Sunday, September 12, 2010
Mercy live premiere in Zurich
I was drinking some wine and it turned to blood
What's the use of religion if you're any good
I know I'm weed killer, honey, and you're sugar
If you're the prosecution I get away with murder
If you were ice, I'm water
And with your telescope I can see further
We're binary code, a one and a zero
You wanted violins and you got Nero
You're gravity searching for the ground
You're silence searching for a sound
Your heart is aching, your heart is my home
It's fascinating, I know Ill never be alone
I'm ripping the stitches
We've got two hands to rub
I'm digging the ditches
Of someone else's love
Love heals when I lie
Love puts the blue back in my eye
Love will come again
I'll be gone again
Again
If you hunger, baby let me feed it
If your heart is full, baby let me bleed it
And happiness is for those who don't really need it
You love me too much
You always love me too much
When I was ripping the stitches
We've got two hands to rub
I'm digging the ditches
Of someone elses luck
Love heals when I lie
Love puts the blue back in my eye
Love has come again
I am gone again
Love has got to be with the weak
Only then love gets a chance to speak
Love will come again
I'll be gone again
Again
I, I can't escape myself
I'll hear you talk
Fear nothing
I fear nothing
Fear
How can someone fear nothing
How can someone fear nothing
Love is come again
I am gone again
Love is the end of history
The enemy of misery
Love is come again
I am gone again
Love is justice, not charity
Love brings with it a clarity
Love is come again
I'm alive again
Alive
I am alive
Baby, I'm born again
And again and again and again
And again and again
Again
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Blair: Bono “could have been a president or prime minister”
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has some strong praise for Bono in Blair’s just-released memoir, A Journey. He says Bono “could have been a president or prime minister standing on his head.” Here’s a snapshot of the full paragraph sent in by @U2 reader Neil W.
Trust Breakdown, Trust Refresh: A Lesson from Banks
In Cleveland Vs. Wall Street, Swiss filmmaker Jean-Stéphane Bron captures the pain of ordinary people hit by the financial crisis. As the film’s mock trial progresses, he demonstrates how people come together to save their community. Yet he also clearly portrays people’s anger over banks, which leads us to the MSLGROUP study: “The banking industry in post-crisis times: From vanished trust to evidence-based credibility.”
To fully understand this dynamic, and to better serve our clients, MSLGROUP conducted an eight-week research project on the state of the financial services industry.
We conducted a comprehensive media and data review, talked with financial experts and conducted an online survey in partnership with Linkfluence in the USA, UK, France, Germany and China. We analyzed the tone of blogs in these countries, and listened to opinions on who is to blame for the crisis and what should be done now.
In a series of blog posts, found in the Reputation Management category, we will share with you what we learned. In short, banks are mostly to blame for the financial crisis, and some institutions may never fully recover.
As our colleague David Chamberlin, SVP and director of issue and crisis management at MSL North America says, “ The destruction of wealth we have witnessed through the global crisis appears to be easing. But the destruction of brand equity and reputation among financial institutions show no sign of relenting.”
And these insights are easily applicable to other industries, for let’s not forget the “trust crisis” that BP is experiencing.
In our next blog post, we will discuss our “Value for All” proposition and what it means for your brand.
For more information on the MSLGROUP research project and results, please contact Chief Strategy Officer Pascal Beucler at pascal.beucler@mslgroup.com or +33 1 57 32 86 66.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Theology, Culture and U2
"My course "MIN 340 Theology, Culture and U2" begins again this fall at Fresno Pacific University. This is the third time I will teach it (it's offered every other fall) and it's one of my favorites. I'll try to bring updates from the course to this blog every now-and-then.
I still have room for more students in the class, so if you're in the Fresno, CA area and have Tuesdays from 3:30-5:05 free and want to take it for credit or just audit let me know.
For texts we'll be using Bono in Conversation with Michka Assayas and Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog by Beth Maynard (over at U2 Sermons) and Raewynne J. Whiteley. Beth has been a great friend and somewhat of an inspiration for the class.
Here is a flyer for the course. Here is the the syllabus. And here is the class reading and topic schedule."
U2 And NASA Create Video To Celebrate Collaboration
NASA and U2 released a commemorative video highlighting a year's worth of collaboration in space and on the Irish rock band's 360 Degree tour. U2 approached NASA in 2009 with an idea to include a dialogue between the band and the crew of the International Space Station during U2's world tour.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Crisis Communications Expert David Chamberlin Named One of PRWeek’s ‘40 under 40’
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--David Chamberlin, Senior Vice President and Director of Crisis and Issues Management at MS&LGroup, one of the world’s leading communications firms, was chosen as one of PRWeek’s ’40 Under 40.’ Each year, PRWeek highlights 40 of the top public relations professionals under the age of 40 from both agency and in-house roles.
Chamberlin, who has been with MS&LGroup since 2007, leads the issues and crisis specialty within the agency’s Corporate Practice. The Corporate Practice represents some of the world’s biggest brands. Chamberlin maximizes reputation capital, providing strategic counsel and crisis expertise.
“David’s experience in crisis communications is invaluable in today’s business climate,” said Renee Wilson, President of the Northeast Region, MS&LGroup North America. “We are thrilled to have him on our team, as he is instrumental in leading our clients through some of their most challenging times.”
Also this year, MS&LGroup’s Rita Masini, Chief Talent Officer, was named one of 2010’s Top Young Trainers by Training Magazine. This annual list highlights the world’s top leaders in HR. Since joining MS&LGroup in 2008, Rita launched the agency’s North American training program, MS&L Academy, which seeks to develop further the strategies and skills of executives across all levels.
Additionally, The Network Journal’s ‘40 Under Forty Black Achievement Awards’ recognized Teneshia Jackson Warner, CEO of MS&LGroup’s strategic partner Egami Consulting, this past June. The list recognizes African American professionals who have made a credible impact on both their industry and their communities.
About MS&LGroup
MS&LGroup is one of the world’s top three PR and Events networks, specialists in public relations, public affairs, branding, corporate and financial communications, social media marketing and events. Operating in wholly owned and affiliate offices in more than 80 countries spanning the Americas, EMEA and Asia, MS&LGroup provides many of the world's largest companies and most recognized brands with best-in-class communication strategies to help them reach their business and communication goals. www.mslgroup.com
MS&LGroup is part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577], the world's third largest communications group. With activities spanning 104 countries and 43,000 professionals, Publicis Groupe offers a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Media consultancy and buying is offered through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas and Razorfish. Publicis Groupe recently launched VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group, Denuo and ZenithOptimedia to develop new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com.
About Publicis Groupe
Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577] is the world's third largest communications group. In addition, it is ranked as the world’s second largest media counsel and buying group, and is the first global network in digital and healthcare communications. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, the Groupe employs approximately 45,000 professionals. Publicis Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Media consultancy and buying is offered through the two first ranked worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing led by the two first ranked Digitas and Razorfish networks. Publicis Groupe launched VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas, Denuo, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia to develop new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Publicis Groupe’s specialized agencies and marketing services offer healthcare communications with Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG, the first network in healthcare communications), sustainability communications and multicultural communications. With MS&L Group, the sixth PR and events network, Publicis Groupe expertise ranges from corporate and financial communications to public relations and public affairs, branding, social media marketing and events, sports marketing and events. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com
Sunday, August 01, 2010
PR Week - 40 under 40 2010: Early influencers
Decades of experience aren't a requirement for success in the PR industry. PRWeek profiles 40 professionals, nominated by colleagues, who have already made significant contributions to their agencies, clients, and organizations.
Forty reasons to be excited about the industry's future prospects
August 01, 2010
A place in PRWeek's annual 40 Under 40 list is a badge of honor for rising stars in communications working across all sectors of the industry. Those recognized are at the forefront of the race to become the next generation of CCOs, CMOs, and agency CEOs (read full article here).
This year's entries were more impressive than ever, with 200-plus hopefuls vying for a place. In fact, the quality was so high, 100 could easily have made the cut. The list represents all facets of communications, from CCOs at corporations and nonprofits to an entrepreneur who has set up his own agency and worked hard to build it into a $5 million business to someone who controls $100 million of revenue heading a division at a top-five firm. It covers all parts of the country and all disciplines, from financial to consumer, healthcare to public affairs. It's a tribute to the talent in our industry, which bodes so well for the future of PR.
David Chamberlin, SVP, director of issues and crisis management, MS&L, 38
August 01, 2010
At MS&L, David Chamberlin leads a multi-office account team responsible for developing strategy in employee communications, product marketing, branding, government relations, corporate and financial communications, sales, and social media for clients that include Citi, Samsung, and Heineken. His 15 years in PR, with stints in several industries, are strewn with highlights. At Edelman, he led the team responsible for Advanced Medical Optics' 13-country recall of 2.9 million units of eye-care solution in Asia-Pacific in 2006. At Nortel Networks, Chamberlin drove the communications strategy for its largest ever growth period.Friday, July 16, 2010
Steve Jobs Looks to Deflect Focus From 'Antennagate'
As Apple Boss Offers Solution to IPhone 4's Reception Problem, Issue Is Not Expected to Damage Brand
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Apple CEO Steve Jobs cried uncle today in response to what he termed "Antennagate," the first major brand attack on the popular iPhone handset.
Engadget
Steve Jobs gives a presentation at the iPhone 4 press conference today in Cupertino, Calif. "It was interesting that there was a huge preamble" before the announcement, said Will Stofega, mobile analyst of research firm IDC. "It seemed a little defensive from the start."
Apple's iPhone has been in the hot seat over an alleged design flaw in the fourth-generation phone's wrap-around antenna. Since the iPhone 4's arrival three weeks ago, reports have flooded in that the smartphone loses service when human hands grasp the rim on the lower left corner. This marks the first time problems with reception, a longtime issue for the iPhone, have fallen to the hardware maker and not the phone's exclusive carrier, AT&T. Apple scheduled the conference on short notice after Consumer Reports earlier this week said it could not recommend the latest iPhone because of hardware issues.
Despite the antenna reports, Mr. Jobs said Apple has sold more than 3 million units of the newest iPhone in the last three weeks. Of those iPhone 4 owners, less than 1% have called AppleCare to complain, he said. What's more, less than 2% have returned iPhone 4, vs. 6% for the last iPhone, 3GS.
Mr. Jobs was also sure to link competitors HTC, Research in Motion and Samsung to antenna problems. Mr. Jobs told attendees at the impromptu press conference that other phones, namely the Droid Eris, Blackberry Bold and Omnia, suffer from the same problem.
"Phones aren't perfect," Mr. Jobs said. "It's a challenge for the whole industry. Every phone has weak spots."
Mr. Jobs did not bring up free cases until the end of the presentation. Apple's handing out free cases to cover the antenna's weak spot was the expected solution, a cost-effective alternative to a product recall that analysts estimated would cost Apple $1.5 billion.
"This is the most inexpensive [option] for Apple and the simplest solution for consumers," said David Chamberlin, director of crisis and issues at MS&L Group. "But it's a shame it took almost a month for this to come about."
That's not to say this hiccup will have a lasting impact on one of the most hallowed brands in recent memory.
"[The iPhone has] had a better run than any other product I can think of," added Mr. Chamberlin. "Waiting as long as they have to address this caused unnecessary harm to the brand that is worse than would have occurred by taking quick action."
In a small-sample-size impromptu survey, IDC found that 66% of respondents plan to delay purchasing the iPhone because of the antenna problem.
But it still doesn't look like this is the beginning of the end for Apple's untouchable brand run. "Three million in three weeks; that number speaks for itself," said IDC's Mr. Stofega.
"This is the first big, high-profile misstep they've had," said Mr. Chamberlin. "But no one appears to be backing away from the iPhone in terms of their desire to have one."
Branding exec James Fox, chief strategic officer at Red Peak Group, calls "Antennagate" a storm in a tea cup. "I think this is only going to be a blip," he said. "I don't think this is going to have any long-term impact." He characterized the dig at competitors as a "clever little side swipe."
"Will it spoil the brand? A little bit," Mr. Stofega said. "But I think they'll come back. They have a halo around them."
Apple comms under microscope
July 16 2010
When Consumer Reports came out and said it could not recommend the iPhone 4, it was the latest in a series of setbacks around the debut of Apple's latest smartphone. Plagued by reception issues, particularly when held a certain way, the iPhone 4 has attracted an onslaught of criticism from the media and consumers. Now, Steve Jobs' notoriously tight-lipped computer firm has come into the open and is holding a press conference today (Friday July 16), but is still keeping mum about what exactly is going to happen.
Some expect the company to release a software fix for the issue, while others wonder whether Apple will recall the device. But because there is a relatively simple fix—a bumper case—a recall seems too costly and unlikely, says David Chamberlin, SVP and director of issues and crisis management at MS&LGroup.
"Providing bumper cases, at this point, is something they have to do," he says, noting that action would help the company get back in consumers' good graces, fix the issue without a recall, and just make sense.
"In hindsight, it would have been ideal for them to have dealt with this issue on the day of its introduction, instead of waiting until launch day or even after their consumers discovered it on their own," he adds. Waiting so long to address the issue with a press conference, he adds, has hurt the brand.
Tony Hynes, West Coast GM at Bite Communications, which used to work with Apple in the UK before it brought comms in-house, notes that the timing is unfortunate for the iconic technology firm, which has already dealt with a lost prototype of the iPhone 4 in April and the subsequent raid and investigation of the Gizmodo blog that wrote about it - both of which damaged its reputation.
Additionally, since the reception issue became more and more widespread, reports have surfaced of conflicts inside the company, and antenna engineers previously warning CEO Jobs that the design would affect reception.
"This is a profound issue, not just around the phone, but also a corporate issue for them, and a perception issue going forward," Hynes says. "I don't know whether they are looking at any of the crisis firms or considering talking to them, but that would be a prudent thing for them to do."
The company is looking at the problem through the eyes of an engineer, when it needs to look at it from a consumer's perspective, Chamberlin says. Apple originally told consumers to simply hold the phone a certain way, or buy the $29 bumper. The company did not return calls or e-mails for comment for this piece.
But the press conference, which was announced July 14, suggests the company is taking a positive step in being more transparent, even though Apple has been super-secretive about what exactly will be announced.
"They're not an organization that's used to transparency and they are used to having extremely tight control over all their messaging," Hynes says. "Jobs is implicitly involved in everything. It has to come from Jobs."
But while the press conference is a step towards transparency, it still gives Apple the opportunity to control its message and present it in a way it sees fit.
"This is not the BP spill by any stretch of the imagination, but at the same time, this has gone on now for two or three weeks," says Chamberlin. "They've got the opportunity to do something here that helps them long term and makes people feel better about the Apple brand."
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Michael and Anthony Emerson: Church, you don’t know how beautiful you are
U2's “No Line on the Horizon” has been one of their more misunderstood albums. The most misunderstood song of the album is “Get On Your Boots.” Here is a snippet.
The future needs a big kiss
Winds blow with a twist
Never seen a moon like this
Can you see it too?
Night is falling everywhere
Rockets at the fun fair
Satan loves a bomb scare
But he won't scare you
“Get On Your Boots” is is bombastic and urgent, sleek and fast-paced. But more than anything it’s a powerful message of hope to the church. Take, for example, the first line, “the future needs a big kiss.” What entity would be able to impact the future with a kiss (curious choice of words, right)? How about the bride of Christ, the church? The future needs the church because of the next six lines: the winds are blowing, the moon (a motif of confusion and evil) is up, night has fallen, and Satan is trying to frighten us. Why would Bono have the boldness to tell us that Satan shouldn’t scare us? Remember Matthew 16:18: “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Therefore, get on your boots. In other words, get up and do some work in this dark world because God has empowered you to do so.
You free me from the dark dream
Candy floss ice cream
All our kids are screaming
But the ghosts aren't real
Here's where we gotta be
Love and community
Laughter is eternity
If joy is real
“You free me from the dark dream” suggests the church is saving the lost. Then we see giddy happiness in the second line with paradoxical, light-hearted objects (happiness doesn't make sense). The third and fourth lines convey the same idea as the last two lines of the first stanza. Things become clearer when the necessity of community is brought in. Laughter is a godly and reasonable thing if there really is a happy ending awaiting us. We can fight the evils of this world with light hearts because we are fighting within a vibrant community of Spirit-filled people.
You don't know how beautiful you are
You, the church, don't understand how made-in-the image-of-God awesome you can be. You can have perfect joy and community! So get on your boots and be boldly beautiful!
Women of the future hold the big revelations
I've got a submarine
You got gasoline
I don't want to talk about wars between nations
It is striking how near the message of this song is to Hauerwas' and Willimon's “Resident Aliens.” Since we no longer live in a Christian culture, the church is free to live as a distinct people once again. We are to impact the world through our colony, not as we have been doing since Constantine: through the government. The holy community that we are supposed to be can astound the world by how beautiful we are and how much love we show the world. The problems and conflicts of this world will not be solved by mere mortals. Only through the church can the world be truly redeemed. Get on your boots!
Let me in the sound!
Where did this come from? Acts 2. “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven . . .”. The birth of the church. If you want more proof, look at John 3:5-8, where Jesus compares being born of the Spirit to the sound of the wind – we can’t tell where it's going. It's probably not a coincidence that both the sound and birth are themes throughout “No Line on the Horizon.” The sound is representative of the Spirit, the Lord of the church.
There are people in the world who want in! Get on your boots, and let the church get to stepp’in!
Michael O. Emerson is the Cline Professor of Sociology and the Director of the Center on Race, Religion, and Urban Life at Rice University in Houston, Texas. His son, Anthony Emerson, is a sophomore at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Apple Bumping Into Recall Problem
Scott Moritz
07/13/10 - 11:29 AM EDT
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Apple's(AAPL) iPhone antenna problem has turned into a growing public relations problem.
Apple shares were down 3% Tuesday in the wake of a troubling Consumer Reports review of the newest iPhone. The review, which otherwise spoke glowingly about the phone, concluded that "Apple needs to come up with a permanent -- and free -- fix for the antenna problem before we can recommend the iPhone 4."
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Apple has now effectively been called out on the problem that has been widely apparent since the iPhone's arrival five weeks ago. And to date, Apple has taken little responsibility for the glitch, initially blaming users for holding the phone incorrectly.
But the outcry seems to be getting a little louder and Apple may have to find a suitable response.
"It's time to offer free bumpers," said David Chamberlin, director of crisis management for PR group MS&L Group, referring to rubber covers that may insulate the antenna in a way that duct tape helped improve the performance at Consumer Reports' labs.
"The key in reputation management is five-fold: keep the customer as your north star, be prepared, take quick action, be authentic and be responsible," said Chamberlin.
"Apple needs to address this issue through the lens of their customers, not through the lens of an engineer. Providing bumper cases to customers with the phone would be a nice gesture," Chamberlin said.
Bumpers could help Apple avoid a massive recall, but it would also put Apple in the position of having to fess up to a hardware design problem.
Apple did not respond for comment.
It is also quite possible, given the sales strength of the iPhone and iPad and Macs, that Apple may not feel the need to offer customers any free fixes to the phone.
--Written by Scott Moritz in New York.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
In Ireland, Tuesday’s Grace, by Bono
by Deirdre O'Callaghan
ONE of the most extraordinary days in the mottled history of the island of Ireland was witnessed on both sides of the border last Tuesday.The much-anticipated and costly Saville report ... the 12-years-in-the-making inquiry into “Bloody Sunday,” a day never to be forgotten in Irish politics ... was finally published.
On that day, Jan. 30, 1972, British soldiers fired on a civil rights march in the majority Catholic area of the Bogside in Derry, killing 14 protesters.
It was a day that caused the conflict between the two communities in Northern Ireland — Catholic nationalist and Protestant unionist — to spiral into another dimension: every Irish person conscious on that day has a mental picture of Edward Daly, later the bishop of Derry, holding a blood-stained handkerchief aloft as he valiantly tended to the wounded and the dying.
It was a day when paramilitaries on both sides became the loudest voices in the conflict, a day that saw people queuing to give up on peace ... mostly young men but also women who had had enough of empire and would now consider every means necessary — however violent or ugly — to drive it from their corner.
It was a day when my father stopped taking our family across the border to Ulster because, as he said, the “Nordies have lost their marbles.” And we were a Catholic-Protestant household.
Contrast all this with last Tuesday ... a bright day on our small rock in the North Atlantic. Clouds that had hung overhead for 38 years were oddly missing ... the sharp daylight of justice seemed to chase away the shadows and the stereotypes of the past. No one behaved as expected. The world broke rhyme.
A brand-new British prime minister, still in his wrapping paper, said things no one had imagined he would ... could ... utter ....
“On behalf of our country, I am deeply sorry.”
And there was more ....
“What happened should never ever have happened,” said the new prime minister, David Cameron. “Some members of our armed forces acted wrongly. The government is ultimately responsible for the conduct of the armed forces. And for that, on behalf of the government, indeed on behalf of our country, I am deeply sorry.”
It was inconceivable to many that a Tory prime minister could manage to get these words out of his mouth. It was also inconceivable — before he uttered the carefully minted phrasing — that he would be listened to by a hushed crowd gathered in Guildhall Square in Derry, a place not famous for its love of British leaders of any stripe, and that he would be cheered while speaking on specially erected screens that earlier had been used to relay images from the World Cup.
Thirty-eight years did not disappear in an 11-minute speech — how could they, no matter how eloquent or heartfelt the words? But they changed and morphed, as did David Cameron, who suddenly looked like the leader he believed he would be. From prime minister to statesman.
Joy was the mood in the crowd. A group of women sang “We Shall Overcome.” There was a surprising absence of spleen — this was a community that had been through more than most anyone could understand, showing a restraint no one could imagine. This was a dignified joy, with some well-rehearsed theatrics to underscore the moment.
As well as punching the sky and tearing up the first “Bloody Sunday” inquiry — a whitewash by a judge named Lord Widgery who said the British troops had been provoked — these people were redrawing their own faces from the expected images: from stoic, tight-lipped and vengeful to broad, unpolished, unqualified smiles, unburdened by the bile the world often expects from this geography.
Derry is a community and these Derry people looked like guests at a wedding — formal only for as long as they had to be, careful of their dead but not at all pious. Some began to speak of trials and prosecutions but most wanted to leave that talk for another day.
Figures I had learned to loathe as a self-righteous student of nonviolence in the ’70s and ’80s behaved with a grace that left me embarrassed over my vitriol. For a moment, the other life that Martin McGuinness could have had seemed to appear in his face: a commander of the Irish Republican Army that day in 1972, he looked last week like the fly fisherman he is, not the gunman he became ... a school teacher, not a terrorist ... a first-class deputy first minister.
Both Mr. McGuinness and Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Fein, seemed deliberately to avoid contentious language and to try to include the dead of other communities in the reverence of the occasion. Though a few on the unionist side complained that the $280 million spent on the inquiry, commissioned by Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1998 and led by Lord Saville, a top judge, could have been used to improve Northern Ireland’s schools or investigate unionist losses, they mostly accepted the wording of the report that the deaths were “wrong” and “unjustified”; Protestant clergymen spoke of “healing” and held meetings with families of the victims.
Healing is kind of a corny word but it’s peculiarly appropriate here; wounds don’t easily heal if they are not out in the open. The Saville report brought openness — clarity — because at its core, it accorded all the people involved in the calamity their proper role.
The lost lives rose up from being statistics in documents in the Foreign Office to live once again. On the television news, we saw them ... the exact time, the place, the commonplace things they were doing ... William Nash, age 19, shot in the chest at close range, his father wounded trying to reach him ... William McKinney, age 26, shot in the back while tending the wounded ... Jim Wray, age 22, shot twice, the second round fired into his back while he was lying on the ground outside his grandparents’ house. We saw their faces in old photographs, smiles from 38 years ago ... the ordinary details of their ordinary and, as Lord Saville repeatedly pointed out, entirely innocent lives.
It’s not just the Devil who’s in the details ... God, it turns out, is in there too. Daylight ...
Even the soldiers seemed to want the truth to be out. In the new report, some contradicted statements they had been ordered to make for the Widgery report.
It is easily forgotten that the British Army arrived in Northern Ireland ostensibly to protect the Catholic minority.
How quickly things can change.
In just a couple of years, the scenes of soldiers playing soccer with local youths or sharing ice creams and flirting with the colleens had been replaced by slammed doors on house-to-house raids ... the protectors had become the enemy ... it was that quick in Derry.
In fact, it can be that quick everywhere. If there are any lessons for the world from this piece of Irish history ... for Baghdad ... for Kandahar ... it’s this: things are quick to change for the worse and slow to change for the better, but they can. They really can. It takes years of false starts, heartbreaks and backslides and, most tragically, more killings. But visionaries and risk-takers and, let’s just say it, heroes on all sides can bring us back to the point where change becomes not only possible again, but inevitable.
•
A footnote (some light relief), November 1983:
U2 is in a studio in Dublin, playing its new song, “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” to the record company. The melody is a good one but the lyric is, in hindsight, an inarticulate speech of the heart. It’s a small song that tries but fails to contrast big ideas ... atonement with forgiveness ... “Bloody Sunday” with Easter Sunday. The song will be sung wherever there are rock fans with mullets and rage, from Sarajevo to Tehran. Over time, the lyric will change and grow. But here, with the Cockneyed record company boss at the song’s birth, the maternity ward goes quiet when the man announces that the baby is “a hit”... with one caveat: “Drop the ‘bloody.’ ‘Bloody’ won’t bloody work on the radio.”
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