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• Issue #151
• Article

By Alex Novak

I do not regard this newsletter in any way political and never thought I would use it for that purpose, so pardon me for this one instance (especially my many good Republican friends). But I have come to feel that the American Presidential election this time out particularly will be too crucial for any of us to pass up the opportunity to influence its outcome.

In the past I have felt that John McCain was a decent man. While I was never impressed with his astuteness, I did appreciate his forthrightness and courage in battling for issues that--at least in his mind--were the right things to do. And I genuinely hope he goes back to doing things that way in the future.

Unfortunately, I feel the way he has run for President has been disorganized, chaotic and frankly--at times--demagogic. Yes, there are always unfortunate distortions of each candidate's positions, but the Republican Party and the McCain campaign, if not the man himself, has stooped to new lows with its under-the-radar campaign of slurs made by robo-calls and email. These smears have created an atmosphere of hatred, bigotry and divisiveness that can only harm our country. His further choice of Sarah Palin, herself a dangerous, divisive demagogue and anti-intellectual, as a running mate clearly indicated the degree he would stoop to win at any cost. It is a sad commentary on a man who was defeated by similar tactics in 2000 in South Carolina.

On the other hand, I continue to be impressed with Barack Obama's intelligence, coolness under fire and organizational abilities. He has surrounded himself with strong but moderate advisors, and understands how to listen and make good, balanced decisions. Neither the U.S.A., nor the world needs another cowboy in the White House. If you want a beer with someone, go ask your neighbor, or even Sarah and Todd Palin. But what we need in the White House now is the leadership, intelligence and skill of Barack Obama and his running mate Joe Biden. I urge all of my readers to vote for them and to do all that is possible to help get them elected. Take nothing for granted this time. It is too important not to vote for balance, effectiveness, honesty and intelligence in these very troubling times.

Novak has over 49 years experience in the photography-collecting arena. He is a long-time member and formerly board member of the Daguerreian Society, and, when it was still functioning, he was a member of the American Photographic Historical Society (APHS). He organized the 2016 19th-century Photography Show and Conference for the Daguerreian Society in NYC. He is also a long-time member of the Association of International Photography Art Dealers, or AIPAD. Novak has been a member of the board of the nonprofit Photo Review, which publishes both the Photo Review and the Photograph Collector, and is currently on the Photo Review's advisory board. He was a founding member of the Getty Museum Photography Council. He is author of French 19th-Century Master Photographers: Life into Art.

Novak has published numerous photography articles and columns in several newspapers, including the Photograph Collector, Focus magazine and the Daguerreian Society Newsletter. He has been interviewed extensively on the photography art market by the Financial Times, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Classic magazine, Maine Antique Digest, the Art Newspaper, Art News, Art Business News, Focus magazine, PDN, Black & White magazine, Photographie Internationale, Antiques & the Arts Online, Art Critical and the Photograph Collector newsletter, as well as by many other publications, television programs and websites, both in the USA and in France. He was quoted extensively in the book, "Collectingphotography" by Gerry Badger. He has spoken at numerous photography events and programs.

He writes and publishes the E-Photo Newsletter, the largest circulation newsletter in the field. Novak is also president and owner of Contemporary Works/Vintage Works, a private photography dealer, which sells by appointment and has sold at exhibit shows, such as AIPAD New York and Miami, Art Chicago, Classic Photography LA, Photo LA, Paris Photo, The 19th-century Photography Show, Art Miami, the Daguerreian Society, etc.