Unintended Consequences

One of the reasons I take pictures is to remember. My "artistic" and "egotistical" goal is "to be remembered." I want to take a picture (or pictures) that will tell future generations something about what we are. It's a complicated job, and as my admired friend Bob Berisford, a great photographer said, I'm not going to get rich doing it and it probably won't get me any fame in my lifetime.

Call it my little contribution to the thing they call Butte Culture.

I named this picture This Magic Moment, but it could be called Unintended Consequences, because it is probably going to be the most misunderstood picture I have shown you so far.

This photograph is of Ellen Crane, director of the Butte Archives. Ellen is not only a fine historian and curator of Butte history, but she is a tireless champion of Butte. She speaks to local groups about the work she does to preserve this town's legacy and make it a true resource for future economic and social development. I really like and admire Ellen.

The reason this photograph is going to be singled out and misinterpreted and misused by future viewers is the time that it was taken, June 15, 2007. In fifty years, even those who were alive at the time will vaguely remember that there was a war on and that soldiers from Butte were killed. They will look at the statue (Hey, Pops Weaver, do you like it on the steps of the Courthouse?), and assume that Ellen is the mother of a war hero of the War In Iraq. Hell, some well meaning organization will probably be using it to sell the future equivalent of War Bonds or to encourage the recital of the pledge of allegiance in schools. It will have the legend, "Never Forget," which is something that will make all of us in the Heavenly Choir laugh our celestial asses off.

The truth about the picture is that it was taken at a dedication ceremony for the new boundaries of the historic district, now the largest in the United States. Ellen was accepting the flowers and the plaque for her part in the effort to gain this recognition for our city of Butte, Montana and our larger southwestern Montana community. It's an honor that is going to add to the fame and notice our area receives in the world. It's very important for the success of Butte as a location for business, industry, and development.

I just happened to be the cat who happened to walk by with a camera.

"Hilarity Ensues"