"Seven Days in May" - the movie - Is being shown on the Turner Classic Movies (TCM-TV) in one hour

[Jan Klimkowski]

Seven Days in May, the starting point of this thread, is a double helix with Executive Action, twin cases of power elites removing the chief executive by extreme prejudice.

The ability of film--and live-action spectacle, e.g., motor racing--to reach people of all nationalities has been demonstrated with Zapruder (HSCA) and JFK (JFK Act).

In this era the mass is not involved in deep political thought.

How can it be hooked in the manner of Zapurder and JFK.

There are very experienced media people here who can play upon that question with continuing contribution to the shared goal of justice.

Absent the involvement of the mass (Nascar nation, Oscar-watching, Everyman and Everywoman) the hope may crash and burn.

Phil - nicely done.

Yes, deep political insight into the Oscars and the Indy 500 is indeed possible and welcome.

For non-Americans, it's no surprize that America's most popular sport - American Football - is perhaps the most violent permitted in any country in the world.

The last couple of decades has seen a fascinating archaeological/anthropological debate take place over the nature of ritual conflict and sport in south and central America.

There are modern indigenous ritual encounters (sporting events?) in the Andes known as tinku,

History

The Andean tradition began with the indigenous belief in Pachamama, or Mother Nature. The combat is in praise of Pachamama, and any blood shed throughout the fighting is considered a sacrifice, in hopes of a fruitful harvest and fertility. Because of the violent nature of the tradition there have been fatalities, but each death is considered a sacrifice which brings forth life, and a donation to the land that fertilizes it.[2] The brawls are also considered a means of release of frustration and anger between the separate communities. Tinkus usually last two to three days.[3] During this time, participants will stop every now and then to eat, sleep, or drink.
Groups who participate

Tinkus occur "between different communities, moieties, or kin groups". They are prearranged and usually take place in the small towns of southern Bolivia, like Macha and Pocoata. Tinkus are very festive, with a numerous audience of men, women and children, who bring food and beverages. Alcoholic drinks are also brought and sold along with food during the tinku.
Methods of combat

During the brawl itself, men will often carry rocks in their hands to have greater force in their punches, or they will just throw them at opponents. Sometimes, especially in the town of Macha in Potosí, where the brawl gets the most violent, men will wrap strips of cloth with shards of glass stuck to them around their fists to cause greater damage. Slingshots and whips are also used, though not as much as hand-to-hand combat.[2] The last day of the fight is considered the most violent and police almost always have to separate the mass of bloody men and women.
Attire

Men attend tinkus wearing traditional monteras, or thick helmet-like hats made of thick leather, resembling helmets from the Conquistadors. These helmets are oftentimes painted and decorated with feathers.[3] Their pants are usually simple black or white with traditional embroidering near their feet. Oftentimes the men wear wide thick belts tied around their waist and stomach for more protection.[1]
Festive Tinku Dance

The Festive Tinku, a much more pleasant experience than a ceremonial tinku, has many differences. It has been accepted as a cultural dance in the whole nation of Bolivia. Tinku music has a loud constant drum beat to give it a native warlike feel, while charangos, guitars, and zampoñas (panpipes) play melodies.[2] The dancers perform with combat like movements, following the heavy beat of the drum.
Costumes

For men, the costumes are more colorful. Their monteras are usually decorated with long colorful feathers. Tinku Suits, or the outfits men wear during Festive Tinku performances, are usually made with bold colors to symbolize power and strength, instead of the neutral colors worn in ceremonial tinkus that help participants blend in. Women wear long embroidered skirts and colorful tops. Their costumes are completed by extravagant hats, painted and decorated with various long and colorful feathers and ribbons. Men and women wear walking sandals so they can move and jump easily.[1]
Dance

The dance is performed in a crouching stance, bending at the waist. Arms are thrown out and there are various kicks, while the performers move in circles following the beat of the drum. Every jump from one foot to the next is followed by a hard stomp and a thrown fist to signify the violence from the ceremonial tinku. Many times the dancers will hold basic and traditional instruments in their hands that they will use as they stomp, just to add more noise for a greater effect.

These ritual encounters would sometimes result in local village rivalries being settled with bloody injuries but little or no death.

The theory emerged that much ancient Andean conflict was actually ritual in nature, because populations in remote areas were often small and high fatality numbers risked the existence of the communities. The shedding of blood satisfied Pachamama. There was no need for death.

However, archaeological digging at sacred sites - first in Mayan ball courts in central America, and more recently in Moche and other Andean ritual spaces - has revealed evidence of mass death and sacrifice, and interpretations have necessarily changed.

The dominant theory now is that the ritual warfare of modern tinku is a new form, evolved out of real bloodshed and mass fatality in past centuries.