Errors-To: ecto-owner@ns1.rutgers.edu Reply-To: ecto@ns1.rutgers.edu Sender: ecto@ns1.rutgers.edu From: ecto@ns1.rutgers.edu To: ecto-request@ns1.rutgers.edu Bcc: ecto-digest-outbound@ns1.rutgers.edu Subject: ecto #928 ecto, Number 928 Tuesday, 21 December 1993 Today's Topics: *-----------------* Re: UTP promo cassette Re: Panda pinball Re: My Top 10 Sheila Chandra my pathetic list. . . Re: NIN Re: my pathetic list. . . Excuse me, may I vent for a moment? my pathetic list. . . Re: Smoking (was Asthma) Misc. Stuff stupid people Ditto on that Dittoheads Nightmare ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1993 14:18:16 -0500 (EST) From: Michael Colford Subject: Re: UTP promo cassette On Tue, 21 Dec 1993, Alex Gibbs wrote: > Michael Colford : > > On Mon, 20 Dec 1993, Anthony Horan wrote: > > > > > Past the mission > > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > > The track that Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails contributes vocals to (you'd > > > never recognise him, but he is there!) > > > > So that's where he's been hiding! This is unbelievable! Trent Reznor > > is arguably my favorite non-ecto performer! Can't wait to hear it! > > Wow! Didn't expect that! I used to love NIN, especially when "Down > In It" expressed exactly how I felt. Thing is I don't want to feel > that way anymore so, although I like the music, I can't stand the > self-worthlessness and emotion I get from the lyrics. I know how you feel, Alex, but I think that's what drew me to NIN's music to begin with. Trent actually sings about alot of things that we all feel from time to time but don't like to talk about. A vampire novel I am working on at the moment has a chapter in it that was so inspired by my favorite NIN song, _Sanctified_. The intensity of his music is electrifying to me. Although I must confess, I found his E.P., _Broken_ to be a little too much for me. I am looking forward to whatever he does next. Has anyone heard anything? Michael ======================================================================== From: Ethan_Straffin@next.com (Ethan Straffin) Date: Tue, 21 Dec 93 11:31:08 -0800 Subject: Re: Panda pinball Anthony blesses us with a great top ten list... >1. Sleeping With The Lion - Margot Smith > >Beauty captured forever, a shining light in the darkness, a truly wonderful >record that has changed my life for the better. That doesn't happen every >day! A voice so perfect, songs so beautiful, all painted in lush colours by >Eddie Rayner and Steve Kilbey. Number 1 by a long way. Once I heard it there >was never any question. So I suppose this is your subtle way of suggesting that this should be on my Christmas wish list? it's getting pretty long already, but it sounds like this is a must. >2. The Moon Seven Times - The Moon Seven Times > >Neile gets thanks for this one - she sent me the disc, I popped it in the CD >player for a quick listen, and was still there 70 minutes later, listening. >Any album that can open with something as wonderful as "Her House" has a lot >going for it in the first place, and Henry Frayne's lush melodies and >glittering, shimmering guitars paired with Lynn Canfield's voice seal it. I like this disc too, esp. "Her House." The one big trouble I have with it is that Canfield has this tendency to go HORRIBLY off-key at times, and that'll probably be enough to relegate it to my honorable mentions list. >6. Sleeper - Tribe > >Okay, it's not "Abort", we all know that, but Tribe overcome grisly, murky >production (bring back Chris Sheldon!!!) with their power-guitar-soaked >melodic pop. Best heard loud. Terri should sing more. And I want them to >tour here. Waaah. Agreed on ALL counts! I'd love it if Tribe were big enough some day to tour Australia...as it is I'm still waiting for them to come back to California! (Yeah, I know, they finally got here last month. I caught all of three songs. Horrible story. Don't want to talk about it.) >7. Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? - The Cranberries > >Won me over at the start of the year and I'm still playing it regularly now. >Delores is wonderful. So are her songs. Yes yes yes. I'm a recent convert, since I mistrusted the first single ("Dreams" was a bit too poppy for my taste), but the rest of the album is glorious. Hmm, wonder if Delores would be willing to farm herself out to the Moon Seven Times? :) >8. Songs Of Faith And Devotion - Depeche Mode > >Whaaaat? say Ecto collectively. He's putting a *Depeche Mode* album in? I've >always had a soft spot for DM, and this is one fine album. "Mercy In You", >"Judas" and "In Your Room" are songs beyond the imaginings of those who >would emulate them. Love those minor chords. I wouldn't say, "Whaaaat?" I've got a soft spot for DM too. I don't think too highly of this album, though...somehow it just doesn't seem cohesive to me. And once you've discarded the filler, it's too short as well. >Runners-up: > >"Very" - Pet Shop Boys Hee hee, yep. :) I'm still coming up with my top ten list...actually it'll probably be more like a top fifteen with some honorable mentions, disappointments, and spots for albums like _Us_ that technically came out last year. Wouldn't want to miss the bandwagon... Ethan P.S. Another big welcome to Dave! But like Ilka said, who IS "thingy," anyway? Enquiring minds want to know. ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1993 14:27:18 -0500 (EST) From: Michael Colford Subject: Re: My Top 10 On Tue, 21 Dec 1993, Sam Warren wrote: > 2) Cyndi Lauper - Hat Full Of Stars > > Cyndi's got a great voice. And her lyrics are positively mellifluous. She > shows a darker side here. Everything from abusive relationships ("Broken > Glass") to fatal abortions (Sally's Pigeons," co-written by Mary Chapin > Carpenter). And "A Part Heart" asks "Why are the children carrying guns, not > books." With Hugh Masakela she submits that we should simply "tear apart > hate." What a forceful image of pacifism. I agree. I think that Cyndi has sadly been given the brush off by pop radio who want to lump her into her _Girls just want to have fun_ days. It's a great album. Michael ======================================================================== From: "Greg O'Rear" Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1993 14:58:57 EST5EDT Subject: Sheila Chandra I have "Quiet" and "Weaving My Ancestors' Voices". I gather there is at least another album by Sheila Chandra. For those of you more familiar with her output, are her other CD's more or less the same style as the above two? I like the music, but the albums seem more like collections or demonstrations of various techniques, rather than actual *albums*. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greg O'Rear E-mail: orear@ise.ufl.edu Industrial and Systems Engineering Department Phone: (904) 392-3389 University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida FAX: (904) 392-3537 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1993 14:30:32 -0600 From: Melissa Nordsiek Subject: my pathetic list. . . missy is jumping the wagon and giving her top ten list (in hopes of *pluggin* one of her favorite bands...hmmm i wonder who she could be talking about???? side note-this is a top ten of all time being that i am so poor that i have only purchased about 3 new CD's this year...i hope no one gets offended...pardon... 10. Moby. i think this album is self titled...all i know is when i pop this puppy in all i can do is move...and god knows i need something like this after i have my depression fests!!! (= 9. Lush.Gala. ever since i saw them live at lalapolloser it gave me such a greater respect for them. maybe it's cuz miki has fire red hair. maybe it's just cuz they are so different, you have to love it. 8. Mazzy Star.So Tonight That I Might See. just got this today for my birthday. so far it has the one element i love-depression. i think i am a mental masochist and this is perfect for that affliction. i suck at describing music so i won't try!!! 7. Kitchens of Distinction.The Death of Cool. how can you not love a group that are men that sing about men? that's is to cool just to prove that it has NOT died. god, i am a nut. 6. Dead Can Dance.Within the Realm of a Dying Son. this may not be DCD's best, but i liked the cover and i think i can only afford them once!!! (= good music to die by. 5. Spiritualized.Lazer Guided Melodies. the only music that sounds like it is on acid. 4. Curve.Cuckoo. layers and layers and layers. need i say more? 3. Rollins Band.End of Silence. for when i get in the fits of rage, suits me well. besides i have seen them 3 times live and the first time i met the guitar player. i was stranded in omaha, NE and he lent me 30 bucks to get home. Chris Haskett is a savior and rollins is one stacked mother fill in the blank. 2. Big Hat.Shimmer. i discovered this band second stage at lallapolloser and have loved them dearly ever since. why? i think it it their stage presence. and once you see them live you are hooked like a fish!!! i listen to this so much i am worried about the CD wearing out!!! ;) 1. (gee, i wonder what it could be???) Big Hat.Selena at My Window. this is so groovy, delicious, wonderful, mysterious, moving, beautiful, and so many adjectives i am sure you do not want to read!!! speaking of Big Hat, does anyone know if their show on the 31 of december is all ages??? i really hope so cuz that's what i am planning on doing...their opening band, Suede Chain is from urbana/champaign and they are excellant!!! go see Big Hat!!! go buy Big Hat!!! (sorry, i got carried away!!!) missy ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1993 16:06:01 -0500 (EST) From: Michael Colford Subject: Re: NIN On Tue, 21 Dec 1993, Ethan Straffin wrote: > Would you believe that Reznor's second full-length album _The Downward > Spiral_ was originally supposed to come out in June? (I mean LAST June.) I remember that. I had assumed that it was delayed, but never heard anything. > Then it got pushed back to somewhere around the end of 1993, and now who > knows. The moral of the story, just in case we forgot after the whole > _Broken_ fiasco, is simply this: NEVER trust Trent about release dates. When > it comes out, IF it comes out, we can all be happy. :) > > Ethan I do know that he had tons of trouble with his label, TVT. I had thought _The Downward Spiral_ was going to be on a new label. Could Trent Reznor be the next Kate Bush, regarding releasing new material? Michael ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1993 16:10:42 -0500 (EST) From: Michael Colford Subject: Re: my pathetic list. . . On Tue, 21 Dec 1993, Melissa Nordsiek wrote: > 7. Kitchens of Distinction.The Death of Cool. how can you not love > a group that are men that sing about men? that's is to cool just > to prove that it has NOT died. god, i am a nut. Glad to see someone mention them. An excellent album! Saw them live opening for Suzanne Vega too. Great show! Michael ======================================================================== Date: 21 Dec 1993 13:01:42 U From: "emilyb" Subject: Excuse me, may I vent for a moment? Oh, good. I just saw a post on a newsgroup by someone mentioning that a friend had had a gastric bypass done in order to lose weight. BLEAH!!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry, but I think that's *horrible*! In my opinion, if one is unable to reach an "ideal" weight by eating a healthy, low-fat diet and exercising, one's body is saying "this is the size you should be". Having a section of your intestine chopped out just to fit society's ideas of what's acceptable is a terrible thing to do! Of course, I've got multiple earrings and a tattoo - but that's *different*. (Isn't it always? Mine are body art, yours are body modification, and his are mutilation. :-) ) Yours, feeling a bit squeamish and no longer hungry, Emily P.S. I've been wanting to say this to the ectophiles for a while now - THANK YOU for being so willing to discuss things without being judgemental or flamy. I love this list. ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1993 21:37:46 GMT From: imy@wcl-rs.bham.ac.uk (Ian Young) Subject: my pathetic list. . . >>>>> "Melissa" == Melissa Nordsiek writes: Melissa> 4. Curve.Cuckoo. layers and layers and layers. need i Melissa> say more? Mmm, yes please. I really liked Curve's first 3 EPs but Doppelganger I found, well, nothing really stood out for me. After that I rather lost interest. How have their style, texture, and songs changed in the interim? Melissa> 7. Kitchens of Distinction.The Death of Cool. how can Melissa> you not love a group that are men that sing about men? Melissa> that's is to cool just to prove that it has NOT Melissa> died. god, i am a nut. Love this album, played it loads last year. The guitar on Mad As Snow and Blue Pedal... shards of shrapnel shrieking across sheets... blizzards of buzzsaws... (s'okay Jessica, I've stopped playing Doom!) and other aliterative purplenesses. Damned fine songs too. let's see: chicken soup -- check, vitamin C -- check, plenty of liquids -- check, plenty of sleep -- ah... g'night. Ian. p.s. me? angling for sympaaachoo!? ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 21 Dec 93 16:44:33 EST From: ken@zeus.st.3com.com (Ken Descoteaux) Subject: Re: Smoking (was Asthma) > From: HOLLY@umbc2.umbc.edu > At first, smoking is a choice, but it soon becomes a serious addiction. > Smokers complain about no-smoking rules not so much that they can't > smoke when and where they want, but because they feel like second or > third-class citizens. > > When breathing became difficult for me, I decided I'd not hurt my > lungs any more. But for other people, smoking is a source of pleasure, > and if they don't mind that smoking may hurt them in the long run and > it doesn't hurt them or anybody else, then I say, "smoke 'em if ya > got 'em." There are people who die of lung cancer who have never > smoked or had lots of exposure to smoke in their lives. I'm probably going to offend someone here with my comments but.. I'm sorry if smokers feel like 2nd class citizens because of the push for stricter rules. If that's how they interpret the anti-smoke movement... fine. But I think both sides are personalizing things that shouldn't be. I'm not anti-smoke over long-term health issues of smokers. I'm most strongly motivated over immediate physical issues, with some motivation from second hand smoke health issues. My interpretation is people are tired of going out and tasting ashes instead of food, tired of having to strip and shower when they get home because the smell in their clothes and hair makes them gag, tired of not being able to breathe freely because their nose is clogged and their eyes are watering from a reaction to smoke... I may be generalizing to "people", but it applies to me at least. I really don't care if people smoke. I want to be able to breathe smoke-free air however. Most non-smoking "sections" are jokes. Air moves, smoke diffuses. The smoke is not as bad, but its still there. Perhaps I and others transfer our dislike of smoke to a dislike of those who are making the smoke. Actually I'm sure of it. Its not very satisfying to dislike an inanimate thing... The whole issue would be moot if it weren't for the addiction involved. People find B.O. offensive so people take extra steps to keep it in check, no one has an addiction to smelling like a locker room, so societal pressure is enough to get most people to bathe and deodorize themselves. I find smoke much more offensive than B.O. and I can usually tell when someone is smoking in the same room as me within 2 minutes of them lighting up, even if they are 30 feet in back of me. But most smokers don't seem to care that they are offending people. Maybe they don't realize that they are offending anyone. I've been unable to think up a way of being selectively and suitably offensive back. Polite dialog doesn't usually cut it, since smokers are forced to be defensive... Perhaps the most telling factoid is the empirical evidence that ex-smokers are among the most strongly negative about smoke in the air. (My father and others). Perhaps having lived with a smoking father is why my own reaction is so strong. This is a little confused. I'm sorry about that. I'm also trying hard not to be misinterpreted as flaming smokers. I'm complaining about smoke, and to say that my eyes and nose find it offensive. This makes smoking _in_my_presence_ offensive to me, that's not really something I can change. I didn't decide to be offended. Yes, I frequent smoke free restaurants. They're just what I've been looking for. I'm a little disappointed with smoke free malls though. I have yet to see one try to do anything to discourage smoking other than posting little signs which most smokers probably obey. There are still some who blatantly ignore the "smoking prohibited by law" signs. -Ken Descoteaux ectophile ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 21 Dec 93 15:39:31 CDT From: Chip Lueck Subject: Misc. Stuff Hi Ecto! Well, I'm back from my trip to Germany and have finally gone through the hundreds of messages in Ecto. Whew. This place sure is busy! :-) *EuroEctoParty 2.5* ------------------- The EctoParty was wonderful! It was nice to meet new Ectophiles (Hi Ilka, Pete, Tim, Uli & Dave) and to see Klaus & Claudia again (Hi!). Ilka and Pete were wonderful hosts and I had a great time. On Friday I sent the package to Happy (the CD, card & videotape, etc.) via Express mail, so it should have been delivered to the P.O. Box sometime on Saturday. Chances are that she already has the package in her hot little hands! I popped the tape in my VCR and it seemed ok on NTSC. The sound on the home video was a bit fuzzy, but not too bad. The taped stuff was ok, though! I think Happy (or Froehliche Strassen as Dave liked to call her) will really enjoy it. *Court & Kiri* -------------- Congratulations to the brides-to-be! I'm happy for the two of you! Actually, Court, I knew about it before you announced it on Ecto. Remember when we were sitting in the bar when you were in Chicago a few weeks ago? You told me that you had big news but couldn't tell yet.... Well, there was such a glow on your face, that it was obvious! :-) *New Kate Bush Album* --------------------- Mmmmmm. Yes. *Weight* -------- I had this whole post worked out in my head about the whole weight thing the other day and now it's gone. I should have written it when it was fresh in my mind. Eeks. The main point was the only time one should be concerned with their weight is when they aren't happy with it. Trying to fit into some mold that society dictates is ridiculous. There are some who'll argue the health risks for being overweight, but if clogged arteries aren't going to kill you, air pollution or something else will. Plus, a positive, healthy attitude about life and self (IMHO) can be shield against disease. This has all been going through my mind because about a year ago I was getting disgusted with my weight. My size 36 jeans were getting way too tight and I was not happy with myself. In the spring I started exercising regularly and watching my diet and have lost a lot of weight. I did it for me and noone else (some people have told me that I'm too skinny now) but I'm happy. I guess my point to this is if you're comfortable with yourself (whether your fat or skinny), you shouldn't feel pressured to change. Period. *Another EctoFest in Chicago* ----------------------------- I'm looking forward to meeting you on the 26th, Dave, & seeing you Chris & Vickie & Kiri again. (What about Mitch, mjm,....?) oh, p.s. to Vickie = sorry I never caught up with you this weekend. I got side-tracked with Christmas shopping, etc. *Closing, I think* ------------------ I think that's it. My mind is still mush from reading all the Ecto while I was having a blast in Germany. Have a wonderful holiday season everyone!!!! Nighty Night Juha. -chip ======================================================================== From: dcwalter@tomservo (Christian Walters) Subject: stupid people Date: Tue, 21 Dec 93 15:50:29 CST I can NOT believe how rude people are, even in the Bible Belt. Jeez. I guess Southern Hospitality is a myth for some folks :) Okay. Here's the background: I have two dogs, right? Right. I have: Timber -- Evil-faced Husky puppy with an attitude and a few ninja moves, which she learned from fighting Heather all the time. Checking in at nearly 40 lbs. Heather -- Large, bulletproof shephard/chow/wolf mix with long white sharp teeth. Checking in at about 95 lbs. So last night I was walking Timber. I can't walk both dogs at the same time, because it takes two hands to control either of them. We were just walking along, having a great time 'cause the weather was awesome. Timber is always a big hit with passerby, especially ones with kids, and she goes for the attention big-time. But we're walking alone down Bailey Cove Road. There's another person walking a dog coming our way. No problem. Dogs are typically fairly friendly towards each other, but there are exceptions. When we get closer, though, I realize that it doesn't matter if this dog is an exception, because it was too small to pose a threat to Timber anyhow. I've seen Timber take down Heather, and I've seen her eat more than her own weight :) But you never know how other dogs will react. So I direct Timber out into the grass off the side of the sidewalk. As we get close, the lady says "keep your mutt over there, because Mitzi doesn't like other dogs." Sure enough, Mitzi started growling and barking at Timber. Timber sort of perked her ears up and tossed off this "what the hell is YOUR problem?" look, but kept walking. This lady went by and said "I don't want my Mitzi to attack your dog." And I said "Fine. I didn't really want my dog to rip your Mitzi's damn heart out" and kept walking. I walked another couple of feet, and then stopped. Timber had stopped walking, and was turned around looking at the yapping Mitzi with a "YOU WANNA PIECE O' ME?" stare. Then, Timber started straining against the leash to go check out this little barking thing. I was so proud. Timber only let out one soft bark that seemed to say "I spend all day wrestling with dog 5 times bigger than me with teeth as long as your @#$%^&! LEGS!" But I got her going again, saying "c'mon, Timber, we don't want to annoy the vicious little beast." Timber came along, but she had this "gimmie a break" look. So we got back home. Timber went outside to chew on something. I was still thinking about this snotty lady and her useless dog. Then, a light went off in my head :) I put the leash on Heather, who had just about reached the limit of the amount of crap she was going to take from small animals that day. (Timber had had a high-energy day :) ) And we went out and retraced the steps that Timber and I had taken, hoping to catch Mitzi-the-dog- of-death on the return trip. It would have been interesting to see just how stupid Mitzi actually is. Yipyipyipyipyipyipyipyipyipyipyi-CHOMP! *gulp* "Mitzi!" That's probably what you would have heard, last night on Bailey Cove if we'd bumped into her. Heather had to content herself with terrorizing local cats. Mitzi's still out there.... and Heather needs exercise... Stay tuned to this channel for further updates... OBHappy: Just ordered the first 3 Happy albums from CDC to complete my collection (except for RhodeSongs). I hope you people are right about these... :) -- Christian Walters * "Scientists have made progress in cracking the Tech Writer * genetic roots of some truly nasty diseases, but Intergraph Corporation * they can't cure them yet. It's like finding the Huntsville, AL * TV tower responsible for broadcasting "Full House" dcwalter@ingr.com * but being unable to tear it down." - James Lileks ======================================================================== Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1993 16:50:31 -0500 (EST) From: Chris Sampson Subject: Ditto on that Dittoheads Nightmare Dave Dixon more-than-posts...He pleads in a loud, clear voice.... >I'm surrounded by dittoheads! [Chris stands and addresses the auditorium. He speaks...] "M-m-my n-name is Chris..." [The auditorium responds as one voice...] "Hi, Chris." "...and my brother is a DittoHead." [Chris hears a far-off voice....] >Will anyone be my Knight (or Knightess) in Equal Time Armor? [Since people at the support group haven't heard of EcTo, they're puzzled about who, exactly, Chris seems to be speaking to. They just sit there and try to be as supportive as possible, while Chris continues, apparently to nobody, or perhaps to the spirits. They're frightened by the escatological implications, whatever that means...] "Well, we can start an adult-children of Dittoheads support group. First we'll need a snappy acronym (presumably a nym that's not afraid of heights)....lessee....Rush-anon (who WAS Al, anyway?)...or, CiMaLim...CItizens for MAndatory LIMbaugh-tomies...or, E.R.A. ...EcTophiles for Rush's Absence?....or, PeWTRS....PEople Who Think Rush Sucks.... Sorry, I'm back. Yeah, Dave, having a dittohead in the family really sucks...I can't imagine having two. I had the support of my parents and sister who, all right leaning, but moderate, think Rush is at best a buffoon, at worst a dangerous vector. (Where vector=buffoon). Though, my brother has email....We ended up in quite a flamewar a coupla months back, and though the fire's out, the earth is still scorched. Even in his apologies for picking a fight (which I brought back to him with both guns blaring), he couldn't avoid that smugness which seems to typify so many dittoheads' tirades...."You're my brother and I love you... even if your ideas are (naive, ill-formed : Choose One)..." And the like. It just galled me when he went on about the "liberal rhetoric", and countered with "facts" obtained by RL. I spoke up, and defended first, MY politics, and second, the so-called fallacies of the liberal rhetoric/Rush's facts. He had all these great "ideas" (notions, really) which supported his gut feelings about how best to keep his money (he and his wife clear ca. $100K, and so hate Clinton et al. (There's that Al guy, again). Y'know, sorta like some people use to defend their beliefs/behaviors regarding the eating of meat or the wearing of furs/leather. I tried to point out that really, he was erecting elaborate rationalizations towards the end of saving on his taxes, but he kept insisting that he "knew" things that the liberals were keeping secret etc.....Like conservatives don't lie, or something.....Well, I went ballistic (My brother is 12.5 years older, and he was definitely talking down to me....I'm 29, not some snot nosed 13 year old (apologies to 13 year olds on the list)) I've evolved politically, and I'm not radical to begin with (I have just as many problems with "liberals" as with conservatives). Mostly, I'm skeptical (My middle name IS Thomas, afterall), and am just as likely to poke holes in liberal bullshit as in conservative bullshit. First, and foremost, I don't trust the media (No, not even NPR's ATC!). Second, I don't trust politicians, whatever their bent. If Clinton says he'll get this item passed, then he's good or bad based solely on that, not on some averaged image his press secretary has created...I doubt he HAS a unified vision, let alone that it agrees with MY sensibilities....But I rant, and don't mean to bore you with MY family problems (Actually, we're a very functional family, but for my brother's problem....Well, what can you expect from an INS guy, stationed in Denver????). So, responding to my brother's spewings, I also engaged in some research. Bought Playboy....really, for the Rush interview....really.... I wanted to hear what HE had to say about himself, having already heard others' opinions. Well, as I suspected, and this is the part that makes him dangerous, and moves strident voices like Roger Waters' (Floyd Sucks? Metallica Rules?? Get real!) from the radical fringe to the merely alarmist, He, himself, is playing both sides of the "serious politics"/ "entertainment" fence....My brother takes him seriously (Dead seriously). Others think he's entertaining, BECAUSE they don't think he's BEING serious. I was troubled by this, and read the aforementioned interview (okay, I snuck a peak at Ms. December? January? first, so shoot me). What I found was that, when pressed, he plays both sides of that fence. Call him a "serious political force" and he'll play that down, saying he's just talking to people. Call him entertainment, and he'll start asserting the validity of his political opinions. THAT'S the danger. Archie Bunker was more straightforward a pop-icon (I went to PopeyeCon 1975)... you knew, at least, that he was MEANT to be parody! Limbaugh keeps ducking, and in so doing, I think, is roping people in who don't know enough to be repulsed by the hatred he panders to the masses. Confused, angry people who can be xenophobic one moment, and "neighborly" the next ("Well, next door on the left, maybe, but them _______(insert your favorite ethnic slur here) on the right side, I don't much like them."). Self-centered yuppies who want to change the US tax laws (for everyone!) so they can save a few bucks each April! Sorta like Bush wanting to get a fucking AMMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION to outlaw flag burning!!!AUAUAUAUAUAUGHGGHGHGHGHGH!!!!!!!! [Chris staggers, wipes his brow, catches his breath, and continues] Excuse me........The point is that Rush shouldn't be taken seriously for his conservative rhetoric (every bit as suspect as the liberal variety) but SHOULD be watched for his sneakiness. Like Clarence Thomas, he won't come clean (Mr. Limbaugh, are you political, or just "entertaining" (and I use that term loosely).....Mr. Thomas, do you, or do you not have an opinion on a woman's right to have an abortion? Both gentlemen will please answer the question, no bullshit dodging please). [Chris collapses in a chair. Staring off into the distance, he procduces a small pineapple-shaped device from his sweat-soaked fatigues. Vickie kicks in the door, and leads an EcTo Swat team into the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon...Surveys the wreckage, and notices that there are two large pods in the other room. Momentarily at a loss as to where to apply her force, she regards the seated figure cautiously, recognizes him from a concert held long-ago at a place in Albany...The QE2?...and sees the Dixons...David asleep, his parents just staring straight ahead, mumbling something about feminazis. Vickie speaks...] >DeeTwo is trapped! [She plunks down on the couch, humming a Happy Rhodes tune, and continues....] >Oh boy! Last night was an amazing night for talk shows. David Letterman >was trading snipes with his guest Rush Dumball, while Jay Leno was >trading snipes with Howard Stern-o. What fun! We were flipping back and >forth furiously, not wanting to miss a jibe. Of course, both Dumball and >Stern-o came off looking like the assholes they are (IMHO). [Chris idly fingers the pin on the thermo-liberalizer grenade. Distracted and more-than-a-little fatigued, he seems to notice Vickie for the first time...] "D^2 and Mr. and Mrs. Dixon are already bored to sleep, Vickie. But I'm here, and I hate RL as much, probably MORE, than anyone. Fuckin' creep got my brother...I owe him big time. Smoke 'em if you got 'em. No, wait, Jeff's here, just chew some gum, or something. We have a lot of de-programming to do....you got that Gore Vidal/William F. Buckley debate cued on the VCR? Good, help me with these restraining straps. What's that? Footage of pre-war Germany...nice touch. There's hope yet. Bones, what's that tricorder thingy of yours say? Still got some brain waves going?? Hope it's enough to work with.... (to be continued?????)... [Fade to black] .----------------------------------------------------------------------. ./| "Gentlemen, let's get this straight, once and | | |/| for all. The policeman's not there to create | | |/| disorder. The policeman's there to preserve | | |/| disorder." | Chris Sampson | |/| -Chicago Mayor, Richard Daley '68 | chris@neuron.uchc.edu | |/`-----------------------------------------------------------------------' |///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// `------------------------------------------------------------------------' ======================================================================== The ecto archives are on hardees.rutgers.edu in ~ftp/pub/hr. There is an INDEX file explaining what is where. Feel free to send me things you'd like to have added. -- jessica (jessica@ns1.rutgers.edu)