Sunday, November 06, 2005
Gunpowder, treason, and plot
In honor of Guy Fawkes Day, I offer you these pictures of one of my favorite mugs, purchased at the Tower of London shop.
This summer, there were signs up all around the Tower about a special exhibition commemorating the 400th anniversary of the thwarted Gunpowder Plot. Given the current events in London at the time, I couldn't decide whether the all-caps tagline of "Terrorism in 1605" was timely or tasteless. I think there might have been cries of insensitivity if these signs were up anywhere in the U.S. right around the time of a terrorist bombing. But in London, it seemed that no-one batted an eye--which was somewhat refreshing.
Anyway, happy Guy Fawkes Day. Go make yourself a bonfire and burn someone in effigy.
This summer, there were signs up all around the Tower about a special exhibition commemorating the 400th anniversary of the thwarted Gunpowder Plot. Given the current events in London at the time, I couldn't decide whether the all-caps tagline of "Terrorism in 1605" was timely or tasteless. I think there might have been cries of insensitivity if these signs were up anywhere in the U.S. right around the time of a terrorist bombing. But in London, it seemed that no-one batted an eye--which was somewhat refreshing.
Anyway, happy Guy Fawkes Day. Go make yourself a bonfire and burn someone in effigy.
| posted by Barbara | 12:41 AM