[Milton-L] Attacks on Milton and Civility on Milton-L

[FLANNAGAN, ROY]

This is a list that I helped to found, alongside Kevin Creamer, many, many years ago, and I certainly value its usual civility and intellectual integrity.  John Leonard's suggestion to send only one message a day (which I just this minute violated) is a good one, and I admire the suggestions for moderate and cool-headed interchanges from Gardner Campbell.
 
When I saw the NY Times review of the Williamsburg show, I was affronted by the unjust picture of Milton put out as truth by Charles McGrath, and I admit I felt immediate distaste for what others have called the ugly sculpture that illustrated McGrath's provoking article.  I did want to go on the attack, because "our" poet was being unjustly defamed in print in an article in one of the best-respected newspapers in the country.
 
I continue to believe that Milton has been defamed and devalued in the process of celebrating him at a pop art birthday party in New York, and I do think it is our business at least to correct the misapprehensions that seem to be promoted by the continued publicity.  Of course we are playing into the hands of a publicity machine designed to make money for the gallery owners and the "artists" on display there, and that is a sad and fallen process, as we well know from studying Paradise Lost.
 
Roy Flannagan
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