July 24, 2002 — Mudeif Productions

We went back downtown, this time to US Representative John Lewis' office (he's in Washington while we're in Atlanta, and vice versa). He is someone we have come to respect, both through his reputation and through personal connections. His history as a student leader in the Civil Rights Movement is impressive, and his continuing commitment to non-violence is surely commendable. We wanted to speak with him about this, and to encourage him to connect with those who are engaging in non-violent civil disobedience (his deep passion) here: Jews, Muslims, Christians, who are putting their lives on the line in the service of justice and peace. His staff person who met with us was quite generous with his time, and quite surprised to discover that there was a non-violent resistance movement here. It gets no attention, despite their many activities and attention to the media. In the end, he gave us advice on "how to lobby" (it seems that is what we are doing), which indicated that we didn't do such a good job. Well, it ain't our hope to seek out such work. But the Middle East has a way of becoming necessarily political.

In the evening, Marthame's sister finally prevailed, and we went together to the Stone Mountain Laser Show. It's a touch of Georgia nostalgic kitsch - which usually isn't a problem, except that Georgia's past includes a big dose of slavery and racism. There were cool parts, kind of laser spyrographs to Tangerine Dream-ish instrumentals; cheesier parts, the Six Flags-esque muses of Charlie Daniels and Kenny Loggins; then, what can only be described as patriotism done with lasers. It begins safely enough, with Ray Charles singing "Georgia", as various scenes of the state appear on the mountain side. Then, the place goes dark, and the outlines of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and "Stonewall" Jackson (in laser) take full form, riding off into battle, to the strains of Elvis singing "Dixie". The climax comes when Robert E. Lee, recognizing defeat in battle, raises his sword and breaks it over his knee. As the two pieces fall to the ground, they rotate to reveal the two parts of the nation, the North and South, reunited once again. It is at this point that Lee Greenwood is brought into the discussion belting out, "I'm proud to be an American" - note, this hasn't changed in at least fifteen years, so this isn't a post-9/11 display. God bless the USA.