From Ralph

01/18/03

Please Don't Bomb Iraq!

PLEASE DON'T BOMB IRAQ! That is such a mindless idea. Diplomacy has not worked. OK! But try this:

Instead, make the vital bridge. All those in a position to extend such Largesse, and there are many, simply invite ALL artistic groups in IRAQ, to perform in New York, London, Paris, Berlin and Rome- and Helsinki. ANYWHERE in the west, where the real IRAQI people can express their deep feelings and their culture — NOT their rage and frustration, not their religious beliefs — but their love of humanity. That surely, is all of our hopes, all diverse thoughts and aspirations of Iraqi people we share, and all artistic expression. We must do! Nothing else makes sense. There is ART in Baghdad, and Art galleries, Theatres, Community and Family, like we all have. Bring Sport in too, since so many people love it.

THE POINT IS, we will not beat Saddam Hussein by bombing the Hell out of his people, but we would make a great impression on the people trapped inside his regime, by welcoming their expression of life in all its forms. LET THEM IN! YOU TOO, Saddam, George and Tony. Show us your heart and not your weapons. That is what ART is for! Art means 'TO MAKE'. You cannot MAKE destruction; we DO that in stupidity. But you can MAKE PEACE from the richness of all our cultures. Culture expresses our deepest feeling of LOVE and UNDERSTANDING. THAT IS WHAT ART IS FOR- otherwise ART is nothing!! GIVE ART A CHANCE!!!

PLEASE! I ask in the name of civilization and a world in turmoil. No one is right. No one is wrong. No one need lose face. We are all confused. Somebody, please, in authority, speak up, for the sake of mankind spinning out of control. Where are YOU???

Ralph STEADMAN

PS. If we must have OIL, make it an OIL painting........