Blankets(M&D spoiler)

[andrew at cee.hw.ac.uk]

Matthew P. Wiener writes:
> Ah, the joy of keeping old articles around forever.  So far as historicity is
> concerned, the song is utter nonsense.

  [. . .]

The `evidence' you cite appears to suggest that there was an intention
to infect people with smalltalk from blankets. How does this render
the song `utter nonsense' as opposed to say distortion or
embellishment or some other such alternative? Or are you just chucking
out your opinion merely by way of commentary.

> Whether there was any success or not is apparently unknown.  Personally, I
> do not comprehend why this method is singled out for special outrage.

Probably because this was a clear-cut case of (attempted) premeditated
murder effected by duplicity. At the time the song was written it was
not common knowledge that the crimes perpetrated against Native
Americans were so cruel and calculating i.e. there was little or no
outrage outside of the Native American community, let alone any
special outrage. But then you are old enough to know this already,
Matthew, so I am at a loss to understand exactly what your point is.


Andrew Dinn
-----------
And though Earthliness forget you,
To the stilled Earth say:  I flow.
To the rushing water speak:  I am.