That war we won in the pacific...
One of the more interesting benefits of working in the media business is the great joy of reading through in(s)ane press releases everyday. If you thought that what you saw on TV or read in your paper was ludicrous, then you have no idea how lucky you are. For every morning our inboxes are flooded with press releases that range from the completely stupid to the astronomically nincompoopish.
But I am not going to harp all over that because I was in the receipt of a rather interesting notice in the email last evening which I must share with you. It was crafted by the wonderful people at IBN7 and was an e-flyer for one of their Independence day hoopla television programmes.
This is the image after much cutting and pasting and resizing:
Of course I don't have a problem with the spirit of the idea. Independence Day is a great time that we should all celebrate and why should TV channels be any different. And if there is a profit motive then thats even better.
The main text of the mailer is as follows:
"On this occasion of Independence Day, IBN7 brings you an array of programmes showcasing India's journey through glorious 60 years. Relive the moments that have made us strong, proud and humble."
No issues with any of those things. I had just read though the mailer and was all set it to consign it to by Trash when I noticed the interesting graphic in the bottom right hand corner. Look closely.
Hay! Wait a goddamn minute there!
Haven't I seen that somewhere before?
And so I had!
Now the Google Image Search went wrong for IBN7 in two ways.
First of all the IBN7 graphic is ripped off the US Marine Corps War Memorial located in Virginia. It is one of the few places where the Stars and Stipes is permitted to be flown 24 hours a day.
And that's not all. The Memorial itself is based on an immensely famous photo taken on Mount Suribachi during the Battle for Iwo Jima during WW2. (Fantastic battle. Uncle Eastwood made two outstanding movies about it. Made money and won awards.)
And the icing on the cake is the missing chakra on the Indian flag.
Sure lets relive the moments that made us strong, proud and humble. By all means.
But ripping off someone else's crowning war moment is a bit much.
No?