You Say You Want a Revolution

The lyrics of the Beatles song from the White Album are drifting through my head this morning as I find a quiet place to write during the pre-dawn hours in the lobby of this comfortable hotel. It will all make sense near the end of this posting.

For the last two days we have been exploring Dublin and have seen quite a few interesting things. I wish evey destroying Vandal who currently masquerades as a librarian could be required to visit the Book of Kells at Trinity College. The sight of that magnificent manuscript and the beauty of the library's Long Hall might cause even the most dedicated book shredder to pause a moment. For those who do not know, the Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript copy of the four gospels. The intricate lettering and detailed drawings contained therein give ample support to the claim that it is the most beautiful book ever created. It is kept in a special dark room with an entrance gallery that gives a thorough overview of how monks in the ninth century worked tirelessly to both make and defend this ancient Bible. On the island of Iona off the coast of Scotland they worked on every individual page, and when Viking raiders came they grabbed their treasure and slipped

across the Irish Sea to found a new monestary at Kells, Ireland. So many raids, thefts, and other catastrophes occured but the book miraculously survived. After viewing the book, visitors are directed to the Long Hall, a massive two story set of dark wood shelving lined with bust sculptures of the great thinkers and philosophers of Western Civilization. Most of the books have been removed for conservation work (no, Biblioposers, they are not going to scan them and chuck them in the bin as you have been so recently engaged in doing with our American printed legacy) but two shelving bays have been left filled to give the visitor an idea of what it would look like fully shelved. Interesting items were also on display, including the oldest harp existing today, personal letters and photographs of Oscar Wilde, and a printed copy of the 1916 Easter Rebellion proclamation declaring Ireland an independent country. Upon exiting the Long Hall, visitors are directed to another building with mind-boggling multi-media displays describing thr Book of Kells history and the ongoing conservation work ofn the precious volumes removed from the long hall. One display featured replicas of the marble busts of Shakepeare, Socrates, and others come to life and debating philosophical issues. Their lips moved and their eyes blinked!

Our next visit was just as thought provoking and a bit unsettling. In 1916 Irish people were divided on the topic of separation from England, much like our own forefathers of the American Revoluion. The most radical separatists armed themselves and decided to ignite a war, even though they were in the minority. On Easter Sunday, 1916, these radicals attacked British forces throughout Dublin and set up their headquarters in the main post office. They held out there for days until the English army took them prisoner. Six of these men were later executed, and their deaths led to an evental shift in public opinion, culminating in eventual independece for Ireland. Today the GPO in Dublin hosts a museum that presents another fantastic milti-media display telling the story of the rebellion and its human cost, such as the many civilians who died when caught in the crossfire. The whole experience disturbed me. The thought of a radical minority commiting an armed insurrection that eventally swayed others to join them reninded me not of Lexington and Concord, but instead the goons who attacked our capital on January 6. Apparently the act resulted in a shift in public opinion, resulting in the reelection of the petty little orange lunatic in our last election. God help us.