From our Mailbag 07/26/02 - 08/23/02



by YOU

THE WORLD - From David C., Salisbury, UK:

SUBJECT: America The Naive

I read Jamie Menutis's article with interest & some surprise. It is pleasing to me that at least one American has this insight into how much of the rest of the world perceives America. I had a fairly unique insight into the mind of the average American when, as an Englishman, I found myself working abroad in the midst of about 7,000 Americans on September 11 2001. I was also in communication with my wife in England & an American friend by e-mail.

After the initial shock, conversation turned to a struggle to find an explanation. Most of my fellow British workers were amazed at the American reaction which at the extreme developed into blinkered patriotism with the liberal purchase of American flags & t-shirts printed with, what we considered, rather bad taste images such as that of the American eagle sharpening it's claw in preparation for "rising from the ashes and ripping out the heart of it's enemies!". This image surrounded by the flags of America's allies including the Union Jack.

When I tried to explain to my American friend how the American attitude came across to most British &, I believe, much of the world, my words were met with an almost total lack of understanding. In the end I gave up trying to explain as the tone of the dialogue was becoming argumentative and I didn't want to lose a friend. Jamie's article probably explains why I was having a problem.

"How could they do this to us? Why are we hated so much?" "They didn't just do it to you, they did it to the whole of the Western world and struck at one of the most potent symbols."

David C.


JAMIE MENUTIS RESPONDS: David,

Thank you for your comments on my article. Many people are surprised to find that the United States is such an insular nation. Americans need to become more aware of what effects the US has in other countries through its foreign policy behavior.

I fear there is a price to pay for our apathy. The conversations that you had with your friends, I also had here in the US. But I was also surprised to find many people interested in learning more about some of the world's poltical struggles. I hope that interest and desire to understand remains beyond this current wave. Even when there is a genuine desire to get the facts, locating the truth often proves difficult.

Thanks for reading G21!

Jamie Menutis


From Piyush K., (No City Provided), INDIA:

Subject: Sorry

Rod!

Shocked and extremely sorry to hear the sad demice of Mr. Robert Oduol!

How can I forget...we were in contact a few months ago...I will never forget how keen he was to be with G21...when I let him introduced to You / G21!

I wish....God give the strength to bear the unbearable loss..his family ......and the Kindered Soul may rest in peace! Aamen....

piyush

a cathedral of words

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From Kevin M., Nairobi, KENYA:

SUBJECT: condolences

i,being a Kenyan undergraduate,feel very sad on learning that our former lecturer,RobertOduol has passed away.He was very humble and hardworking.He used to teach us 'communication skills'.rest in peace Oduol.

As a tribute to R.Oduol may i request you to accept any poetry lines lauding Odoul as i am very much interested in sending one,however short it may be.Also,please brief me on how i can become a successful freelance writer on your online publication as i enjoy reading short stories mainly from Africa.My interest is in short story writing besides writing general articles.Thanks.


From Joe K., (No City Provided), UK:

SUBJECT: The HIdden Treasures of Mathare

Dear Rod/Sir,

I have just read the above referenced article by Binyavanga Wainaina and I have some comments to make (not exactly snide remarks).

I rather think Binyavanga was just kidding or taking the piss but I just feared that none-Kenyans may believe that Kenyans, particularly Nairobians are people of shallow and inane conversation. I don't know about the age-group of Mr B's friends or acquaintances but having left Kenya just over a month ago, I can verily assert that conversations do not revolve around diapers(?!) and the size of cellphones. His entire circle of friends and acquaintances must be made up of yuppy, wannabe new mothers. Of course there are a lot of people getting married or baptised almost every weekend, but not people I know. Perhaps not so for Mr. B which may explain his remarks on diapers and baby showers.

And if he is bored with Nairobi, he should try visiting the Coast (which may be difficult, as wannabe yuppies who he appears to hang around with, rarely travel out of Nairobi for fear of not being seen in the latest 'deadly' joint. Oh, and while he's at it, getting rid of the boredom, he might want to try turning the radio dial over to 98.4 Capital FM.

I am afraid I will have to agree with Mr. B as regards the endless political discussions, they can be tiresome. The English are always talking about the weather though, and as the Kenyan politicians are hanging over every facet of Kenyans' lives like a dark cloud, it is somewhat understandable that the Kenyans should discuss their 'bad weather' quite a bit.

[Oh, and by the way, Mr. B, Mathare is not Kenya's ONLY psychiatric hospital, there is one in Mombasa at Port Reitz (yes, that IS in Kenya) but seeing as you probably haven't been to the Coast since that family holiday in 1982 like most Nairobians, I will excuse you.]

Other than that, Mr. B's articles are interesting, amusing and make superb reading. I must also state that he came highly recommended by other Kenyans.

Sincerely,
Joe K.


BINYAVANGA WAINAINA RESPONDS: Haha. Point taken Mr. K. - I have since writing this piece discovered many people who are not obesessed with cellphones and diapers.....otherwise I may have been hospitalised at Port Reitz.....will visit the Coast as soon as I can afford the exorbitant rates....and learn to speak German.....

Binj


From Bob P., Marietta, OH, USA:

SUBJECT: Gaynor Paynter's Debut

Rod,

I was enchanted by Gaynor Paynter's article, a fascinating subject for any parent and written with just the right amount of clarity and sympathy. What a find this lady is! I hope you will be able to persuade her to write often.

Bob

THINGS FOLKS THINK WE SHOULD KNOW (OR: And you think you get spammed?)

From Phyllis Stuart, Festival Director, WinFemme Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA, USA:

SUBJECT: WinFemme Film Festival Semi-finalists

4th 'Femme-Tastic' WinFemme Film Festival
SEPTEMBER 6-9, 2002
LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL
6363 SUNSET, HOLLYWOOD & VINE

PANELS, SCREENINGS & PARTIES-you know the drill...

SHORT FILMS:

1. BOOBIE GIRL
2. LOOKING FOR SOMEONE
3. CHICKEN NIGHT
4. I WAS A STRIP CLUB VIRGIN
5. BAR TALK
6. THE ORANGE ORANGE
7. FREAKY
8. AIZEA-CITY OF THE WIND
9. SHAKE ŒEM UP
10. BLIND DATE
11. HARMONIC DISTORTION
12. DOG DAYS
13. QUEEN LAHT.NEDO
14. DIMENSIONLESS WOMAN
15. MY NEW BEST FRIEND
16. GET SKINNY
17. FAITHFUL
18. ADJUSTMENTS
19. UNDERGROUND WOMEN
20. THE HIT
21. ŠAND WIFE
22. BREAKING UP REALLY SUCKS
23. EAT YOUR HEART OUT
24. ODESSA
25. THE INVITATION
26. HAIR
27. FACE ON THE CAVE
28. TWO SHOES
29. IMPERSONAL IMPRESSIONS
30. BITANIC
31. DIRTY RIVER DANCING

FEATURE FILMS

1. THE DOG WALKER
2. THE SECRET
3. CONTROLLED CHAOS
4. ABSENT PHALLUS
5. BAR
6. THE TRUE STORY OF THE LADY WITH THE 1000 FACES
7. LOOKING THROUGH LILLIAN
8. THE EYE OF THE STORM
9. MANNA FROM HEAVEN
10. NIGHT ON THE TERRACE
11. MAN FAST
12. SEDUCTION OF THE WILLS
13. JAYNEšS WORLD
14. SEARCHING FOR PARADISE

DOCUMENTARY FILMS

1. STARS OF EUROPE
2. SEARCHING FOR PARADISE (A DOC, NOT THE FEATURE)
3. LITTLE BIG WOMEN
4. WAVE AFTER WAVE
5. THE HURTING TRUTH
6. TANGLED ROOTS
7. BEEF
8. THE LEGACY OF ROSINA LHEVINE
9. WE GOT US
10. CHAMPION BLUES
11. SANDY COASTLINE
12. GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS

FINALISTS TO BE Announced August 2, 2002.

Thousands of cinephiles will congregate at the LA Film School located at 6363 Sunset Boulevard for The Annual WinFemme Film Festival and its illustrious WIN Awards from September 6-9, 2002.

WIN Award for Lifetime Achievement goes to Lily Tomlin as well as to the competing studios and networks to honor those in film and television.

For further information visit www.winfemme.com or please call 310-229-5365 Voice Mail or 323-461-0866 (effective July 30).

NOTE: The selected screenplays will also be announced closer to the festival. See you soon!

Regards,
Phyllis Stuart,
Festival Director


From Lionel Rolfe, Los Angeles, CA:

SUBJECT: rolfe

I think I would look at Ms. Alba before I'd look at Lionel Rolfe. Thanx, nonetheless. I will also send you a promo picture of myself for some events along with a picture of me and Laura Huxley and a couple of other pix. I will send them under separate emails.

LITERARY L.A.

Expanded From the Original Classic & Featuring the Coffeehouse Scene Then and Now

224 pages, paperback

$14.95

ISBN 1-879395-22-3

contact: 323/906-0262 or email: calclass@earthlink.net

"LITERARY L.A." AUTHOR TO ENJOY LAST BIG FLING

Noted Los Angeles author and literary authority Lionel Rolfe has been preparing himself for further public events in the Los Angeles area on the occasion of the publication of the third edition of his classic LITERARY L.A.

Because hešs basically a shy and retiring type, he has assembled a troupe for a series of three performances related to Literary L.A. San Pedro proletarian poets Fred Voss and Joan Jobe Smith (their day jobs include working at a lathe in a machine shop and dancing in an appropriately dressed way in a topless bar) will be joined for the festivities by teacher-writer-and-poet Julia Stein. John Ahouse, literary curator at USCšs Doheny Library, who edited the volume, is also expected.

They will appear at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Borders Book and Music in Montclair (5055 South Plaza Lane), and Saturday, Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. at the Borders in Pasadena (475 South Lake Avenue).

Then on Thursday, November 7 at 7 p.m., the whole gang will appear for a finale at Williamsš Book Store, which was Bukowskišs favorite bookstore in San Pedro (443 West Sixth Street). The evening will be call "Bukowski Etc."

Musical accompaniment is still being negotiated and yet to be announced. The public has the right to expect big, expensive names from rock music. The public has the right to expect anything it wants to.

In preparation for the evenings, our shy author has been out and about in the real world. He showed up with Ram Dass at an afternoon event with Laura Huxley in Malibu, also attended by George DiCaprio, father of Leonardo; he went to a concert at the Unurban Cafe in Santa Monica where Hyla Douglas, his daughter, performed social protest songs out of the Œ60s; and took a great picture of Lorene and her dog Spot holding up the cover of LITERARY L.A.

And it all began when Michelle Mills did a belly dance for the old man.


From Lou Harrison-Smith, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND:

SUBJECT: Get Rid of Spam!

Hi Rod,

If you or your readers are plagued with spam try this programme http://www.mailwasher.net/ it has been written here in Christchurch and is great.

Kind Regards,
Lou Harrison-Smith
Ph 64-3-365-4460 x 827 Bus. http://www.rotary.com/ Rotary - People like you and me.


From Scott Morin, Providence, RI, USA:

Subject: LIGHTS ON on 9/11

Lights On

9/11 LIGHTS ON! PLEASE forward this email to everyone in your address book asking them to also forward it. ;-) :-)

Please join us on 9/11..................... we have over a month to get the word out all across this great land we love and call the United States of America. Let's see how powerful e-mail can be!

On Wednesday, September 11, 2002 everyone in the USA who will be driving a motor vehicle is asked to drive with their headlights on during daylight hours. Though no explanation is needed as to why we are commemorating September 11......................... we hope more importantly to pay respect to the victims of that day, show our nation's solidarity and show support for our men and women of the Armed Forces.

You can help by sending this e-mail on to others!

Remember......................9/11 LIGHTS ON!

And in case you forgot... http://www.oldcity.com/wtc.html

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