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TKAM News
Thursday, July 1st, 2004Your humble Agitator’s favorite book is in the news, and for odd reasons.
First, a Philadelphia-area judge sentenced a man to read Harper Lee’s classic and deliver a book report to the court. Unforunately, the accused couldn’t read so well, and instead delivered a report on the movie (which is fine, as this is the rare case when the movie is every bit the masterpiece the book is).
Weirder yet, it appears that TKAM is a favorite or Saddam Hussein’s.
Wonder if Atticus Finch would have taken Saddam’s case?
What really galls me about this is one of the final sentences in the linked article that says Saddam is being held in a custody suite. A Custody SUITE? What the hell is that. This guy should be in a windowless cell just long enough for him to lay down one way, with a toilet right in front of the door.
It’s a great book and all, but is it the “Radley” part that puts it at #1 for you?:-)
The movie was on just two nights ago, here in Slovakia — but dubbed into Czech, not Slovak (nor duo).
1962. Of course Atticus would take the case, and try to do a “good job”, but also try to support justice being done in a fair way.
Saddam’s trial is likely to be MORE fair than Slobo’s, for instance; plus quicker. The jurisdiction is likely to be tossed early: violation of UN resolutions PLUS acceptance of Iraq Sovereignty.
I’m wondering how many torture videos will be entered, and shown, as evidence.
Boo.
My wife (a high school English teacher) pointed out that there are rumors that the book was predominantly written (or heavily edited) by Truman Capote, who is portrayed as Dill.
My guess is that, in the Iraqi version, killing the mockingbird is a good thing.
Beltway Traffic Jam
The Thursday linkfest: Dodd Harris reports the Senate was shut down to attend Fahrenheit 9-11. Dan Drezner thinks Michael Moore is “doomed.” Bill Hobbs argues that Michael Moore is Sister Souljah. Eszter Hargittai went to Paris and saw the …
PJ,
Perhaps Truman and Harper were just exchanging favors… when he came out to Kansas to do research for In Cold Blood, he brought her along with so that the ’simple’ Kansas farmers wouldn’t be freaked out by an East Coast gay man. Supposedly, she got plenty of screen doors open for him with her Southern charm…
Yes, it’s a good movie. But didn’t you find Gregory Peck just a little annoying?
“Wonder if Atticus Finch would have taken Saddam’s case?”
. . . given that Tom and Saddam are both falsely accused?
(Booo, Radley)