Entre-nous, Kaspar, I happen to know the group that put on this 'event' in Washington. They got to be in hiding for awhile - i.e. no computer access. But, as soon as I can, I will query them about their curious grammar usage.
Who knows, maybe they will want to enlist you as a linguistic resource in future events!!
It does sound like fun, as well as meaningful political action. They gave up poetry at the start of Iraq invasion/occupation and they have kept their art on the streets ever since.
I have no idea what they do for day jobs, if you are curious. Probably the same kind of folks you see working at Kinkos, or a bit more daring, as bicycle messengers.
Stephen Vincent
http://stephenvincent.net/blog/
kasper salonen <[log in to unmask]> wrote: in that vein "we know not what we do" would've been grammatical AND accurate
KS
On 02/04/2008, David Bircumshaw wrote:
> Interesting. Of course, 'we knew not what would be wrought' would have been
> grammatically correct but its the style of language is interesting: my
> guess is that it's mirroring people's sense of 'serious' speech: the Bible
> most likely or Shakespeare say, because they want to convey both gravity and
> a sense of 'sin'.
>
>
> On 02/04/2008, kasper salonen wrote:
> >
> > awe-some. wish I'd been there.
> >
> > the audio track thing was also a cool idea, though I wonder if the
> > effigies' silence wouldn't have been more effective, & ironic..
> >
> > also whoever made the tapes apparently didn't know that "wrought" is
> > the past tense (though it allows for the 'Rot' pun), and while the
> > alliteration & assonance in "We knew not what we would wrought" is
> > impressive, it's as clumsy as the cover-up that seems to be taking
> > place over this 'stunt'
> >
> >
> > KS
> >
> >
> > On 02/04/2008, Stephen Vincent wrote:
> > > A note from the Gothics News Service:
> > >
> > > From Washington, D.C. it was barely, if at all, reported this morning
> > that someone, or a group, had hung a bright red laundry line, elevated
> > between the Capitol Dome and the upper floor of the Washington Monument.
> > Against the sunrise, it was possible to make out the figures of George Bush,
> > Dick Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, Wolfolitz, Feith, and a few other architects of
> > the invasion, war and occupation in Iraq. Ceremonially spaced apart by
> > several feet, each figure was strung up and hung upside down from his or her
> > heels. The laundry line was motorized in such away that the figures wheeled
> > back and forth, up and down the mall, the ties of the men flapping in the
> > breeze. Apparently, digital speakers were placed inside each figure. Those
> > looking up from the mall could hear a cacophony of voices. "Forgive us.
> > Forgive us. We knew not what we would wrought." After that, they went on
> > trying to explain themselves.
> > >
> > > The variously, quickly assembled crowds below, yelled back up, "Rot,
> > Rot, Rot."
> > >
> > > Apparently it was an April Fools stunt. As quickly as they realized
> > what was happening, Snipers from Homeland Security – stationed on the tops
> > of surrounding institutions - severed the rope with a couple of careful
> > shots. The figures came down to the lawn in a crumbling crash. Security
> > personnel were seen throwing the remains as quickly as possible into a
> > suddenly convenient dumpster. No arrests in the incident have yet to be
> > made.
> > >
> > > Apparently most news organizations have honored the White House's
> > request for a news blackout. The official memo was rumored to say, "…This
> > Government has no intention of permitting the use of effigies, and the
> > implications of either lynching or torture to be part of our national media
> > or dialog…"
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
> --
> David Bircumshaw
> Website and A Chide's Alphabet
> http://homepage.ntlworld.com/david.bircumshaw/
> The Animal Subsides http://www.arrowheadpress.co.uk/books/animal.html
> Leicester Poetry Society: http://www.poetryleicester.co.uk
>
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