03/10/03 — Churchill's Estate
Jo and I went to Chartwell, Churchill's estate. That was great too. Walking around Churchill's library and study and being able to check out his bookshelves the way you check out anyone's bookshelves was amazing. Also, the experience was an interesting counter-balance to the myriad Eastern European museums about World War II and the various occupations. The most striking image is one of Churchill sitting with Roosevelt and Stalin. Stalin is gazing smugly at the camera. I think the date is around 1943. The Baltics have already been invaded. Stalin presumably remembers that he made a secret non-agression pact with Hitler, even if the others don't know it yet. Stalin has already expressed interest in the Czech region and even had explicit discussions about how things might be divided up. What is he thinking in this picture? What did he say? Did Churchill really do everything he might have to stop the occupations of nations by the Soviet Army? Or was it amazing he did and saw what he did, recognising the threat before others? Was that phrase 'iron curtain' that he coined actually more of a hindrance to the cause, suggesting as it did that the new border was immovable and the countries behind it hidden from view and help? Would things have gone differently if he hadn't needed to start persuasion anew with Truman or if he'd kept power himself?
Anyhow, Churchill as journalist and statesman, speechmaker and thinker is a challenging figure for me, leader of the anti-Hitler brigade but at the same time a man who said "Victory at all costs". Why is one invader less evil than another? The same question recurs now, of course: Iraq's invasion of Kuwait or possession of WMD is somehow more reprehensible than Israel's continuing occupation of Palestine because it suits the PTB politically to turn a blind eye. Meanwhile, people die and walls are built.
The grounds were lovely though...
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| ^^ Anne Boleyn's estate | ^^ Australian black swans at Chartwell |
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| ^^ The Churchills had a gorgeous rose garden | ^^ Yellow roses are my Mum's favourite |