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From our Mailbag 09/23/01 - 10/06/01

Did WE Say Something that Mattered..?

From Tamara Hernandez Danel, Artcamp, MEXICO:

SUBJECT: Dear American People

Estamos terriblemente impresionados y tristes por los eventos tr·gicos que han ocurrido en su paÌs y queremos que sepan que compartimos su pena y preocupacion. Estos incidentes terribles son signos de que algo esta terriblemente mal en el mundo. Por favor, comprendan que estaremos con ustedes en la b™squeda de justicia y el final de atrocidades como las ocurridas el 11 de Septiembre del 2001.

We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events that have taken place in your country and want you to know that we share your grief and concern. These terrible incidents are signs that something is gravely wrong in the world. Please understand that we stand beside you in seeking justice and an end to atrocities such as those that occurred on 11 of September of 2001.

Los Estados Unidos se erigieron como un modelo de gobierno para la gente y por su gente. Ustedes quizas no sepan que su paÌs fue el modelo para nuestra Rep™blica Mexicana (la cual finalmente se formÛ siguiendo nuestras herencias culturales), y lo ha sido para muchas otras naciones de alrededor del mundo, especialmente a lo largo de Latinoamerica.

The United States was established as a model of freedom of government by the people themselves. You may not know that your country was the model for the Mexican republic (which ultimately took form according to our own unique cultural heritage), as it has been for many other nations around the world, especially throughout Latinamerica.

En este momento deseamos hacerle nuestro mas sincero reconocimiento a los logros histÛricos de su paÌs y a unirnos con ustedes en un esfuerzo de re-descubrir los principios y fuerzas morales que convirtieron a los Estados Unidos en lo que el gran fundador de Massachusettes John Winthrop llamo: "La ciudad deslumbrante en lo alto de la colina".

At this time we wish to extend to you our sincere high regard for the historical accomplishments of your country and join with you in an intention to re-discover the central principles and moral strength that made the United States into what your great forefather John Winthrop of Massachusettes called: "the shining city on the top of the hill"

Nosotros somos gente artesana de un pueblo rural en Mexico y es poco lo que podemos hacer para ayudar a las victimas de esta tragedia o para ayudar en las importantes tareas y retos que enfrentan los Estados Unidos y sus ciudadanos.

We are village craftspeople in rural MÈxico and there is little we can do to help the victims of this tragedy or to assist in the important tasks and challenges that lie immediately before the United States and its citizens.

No pretendemos decir que los Estados Unidos nunca han actuado injustamente o de manera poco noble en sus tratos con Mexico y otros paises. Lo ha hecho. Pero creemos que estas injusticias nunca fueron la intencion del pueblo Americano, sino que fueron fruto de la estructura moderna de sus instituciones que veneran el dinero por sobre todos las cosas.

We are not pretending that the United States has never acted ignobly or has not been unjust in its dealings with MÈxico or other countries. It has. But we believe that these injustices were never the intention of the American people, rather they came about as a part of the structure of modern institutions that worshiped money above everything.

Nosotros sabemos que la gente de los Estados Unidos, verdaderamente desea lo mismo que nosotros: un mundo que este gobernado por el amor, la justicia y la ley, basadas en la dignidad del ser humano sin importar su color o herencia cultural.

The American people, we know, deeply wish for the same as we do ourselves: a world that is ruled by love and justice and law based upon the dignity of the human being no matter his or her color or cultural background.

Sabemos que la Nacion de los Estados Unidos se fundÛ con los principios mas altos y que esta terrible emergencia tendera a producir en America una filosofia de reflexion y a re-establecer sus grandiosos fundamentos.

We know that the United States nation is founded on the highest principles and that this awful emergency will tend to produce in Americans philosophical reflection and a re-establishment of the foundations of her famous greatness.

Nuestras oraciones mas fervientes para ustedes y nuestro apoyo y solidaridad hacia todos los Americanos de buena voluntad que honran y respetan las tradiciones historicas que hicieron de los Estados Unidos la primera nacion de la tierra que se tomo el trabajo de lograr establecer una republica soverana opuesta a todas las formas de tirania.

Our fervent prayers go out to you, and our support and solidarity with all Americans of good will who honor and respect the historic traditions that made the United States into the first nation on earth that has carried out the great task of humanity to establish a sovereign republic opposed to all forms of tyranny.

Sepan entonces, amigos, que esta obscuridad pasara y que lo bueno que anima a la gente americana seguramente se reafirmar·.

Know then, friends, that this darkness will pass and that the Good that animates the American people will surely reassert itself.

Atentamente, las artesanas de la cooperativa de ARTCAMP "Artesanas Campesinas" de Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico. www.artcamp.com.mx

Hilaria Tamara Areli Luz Yolanda MarÌa Angelica Esperanza y las otras mujeres de nuestra comunidad.

Atentamente, the artisans cooperative of ARTCAMP "Artesanas Campesinas" of GueThread 4: 23:34:52 [--->] : 354 Enter mail, end with "." on a line by itself rrero, MÈxico. www.artcamp.com.mx

Hilaria Tamara Areli Luz Yolanda MarÌa Angelica Esperanza and the other women of our community.

Tamara Hernandez Danel
Exconvento 01 Taxco Guerrero Mexico
011 52 762 20834 - day


From Rudell A., Warwick, BERMUDA:

New Orleans is suffering like Bermuda. Hotels, shops and resturants feeling the effect. Some shops have been put on a 4 day work week.


Forwarded by Darhl S., Tampa Bay, FL, USA:

Subject: Latest in Terrorist Weapons

And you thought James Bond's toys were only in the movies!

Why are airport security people taking a closer look at cell phones? Because cell phone guns have been discovered OCONUS. The attached video clip shows how cell phone guns operate.

These phones are not in the U.S. yet, but they are in use overseas. Beneath the digital phone face is a .22 -caliber handgun capable of firing four rounds in rapid succession using the standard telephone keypad.

European law enforcement officials are stunned by the discovery of these deadly decoys. They say phone guns are changing the rules of engagement in Europe.

We find it very alarming, says Wolfgang Dicke of the German Police Union. It means police will have to draw their weapons whenever a person being checked reaches for their cell phone.

Although cell phone guns have not reached the U.S. yet, the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Customs Service say they have been briefed on the new weapons. All U.S. ports of entry have been alerted.

These covert weapons were first discovered in October of 2000 when Dutch police came upon a cache during a drug raid in Amsterdam. In another recent incident, a Croatian gun dealer was caught attempting to smuggle a shipment through Slovenia into Western Europe. Police say both shipments are believed to have originated in Yugoslavia. Interpol sent a warning to law enforcement agencies around the world.

If you didn't know they were guns, you would think they were cell phones, said Ari Zandbergen, spokesperson for the Amsterdam police. Only when you have one in your hand do you realize that they are heavier than a regular cell phone.

Be patient if security asks to look at your cell phone or turn it on to show that it works. They have a good reason!

Talk Among Yourselves

From Joseph L. V. (No City Provided,) USA:

SUBJECT: Powerssound is great!

The latest article by Bob Powers on Rosemary Clooney is great! Bob has really hit his stride as a reviewer and makes me want to go out and get the CD and a tape to play in my car. He didn't mention "C'mon-a my house" but thats OK. I listen to the album anyway. Give him my best regards,

Joseph L. V


From Lynda D.M. (No City Provided,) Vermont, USA:

SUBJECT: Spreading the word

Thanks, Radio

P.S. Ask Rod whassup with the cheesecake.

Lynda D. M.


From Darryl C., Hershey, PA, USA:

SUBJECT: G21 #284: Full Moon, Blue Marble

So, is the woman on your front page your ex-wife?


ROD RESPONDS: Naw, man! But I sure wish she were --- or my current girlfriend more like it!

Stuff Other People Think You Need to Know

From James Squeaky, Portland, OR, USA:

SUBJECT: Mister Ridiculous says "no" to war.

I wish that I could open with some kind of joke or light-hearted "hey, how ya doing?" but everything has been so heavy lately, that it's becoming more and more difficult to think of anything terribly positive to say. I find it difficult to get out of bed some mornings and won't go anywhere near a television or mainstream news source.

Fervent Nationalism has swept over the US. It's impossible to even walk around the block without encountering about a million representations of the US Flag, from huge stitched cloth monstrosities on poles, to poorly laser printed flags taped to the inside windows of various SUVs and Mercedes. The high riding pick up trucks once blasting Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit now might as well be playing the Star Spangled Banner. Openly racist sentiment is everywhere. Bloodlust is implanted in so many eyes.

It's sad that so many people can only see violence and hatred as a response to the terrible tragedy of September 11. We mourn the loss of so many human beings who didn't deserve to lose their lives with a quest to return the favor.

But, listen up folks. Bombing Afghanistan is not going to prove anything except that we can be the biggest bullies in the world! Hatred against people of Arab descent is just plain stupid. There are NO winners in war. The casualties are always people like you and me because the upper class and political leaders are always well protected and well-hid.

Don't let your sadness and outrage over what happened cloud your good sense. Think about what you believe. Don't support anti-Arab humor or racist remarks. Shout as loud as you can because this will not end any time soon. It's going to be ugly and that's a fact.

Fuck War. Fuck Racism

We've started a section on Mister Ridiculous with essays against war and racism (http://www.misterridiculous.com/911/). There are also a good number of links to alternate news sources other than the snake of Time Warner and it's affiliates. We'd love to include your essay as well. Send it to, reject@misterridiculous.com.

Columns

Without a doubt, many new columns have been posted since you last visited the site. Please come pay a visit and leave some comments, start a discussion.

Interviews

Some interesting interviews recently posted with bands Fairweather, The Casualties, Moviola, Kill Your Idols, and Frodus. http://www.misterridiculous.com/features/interviews/halfassedinterviews/index.html for a complete list.

New record reviews, show reviews, DIY files, Scene Reports, etc as well.

New Section coming: Fiction OK. We've finally decided that we'd like to start publishing some more fiction on the site. Please send short stories and ideas to Ian: ian23@misterridiculous.com. He'll look it over and consider it. Stickers I made a whole lot of different stickers for the site that are really cool. If you want a really cool assortment, send like $5 to me at the address below. Or, you can paypal the money to my email address. I don't think you'll be disappointed with the designs.

other announcements if you're interested:

31 Knots and The Intima are on tour. Two of my favorite Portland bands are on national tours right now. The Intima and 31 Knots (but not together). Please check out this link of their itineraries and if you get a chance, go see them play. They really are two of the best bands that Portland has to offer and have had to work really hard to make their tours happen: http://www.misterridiculous.com/features/intima31knots.html

There is an interview with The Intima on the site and an interview with 31 Knots that should be up within the next couple of days. Keep an eye out for 31 Knots new ep on 54 40 or Fight! http://www.fiftyfourfortyorfight.com

Urban Honking

My housemates are a wacky lot. They've created this website: http://www.urbanhonking.com. I'm not sure what they are attempting to do with it, but it really makes me happy.

Suburban Justice

My buddy Pete, who you may have seen on tour with The Weakerthans, Propagandhi, or Conflict selling AK Press materials, has started a Record Label. It's to be found here: http://www.suburbanjustice.com

AK Press

Let's not forget about our friends at AK Press (http://www.akpress.org). They publish and sell really smart books. They are intelligent people who have strong ethics and deserve any extra pennies you might have lying around. Don't support soul-less book distributors.

Diesel Fuel Prints.

Oh yeah, if you need stickers, posters, or tshirts made for your band, record label, zine, project or whatever, check out my day job: http://www.dieselfuelprints.com

You probably already check out http://www.explodingdog.com, but just in case, here is your opportunity.

Unsubscribe If you don't want to get emails from me anymore, it'll make me sad. But, if that's your decision, email me back listing EVERY email that you might have originally signed up on the mailing list with. Otherwise, there'll be trouble. Oh and put "remove" in the subject line, all right?


From Darryl C., Hershey, PA, USA:

SUBJECT: Preparing For The Long Haul: A Slightly Different Perspective On Recent Events

Folks,

The following e-mail was sent to me by a long time close friend who is also a graduate of West Point and a Vietnam-era combat veteran. I only mention this because I consider him to be a reliable and credible source of information and, consequently, I believe that Dr. Tony Kern does in fact exist and is the author of the message below.

From: Dr. Tony Kern, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)

Recently, I was asked to look at the recent events through the lens of military history. I have joined the cast of thousands who have written an "open letter to Americans."

Dear friends and fellow Americans
14 September, 2001

Like everyone else in this great country, I am reeling from last week's attack on our sovereignty. But unlike some, I am not reeling from surprise. As a career soldier and a student and teacher of military history, I have a different perspective and I think you should hear it. This war will be won or lost by the American citizens, not diplomats, politicians or soldiers.

Let me briefly explain. In spite of what the media, and even our own government is telling us, this act was not committed by a group of mentally deranged fanatics. To dismiss them as such would be among the gravest of mistakes. This attack was committed by a ferocious, intelligent and dedicated adversary. Don't take this the wrong way. I don't admire these men and I deplore their tactics, but I respect their capabilities.

The many parallels that have been made with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor are apropos. Not only because it was a brilliant sneak attack against a complacent America, but also because we may well be pulling our new adversaries out of caves 30 years after we think this war is over, just like my father's generation had to do with the formidable Japanese in the years following WW II.

These men hate the United States with all of their being, and we must not underestimate the power of their moral commitment. Napoleon, perhaps the world's greatest combination of soldier and statesman, stated "the moral is to the physical as three is to one." Patton thought the Frenchman underestimated its importance and said moral conviction was five times more important in battle than physical strength. Our enemies are willing, better said anxious-to give their lives for their cause. How committed are we America? And for how long?

In addition to demonstrating great moral conviction, the recent attack demonstrated a mastery of some of the basic fundamentals of warfare taught to most military officers worldwide, namely simplicity, security and surprise. When I first heard rumors that some of these men may have been trained at our own Air War College, it made perfect sense to me. This was not a random act of violence, and we can expect the same sort of military competence to be displayed in the battle to come.

This war will escalate, with a good portion of it happening right here in the good ol' U.S. of A. These men will not go easily into the night. They do not fear us. We must not fear them. In spite of our overwhelming conventional strength as the world's only "superpower" (a truly silly term), we are the underdog in this fight. As you listen to the carefully scripted rhetoric designed to prepare us for the march for war, please realize that America is not equipped or seriously trained for the battle ahead. To be certain, our soldiers are much better than the enemy, and we have some excellent "counter-terrorist" organizations, but they are mostly trained for hostage rescues, airfield seizures, or the occasional "body snatch," (which may come in handy).

We will be fighting a war of annihilation, because if their early efforts are any indication, our enemy is ready and willing to die to the last man.

Eradicating the enemy will be costly and time consuming. They have already deployed their forces in as many as 20 countries, and are likely living the lives of everyday citizens. Simply put, our soldiers will be tasked with a search and destroy mission on multiple foreign landscapes, and the public must be patient and supportive until the strategy and tactics can be worked out.

For the most part, our military is still in the process of redefining itself and presided over by men and women who grew up with - and were promoted because they excelled in - Cold War doctrine, strategy and tactics. This will not be linear warfare, there will be no clear "centers of gravity" to strike with high technology weapons. Our vast technological edge will certainly be helpful, but it will not be decisive. Perhaps the perfect metaphor for the coming battle was introduced by the terrorists themselves aboard the hijacked aircraft-this will be a knife fight, and it will be won or lost by the ingenuity and will of citizens and soldiers, not by software or smart bombs. We must also be patient with our military leaders. Unlike Americans who are eager to put this messy time behind us, our adversaries have time on their side, and they will use it.

They plan to fight a battle of attrition, hoping to drag the battle out until the American public loses its will to fight. This might be difficult to believe in this euphoric time of flag waving and patriotism, but it is generally acknowledged that America lacks the stomach for a long fight. We need only look as far back as Vietnam, when North Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap (also a military history teacher) defeated the United States of America without ever winning a major tactical battle. American soldiers who marched to war cheered on by flag waving Americans in 1965 were reviled and spat upon less than three years later when they returned.

Although we hope that Osama Bin Laden is no Giap, he is certain to understand and employ the concept. We can expect not only large doses of pain like the recent attacks, but! also less audacious "sand in the ears" tactics, ranging from livestock infestations to attacks at water supplies and power distribution facilities.

These attacks are designed to hit us in our "comfort zone" forcing the average American to "pay more and play less" and eventually eroding our resolve. But it can only work if we let it. It is clear to me that the will of the American citizenry - you and I - is the center of gravity the enemy has targeted. It will be the fulcrum upon which victory or defeat will turn.

He believes us to be soft, impatient, and self-centered. He may be right, but if so, we must change.

The Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz, (the most often quoted and least read military theorist in history), says that there is a "remarkable trinity of war" that is composed of the (1) will of the people, (2) the political leadership of the government, and (3) the chance and probability that plays out on the field of battle, in that order. Every American citizen was in the crosshairs of last Tuesday's attack, not just those that were unfortunate enough to be in the World Trade Center or Pentagon. The will of the American people will decide this war. If we are to win, it will be because we have what it takes to persevere through a few more hits, learn from our! mistakes, improvise, and adapt. If we can do that, we will eventually prevail.

Everyone I've talked to In the past few days has shared a common frustration, saying in one form or another "I just wish I could do something!" You are already doing it. Just keep faith in America, and continue to support your President and military, and the outcome is certain. If we fail to do so, the outcome is equally certain.

God Bless America

Dr. Tony Kern,
Lt Col, USAF (Ret)
Former Director of Military History, USAF Academy


From Richard Cohen, Los Angeles, CA, USA:

SUBJECT: new documentary on special education & inclusion

Please Post & Circulate.

This is about an issue that is important for the community & for parents of children with disabilities. It has been more than 25 years since the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was passed by Congress and the struggle has become harder to obtain an education for all children.

GOING TO SCHOOL is a documentary that shows possibilities, possibilities for children to belong and to learn. It is a documentary that provide a blueprint of hope, and of the roadblocks needing to be removed so that parents can get services for their children.

Join us for the screening and a discussion afterwards with Filmmaker Richard Cohen & parent advocates from the community. Live music by Mary Dukes.

FIRST A.M.E. CHURCH
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13TH AT 9 AM
2270 South Harvard Boulevard, Los Angeles

"What does it take for parents to get basic education services for children with mental and physical disabilities? Sweat, patience and tears, according to the new documentary "Going To School" -- a compelling glimpse inside the lives of a handful of special education students and their parents, as they make their way through the labyrinth of the Los Angeles Unified School District's system." -- Laura Wides, EDUCATION WRITER, DAILY BREEZE

Additional Screenings in October: Sponsored by LA CASE

October 10, 7:30 PM, Culver Hotel, 9400 Culver Blvd., Culver City
October 12, 7:30 PM, Cal State U. Los Angeles, Maxwell Theater, Student Union
October 13, 4:00 PM, Cal State U. Los Angeles, Maxwell Theater, (Spanish narration & subtitles)
October 17, 7:30 PM, Culver Hotel, 9400 Culver Blvd., Culver City
October 19, 7:30 PM, Cal State U. Northridge, Business Bldg. BE101
October 20, 2:00 PM, Cal State U. Northridge, Manzanitas (122) Fine Arts Bldg.(Spanish narration & subtitles) Co-sponsored by student chapters of CalTASH & CEC.

Free Admission. Donations accepted.

~~ October 21 at the Vermont International Film Festival in Burlington ~~ For information: Richard Cohen Films, (310) 395-3549 http://www.richardcohenfilms.com

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