What follows are representative responses. -- RA

FROM PIYUSH K., INDIA: The standard length is OK! You are doing a wonderful job......just keep it on....have a nice time...

FROM DMITRI D., USA: I like the length of the articles, nothing needs to change IMHO. let the content be self sizing.

FROM LEN R., USA: Rod,

I like the longer pieces but I must be honest and say that they will fare much better with me if they are "introduced" by 10-15 lines in the email. These introductory lines can either be a separate blurb or the actual beginning of the article.

I am sure you have seen this technique in a lot of newsletters.

Also, "longer/shorter" are at best contextual terms and I tend not to remember if an article that interested (even enveloped) me was longer than typical or not. Why? If the article really grabbed me just about the last thing on my mind is how long it is in relation to other articles. Perception of passage of time is greatly influenced by my other recollections of whatever it was I was doing. For instance, thinking back to time spent with a certain lady br -- no, I'm not going there but I am sure you follow me.

Hang in there, yours is an uncommon voice.

FROM LIONEL R., USA: Run them long when appropriate.

FROM TELSA C., USA: Seriously, I don't know what all the fuss is over. The mag is like "free speach", and to me therein the importance lies. I could care less about the lengh of an arcticle as long as it's good.The pictures are fine, but to me, the mag signifies a voice for the people that may otherwise go unheard.

From our Mailbag 09/16/02 - 10/09/02



by G21 READERS (Like You!)

THE WORLD - From Dennis F., New Orleans, LA, USA:

SUBJECT: hot club article

Rod: thanks for doing that spot on the Hot Club of New Orleans. Those guys sound great together & they're all versatile musicians. But I wanted to point out that you characterized Snug Harbor as not being known for music! Snug has been having music seven nights a week for what seems like decades... both reputable locals and national & international acts. This is not secondary to the restaurant...

Dennis F.
New Orleans


ROD RESPONDS: Dennis,

Thanks for visiting G21 and for writing! I stand corrected. Having never been to Snug, I don't know of what you speak. So I'll make you an offer: tell me a good night to drop in and I'll correct my mistake in fine fashion.

Cheers,
Rod


From Bob Powers, Marietta, OH, USA:

SUBJECT: My Glass House

Excellent column this week. Not that they all aren't, but this one floats beautifully on your rare sense of swimming in good feelings.

Bob


From Robin M., Bradenton, FL, USA:

SUBJECT: Special Report: Isidore Hits New Orleans

Well, we were all prepared for Isadore on this side of the Gulf, too... only weather advisory here is to be careful of high surf, and there are lots of surfers out there happily being carful. They come out thickest where there are storms.

Some nice sailing breezes, too, for the hardier crowd. I have a sprained left foot, dammit. Can't even walk the beach looking for interesting shells that always seem to wash up after storms. At least Debbie can while I sit on a bench and read. Better than nothing.

- Robin

a kabuki theater
of the mind

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From Dan VDM, San Francisco, CA, USA:

SUBJECT: Special Report: Isidore Hits New Orleans

Rod -

Great to read your missive today, as you are once again at the front line (or is that wave or raindrop?) of journalism. Stay dry!

Dan


From Lehnert R, Dana Point, CA, USA:

SUBJECT: Special Report: Isidore Hits New Orleans

Rod,

Great!! as always of course. I would have laughed a lot more had it not been so sad!

WeatherChannel and CNN represent such great resources, so sadly misapplied and wasted, frittered away on nothing.

The irony? I read your article just after watching WeatherChannel's coverage from the Gulf Coast and Louisiana while eating a late lunch. You're right, their coverage on Lake Pontchartrain was good but certainly no mention that the unnecessarily closed flood gates had exacerbated the problems rather than helping.

Hang in there, ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + Lehnert R.


From Erez I., (No City Provided,) ISRAEL:

SUBJECT: question

Hello

I have no bright remarks, just one dumb question, what is the origin of the expression "to slip a mickey"???


ROD RESPONDS: Dear Erez,

Thanks for visiting G21 and for writing. I'll bring this question up among the various New Orleans bar afficionados (read: "local drunks") I encounter over the next few days and try to give you a definitive Unofficial answer.

Check this URL: http://www.word-detective.com/back-h.html

And here's the text:

Mickey Finn

Dear Evan: A friend asked me the other day, "What is the origin of the term 'Mickey Finn'?" Although I had a few educated guesses, basically I don't know. Can you enlighten me? -- Jonathan, via the Internet

We actually took a swing at "Mickey Finn" just a few months ago in the course of exploring the old phrase "take a powder," meaning to leave quickly. The "powder" in question was a "run-out powder," a powerful laxative or purgative. To tell someone to "take a powder" was to order them to "get lost" in very strong terms. This brings us to the real meaning of "Mickey Finn."

As every good pupil of B-movies knows, a "Mickey Finn" is a potion secretly slipped into the hero's drink in a "dive," rendering him "instantly unconscious." He then awakes tied to a chair in the same deserted warehouse that all B-movie heroes awoke tied to a chair in.

But surprise, surprise, the movies were wrong. A "Mickey Finn" was not, originally, a "knock-out potion" (although such "potions" -- usually chloral hydrate -- did exist). A real "Mickey Finn" was a powerful laxative sometimes surreptitiously employed by bartenders to rid their establishments of unruly or belligerent customers. Consider the logic of the real "Mickey Finn" versus "knock-out drops." Rendering an objectionable customer "instantly unconscious" would only compound the bartender's problem -- instead of just an obnoxious drunk, he would then have an unconscious obnoxious drunk on his hands. Far better to use a "run-out powder" to cause the fellow to leave, very quickly, under his own power.

No one has ever been able to establish whether there ever was an original "Mickey Finn." Most authorities agree that it was just a generic Irish name, adopted in the 19th century when the Irish bars of New York City were rowdy and often dangerous places. The phrase apparently only came into general use in the 1920's and 30's through the movies as well as the use of actual "Mickey Finns" in the speakeasies of Prohibition-era America.

Cheers,
Rod


EREZ WRITES BACK: Dear Rod,

You and all the guys at G21 are realy the greatest! thanks.

If it is not much to ask, could you also tell me why they aleways "Jimmey the lock"????

cheers
Erez


ROD RESPONDS: Erez, What? Do you think this is the "Ask Jeeves" site?

Your "Mickey Finn" answer came thanks to Linnzi Zaorski, one of my fellow bartenders here in Nawlins. I can get the source for "jimmy the lock" for you, too, but it's gonnah cost you.

Cheers,
Rod


EREZ WRITES BACK: Rod

sorry man, I got carried away... however, if we are not talking hard cash, and a bottle of some nice red wine shipped over can serve as payment, We are game!

Cheers
Erez


ROD RESPONDS: Erez,

Thanks for having a sense of humor. I love red wine. ("Every white wine drinker today is a red wine drinker tomorrow.") We need it to add some class to the G21 World HQ, where there are too many beer cans in evidence. (J/K)

I'll see what we can dig up on "jimmy the lock" over the next few days and try to have an answer for you by our next edition. Then, I'll send you a shipping address.


From "Solo", (No City Provided,) USA:

SUBJECT: Will read and Do

Charlie, I have dated this NUT for five and a half years and he has lied too the end of the rainbow. He has used his sister in the hospital(she has Lupus) his dopped up brother(who lives in another city) his son for homework and his job. I have not seen him with another woman BUT I don't have too because I know his moves. Now, the 5:00am is the problem. I know men are visual. Should I go that route or what? Tell me what to do. I have called him very ugly names in the lasted week He is a liar. I am so angry with him! I really could curse him out every two-minutes. He said he would not disrespect our relationship. He has a key to my place and YES I asked him to mail it which I haven't received it yet. I'm not going to call him because I didn't LIE! Well, you call this! I need to pull this one back into the loft!!!


CHARLIE THE TUNA RESPONDS: Lady, you may not be deaf and blind, but you sure are dumb! You are bein' dogged!!! Get a damned clue.

I wish I could meet stupid broads like you every night of the week.

Come on! "...his sister in the hospital... his doped up brother..." Hell! I'm surprised he didn't use his crack 'ho Mama, as well. You are willing to fall for anything!!

What has me laughin' my ass off is that you are lettin' this Loser still have the keys to your apartment.

Hey, wait. What's your phone number?

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

From Darryl C., Hershey, PA, USA:

SUBJECT: Words to Keep In Mind in the Coming Weeks and Months

"Misgovernment is of four kinds, often in combination. They are: 1) tyranny or oppression, of which history provides so many well known examples that they do not need citing; 2) excessive ambition, such as Athens' attempted conquest of Sicily in the Peloponnesian War, Philip II's of England via the Armada, Germany's twice-attempted rule of Europe by a self-conceived master race, Japan's bid for an Empire of Asia; 3) incompetence or decadence, as in the case of the late Roman empire, the last Romanovs and the last imperial dynasty of China; and finally 4) folly or perversity." - Barbara W. Tuchman

Darryl C.


From Olja, Novi Sad School of Journalism, YUGOSLAVIA:

SUBJECT: ANNOUNCEMENT

We are very glad to announce that Novi Sad School of Journalism (Vojvodina) and West Foundation for Regional and Euroregional Journalism (Romania) received an award for the best project (Probitas 2002) in international cooperation - Best@Networking, at the Third Regional NGO Fair in Timisoara (September 26th - 28th, 2002).

400 non-governmental organizations from 7 countries of South East Europe participated at the Fair. The prize was awarded by Euroregional Center for Democracy.

Novi Sad School of Journalism
Vojvode Putnika 1/I
21000 Novi Sad
FR Yugoslavia
www.novinarska-skola.org.yu


From Bill P., Oakland, CA, USA:

SUBJECT: Open Letter to Congress

Dear Friends

If you believe in Peace, International Rule of Law, and The US Constitution then please send the enclosed attachment to your Congressional representatives and forward it to everyone in your address book. To view the complete text version of The Nation's letter to congress visit http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20021014&s=editors

Bill

OPEN LETTER TO CONGRESS

Soon, you will be asked to vote on a resolution authorizing the United States to overthrow the government of Iraq by military force. Its passage, we read on all sides, is a foregone conclusion, as if what the country now faces is not a decision but the disclosure of a fate. The nation marches as if in a trance to war.

You are a deliberative body, but you do not deliberate. You are representatives, but you do not represent. The silence of you in the Democratic Party is especially troubling. You are the opposition party, but you do not oppose. For the sake of staying in power, you are told, you must not exercise the power you have in the matter of the war.

Members of Congress! Be faithful to your oaths of office and to the traditions of your branch of government. Think of the country, not of your re-election. Defend the Constitution. Affirm the Republic. Preserve the peace.

Vote against war in Iraq.

+++ THE PREVIOUS VOX POPULI +++ THE NEXT VOX POPULI +++

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