From our Mailbag 08/26/00 - 09/10/00
I Bet You Say that to all the URLS...
From Mike E., (No City Provided,) IRELAND:
SUBJECT: FOOL MOON PARTIES
Hiya, nice page on thailand.
Just a few words, I just got busted, well 2 months ago at the full moon, cost me in excess of 150 baht, a week or so in prison, and deportation. However I think you could add a word of warning on your page, that while you are in prison after the full moon party you will be visited by two people, Santi and Aoi.
Santi is a gangster, he has shot people (allegedly) do not trust this man. Aoi on the other hand is as trustworthy as your gonna get, although she may rinse your pockets she will be fairly honest.
Incidentally I got caught with some of those yaabaa pills which was why it was so expensive.
For Ganja Aoi can generally get people off without deportation and only a couple of days inj prison for a total cost of around 35,000 Baht.
Hope this is useful to someone.
(or indeed I hope noone needs help)
Mark
From RAKESH AGRAWAL, Bhopal, INDIA:
"Dear Rod:
"Hate to pick at Rakesh, but Basmati is a variety of rice, much as 'Kentucky' bluegrass and 'Illinois' fescue are varieties of grass (actually rice IS a grass) - but a lot of both those seed types are grown in other states. So, if farmers in Louisiana and Texas grow Basmati rice seed and sell it as Basmati, I don't see how they are 'pirating', unless they are selling it as Indian Basmati. Can 'Concord' grapes can only be grown in Concord, New York(where the variety was developed) or can 'Valencia' oranges only be grown in Valencia, California? Was the Neem being patented by WC GRACE? Or was it a man-made copy, like say Vanillin (artificial vanilla), or pyrethrins(naturally in certain flowers, now man-made as a safe,organic insecticide for houseplants and home gardens). Just my thoughts. !
"EC"
Dear Rod
My comments on the above are:
There is nothing wrong in growing the Indian basmati anywhere; but when exclusive right to sell it is obtained, under the patent regime of the WTO, the traditional growers are restrained from getting their rightful economic returns.
Regards
Rakesh
From Ed. C, Pontiac, MI, USA:
SUBJECT: All Hail Atlantis - nah........TALES OF BRAVE ULYSSES
You thought the leaden winter would bring you down forever, But you rode upon a steamer to the violence of the sun.
And the colors of the sea blind your eyes with trembling mermaids, And you touch the distant beaches with tales of brave Ulysses: How his naked ears were tortured by the sirens sweetly singing, For the sparkling waves are calling you to kiss their white laced lips.
And you see a girl's brown body dancing through the turquoise, And her footprints make you follow where the sky loves the sea. And when your fingers find her, she drowns you in her body, Carving deep blue ripples in the tissues of your mind.
The tiny purple fishes run laughing through your fingers, And you want to take her with you to the hard land of the winter.
Her name is Aphrodite and she rides a crimson shell, And you know you cannot leave her for you touched the distant sands With tales of brave Ulysses; how his naked ears were tortured By the sirens sweetly singing.
The tiny purple fishes run laughing through your fingers, And you want to take her with you to the hard land of the winter.
--------------------------------------------- --
PEACE OUT MAHN,
EC
From Darryl C, Hershey, PA, USA:
Hi Rod,
I was glad to see Harrison's piece. I told him about the party at Zanzibar Blue and was happy to see him there. Yeah, he was making some of those black Reps uncomfortable but I thought it was a hoot. He was genuinely shocked to see so many fine black women at a black GOP event too. I think one of them hit on him but he had to split!! I'm glad you two were able to hook up again. I get a kick when folks I like reconnect.
Darryl C.
"Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy."
From Darhl S., Tampa Bay, FL, USA:
"Too many people asking me where I plan to live next --- and WHEN."
What does it matter where, if she is paying the rent? I mean, you do telecommute don't you? Of course, you may have to explain your new rod@mustangranch.com email address. LOL
I swear that Unabomber shack in Montana keeps looking better and better as the ideal place to live. Suspect the internet access there might be a bit dicey, though.
Hope the "holiday weekend" was good to you. Yeah, I spent most of it in front of the monitor too. Or doing mandated stuff around the house. I really think what we need is a non-labor day.
Need to relax a bit? Play with this one... it's cute http://www.sodaplay.com/
dc
From Ed Cantarella, Bloomfield, MI, USA:
Subject: Working People - Raheem's RDR
Dear Rod(please relay to Brother Raheem):
As I sit here, ensconsed behind my desk, in my 12'X12' suite, in a 3,000 square foot building which I, singlehandedly framed, conduited, wired and drywalled, I have to wonder why Raheem thinks that his physical labor job is any more "real" than my desk job. Somebody has to do it, desk workers can make a big difference in peoples lives, and it often requires more consistent effort and responsibility to maintain a desk job, then it does to maintain a physical labor job. Raheem isn't an idiot, so maybe he can appreciate the fact that his body will wear out long before his brain will(unless he drinks too many 40's with "Cool Poppa"); and then he will only be able to wonder,"what if". Brother Raheem, use your MIND to get ahead, and save those physical jobs for folks that don't have the potential to do anything else - its a great way to help poor,working folks. Some jobs(carpentry is a good example) require a combination of brains and brawn; but even there, the real "grunt" jobs are saved, generally, for those lowest on the intellectual "totem-pole".
Sincerely,
Ed Cantarella
P.S. It's why I often let a "lawn crew"(even though I don't care for how they do it)mow my yard - why should I deny a man who only makes 1/2 or 1/4 of what I make, a chance to earn his keep in this world?
RADIO RAHEEM RESPONDS: Well, I'm sure glad Mr. Cantarella has such a high opinion of my mind! (Whew! I was worried there for a while.) Still, I can't say I totally agree with his view of the totem pole.
From my perspective, a man holdin' a so-called "grunt" job --- like say a plumber or a electrician who comes to your house when you can't fix the problem and gets to charge you $40 and hour is a lot smarter than some fool sitting in a cubicle with no windows for $20 an hour. That's just my opinion, of course.
The real difference is that a plumber or electrician fixes something. Lots of us grunts actually make something or move something or supply something. That's what I call an honest day's work. Lots of them folks sitting in cubicles make, fix, move, improve not a damned thang. Peace out.
From Dmitri d'A., Higganum, CT, USA:
SUBJECT: TABLOID HART
"I mean, there is no love lost between a Libertarian like me and parsons Pat or Jerry. I think Jerry Falwell just about lost it when he started picking on kids' TV characters like Tinky-Winky. Still --- whatever happened to our national and time-honored tradition of Separation of Church and State?"
I think G-Dumboya officially ended the separation of church and state in Texas when he declared June 10th 2000 Jesus Day in Texas. Now I am not entirely sure but isn't that what F%^$&G Christmas is for? Now this email could easily be interpreted as sacrilegious by anyone, but it is not meant to be so. Anyway Jesus was a great guy and all but ummm , yeah Dumboya scares the crap outta me. Maybe Thomas could mention that little # in his next piece...
also how dow you figure on calling Liberman a liberal? He is wicked conservative, dude...
just 'cause his name is close don't make him it. ya know Joe's about as far right as the DLC will let him go... boo...
anyway to answer this question:
"But, come on! You can't have it both ways: if conservatives can't play the religion card, neither should liberals. "
I say the conservatives in sheep's clothing are playing the religion card, and playing it quite well...maybe that's ok. We got Dumboya calling some reporter an asshole to warmonger Cheney and him agreein', this could be ok to keep Nader from preventing Gore from winning, while allowing matching funds for Nader and the Greens in 2004, while we cope with four more years of demopublican business as usual.
whaddya say?
THOMAS HART RESPONDS: I'm sure glad to finally see a letter from a reader of The Most Popular Column in The History of This Magazine! It's about danged time! What you don't seem to get Green Lantern is that ole Ralph Nader don't have a snowball's chance in Hell of being the next President of these here United States. If anythang, he's a sideshow act like Patrick J. Buchanan. We just keeps him in the show to scare them little kids who like to see folks biting the heads offah chickens or bein' able to put their calves behind their necks. Me, I figures it's my job to focus on the person who just might have his finger on the nuclear trigger next January... And I'm doin' all I can to make sure it ain't that Smirkin' Shrub that screwed up a great republic like Tejas.
From Ed Cantarella, Bloomfield, MI, USA:
SUBJECT: KEVIN'S BANANA WARS
Bravo is all I can say.Ý THAT was, IMHO, the best article that was posted this week.Ý It made complete sense.Ý It was very well written.Ý It laid out the situation without any sidetracking rhetoric. Ý I am awed and very pleased to be in such good company. Ý I regret the massive blunders of my country; hopefully,Ýmy "planetmen" will continue to nip at the heels of the corrupt establishments, within all borders.
From Chris W., Bla-bla.com, New York, NY, USA:
I Like the Hart Article. So, what's the deal on this guy? Is it true that he sent in a letter and you invited him to submit an article? I think this article is goin to have some broad appeal accross the network and across the demographic. I only wish it were longer. Keep this guy!
Christopher W.
Network Development
bla-bla.com
From Ed C., Pontiac, MI, USA:
SUBJECT: American Dreams - HChastang
Wow, that was a great article - to the point and no useless rhetoric.Ý
Usually I think of Al Sharpton as being a troublemaker, the "Don King" of the bully pulpit(the hair thing.LOL).Ý The particular quotes made him sound surprisingly salient.Ý
I'd have to agree that stacking the stage like that sounds like pretty blatent patronization - they could have at least slipped in a few non-blackÝminority acts to give some "impression" of inclusion.Ý But that WAS the point of the article, right?Ý Minorities needing real participation and input in the political process - not just "processed" results and sound bites(big bones with no meat)? Ý
Ken Hamblin - now there's a man that pulls few punches(they run his articles in my local paper).Ý I sometimes wonder why Ken isn't more politically involved than he is; though I realize people either completely love him or completely loath him and he is quite unbendable in his opinions.
AND your favorite e-mails from The World's Mailbox
From DC Green Party, Washington, DC, USA:
DC Statehood Green Party
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 1, 2000
CONTACT: Scott McLarty, 202-518-5624
Protests at the Commission on Presidential Debates begin Thursday, September 7 to demand Third Party inclusion in the national debates
* WHERE: In front of the office of the Commission on Presidential Debates, 1200 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC
* WHEN: Thursday, September 7, noon to 1 PM, continuing every Thursday (September 14, 21, 28) at noon
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Voters angry at the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) and its policy of excluding third party candidates will begin a series of protest rallies in front of the Commission's Washington, D.C. office on Thursday, September 7 at noon.
The protests will take place every Thursday throughout September to highlight the illegitimate and anti-democratic nature of the CPD. Organizers expect the protests to grow in momentum and size as the first debate approaches, on October 3 in Boston.
The protests have been called by The Open Debate Society, a committee organized by members of the Maryland Green Party, the D.C. Statehood Green Party, the Alliance for Democracy, the Washington Action Group, and others who see the Commission's policy as an assault on the democratic right of voters to be informed about the candidates whose names theyíll see on the ballot.
According to recent NBC polls, 64% of Americans want to see Ralph Nader in the presidential debates. Over 55,000 people have signed an on-line petition (http://green.votenader.org/cgi-bin/petition-sigs.cgi) demanding Mr. Nader's inclusion. Mr. Nader expresses the political views of millions of Americans -- who deserve to hear a presidential candidate debate on their behalf with other candidates.
The Open Debate Society calls the CPD itself an affront to democracy. According to The New York Times ("Democrats and Republicans Form Panel to Hold Presidential Debates," February 19, 1987), Democratic Party chair and CPD co-founder Paul Kirk said "he personally believed the panel should exclude third-party candidates from the debates."
The CPD was created and is controlled by the Democratic and Republican Parties, with funding from corporations like Anheuser-Busch and Phillip Morris, in order to control every detail of the debates.
Citing the CPD's anti-democratic control, the League of Women Voters pulled out of sponsoring the debates in 1988, saying, "We have no intention of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American people."
For more information...
* On the CPDís policy: http://www.fair.org http://www.reclaimdemocracy.org
* The D.C. Statehood Green Party: http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org
* The Maryland Green Party: http://www.enviroweb.org/mdgreens
From "Shafted Movie," (No City Provided,) USA:
"Who's the black private dick that's a sex machine to all the chicks?"
If you said Shaft, well then think again, because it just became Steven Byzinsky, one very confused white ex-mental patient who thinks he's 1970s black urban superhero John Shat in the new feature film "blaxploitation" parody SHAFTED! available on video September 19 at Hollywood Video stores nationwide.
SHAFTED! stars Angelle Brooks (Pamela Andersonís sexy sidekick on the TV series "V.I.P") as Steven's psychiatrist, Dr. Foxy Brown; TV legend Gary Coleman ("Diff'rent Strokes") as a hired assassin; and The Incredible Morgan Rusler ("Galaxy Quest," "The Tomorrow Man") as Steven/Shat. SHAFTED! comes to video after making the circuit of numerous international film festivals, including the South-by-Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, where New City Magazine called it "Campy, rude, and ridiculous ---the 'Austin Powers' of blaxploitation films."
For an interview with Brooks or Rusler, or to request a press kit, please contact Tom Putnam at (310) 235-5627, or visit the SHAFTED! website at www.getshafted.com.
From Andreas B., (No City or Country Provided):
i would like to present you the following petition as a part of my activities connected with the http://cannabissolidarity.is-here.net plattform for international cannabis solidarity and as a contributing to drug legalization on this planet
http://www2.PetitionOnline.com/legalnow/petition.html
To: all human beings
NO PLANT IS ILLEGAL
I ASK THE PLANETARY COMUNITY OF HUMAN BEINGS FOR ACCEPTING ALL PLANTS AND FOR ALLOWING EACH OTHER TO USE THEM FREELY
THIS PETITION WANTS TO CONTRTIBUTE TO THE LEGALIZATION EFFORTS OF ALL DRUGS IN ALL COUNTRIES BY UNITING THE PEOPLE
IF THE PEOPLE UNITE IN DIVERSITY, THE RESULTS ARE GOVERMENTS FOLLOWING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE
From Aliza D, MediaChannel, New York, NY, USA:
Hi:
We thought you'd be interested in a new MediaChannel.org special report: "Sex, Race and Sports Coverage."
http://www.mediachannel.org/atissue/olympics/front.shtml
As the 2000 Olympics dawn, consider:
According to Sports Canada, media coverage of women's events at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympic Games was significantly lower than coverage of men's events, while the 1996 Atlanta Games were criticized for the commentators' "cultural imperialism." A recent report concluded that women athletes get better sponsorship deals by (surprise!) using sex appeal and glamour, while an analysis of SuperBowl coverage showed that announcers were much more likely to make comments about physical characteristics of black athletes and the thinking ability of white players.
In the first of a two-part special report on sports, media and the Olympic Games, MediaChannel affiliates grapple with the hot issues of gender and race in sports reporting.
http://www.mediachannel.org/atissue/olympics/front.shtml
We hope you'll check it out, respond in the Forum, consider posting and sharing the link, and spread the word about MediaChannel.org.
Thanks,
Aliza D.
Senior Editor
MediaChannel