The Chronicles of an Elephant Attendant

The first entry of 'the Chronicle' that has so tantalised us recently is up. Ich Tu' and its future are speculated on, illness in the camp is mentioned, and there's a shout-out to the people who have attended the tour thus far. I hope they post reasonably regularly. It's nice to get a little insight.

Tempelhüter has posted links to more tour pictures in the Herzeleid forum, the stand-outs being those of Caroline Traitler.

About a week ago I wrote a very badly proofread email to the BPjM regarding the indexing of the album:

To whom it may concern,

I'm sure there are many who would agree with the recent decision to index the Liebe ist für alle da album. These are probably the same people who would prefer you had indexed their entire catalogue over the years, and in retrospect perhaps you do too. From the outside, however, the latest move appears ridiculous. To index this album, when a precedent has been set to let the majority of their work slide, comes across as incredibly inconsistent and not a little calculated.

Aside from the obviously adult material that makes the whole Rammstein catalogue, the singling out of the particular track and image that have been listed smacks of desperation to 'be seen to be doing something' rather than a rational and considered decision, and does not flatter your organisation. While the front cover of the album shows men preparing to feast on a naked Venus the image that has been condemned as unsuitable for young eyes is one of an unmarked, healthy-looking women being spanked. It is tame, and represents a valid, if uncomfortable, form of intimacy in the real world. The track that has brought down the wrath of the BPjM is one ostensibly about the infliction physical pain, a valid metaphor for the way people view and treat one another. It makes little sense to act against this material in this way, given your historical response similar material.

I am aware that Pussy was also a contender for the 'corruptor' title, but again, for the wrong reasons. Since it is never once mentioned that prophylactics are not used how can it be said to promote unsafe sex? I've never heard a song of this type that did mention the application of a condom. It's preposterous to pick up on that detail. Pussy had better be indexed for the lousy use of German and English stereotypes than for irresponsible sexual congress.

I think this indexing should be reconsidered. While it has obviously got Rammstein a lot of press, and as such the attention of the youth you are trying to protect (thus cementing the album's success), nobody with a desire to support the sterling work the band do in promoting the German culture and language can be anything but exasperated that this happened in the first place. It makes the indexing process look farcical and does you no good in the eyes of the world, let alone in protecting the youth of Germany. They will get their hands on this material, and they will be all the more avid to do so because of what you have done; you have not actually protected anyone.

Please revisit this issue. It would be most sensible and responsible to do so.

Kind regards,
etc...

If you'd like to have your say their email address is info@bpjm.bund.de. I'm sure they'd love to hear from you.

Also, LIFAD has another update as of a few days ago.

[discuss]