📧 “from shane -- logan and Gospel of rumba”
Hi folks;
I am working this week to have some responses drafted for you regarding my appearances in The Gospel of Rutba. It is my spring break, so I've had to rearrange some things time-wise, but I hope to have something substantive by the end of the week, including;
some overall reflections on the part my character plays in the overall narrative
a bullet point list of revisions I suggest, as well as things that are less flexible for me
a .doc file with the same changes (from above bullet point) incorporated into the text in the form of Comments, Track Changes, etc., as well as suggested re-wording for problem areas
Having seen this so late in the game, I am worried I might not be able to deal with it as patiently and reflectively as I would prefer, so I wonder if a conference call with you both (shortly after you read my suggestions) might be in order. Robert, given the deeply personal nature of this for me, and certainly for Greg as well (with the incredible amount of time and effort he has invested), I think your insight and guidance might be a blessing for us both. Once you get the file back from me, we can discuss whether and how to have that conversation. If others from the trips are interested as well, maybe it's worth considering inviting them into the conversation, or maybe that would be too unwieldily, I'm not sure. I know it must be difficult to juggle so many narratives and personalities, so please let me know what is best for you both.
@1448 from Ellsberg
Logan,
I would appreciate it if we could have this conversation by Friday, assuming you can get your reactions done by then. I am available all day.
@ 1525 to Ellsberg, Barrett
I will do my best. It might be feasible to have a conversation before applying (or maybe even receiving) any suggestions I make, to at least join with Greg in hearing and digesting my concerns, and possibly working collaboratively in making any necessary revisions. From my reading as of now, I can say with certainty that my private journals should not be made part of the final product, but there might be a way of maneuvering grammar to effect what Greg ultimately wants to say if we work together quickly. I look forward to 'reasoning together' with you both.
@ 1529 from Barrett, adding Claiborne
As soon as you send your suggestions/corrections along, Robert and I will review them together and then schedule the phone conference.
Shane, any chance you could join one or both of these reviews and phone conferences? Help us navigate this? Not sure when you're returning from the West Bank.
Cheers all ~ greg
@ 1608 from Barrett to all
The earliest you can do it on Friday the better. I'm available before 8 a.m. and after 10:30 a.m. In your rereading, please keep in mind there have been no substantive changes to the material in Chap.6 since I read it to you in D.C. in January. The only other place where you have a significant role are four paragraphs in Chapter 10, pp. 197-198, leading up to your overall frustration with the trip. Also important to remember are the many interviews you gave for the documentary after our return from Rutba. These are all part of the record and the story.
I suspect that seeing your story in print can be alarming. However, I hope you can detach yourself enough in your rereading of Chapter 6 and pp. 197-198 to see the depth and added perspective that an ex-soldier with your experience and perspective brings to the fascinating story of Rutba. The fact that you laid down your weapon after your first tour of Iraq is significant in the overall arc of the war-and-peace narrative. The fact that you were willing to return to war unarmed is significant. The fact that you returned unarmed only as a peacemaker who could not reveal his full identify because of the violence already inflicted on Iraqis, is significant. The fact that you struggled with being someone less than his full genuine self in Rutba reflects well on your overall character. And, then, the fact that you have gone on to write your own book and preach the message of peace, these are significant facts for an ex-soldier conscripted by our war economy. All of these add dept to the book, the film and help speed the progress we are all attempting to make toward a more peaceful world.
That's my two cents. ... Talk soon.
