of animals and birds straight from the hunt. Like I said, a remakable man, and a true American. He did not need a flag on his door to prove it.

Screw Thoreau. Get a job on a real ranch.

Screw you. My suggestion is that you try to get a life. Given your limited comprehension of human events, that's going to be tough.

c'mon David; Ad Hominem is not allowed on photo.net and I actually happen to like your photographs. Thoreau never drove a pickup truck and was a bit of a dreamer and not relevant to the fuel consumption of a Dodge Diesel. Let's edit out that stuff and read this for a perspective on my viewpoints. http://americanfuture.net/?p=2662

I actually have to defend John on this one. I think we're all entitled to our worldview, and truth be told, I get his point about Thoreau. But, it is your picture, and he is a bit violent in his verbal gesticulations. He has driven many a photographer to distraction by his gruff and often uncouth manners, but, it is an open forum and everyone is invited, even the less civilized. That said, I'll sign off from this discussion. It has grown to rival the picture in interest, and that, after all, is why we bother to post pictures up here. If all we got was "fantastic! wonderful!", then I'm afraid, it'd be a dull forum. John has not hurt my feelings at all by pointing out what HE BELIEVES are my biases. He is entitled.