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Messages from Readers
Jan. 1, 2004 -
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magellan@texaschapbookpress.com
Words from Wales
Delighted to see your pic on the brilliant AE id card in Log 77. I've been
offline for a whole year and have much missed the Log. Great to find you're still doing it
with feeling.
When friends here in Wales confuse 'Americans' with their govt., I inform them of the
great tradition of radicalism and dissent in your country, and tell them that the
"difficulties on the Path" that one has to overcome may include the place one
lives in. I direct them to your site as an example of a beacon of light shining deep in
the heart of a benighted land.
It's an inspiration, Doc; thanks for it.
Love'n'all
—Mick
Pseudo Texans
As a fourth generation Texan (who left there fifty yearsz ago for greener
financial pastures), as well as a retired journalist, I loved this piece. More! More!
More, please.
—Al
Mann
Once Around Houston
I'm a little behind, I've just discovered the site, and I'n only up to ML 13.
In it i read the story of a fascinating trip around Houston in one day. It concluded
And what did we learn? Apart from the
geographical diversity (from seashore to swamp to pine forest to ranchland) and the
commercial diversity (from burn barrels to pipelines to semiconductors), it all comes down
to a state of mind, which is the real unifying factor tying all of Houston's chaotic
diversity together. If you think the inner city is crazy, try the edge. The next time
Montrose--or Sharpstown, or whatever your neighborhood--becomes just too much, remember:
The weirdness doesn't stop. Not only is it Energy City. It's Energy Edges too.
The story reminded me of another fascinating picture of Houston
I read in an obscure little guide book in which there was a story about a German tourist
who said, " If you want one word to describe Houston, it would be, 'exotic.'
" My question is, do you think the impression of Houston described in this
story reinforces the idea of Houston as Exotic?
I'm interrested. Oddly enough, we had confirmation of that idea
ourselves, when, some years later, we were driving a friend from Boston, who resided
in Washington, D.C., downtown along Memorial Drive, and about where you pass the
Henry Moore sculpture, she remarked, "Do you know what Houston, is?"
"No, what?" we said, thinkiing of that previous opinion. She answered,
"It's EXOTIC." Talk about surprise! Since finding this
site, that thought has been very much on my mind.
—Les Center
More on 9-11
RE: What Did Dubya Know on 9-11 and What Did He Do About It for the
First Five Minutes
comments=This is just to inform you that The Memory Hole
http://www.thememoryhole.org/911/bush-911.mov
copy of the video, mentioned below, taken of Bush on September 11 - disapeared from
internet.
The Memory Hole moved to the new URL
http://www.blancmange.net/tmh/welcome.html
but there you could not find neither short nor long (12Mb) version
of that movie clip any more.
—Mario
Profaca
Mario's
Cyberspace Station
The
Global Intelligence News Portal
http://mprofaca.cro.net
Blush
You fucking rock!! Thank you for such an enjoyable website!!
—Jon Aron
Trumbo's Movie
I have never read the book, but the movie is the number one all time
creepy movie there is! This is one powerful film, A real horror movie.I dare you to sit
all the way through it without getting spooked."Mother!!"Mother,I'm having a
nightmare and I can't wake up"
The fact that this is set in the 1st world war makes it even scarier,
"Oh God,Please make them hear me!'' This is one war movie that will make you very
uncomfortable and that was exactly the point. After the basket case that once was Johnny
establishes communication through morse code,much to the horror of the inquisitive
generals and assembled generals his only message is "Kill Me"over and over.One
hell of a scary movie.
Jeremy MacMillan
Wheeling and Dealing
You've probably never been to Vermont in mud season. There are still
lots of dirt roads there and come April (or May) when things begin to thaw
out it's a REAL quagmire. Vermont's one of the few places I know that has an excuse
for SUVs.
—Maureen
Riordan
(SUVless
in Massachusetts)
Home on the Range
Dear Magellan's Log,
[Re The Mind of George
W. Bush] Being a woman and having lived the majority of my life in Texas, I
find your description of our "president" to be entirely too accurate.
Since you and I and countless others have been firsthand witnesses to the mind set of this
particular region, it's quite easy to see this manifest in the governing attitude of our
country. Un-amusingly enough, many here (west Texas and beyond) are ok with the
roles of men, which you've so eloquently listed. Unfortunately, it's rather hard to
explain to the rest of the country. Keep trying, hopefully some are still listening.
—Nila.
Inspiration <blush>
I stumbled upon your site a few days ago upon searching after a
term/title of musical history and have been drawn back to it ever since. I find there's
too much interesting 'stuff to read' and am already desperate on the question where to
start.
All I can add is that browsing through this corner of the web gives me a feeling in
the stomach comparable to that when I'm studying/playing at my music instrument and am
away from reality or when I realise I'm having a splendid evening with people I like and
love at the local pub. I thank you for those moments and for reading this far. Any
constructive comments other then my praise might follow in the future when I feel I'm in
the position to criticise (wether positively or negatively) your work, which probably take
a few decades of experience.
—Niek van Uden
Satire
[Re Ora Shay, Token Republican] More Ms. Shay!
—Dean Vria.
Sore Ears
Dear Magellan's Log,
[Re Abysmal
Culture] I am gradually tiring of Karl Haas. Something very "HARD"
and tiring about so much Beethoven. I prefer Arvo Part my many years in the SF area
spoiled me for the rest of the country. Now in Oregon, mind is contracting. Thanks.
—Donald MacDonald.
Brown Eyes
Dear Magellan's Log,
[Re Interior Trends]
I like your "How Brown Is My Cubicle." My company believes we are onto something
and would like your feedback. privitizing cubicles.
—Jeff P. Bell.
Oops
Dear Magellan's Log,
[Re The Marionette Theater] I just
read your article on the Marionette Theater by H. Von Kleist, translated by Robert Lonoke.
You have the photo of a sculpture supposed to be the one by a Greek or Roman anonymous
sculptor of the boy taking out a thorn from his foot. Insted you put the photo of Francois
Rude's "Napolitan Fisherman"a sculpture, of the 19th century. Change it!!!! The
one of the thorn is a beloved one of mine and it is very well-known.
—Patricia O'Donovan.
Another Opinion
Dear Magellan's Log,
[Re Johnny Got What?] Today would be the
third time I've read this book over the last 10 years. This has to be one of my
favorites. And, in no way shape or form did Joe say or think that "if his
country would just give him a gun along with a bit of training, he could cross the ocean
and find glory as he defeated the enemy.". I must say that you're wrong there.
For the sake of talking this book up, it's fine. I love the book, just, not your
review.
A Very Anal Retentive Reader,
—Jeffrey Marron.
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