"The Tank Man"

[AxlsMainMan]

What do you think of this photograph?

I think its both incredible and heartbreaking at the same time.

Truly insane how nobody knows the identity of the Tank Man, or if he's still alive.

[freedom78]

Truly insane how nobody knows the identity of the Tank Man, or if he's still alive.

I have my doubts about him having lived through the week, after that one.  Sad, but true.  But, in case I'm wrong, rock on, tank man!

[AxlsMainMan]

Truly insane how nobody knows the identity of the Tank Man, or if he's still alive.

I have my doubts about him having lived through the week, after that one.? Sad, but true.? But, in case I'm wrong, rock on, tank man!

There was a PBS special just on TV about him, and one person that was interviewed said it most certainly looked like civilians that hurried him away, and not military or government goons.

One dude also said that his real name doesn't even need to be uncovered because the stand he took is what truly matters, and his influence will live on forever.

Truly heartbreaking though.

Really kills me to see a country suffering from communist assholes

[stolat]

There is an image very similar to that from Poland in the 80s when the Solidarity movement was building momentum. Poland was under 'Russian' martial law. Tanks on the streets and tear gas/water canons was a common site.

I actually saw footage of a man being run over by a tank......but he did survive.

[SLCPUNK]

That photo is awesome.

[freedom78]

That photo is awesome.

I agree.  There's so much symbolism in it, and not just freedom vs. oppression.  Look how one man stopped four tanks, because they can't think outside the box enough to simply go around.  Now, I KNOW (from the video) that the lead tank tried numerous times to go around, and he simply moved in front of him...but he couldn't POSSIBLY stop FOUR tanks from running around his flank!  They represent a very ordered, dictated way of doing things, and he represents how important it is to do things your own way or to have a marketplace of ideas.  Awesome.

[The Dog]

great photo.  a truly amazing/iconic moment in world history.

[Axlfreek]

I remember this was rumored to be the cover of chinese democracy back in 2001

[stolat]

I remember this was rumored to be the cover of chinese democracy back in 2001

Nice One!

[AxlsMainMan]

I remember this was rumored to be the cover of chinese democracy back in 2001

I think this would still make an amazing album cover if "Guns N 'Roses" and the album name were incorporated into it somehow.

[The Catcher]

truly a hero.

[CheapJon]

I thought he was captured by the chinese gov'ment.. but ok, he's probably killed by now  he did it for like 30 minutes if i'm not wrong..


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_man

here's it on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9klv9q19rTY

a true hero.. and so inspirationable (if that's a word)

[BlowUpYourVideo]

I remember this was rumored to be the cover of chinese democracy back in 2001

I think this would still make an amazing album cover if "Guns N 'Roses" and the album name were incorporated into it somehow.

Cheap plug?


Anyway, it takes some guts to do that. I'm surprised they didn't just try to run him over. Doesn't he climb on to one of the tanks at some point?

[mrlee]

i thought he got run over?

[Izzy]

i thought he got run over?

nope, they stopped

Though they did run over other people accoridng to reports, not with tanks though - several people were killed by other armoured vehicles

Personally without seeing this photo in context i think its dangerous to give it any special meaning - the guy might have been just incredibly stupid as opposed to making a ''stand''

[stolat]

i thought he got run over?

nope, they stopped

Though they did run over other people accoridng to reports, not with tanks though - several people were killed by other armoured vehicles

Personally without seeing this photo in context i think its dangerous to give it any special meaning - the guy might have been just incredibly stupid as opposed to making a ''stand''

And just running with that thought - would you call the Poles who charged (on horses, sabres drawn) the tanks (entering their city) at the beginning of WW2, stupid, romantic or brave?

[freedom78]

i thought he got run over?

nope, they stopped

Though they did run over other people accoridng to reports, not with tanks though - several people were killed by other armoured vehicles

Personally without seeing this photo in context i think its dangerous to give it any special meaning - the guy might have been just incredibly stupid as opposed to making a ''stand''

And just running with that thought - would you call the Poles who charged (on horses, sabres drawn) the tanks (entering their city) at the beginning of WW2, stupid, romantic or brave?

I think "tragically under-equipped" is probably a better description than any other.

[stolat]

After that it took the Poles 5 years to collect enough weapons and ammo to have the Uprising of 44. My great aunt was transporting a basketful of handgranades across the city when she got stopped on a tram - the soldier asked her what was in the basket - she said are you stupid! - potatoes of course! She also later told the gestapo where to go......

Lucky! Gutsy! Phew!

(a happy anecdote from WW2 for ya!)

[AxlsMainMan]

i thought he got run over?

nope, they stopped

Though they did run over other people accoridng to reports, not with tanks though - several people were killed by other armoured vehicles

Personally without seeing this photo in context i think its dangerous to give it any special meaning - the guy might have been just incredibly stupid as opposed to making a ''stand''

Im afraid your mistaken.

"By looking at these two photographs and using the painted road lines as a reference, it is evident that the tank has moved forward.

After blocking the tanks, the man climbed up onto the top of the lead tank and had a conversation with the driver. Reports of what he said to the driver vary, including "Why are you here? My city is in chaos because of you"; "Go back, turn around, and stop killing my people"; and "Go away."

Video footage shows that anxious onlookers then pulled the man away and absorbed him into the crowd.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_Man

[fuckin crazy]

Though they did run over other people accoridng to reports, not with tanks though - several people were killed by other armoured vehicles

Tragically , thousands probably died that week .