Some years ago, I sought a comment from Tyson upon the release from prison of the appalling Claude Dallas. I left a message and "his people" called back, eager for me to do an interview, they thought, about a new album release. After I disabused them, there was stony silence. I regret that this has colored my appreciation of Tyson, the artist. In Tyson's lyrics about Dallas, he presented a view of the cold-blooded executions of two law-enforcement officers–one corpse he stuffed into a coyote den to elude discovery–with sheer Trumpian oblivion: "There's two sides two this story, there may be no right or wrong."
Sorry, Ian, there is a right, and unquestionably, a wrong.
There's no excuse for the romanticization of Dallas, what he did, or what he stood for, whatever that was. I have a thread up here on the blog him somewhere. I'll see if I can locate it.
Actually, I remembered that incorrectly. Rather, I'd commented on somebody else's blog who was remembering Dallas the way that you noted Tyson had, and I dimly think recalling that song (which I hadn't recalled was Tyson's). Anyhow, my reply was much like yours in its position.
It's interesting how many homicidal criminals are romanticized in general. The James Gang, Bonnie and Clyde, etc. Next to none of them match their romanticized image.
Except it may be a visceral reaction to the overwhelming authority of the state to enter into the life of the individual. We're more likely to be confronted by an officious clerk at the DMV, and to react negatively, than ever to come face to face with a Jeffrey Dahmer. On the other hand, we do idolize the likes of Wyatt Earp, a pimp, gambler, and oft-times vigilante, too. There is somehow a matter of scale in it all.
Lady Marian Fitzswalter: Why, you speak treason! Robin Hood: Fluently.
4 comments:
Some years ago, I sought a comment from Tyson upon the release from prison of the appalling Claude Dallas. I left a message and "his people" called back, eager for me to do an interview, they thought, about a new album release. After I disabused them, there was stony silence. I regret that this has colored my appreciation of Tyson, the artist. In Tyson's lyrics about Dallas, he presented a view of the cold-blooded executions of two law-enforcement officers–one corpse he stuffed into a coyote den to elude discovery–with sheer Trumpian oblivion: "There's two sides two this story, there may be no right or wrong."
Sorry, Ian, there is a right, and unquestionably, a wrong.
Tom
Sheridan, WY
I agree with you.
There's no excuse for the romanticization of Dallas, what he did, or what he stood for, whatever that was. I have a thread up here on the blog him somewhere. I'll see if I can locate it.
Actually, I remembered that incorrectly. Rather, I'd commented on somebody else's blog who was remembering Dallas the way that you noted Tyson had, and I dimly think recalling that song (which I hadn't recalled was Tyson's). Anyhow, my reply was much like yours in its position.
It's interesting how many homicidal criminals are romanticized in general. The James Gang, Bonnie and Clyde, etc. Next to none of them match their romanticized image.
Except it may be a visceral reaction to the overwhelming authority of the state to enter into the life of the individual. We're more likely to be confronted by an officious clerk at the DMV, and to react negatively, than ever to come face to face with a Jeffrey Dahmer. On the other hand, we do idolize the likes of Wyatt Earp, a pimp, gambler, and oft-times vigilante, too. There is somehow a matter of scale in it all.
Lady Marian Fitzswalter: Why, you speak treason!
Robin Hood: Fluently.
Tom
Sheridan, WY
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