Comments on: a photo returned

a photo returned

HuronBob — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:57:56 -0800

A photo returned... A short video of a man returning a photo to the daughter of the man he killed, and from whom he removed the photo, during the war in Viet Nam.

By: jbickers

jbickers — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:04:48 -0800

This is a really powerful and amazing story. But whoever wrote that awful narrative, then intoned it like he was addressing a room full of third graders, then drizzled the whole thing with syrupy music, needs to be ashamed. This is almost better viewed with the sound muted.

By: stupidsexyFlanders

stupidsexyFlanders — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:31:52 -0800

Agreed, jbickers.

By: Brockles

Brockles — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:37:49 -0800

God, yeah. That guy's voice craps all over that and doesn't really do much other than distract. He waffles on in a stupid, disinterested way and with very little added in the way of background about why or what moved the guy to want to take the photo back. Great story. Shitty film.

By: symbioid

symbioid — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:16:14 -0800

AH, mefi snark! That said, can we please have some sort of crying/humaninterest-filter limit? I mean the "up" girl, the cat-king, and now this? But thank god we got the mefi snark to help toughen our souls against this torrent of posts lately. Whew!

By: Mike D

Mike D — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:55:04 -0800

Gorgeous moment. Just gorgeous. And even as I watched it, I realized I didn't want to read the comments it will generate because in no time at all someone will be carping on something that makes it seems cheap, profit-motivated, inadequately produced or baldly cynical. I reallly should listen to my inner voices more. Because frankly, the only two people who matter in that clip are both deeply sincere and far more courageous than I could ever be in bringing long-suppressed demons and profound pain once more to its surface on what surely are the ripped-rawest edges of their hearts. Thanks for posting it, HuronBob. I am 57 years old. I really appreciate it.

By: TomMelee

TomMelee — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:02:17 -0800

I like the concept of "intimate strangers." Thanks for posting.

By: Pater Aletheias

Pater Aletheias — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:07:37 -0800

Longer, higher quality version here at the Dateline NBC website.

By: Pater Aletheias

Pater Aletheias — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:14:14 -0800

I when I say longer, I mean a lot longer--spread out over six clips, lots more background, and connections to the experiences of current soldiers. The syrup in the youtube clip is a little more tolerable when you've followed the whole story at a slower pace.

By: HuronBob

HuronBob — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:31:18 -0800

Pater, thanks for filling this post out. I agree, this clip, if you knew the basic story, could well be watched with no audio....

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:52:42 -0800

God, yes, that writing and that tone of narration. Really awful. And on such a truly touching story. I will check out the full version, though, and thanks for linking to that, Pater Aletheias. Meanwhile... ...can we please have some sort of crying/humaninterest-filter limit? posted by symbioid at 5:16 PM on June 20 [+] [!] I'm thinking maybe something along the lines of a symbioid/tiresomely cynical-filter limit might be the way to go instead.

By: symbioid

symbioid — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:26:09 -0800

flapjax, i'm with you! yes, I guess I was snarky (more meta-snarky than anything). But honestly, these three posts moved me to tears and I LIKE that. :) I mean, I don't know if I could handle every post being such, but it's nice to see some human-interest type stories that jerk a tear or two. I was just surprised at the high proportion of these posts compared to the usual number (or maybe I'm just seeing it now, because I'm looking for it more???) I guess I could have been more clear that I appreciated this, and was more disturbed by the snarkiness in the comments prior to mine. That said, yes, it was a touching story, and yes I did have some tears on this.

By: symbioid

symbioid — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:29:18 -0800

And, now wait a minute, flapsy! Re-reading your comment, YOU were dishing on the "tone" and "awful" narration! Let's all agree that each and everyone of us has been infected with the trademark mefi snark!

By: HotToddy

HotToddy — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:38:09 -0800

That's the Dateline guy. Every episode features his lascivious, pandering narration. He's horrible.

By: Pater Aletheias

Pater Aletheias — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:51:31 -0800

I heard that he was cursed by some kind of occult priestess and every time he does a story without that horrible narration, his head gains a quarter of an inch in height and loses the same amount of width. I don't know...seems plausible to me...

By: LenaO

LenaO — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:32:16 -0800

On the subject of things returned by the people who killed their original owners, a few years a go, the whole Vietnam was in a fever over the the returns of a young female doctor's diary to her family. It was then published, sold numerous copies, much touted about and the writer held as an inspiration to the modern Vietnamese youths. Give me sometimes to gather some links, I think she deserve her own post.

By: Malice

Malice — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:52:39 -0800

Very touching. It's nice to know forgiveness can be had even in some of the worst of situations.

By: nickyskye

nickyskye — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:55:59 -0800

Such a moving story! Made me cry. Yes, what courage those two people have. How powerful and uplifting really to see them hug and cry in each other's arms.

By: bwg

bwg — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:00:01 -0800

I don't know about you, but I'd be nervous as Hell if I had to do something like that. Great story.

By: Meatbomb

Meatbomb — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:12:43 -0800

Made me cry, too. I guess that makes the Vietnam war all OK now, what a relief. Looking forward to a similar resolution 30-odd years from now in Afghanistan and Iraq.

By: gman

gman — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 05:53:41 -0800

Very touching. It's nice to know forgiveness can be had even in some of the worst of situations. posted by Malice Ironic.

By: widdershins

widdershins — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:09:13 -0800

Wow. Just - wow.