A reader writes:
I intended to object to this last year, when that video of the soldier and his dogs won for “Mental Health Break” for 2008. By definition, that video was NOT a “mental health break” – in fact, it was quite heartbreaking to see such a stark reminder of the human (and canine) cost of the war. The name “mental health break” implies that whatever I’m about to watch is going to take my mind off of those things in the political sphere than anger, energize or upset us in some way. The video last year was devastating in a way, as were all of those videos of the kids and soldiers reuniting. That’s not a “break” by any definition of the term, but rather is perhaps the best reminder we have of why the rush to war in Iraq was one of the most colossal mistakes in judgment in recent memory. Those videos make me sad and angry. Silly videos of random things that allow me to shut my brain off for 3-5 minutes and appreciate nothing more than human creativity – that’s what this award should represent.
The Dish 