Last week-end I passed these trees on a Summit Avenue boulevard, which runs parallel with Macalester College. There were no descriptive signs or banners to explain the yellow ribbons. I can only assume that it is a protest against our involvement in the Middle East in general and Iraq specifically."O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason" Julius Caesar III,ii,110 Wm Shakespeare
It is hard to understand how things come to pass....There are yellow ribbons around many of the trees where I work.
ReplyDeleteoh, what is it about ribbons that signify demonstration :)
ReplyDeletei remember we also had these yellow ribbons at the death of Ninoy Aquino and at the EDSA revolution.
Reminds me of the song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon around the Old Oak Tree". I thought a yellow ribbon meant that they are hoping for a safe return of their loved one.
ReplyDeletesi c'est des rubans pour protester contre la guerre en Irak, je trouve que c'est une très bonne idée.
ReplyDeleteIf ribbons to protest against the war in Iraq, I think it's a very good idea.
Thanks for the pics and the comment.
ReplyDeleteor some one was returning from the Middle East skirmish. Neat find and well captured.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting shot Kate. Really symbolic and striking...especially as the intention is still unknown. Most likely it is due to the overblown and overlong mess that is the War in Iraq.
ReplyDeleteTypically, yellow ribbons are used to show support for soldiers, as a way to say "come home safe." But it's a very impressive statement, whatever the meaning.
ReplyDeleteI understand that the yellow ribbon should be some kind of "welcome home" sign, which of course could mean stop the American involvment in Iraq etc... Have never seen these yellow ribbons in Europe - a pure American tadition?
ReplyDeleteI like Barb's explanation and I want to believe it is the right one. I hope it does not mean the trees are going to be cut down.
ReplyDeleteThese are very symbolic shots indeed & it is such a nice way of conveying a message without words, which I believe has more strength than words...very nicely captured shots too!
ReplyDeleteI think it is "waiting for you to come home" message. In recent history it started with the Iranian hostage crisis during the Carter administration.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_ribbon
Today, they said on French TV and radios, that 2007 is the worst year for US army in Iraq since 2003 with the highest number of soldiers killed. To declare a war is one thing, to do it personally is another one.
ReplyDeleteAbout time. Great quote Kate.
ReplyDeleteWOW! That avenue with many trees are gorgeous! Wish I was there!
ReplyDeleteGood idea...nice shot this your comment added...is easier to understand.
ReplyDeleteIt's part of Macalester's "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" programme which assists vets in reintegrating into society which includes helping them finish their college degrees and educating family members about the rigors vets face with getting back into society.
ReplyDeleteA yellow ribbons signifies you want someone to come home. More than that, it tells that person that you will be there for them and you take them into your heart. In the US, yellow is the colour of the cavalry. An old Army tradition there (back when Rebs and Yanks were at it) has it that when a cavalryman was absent from his post, his ribbon would be nailed to his quarters until he came home to claim it. Yellow became popular because it was the cavalry who were always away.
In Australia, the colour yellow is associated with cowardice so red ribbons are usually used.
Cheers,
BrisbaneDailyPhoto