From our Mailbag 10/29/00 - 11/04/00
We'll look back on this, laugh nervously, and then change the subject.
From Diamond D, Higganum, CT, USA:
Subject: nice....
hey great issue, i would say that this proves that it is always worth it to take the time to do things rights.
but then you already knew that...
-d-
Central CT Green Party
http://www.votenader.org
http://www.ctgreen2000.com
http://www.ctgreens.org/centralct/
--
"I'm voting for Ralph Nader's 40-year public career of incorruptible integrity, political independence and effective progressive activism that has put Nader in a leadership role on more important public interest and environmental laws and regulation than most elected members of Congress. The Clean Air Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Freedom of Information Act, Consumer Product Safety Act, seat belts, air bags, and a host of other important victories that have made our daily lives safer, healthier and more fun." - Deran Ludd, Alternative 2000.
--
There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can't take part; you can't even passively take part, and you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you've got to make it stop. And you've got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you're free, the machine will be prevented from working at all! Mario Savio
From Phala Ray-Orians, (No City Provided,) MI, USA:
Oh Ed:
Dead Man's Boots . . . excellent, fantastic, terrific, a great read! I'm saving it to my hard drive and will send it to others. The art of oral tradition begins and ends with stories such as these. I appreciate well-crafted yarns that hook you and make you read on! The short story form is so difficult to master. To say, "I liked your piece," barely does justice to your use of this genre. Reminded me of S. Jackson's "The Lottery." I like the way Rod has toned down the level of g21's excessive intellectualization and use of obtuse verbiage. For example, although I liked J. Blue's sardonic voice, oftentimes her loquacity bored me to "saline extrusions." Understanding, the beginning of Wisdom. Good Job! Go G21!
From Ed C., Bloomfield, MI, USA:
"The wiring of the Democratic process has led nearly two out of three Americans to feel 'more connected to the political process,' according to a recent poll by Yankelovich Partners for Yahoo! News. Forty four percent of those polled say the Internet puts 'them in touch,' and about the same amount say they are surfing the Web to research political issues, candidates and election news...." [ Douglas McDaniel, MOIA.]
Dear Rod:
I thought I had used quotes from fairly reliable sources; but the above paragraph seems to indicate a very high number of people out on the Web are using it for in-depth political information (not just the usual mushy-mouthed MSNBS-type "news"). It begs the question: who were these people who were surveyed, that this article references?
The puzzlelegaled-paralegal,
EC
ROD RESPONDS: A favorite quote among journalists has to do with "lies, damned lies, and statistics..." It depends on who you talk to. That's why there's such a diversity of opinions on the significance of Web influence and its meaning at G21 in last week's Election Special edition.
Rod
From Terry T., Cloverdale, CA USA:
Subject: Von Braunschweiger - The Scourge of Lucifer on Earth!
Von Braunschweiger!
I say Von Braunschweiger you madman! You wretched varlet, benighted and besotted spawn of nothing but a hound-dog, defiler and reviler of the sacred mysteries and master of all that is evil on Earth!
Lord of Flies! Disciple of Baal and Patron of Al-Sabah, first lord of the ancient order of Assassin! I have been communing with the ancients this past week, evil one, and once again was admiring your work as depicted on the re-release of the Exorcist.
Evil one, where timid men can only speak the Devil's name I can only see the Master's touch, Baccanal in nature, occultus by neccessity I now call upon the Master, I as his humble slave now beeseech, the Great Evil one, "Hear this Most Humble Petition and take me ,into the 'Order of Ass!'
Yes. Hear me 'O Lord'- I mean 'Evil One' and bestow the Secret Knowledge (With handshake) of the 'Order of Ass'. Yes, I am begging you. Lord of Flies! Fie!
Von Helsing
ROD RESPONDS: Van Helsing!
Remember, Clever Doktor, I know where you live!
You think to provoke my wrath with those pathetic appellations?!? Think again, mein freund. It will take more than three thousand miles and the mewling of feeble assistants to keep my clutches away from your pencil neck!
Ass? Ass? Do you think that IF I was getting any I would share it with the likes of you?!?
Put that crucifix away! Put that crucifix away, I say, you Defender of the Weak and Pitiful.
Ah, Van Helsing, how I hunger for chess board (I said "chess," not "chest, varlet!) In a true game of strategy and cunning, though you have defeated me many times, I know that I could exact my much-deserved retribution upon you.
But I see you are fortunate once again... The sunrise approaches...
Von Braunschweiger
From Rolf W., Berlin, GERMANY:
NOT much of a "World's Magazine" I think if you don't even have coverage of the major part of Europe. When I look at your Writers page, I see only one European and he is in Prague.
Yet, I see that you are still actively recruiting in Africa and Asian. I challenge this deficiency of your regional coverage.
Otherwise, you seem to offer more than most 'Zines published out of the States.
My two cents,
Rolf
From Luke S., (No City Provided,) USA:
SUBJECT: MEMOIRS OF THE INFORMATION AGE
My opinion is that both Douglas McDaniel and Diamond D. are right --- from their own perspectives. Mr. McDaniel speaks from the view-point of a professional journalist observing a media "event." Diamond D seems to be writing from the perspective of someone who has a partisan agenda (in this case the Green Party) and I would guess he was new to politics from his comment that he had "I have learned more about politics in 3-4 months, than in my ENTIRE LIFE."
I do believe you do us all a service by bringing this sort of discussion to the Internet, instead of the usual political "spin." So it was a worthy read.
Keep fighting the Good Fight!
Luke
From Melissa S., (No City Provided,) USA:
It seems amazing to me that no one has recently brought up the possibility that Bush was arrested for cocaine use in 1972 and his rich family had all records of that arrest expunged from the record. I just heard former senator Livingston say, on Hardball, that he was surprised that the Democrats got a hold of the D.U.I. arrest as he said that the record of this arrest had been and I quote "expunged from his record." Weird, huh, when you think about it?
Also, I heard an anchor say, when the news of the D.U.I. came out, that Bush had had his driving privileges suspended on account of this arrest. Well, how often does a judge take away someones driving privileges the first time they are busted for drilving drunk. It really bothers me that no one is really doing any investigative reporting. What gives?
Yours truly,
Melissa S.
ROD RESPONDS: Melissa,
Thanks for visiting G21 and taking the time to write in. It's appreciated!
As to your question, we've long maintained that "the media" operates on a sort of "Flavor of the Week" mentality. Our estimate is that a full 80% of what passes for "news" is little more than regurgitation of press releases and spin. Investigative reporting is practically non-existant these days because it's cheaper just to "repurpose" something already out there. In the process, the citizen is the big loser.
At the same time, with the election just days away as we "say" this, there's little hope of any serious digging or reporting on any new revelations unless they are bombshells. So it goes.
Regards,
Rod
From Peter F., (No City Provided,) USA:
To the Editor:
Your bias against Gov. Bush is all-too-evident in your last issue. The amount of ridicule you heaped upon him was over-the-top! Objectivity? My ass! Consider me one person who won't be visiting this so-called Web magazine ever again!
Like most of the East Coast media, you are so biased and distorted that you can't see what most people in this country do. You're a total waste of bandwidth.
Here's hoping you never waste another person's time with your ultra-liberal, anti-Christian spew!
Hasta la Vista!
Peter
AND your favorite e-mails from The World's Mailbox
From Chris W., New York, NY, USA:
Subject: Check out VotePledge.org
I'm helping an online campaign to encourage people to vote, called VotePledge.org. Can you help? To encourage this good work, VotePledge.org has offered a $10,000 award to the person who gets the most people to pledge that they will vote on November 7th. Please help by telling everyone you know about this site.
This is really important work. When few citizens vote, we get politicians elected by special interests rather than people. In 1998 under 42% of eligible voters participated in the election. I, for one, am exercising my franchise. I will vote. And I encourage you to vote. But you can do even more. You can spread the word. And it's easy. Just go to:
http://www.votepledge.org/index.html?r_id=RLQHAA%3D%3D%0A
Through VotePledge, you can add your name to a simple, non-partisan, confidential pledge to vote. Then use VotePledge.org to encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same. VotePledge keeps track of how many people sign up from your outreach. If you sign up the most people, VOTEPLEDGE WILL AWARD YOU THE $10,000 VOTEPLEDGE DEMOCRACY AWARD.
Plenty is at stake on November 7th -- a new President, congressional leadership, the Supreme Court. Nothing could be more important than this simple act of announcing your personal commitment to democracy.
To act, go to
http://www.votepledge.org/index.html?r_id=RLQHAA%3D%3D%0A
It takes just a minute. Your privacy is guaranteed.
- Steph Gueldner
ps(you guys, this is really important. I didn't just forward this because of the pipe dream of $10,000 - I really think you all are crazy if you don't vote! Remember, aside from all the other issues, the candidate that wins will appoint 2-3 new Supreme Court Justices- that is a decision that will affect us for the next 20 years, not just the next 4. PLEASE VOTE!)
Keelow., Kokomo, IN, USA:
Press Release For New Compilation 11-3-00 (Around The World In 60 Minutes - Compilation Series)
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If you could add in your press release news a write up (in your or online/print version) that would be fantastic! We also have an animation banner if you would really like to support us and underground bands. We in return for any and all of your support with this compilation series will service your
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