Sunday, December 27, 2009

Aiming for happiness in the US, Orson Welles on infringements of privacy

Aiming to find happiness in their lives...That is the right of all Americans as set down in the Constitution.
How wonderful!
And, judging by many of the the blogs from the States I sometimes read here, that aim -for US citizens to fulfill their dreams and aspirations -is often achieved. It certainly appears that a positive attitude to life is alive and well over the pond. Bravo!!
On another tack, there has been a short season of films and documentaries on or by Orson Welles shown on UK TV by BBC 4. I have seen some of it, including a short televised talk by Welles shown yesterday on the infringement of privacy threatened by many of the unnecessary questions constantly asked of us (as it was even at that time). He suggested the setting up of a society for the protection of the individual, representatives of which should be present at places such as country borders etc. Certainly food for thought, and Welles put the case fluently, succinctly and most importantly I think, in a most humane way. And that has come across in much of what I have watched:- that he was a caring individual of extraordinary intelligence and talent. I was, of course, aware of his stature before, but this has helped reinforce my admiration of the man and his work.