Boston Explosions, A Grim Reminder Of Ever Lurking Evil

BOSTON EXPLOSIONS TODAY ARE A GRIM REMINDER OF EVER-LURKING EVIL IN THIS WORLD

WHAT MADNESS HAS PREVAILED AGAINST "INNOCENTS"

     IT'S AWFULLY HARD TO COME UP WITH A BLOG, ABOUT SOMETHING SO FRIVOLOUS AS ANTIQUES AND COLLECTABLES, WHEN YOU'VE JUST FINISHED WATCHING NEWS COVERAGE, FROM THE SITE OF THE BOSTON MARATHON TODAY, (MONDAY, APRIL 15TH), KNOWING SO MANY INNOCENT "FUN SEEKING" FOLKS, WERE VICTIMS OF AN ACT OF TERROR……TARGETING A MAJOR SPORTING EVENT, KNOWN FOR ITS GOOD-SPORTSMANSHIP AROUND THE WORLD. BUT THEN THIS IS THE WORLD WE LIVE IN……AND AFTER NINE-ELEVEN, WE ALL RECOGNIZED THAT OUR "NEW NORMAL," WAS GOING TO BE A PRECARIOUS BALANCE OF INSECURITIES…..DESPITE ALL THE PRECAUTIONS WE CAN EMPLOY, AND STILL LEAD RELATIVELY NORMAL LIVES. BUT AS IS THE CASE, THERE IS NO PERFECT, FAIL-PROOF SECURITY. THERE ARE ALWAYS VULNERABILITIES; AND NO MATTER HOW SECURE WE THINK WE ARE, AN EVENT SUCH AS TODAY'S BOMBINGS, CAN FIND OUR WEAKNESSES……SUCH AS BEING PART OF AN HISTORIC SPORTING EVENT LIKE THE BOSTON MARATHON. EVIL INTENT IS A DURABLE, DYNAMIC, DEADLY FOE. I'M SURE SECURITY WAS HEIGHTENED AT TODAY'S ROAD RACE, AND YET, SOMEHOW, A MULIT-PRONGED ATTACK WAS MOUNTED SUCCESSFULLY. SEVERAL OTHER BOMBS WERE DETECTED AND DEFUSED, WHICH SAVED MANY MORE LIVES. WE DON'T WANT TO SURRENDER TO THESE ACTS OF TERRORISM; BUT WE ARE WOBBLED AT THE KNEES, BY THE CAPABILITY PERPETRATORS HAVE, TO CAUSE THIS HUMAN MISERY, AT THEIR DESCRETION……IN AREAS WHERE WE FEEL SECURE, AND UNDER PROPORTIONAL PROTECTION. MANY OF US HAVE FALLEN INTO THAT FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY, SINCE NINE-ELEVEN, BELIEVING THAT THESE HORROR-FILLED EVENTS ALWAYS HAPPEN SOMEWHERE ELSE, TO SOMEONE ELSE. YET WE KNOW THIS TO BE UNTRUE BY EXPERIENCE AND STATISTIC…..BY THE ANNALS OF HISTORICAL RECORD, THAT SHOWS US TO BE INCREDIBLY VULNERABLE TO THE DEADLY SPRAY OF VIOLENT INTENT…..WHETHER IN CROWD, OR IN A SCHOOL……AT A MOVIE THEATER, OR A POLITICAL RALLY. THERE IS NO ENTIRELY SAFE HAVEN ON EARTH. THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP THE MANIFESTATION OF HATRED AND RETRIBUTION, AS EVIL PLAYS ITS HAND. IT IS INDEED, OUR NEW NORMAL, TO EXPECT FOUL PLAY AS NORMAL COURSE. IT IS A SAD DAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF BOSTON, THE RUNNERS OF THE MARATHON, THE SPECTATORS ENJOYING A MOMENT IN SPORTING HISTORY, AND FOR ALL THOSE FAMILIES IMPACTED BY THIS CRUEL AND SAVAGE ACT OF TERRORISM.

     I find it hard, at a time like this, to come up with anything anecdotal, or light-hearted, that fits with such a sinister, evil turn of world events……a story or collection of insider-tales that can, in any fruitful way, mitigate the weight and burden on all of us now, of citizen tragedy; knowing there is no way of escaping the truths of terrorism. Or the reach of those who wish to inflict it on innocent people, to validate their warped agendas. The antique and collectable community, always watchful of world events, and fully appreciative of the toll history takes, are no different than anyone else, staggered by news of how quickly the events of the day, can swing so violently away from normal societal functioning. Much of what we deal with on a day to day basis, is the history of a world in turmoil, past and present, and we try to find a way of bringing it all into a sense of understanding, respect and compassion…..and we probably fail more than we succeed in the eyes of our critics.

   There will be conversations for days and weeks, taking place in our respective shops, visitors and clerks huddled over sales counters, trying to put perspective on events like this……and we will try, the best we can, to integrate what we know, as hobby historians, about the lessons of the past…..and undoubtedly feel dissatisfied, as antiquarians, that we can offer no solutions or preventative measures……humbly recognizing, we are the keepers of history and heritage, but of little influence on outcomes of daily life and political struggles.

   Some would say, we emerge from our bunkers, after the events, and exploit the remnants of an historical event. In some ways, we deserve this generalist viewpoint…..based on the reality, many of us have and do sell war time relics, and items connected to significant tragedies; the sinking of ships like the Titanic for example. We know there are people who feel that antique dealers exploit history, more than they can be considered its barometers…..or astute, trusted keepers of heritage. It is the tradition we must drag forward, as it has been with us for a long, long time…..as a ponderous chain. Yet we are, at the same time, appreciative of historical precedent, and as temporary curators, we are committed to its safe and secure handling; having to do with the fact, we may at some time, be held accountable, for possessing something from such a world event……and having to defend this in the public domain. Most of us are entirely reverent and are deeply moved by the circumstances of tragic events, and know that it will affect us in many different ways, because of our position as historical agents…..a position we hold with great pride, not simply registered by profit margin.

     Often when we talk generally, about the years of World War, we like to think we are holders of vast amounts of insight and information…..such that our customers might even suggest we write a book, to explain it all in layman's terms…….how war could have been averted in the first place. It will be the same this week, and in the future, when the subject is discussed, and re-played, regarding this most recent act of terrorism, and we will probably bring up the precedents of history; and all the times of which we are aware, when the bad guys won. We take our history seriously in the antique profession. Most of us have pretty substantial backgrounds in regional, provincial, and national history, and not just in the field of antiques we buy and sell. There are many hobby historians connected to the antique industry, and I can't possibly recall all the thousands of conversations, and debates we've had, in our own business, about historical milestones, and events that changed the world. It is important for us to know this history…..as we are in the middle of it, all the time, in one form, position, or another. It's the way we choose to live and work. It does demand of us, that we pay attention to the events on the world stage, and Monday's terrorist bombings, put us in that zone of appreciation, that history, like the shifting of ground in an earthquake, has once again changed the way we will live our lives; knocking us temporarily off balance, until we know and appreciate the full story…..of how this tragedy unfolded. And what we perceive, as the keepers of history, will prevail in the coming days. History compels us to continue learning, and enquiring; our attentiveness to world events will never falter; as we know intimately, the importance of being truthful about the impacts of history……and not just on the inanimate objects we buy and sell. We have handled history in our shops. We have appreciated its burdens, as much as its insights…..yet we are locked-in intimately, to represent it with respect, in its relevance to our respective passions for democracy…..and this country.

     I am not the elected spokesman, for antique professionals in this region, province or country……but I'm positive, my colleagues are gutted by this terrible turn of history…..and are regretfully aware of what this means to the "new normal," as of Monday, April 15th, 2013. History is the backbone of our profession. We live and work in the environs of history every day. We very much appreciate what these events mean to the free world……and it scares the hell out of us!

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