Henry Kissinger and the Grammys

Over the weekend, I read the book, the Trial of Henry Kissinger, by Christopher Hitchens. With documents released by the US in the last two decades, Hitchens convincingly argues that Kissinger should be tried for murder and crimes against humanity. Not just for his role in Vietnam War, but for his role in effectuating murder and destruction in countries against whom the United States never declared war.

The evidence is piled up and dropped right in front of you. There's not that much innuendo or argument. Hitchens plows through a bunch of evidence that Kissinger was involved in coups, murders, and assassinations in just about every continent except Antarctica. This is not speculation or circumstantial evidence. The materials are self evident. Yet Kissinger is an honored figure. He shows up on the news from time to time. He garners more than $25,000 for a public appearance.

And he won the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1973, for his role in negotiating the end of the Vietnam War. He's one of the vilest, power hungry men in American history; a man who instigated war and assassination whenever he saw fit, causing irreparable harm to the US's reputation at home and abroad. Picking at random you could have done a better job. Hell, picking at random in a maximum security prison you would have found better candidates. Yet he was giving the most prestigious award award you can get for bringing about peace.

I didn't watch the Grammys. I haven't watched them in over a decade. But I hold their decisions regarding what's good in music in as high esteem as I hold the Swedes' decision to pick Kissinger as the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Lady Gaga and Ms. Antebellum aren't really even musicians, but rather musical entertainers. And that's fine. They're good at it. Bands like the Avett Brothers and The Arcade Fire have real musical talent. It's swell that they've been rewarded. But their presence at the Grammys doesn't make the award shows connection to music any more legitimate or a reflection of musical quality. The decision of whom to reward is a political and strategic attempt to stay relevant.

The decision to award the Lady Gagas and the Henry Kissingers is a decision to make sure people are interested in you. If you're looking to find good music, you're better off finding critics you respect (may I suggest the Onion AV club) or talking to a friend who knows music. And if you want to know who's working to create peace, you're almost never going to find them among those who dedicate their lives to cultivating their own power.