From our Mailbag 04/07/03 - 04/20/03



by YOU

THE WORLD - From Wesley M. (No City or Country Provided):

SUBJECT: G21# 348: Active Vision

Bit of a long haul eh' love

thats alright we figure some shit out won't twe woman.

you have entered
a thinking zone

g21 #350: DOWN WITH TRUTH AMERICAN DREAMS DAY ONE DHAMAKA NEWS G21 AFRICA G21 ASIA G21 Digital Internet Postcards JOIN OUR MAILING LIST. You'll be glad you did. Surveys that affect our look and feel and much more. Be part of the In-Crowd! G21 E-MAIL NEWSLETTER G21 EUROPE G21 MIDEAST G21 NEWS HOT LINKS LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA MY GLASS HOUSE POWERSSOUND RDR VOX POPULI Search our Site: sitemap RECOMMENDED DAILY REQUIREMENT ARCHIVES. LAST WEEK's EDITION MEET THE G-CREW! These are the people behind this jam-band every week. HOME TABLE OF CONTENTS & BACK ISSUES

From Micheal A., Cincinnati, OH, USA:

SUBJECT: "The Age of White Guilt" by Shelby Steele

I have read this essay by Shelby Steele and I must agree with your rebutal..I am so sick of all of the Shelby Steele's in the world, you said just what I have been saying for so long these neocon really think that everyone is just like them and are privy to the same advantages such as they were....On one point they want people to be individual's, but it seems that they message that they put out there is one of assimilation....Thanks for the article you almost never find articles that go against the Steele's of the world....

Mr. Michael S. R. A.


RAHEEM RESPONDS: Michael, thanks for taking the time to express your support. I agree with you that there aren't enough people speaking up against the agitprop of the neo-conservatives out there. Maybe it's out of fear or maybe just disgust and laziness. But silence is complicity, as our Esteemed Editor likes to say. And we're anything but silent at this magazine. Peace out!


From Aziz S., (No City or Country Provided):

SUBJECT: Greetings, Charlie the Tuna!

hello kindly send me hot sexy pictures thankyou for coaperation


CHARLIE RESPONDS: We're in the words business here, pal, not the smut business. You're on the Internet aren't you? You want pictures, surf around.

I don't even know why Rod bothers having me respond to dumbasses like you!


From Joseph W. (No City Provided), USA:

SUBJECT: Maybe you can help me

Can you direct me to articles concerning the use of drugs as being used for social control of the black community by the US government? I've gotten some things together, and I have my own theory and opinion, but would appreciate more. I'm looking to compile a paper concerning same. This is purely for debate purposes and I am in no way connected to the government nor any of its various agencies. Links would be fine. Thank You in Advance for your cooperation.

Joseph W.


ROD RESPONDS:

Joseph,

Thanks for visiting G21 and for writing. We're up to our ears in projects right now and do not have the resources to do research for you. What we can do is put your query on our "Vox Populi" page and see if any of our international readership can assist you.

Cheers,
Rod


From Lloyd E., Dar Es Salaam, TANZANIA:

SUBJECT: Your Fan in Dar es Salaam

Dear Rod,

My name is Lloyd E-----. I'm a Tanzanian writer living in Dar es Salaam. I think this is going to be long so i warn you, it might get soporific and stultifying so please bear with me.

I think your magazine is fantastic, challenging and full of journalistic brilliance. I was wondering if i could write a piece on mental illness for you? I'm 25 years-old and i write four columns per week in the local dailies. You can read my sports columns on ippmedia.com/sports. And if you type in my name in Google, you can read my pieces on the World Cup! ... That's it then. Your torture is over! May God bless you and all the other writers and please give them my warmest regards. Jamie, Bob, Mphuthumi, Gaynor, Kevin, et al. They are the best! Could you also give them my e-mail? if they ever want to pow-wow in cyberspace about the war or other things, i'd be honoured. If i could see them, i'd compliment them so much they'd get embarrassed! Please tell them that. And as for you head honcho, your sensitivity and intellect may take you to places you've never even dreamed of! Take care!


ROD RESPONDS: Lloyd, I 'd love seeing the piece you suggest! Send it along. I've also passed your message along the writers and contributors here. Thanks for your kind words.

As to me, I think you'll see from this week's "Glass House" that the only place my temperament seems to be taking me is down the long tubes. Ah well...


From Sandile N. (No City Provided), BOTSWANA:

SUBJECT: Coming Home

I loved the piece by Wainaina entitled Coming Home. I loved the sheer magic, tranquility and subtle turbulence of emotion and thought blended with enchanting literary dexterity. The writing is immensely inspirational and celebratory and is void of the obvious sentimental nonsense of singing Africa's songs as if her songs were static and monolithic.

To Wainaina, my word is - don't let your ink go dry brother.

Sandile N.: Information & Promotion Expert


BINYAVANGA RESPONDS: Am touched. Thank you sir. I agree about the static thing - some want us to remain a museum to sentiment and the past. Not me.

[For the record, the correct title of the piece is "Discovering Home". -- RA]


From Natalie D. (No City Provided), USA:

SUBJECT: Response to Article

To whom it may concern;

After reading the article entitled "Blood On Our Hands" I was saddened. This article really touched me. I have learned that the smallest of my actions do effect others. I thinks more of these types of articles need to be written. So many people do acknowledge this event as a tragedy and then go on with their lives. If everyone would just stop and think about what they did daily, the world would be a much better place.

Thank you,
Natalie D.


From David D. H., Kailua, HI, USA:

SUBJECT: Rosemary's Wedding - November 1997

To Mr. Robert Powers:

I am only six years late with this memo, but I must tell you how much I enjoyed your article on Rosemary's Wedding on November 7, 1997. The lucky groom was Dante DiPaolo, her long time admirer and friend. Why am I so late with this response? I just found this article while looking on the internet for every story I can find about Rosey. I surely love your story the best.

My wife, June, and I had the most extraordinarily experience of our lives when we were asked by Matt Catingub, director of the Honolulu Symphony Pops, to perform a solo swing dance at both performances of the Rosemary Clooney concerts held November 16 and 17, 2001 in Honolulu. June and I were ages 78 and 76 at that time. The honor of representing the Senior swing dancers of Honolulu was one thing, but to dance in front of Rosie and her classical husband, Dante DiPaolo, was far and away from any dream we could ever have.

We were able to talk to both Rosie and Dante while back stage and we discovered that Dante and I both grew up in Weld County, Colorado during the same era. He was born in a little coal town called Erie (or maybe it was Frederick), and I in a small farming community of Eaton. We recalled many memories of that time of our lives. He told me he was a back-up tap dancer for Fred Astaire a number of times, dancing with the likes of Ginger Rogers and others.

It was of great sorrow when we learned of Rosie's death of last July. Her magnificent voice, her humor and her warmth displayed at those two November evenings in Honolulu replaces all other musical highlights of my life. Of course, my most memorable moment was when I was asked to go out on the stage at the end of her final concert to place the traditional orchid lei around her neck. The accompanying and symbolic cheek to cheek kiss that went with the lei presentation has left me with a permanent blush on my right cheek. How could I be so lucky? What a wonderful singer and lady she was.

Respectfully submitted,
David D. H.,
Kailua, HI,
a young 78.


BOB RESPONDS: Dear Mr. H.,

Your letter comes as a welcome surprise. In all the things I've ever written in a long career in the newspaper and magazine business, the article about Rosemary's Wedding drew more response than any one single piece.

Rosemary, as you learned, was one of the friendliest people in show business, as well as the best pop singer in the past 100 years. I had the good fortune to spend precious time with her during her run with "Four Girls Four," did several interviews with her, and always found her to be warm and funny. Her singing was stunning and it's still tough for me to listen to her CDs, even though it's been nearly a year since her death.

Count your blessings. Getting even a few minutes to chat with Rosemary would be a highlight in anyone's life.

And keep on dancing!
Bob Powers


From Bethanie L., Kansas City, KS, USA:

SUBJECT: Just an observation

Often I disagree with any slant, whether it is left or right, but your site is informative and responsible.

I do a lot of research, trying to get to the root of social and political stances for a book that I am writing. Thank you for such a great site, it has been quite helpful.

http://www.theflossingofamerica.com
Home of the ORIGINAL 'Suicide Request List'
Crush Pop Culture, Destroy Mainstream Media, and Boycott Corporate Radio

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