IN THIS ISSUE: We focus on the story. That means that whether it be an opinion piece, hard news or satire, the focus will be on the narrative and the characters. The world is full of characters. I'll bet you're one of them.

NEW ORLEANS, LA, USA - Just as if they were singing in a well-rehearsed church choir, American citizens responded to the events of September 11 in a unison song of amazement. "Why, why are we so hated around the world, when we are such a compassionate people?". According to our leadership, it has to do with "evil" and nothing more. We are not to blame for any anger that comes our way...we are the victims of evil-doers who want to disrupt our way of life.

But are we just misunderstood freedom-loving victims, as our President would like us to believe? Psychiatrists worldwide concur that while there are far too many innocent victims, belief in "being a victim" is a self-defeating attitude. Yet our President would have us rest upon this conclusion. If you believe you are a victim, then you are indeed one. But if you dig to the root of your problems, understand those problems, and then proceed to consistently work to correct your future, you are no longer a victim but a survivor and a victorious one at that. It is time for Americans to dig for the roots, understand and take action.

As a freedom-loving American, I dare to admit that there are many reasons for the hatred we have inspired around the world....MORE

NEW ORLEANS - 16 APRIL, 2002 - Carlos and the three dogs have been away for a couple of days, affording me much-needed (now) times of solitude and reflection. It has not only been "free" time, though. On Monday, I interviewed for my new job. Next Monday, I begin work at what once was called a curio shop. It is on Bourbon Street. Seems my fate here in the Big Easy remains entwined with that of its most notorious precinct. Once I get to know the business, the owners would like me to design a Web site for them. Hmmn... (Or should I say "Om"?) It was a typical New Orleans interview. No resume´/CV, no application. All she knows about me is that I moved here after Belgrade, that I know lots about the Web, a bit about computers, that I worked for the infamous Karnos. (She thinks the Karnos are avaricious and acquisitive. She cannot forgive them for forcing the Volunteers of America out of the French Quarter.) ... MORE

AUSTIN, REPUBLIC OF TEJAS - After gettin' the latest dirt on one of our "Betters," there's nothin' we like better than a chance to have a vicarious thrill, is there, Fellow Sanitation Engineers? That's why that danged TV show "Bachelor" is doing so well and why even you're artsy-fartsy, left-leaning 'til they 'bout to fall down, Birkenstock-wearin', granola-eatin', whale-savin', trash-sortin' lita- and diga- ratis even have to admit that they have seen at least one episode of

• "Blind Date"
• "Temptation Island"
• "DisMissed" or
• "Change of Heart"

It's blood simple: we are a nation of danged voyuers... MORE


POWERSSOUND

by BOB POWERS

MARIETTA, OH, USA - For 40 years, a slender little lady from Chillicothe, Ohio has built a huge following with her distinctive vocal styling. Once you’ve heard Nancy Wilson sing, it’s a guarantee that you’ll recognize her unique way of warbling. There’s no one quite like her.

Capitol Records, her recording home for long and distinguished career, has vaults of her music. The company, now a part of the behemoth EMI, has assembled a handsome package of Wilson’s best performances into a gorgeous package that should delight anyone who has followed her career.

“The Essence of Nancy Wilson: Four Decades of Music” contains all her charted hit songs, plus a variety of material chosen with care and finesse. You’ll hear one of her first hits, the stunning “Save Your Love for Me,” which she recorded with the Cannonball Adderley group. It sounds just as powerful and lush today as it did when released in 1959. An album included that tune, and soon had the entire music world’s rapt attention...MORE





*GLOBAL BEAT*

by ROD AMIS

Here's the skinny: Imagine Vonnegut meeting Gogol. Imagine a wonderful, sardonic, rueful, I've-been-there belly laugh. Now imagine that you take a magical mystery tour through Assyro-Babylonian, recent Soviet/Russian and Madison Avenue histories. Put it all in the same novel, spice with LSD, lots of vodka and hallucinogenic mushrooms and you might come close to Victor Pelevin's Homo Zapiens... MORE