AM I THE ONLY ONE...???

Photo-journalism is a unique art form. Instead of the video footage which simply shoots what's happening, the news photographer has to catch and capture that special moment which best tells the story. Knowing precisely what and when is the photographer's talent.

We all know the usual what-and-when they find in a NEWS story: That stunning expression of shock or grief or joy on the faces there. Which makes perfectly good sense. But I'm always struck by what the photographers take away from most SPORTS events. Check it out yourself. Nearly every time, the shot is one of growling victory by the winner.

Think about. The classic shot of Mohamed Ali glaring down at his latest victim crumpled on the canvas....or the runner crashing into the second baseman with all the cleats and facial fury he can muster...or the Bulls player sneering down at the guy he just smashed through to sink the basket...or the toothless Blackhawk player glowering triumphantly after scoring through a mountain of crushed bodies.

I mean, these shots are 100% primitive violence. And we love it. We cheer it. We expect our photos to reflect it.

My own gnawing question is always the same. Why the rage? why the primitive? why always the focus on the violence rather than the skill of the game? My answer is always the sad same. Civilization is just not yet civilized enough.

Everyone remembers Oscar Wilde's take on America: "The only country that went from primitivism to barbarism without ever passing though civilization." And while there is merit to his snarl, the real tragedy is that his assessment fits any nation anywhere in any age. Right down to this morning's latest photos of the gangs in Chicago to the riots in Damascus to the furies in Iran to the rage in Washington DC.

I mean, the meek don't seem to have a chance! Although someone once promised: "The meek shall inherit the earth..."