Caricature of Bill
by Glenn Brucker
Vox Populi
Comments, Critques, Response
Don't like what you've read? Agree fully with what's been said? Get it out of your head and in to Inditer.com - Simply click on the Inditer.com in bold....lo and behold...an email form waiting for you to send your response to the editor. It's not new, nor improved, just easy. We'll enjoy hearing from you.
Feb 03, 2001
To: Edith G. Weiss
To: Cailean Darkwater
To: John Collins From: Donald Grant DeMan
Re: Brief & Frantic History of Common Sense - - - My Friend - - - The Legacy of the Tudor Rose - Lady Jane GreyDear Bill and Dear Edith Wiss,
A very well-written piece by this poignant author, whose biting humor tickles my snowy mind. During my time of taking seriously what most of my world was up to, I remained sincerely drunk. Now I couldn't give a great...!! if it all fell off the edge, I reiterate my complete agreement with the man who sung about the only things worth a damn in life: Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey and more money. Somehow I still believe that "what's out there" in Peopleland is mere circus. That somewhere there are folks with real ideas working and thinking. Maybe not. But I am comforted by the thought.
Bless Edith Weiss for a thought-provoking piece.
next in this transmission: Dear Bill and Cailean,
This piece is well-authored. I pulse with the tremendous sorrow it evokes, the processes, ideas, the prospective point of feeling. And it hurts, hurts, hurts.
Most of us tilted, but mostly ordinary, folks are able to see through a rainstorm to the magnificent rainbow, find joy in the gurgle of baby, thrill to the textures and scents of verdant meadows and warm to a bistro coffee evening with an old friend. A walk with a dog, making love in an elevator or reading a fine piece of literature gives us joy beyond our immediate cares and disasters. Joining a bunch on a hay ride, cooking for the hungry raises the blood and hope within. Helping a neighbor serves to encourage our pain make us stronger........... when it doesn't completely destroy us.
Not so the subject of this self-concentric piece. The choice here seems limited to either tremendous pain or, on the other hand, brain dead relief from excruciating pain. This is "the friend." Our "hero" has accomplished the seeming impossible: that of building a home with nothing but floors, ceiling and walls of terror and distress. No beaming windows nor illuminating doors provide escape. Just the friend allows a bare crack of release.
I think we all know what that friend is about. But the tragedy remains, that in this case there is no choice. Rather we find the Hobson's Choice, the horns of a dilemma. No way out.
How sad, and utterly hopeless are some people's lives. I'm touched.
final piece in this transmission
Dear Bill and John,
While forced to avoid the sharpest literary thorns, it took me a minute or two to arrange my metaphor-sensing nodules to allow an intermix with those of history and sociological appreciation al la "the dumb blonde" syndrome (though Rose, the human, may well have been a redhead) I nevertheless enjoyed the exercise, and felt the rewards of John Collin's wit ring true.
I too have always admired the indestructible entity which lives and pulsates within my world, untouchable, beautiful beyond wonder and surely outliving even the cosmos. Secretly even, we all have one stowed among the dusty webs which inhabit our souls. That John's has deep historical and philosophical roots and branches, is indeed a bonus for us all.
A piece well written. A point well-made.
Feb 02, 2001
To: EMail John Horvath Jr.
From: Donald Grant DeMan
Re: Unwritten History of the AmericasDear Editor ( and Mr. Horvath, of course )
My oh my oh my. How clear and concise is this revealing expose, some stuff even I did not realize until now. The detail, the phrasing, the references to Bruin, of whom I have some passing knowledge.(see: "A Grizzly Inventory by DeMan)
This piece is the most enjoyable piece of humor, since I got tennis elbow and tried to answer the telephone. Yikes!
Canada, however, was discovered by an Australian named Ahughiiyythingherlsnhhhy, while chasing up his boomerang which unfortunately failed to return, a weapon which is now proudly displayed in our Possibility Museum and Cloistered Convent for the Unrepentant.
Counter to John's assumptions, the so-called bear market derives from the days of yore when concealed weapons fashion dictated those going to market must bare all in revelation of their good intentions.
A fine piece of work.
ed note: further to Mr. DeMan's remarks re the "bear market". This anachronistic piece of gobble-de-gook (so thought of south of the 49th) still is contentious when citizens of the southern climes must "bare" all and declare fire-arms, hidden or bared, they are attempting to take across the 49th with them. In spite of the fact that Charleton Heston single handedly fought back the Dead Sea, he failed in his attempt to re-arrange the fire-arms laws of the frozen north. The Feds and the western red-necks of Canada are doing a splendid job in messing that legislation about without the help of the Almighty, Mr. Heston or Gdubya.
Febrary 04, 2001
To: Donald Grant DeMan
From: John Horvath Jr.
Re: response to Donald Grant DeMan's critiqueLike spring blossoms, readers who are persuaded to comment on a work of literature set before them or readers who are just downright incapable of appreciating all the damned toil and sweat I put into a work, how I sweat and worry and get distraught for you, some readers like spring blossoms pop up too early then freeze to death. Once frozen and certified totally brain dead, they may be called 'critics'. These are those few who go beyond "there's a typo in line seven" (proof readers) or "matzo is made of fish" (nit pickers). In most part, readers enjoy a work or they go on with their lives. But the CRITIC? NOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo! They have to make you look foolish and brandish about their contemptuous ideas! Though they do not deserve it, Critics elicit response and it is behoovely to answer them in language coached in all kinds of sweetness and light (Matthew Arnold) or in all kinds of lugubrious sugary butt-kissing (I just wrote that). So, as sugary as I can muster (not mustard which has nothing at all t do with it) I respond to my critics:
Mr. DeMan asserts: "Canada, however, was discovered by an Australian named Ahughiiyythingherlsnhhhy, while chasing up his boomerang which unfortunately failed to return, a weapon which is now proudly displayed in our Possibility Museum and Cloistered Convent for the Unrepentant."
I have been there; I have seen that; I have the tee-shirt. In a recent paper presented to the MostPostModern Association of Historical Revisionists (General Committee on Canadians and Guilt) aka MPM ARHG C2 on February 30 of 2000 meeting in London not-the-place-in England-but Ontario, reasonable doubt has been shed on the boomerang theory. According to Holis Hamoley, the boomerang in question is unquestionably a Nike logo made not from the hip of a kangaroo but from a polymatrix plastoid rubbery like material. Aside from those who attest that Torres Straits Aborigines had long possessed such technology (yeah, right, you hosers!), there is the unmistakable glyph signifying "Made in Chinese Peoples Paradise by Political Discontents awaiting Organ Surgery, Union # 060H0H." We know this to be authentic because foreigners, Chinese in particular, have trouble with the word 'the.' A few staunch but hereafter little recognized scholars who adhere to the Boomerang theory are known sympathizers of "Put Canada on the Map" or advocates of "Give me Dominion or give me Death" radical Great White North zealots, several of whom have infiltrated south of the 49th (you forget Alaska on your flank!). For Example: John Kenneth Gallbreath who recently noted that George W. Bush is not HIS legitimate president (without the good graces of admitting that, as a Canadian, JKG has NO legitimate president and has NEVER had one). Perhaps, he left Canada because of President Envy, a mental disturbance akin to Penis Envy (Given the Cold up there, I'm not surprised). But let us not be led into name calling. Neither my original article nor this response should in anyway be seen as detrimental or abusive toward the Cloistered Convent for the Unrepentant which is "swell" as such things go. Nor should we infer any derogatation toward Mr. DeMan's Grizzly work.
"Counter to John's assumptions, the so-called bear market derives from the days of yore when concealed weapons fashion dictated those going to market must bare all in revelation of their good intentions."
Here's that problem of bi-lingualism raring or rearing its obtuse and obnoxious head (plus merde tete). BARE and BEAR unlike entrepreneur (French, need I say) and Intrepid Doer (English though of the non monosyllabic variety) are NOT the SAME WORD. It is not that BARE is a rearrangement of BEAR (we must note however that BEER and BEAR are related through puerile penile and yellow liquid imagery). BARE is the removal of all non human materials from the body while BEAR is the possible and quite probable consumption of said body especially when said body exposed is tramping through the woods in the Great White North. The only place where one must BARE for exchange is in the FLESH market. But the buying and selling of human flesh has been outlawed globally except in certain backward areas of Papua New Guinea (PNG) where the United Nations has designated the practice as a World Treasure of Exotic and Foolhardy Nonsense.
Furthermore, and this is almost absolutely gratuitous and off the subject, the slogan "54'40" or Fight!" was just a joke and since the most unfortunate and near ridiculous War of Jacob's Ear, the 49th parallel has remained the longest unarmed border between two countries (see, we even consider Canada a "country") and we hold no ill will against Canada even after Quebecers have bought the best beach front high rise condominiums on Florida's southwest coast. Well... just a wee little bit perhaps and more if they decide to rename the area 'New New France'. And there are Southerners (not I surely) who really really REALLY like how you all do the whole place up in white for winter. Now this obfuscation should go no further as I have better things to do with my release time.
But a last, alas, critic has said: "Matzo is not made of fish... you're thinking 'gefilte fish'." (My wife said that. Having read the whole thing and she said that! Now you know why I go off into a corner and write all the time.)
Some people just aren't so damned picky about details! Besides, it's published; I can now claim poetic license.
Yours in Globular Online Solidarity & Humanity (GOSH),
it's me,
John Horvath Jr.
not-the-editor.
Feb 02, 2001
To: DeanOFrpps Lord President & Prince Regent, Lord Madeven.
From: JW Rowe, Mentor, Rpps
Re: The Point Counter-Point Discussion begins hereGreetings Dean and Greetings to the Lord President, Prince Regent and Greetings also to Lord Madeven, who has joined our discussion.
I seem to have come into the middle of a discussion between the Dean (dean_rpps@rpps.freeservers.com) and Lord Madeven (deman30@home.com) and created a stir of confusion by my attempt to interpose remarks. My apologies to your Lordships.
I view with interest both the Dean's view that the 3rd Industrial Revolution percipitated a fundamental shift in society and an imbalance and Lord Madeven's contrary view that since many of the folderol of the computer age was available as early as 1950 there was no Third Industrial Revolution per se.
Against the background of the Third Industrial Revolution we have the gloomy predictions of Malthus and Spengler for this era. Some read Nostredomus, the Bible and the Aetna for the same effect. And we may already live with a public health crisis on the order of the plague as glittering California flitters into the dark. Will the bright lights of Hollywood flicker out?
When we say there was a Third Industrial Revolution, we say that the pare of invention reached such a point that there was a fundamental change in human relations. That say, as early as 1960 many innovations we live with were theoretically possible or foreseeable does not mean that the Third Industrial Revolution is a continuation of the past. That inventions were anticipated by visionaries does not actualize the revolution itself: The steam engine was theoretically possible in Greek times, yet made its impact in the 19th Century with the railroads. The ancient Greeks could have but did not make practical use of that which they had envisioned.
In my travels in the Third World, I have been to places which live without all Three Industrial Revolutions, not because they can't afford it, but the employment created by the use of human labor provides income to the poor and creates, on a local basis, a trickle down economy.
We can't say that life hasn't changed since the game Space Invaders dazzled the public with the possibilities of the computer age. Indeed, that you can read this and that all of us continents apart can communicate, that there is such a "paper" as Inditer, testifies to the fundamental upheaval. That a person in Victoria can choose between local Times - Colonist or the New York Times or the Times of London or even Bombay shows how different the world of the past is.
I leave to the Dean, his dickenesque accounts in IF ALL MEN WERE ANGELS on the effects of social change or his Orwellian account I understand is yet to come in future writings, yet that things have changes factum est. Whether change is good or not, as Will Rogers told Henry Ford, is yet to be determined.
JW Rowe, Mentor, Rpps
Feb 02, 2001
From:Edith G. Weiss
To: Donald Grant DeMan
Re: "Blondie"Loved the Blondie article. I had no idea her maiden name was Boopadoop...I imagine she might have been fashioned after Betty Boop? Both have kind of big heads, too. The Denver Rocky Mountain News still carries Alley Oop, and Little Orphan Annie too but she's gotten hip. Do you remember reading Dondi? Haven't seen that kid in many years.
Jan 30, 2001 - - - History Examination ... please take part
From:DeanOFrpps
To: Editor et al
Re: Philistine a-culturalismIs American 'multiculturalism' an insular arrrogance of philistine a-culturalism? asks the Dean.
History ExaminationSend your completed examination papers to The Editor - please mark exam in the subject line
1. Name two British monarchs other than George III.2. Patrick Buchanan called George Bush Sr., George IV. Explain the implication.
3. Fox's Book of Martyrs chronicles religious dissidents executed in the reign of (a) Henry VII; (b) Mary; (c) Charles II; (d) Elizabeth II .
4. Explain the democratic element in the Arthurian Legend in one sentence.
5. Britain together with Spain, France, Italy and Greece were provinces in what empire ?
6. Upon whose empire did the sun never set: (a) Roman/Byzantine (b) Holy Roman (c) United States (d) Britain (e) Russian ?
7. Which of those empires described itself as 'The World' ?
8. The United States privilege against self-incrimination originated in Restoration England as a right not to specify one's (a)name; (b) nationality; (c) religion ?
9. General Jacob Brown who repulsed the last foreign incursion on the territory of an American State was a Congregationalist Minister whose fierce defense at Sacketts Harbor originated in his erroneous belief that the English's war objective in 1812 was to (a) defeat Napoleon, (b) restore the US to British control; (c) control the Great Lakes; (d) restore the Anglican faith as the state religion ?
10. The United States reached its furthest territorial extent in (a) 1898-1900; (b) 1912; (c) 1945-1946; (d) 1959-1960; (e)1965 ?
To: The Editor
From: Sam Person
Re: Inditer's far, far, far, reach!
Thought I would share this with you and perhaps brighten your day a wee bit.Bottom line is that the reach of "Inditer .com" may be greater than you think.
In July 2000, I posted a submission titled "The Foul Call." In it, I made reference to Herb Brown, a professional basketball coach.
Lo and behold. Yesterday I received an email from Herb, who I have not seen for over thirty (30) years sending regards and telling me that he "found" me when he saw the item. Seems that Herb (now Assistant Coach of the NBA Philadelphia 76ers) was forwarded the piece by a friend of his who somewhere, somehow read it.
Amazing but true. In a sense, therefore, "The Inditer" has become the "Tracer of Lost Persons." As always, best regards.
ed note: Sam: Thanks a million. That's wonderful. I wish I could tell the rest of the world! - perhaps I just did!
January 15, 2001
To: Samantha Kimmel
From Richard Koss
Re: The PoetryA Tribute To Hillary
That left-handed Boxer named Barbara, we saw,
gleefully welcome her sister-in-law
to the chamber of horrors,
or should that be whores?"Did you get what you needed for your new house?"
"Oh yes, but I must find a way to get rid of the louse."
"You mean you want nothing more to do with that thing?
"Hell no, I'm a Senator now, well, at least not till Spring."
Jan 12, 2001
To:Richard Koss - - Donald Grant DeMan
From: Jeffrey Dane
Re: Jeff Dane's IndexAn "open thanks" to two gentlemen: For Donald Grant DeMan and Richard Koss -
Obviously you know that it's always nice when we authors see our work noticed and acknowledged, and especially when we see that it's actually appreciated. Just as most Letters to the Editor that are sent to various publications tend to complain rather than compliment, the majority of responses to our work that appears in publication leans toward the negative rather than the positive.
Many are even indifferent to our work, which says more about them than about us. It seems to be easier for most people to take the easy way out - a cop-out, if you will - by focusing on what something is not, instead of viewing it for what it is, and gauging it on its own merits and by its own intrinsic value. Those who do this are the exceptions to the rule.
When Cesar Franck's symphony (his only one) was premiéred, he was eagerly asked how it was received, what people thought, what the critics wrote, etc. His arresting reply was totally in keeping with his nature: "Oh, the symphony sounded well, just as I thought it would." Now, friends, THAT'S the kind of man I want to meet! In any case, I merely want you (and everyone else) to know that your very kind comments about my work in The Inditer have been noticed - and that they are very much appreciated. I sometimes wish there were more electronic publications like it, and that there were more people in the world like Bill Loeppky - but maybe it is their very singularity that makes them so special. This response to yours of Jan.2 is admittedly some time late but hopefully none the worse for it. Again with sincere thanks,
Jan 10, 2001
To: Richard Koss
From: Antelope
Re: Continuing name sagaDear Richard Koss:
Thank you for your interest in poetry and pronounciation. It is Antelope as in the animal, herds of which run wild through my beloved Wyoming. And yes, there are times when I find my tongue sneaking right into my cheek.
Jan 07, 2001
To: Richard Koss - The Ed
From: Donald Grant Deman
Re: Americans in Inditer dot Com - see belowDear Bill and Richard Koss:
I have absolutely no objections at all to the number of Americans on the Inditer, and wish there were thousands more, along with all the other nationalities of the world who can use English as a mother Tongue.
Cailean Darkwater lives in Australia, for example. My problem is that, since it is a Canadian Site, it should be expected to be swamped by Canadian artists, and their naturally flowing unique approaches to literature and other arts. The fact that it is not is the very point that I am making.
We do not encounter Australian sites swamped by Canadians, do we? Smiles,
Donald Grant DeMan from the heart of his igloo.....gotta go get a walrus for dinner.....!!
ed note: while I agree with Donald Grant DeMan - I too welcome the number of citizens of the USA who take the time and effort to submit stories and comment to inditer.com. I thank them for this. At the same time, I am sad because so few Canadians are interested enough in the affairs of state, our society at large to be bothered by it all. Like the USA, Canada and it's Provinces are quickly absorbing all of the terrible qualities it takes to run a true Banana Republic. As Dick Koss says, perhaps more Canadians have adopted the lesson from the old saying; "When ignorance reigns, 'tis folly to be wise." It is happening so fast it makes one's head swim and it makes one cry over the lethargy and apathy shown by the citizens of our country. Corruption, cronyism, nepotism, patronage...it's all there and we allow it to happen.
Jan 07, 2001
To: Antelope - Da Man - the Editor
From: Richard Koss
Re:AntelopeOde - Da Man's Crime in Canada
Just want to say that I enjoyed Antelope Twomey's Ode. Hard-hitting humor, but with a lot of truth, though I hope it was meant to be a little "tongue in cheek." By the way is her name pronounced like "Penelope?" Or is it like the birds and the "Antelope" play?
No offense, just curious.
Don's piece on the immigration crime surge in Canada was extremely well done. Maybe there are too many Canadians who accept the message of the saying,. "When ignorance reigns, 'tis folly to be wise."
If it's any consolation to Don, regarding his observation that so many contributors to the Canadian-based Inditer are U.S. citizens, I'd like to point out that we Americans, haven't been able to find a comparable quality site in the U.S. that affords us such an opportunity to share the love of writing with so many of you talented people, particularly our distinguished editor, who has the patience of Job, always eager to help and encourage us, while courageously carrying on his own personal struggle to remain with us. ed note: curious Dick. I was a DJ, here in Victoria, Canada in the early 50's....ran a request show and had a librarian who did the phone answering and record running for me. We had a contest going. Don't recall the details but it had something to do with; 'when people like Kate Smith, Roy Rogers, et al sang, did they sing "Oh, give me a home, where the buffalo roam, where the deer and the antelope lay"? or did they sing, "O give me a home, where the buffalo roam, where the deer and the antelo play?" Parse me that sentence if you please! - Gawd! that was a long time ago!
Jan 07, 2001
From: The Editor
Re: Walk a Straight Line in a Crooked WorldUnusual, yes - but perhaps well worth the while of a double whammy in promoting a new book. As many of you are aware, Inditer.com does a critique on the last couple of books to be put out by Victoria, Canada based 'Trafford Publishing' - a self-publishing company.
Because of recent interest and growing cynicism of the North American political systems, you may want to give some extra attention to "Walk a Straight Line In a Crooked World" by Isaac and Rebecca Stewart - with illustrations by Mavis Stucci
January 06, 2001
To: Ric Masten
From: Donald Grant DeMan
Re: Bilateral OrchectomyWhoooooooooooooooee!!!!! Just finished reading Rick Masten's Bilateral Orchectomy several times, and am reeling under the impact.
What a poet! What a man! What an outstanding artist! What a splendid person! As I say, "Whoooooooooooooooeeee!"
ed note: Ric and his family, friends, publishers, etc., are right in the middle of putting together a special collectors edition of selected "Words and On-Liners". Proceeds will help to off-set expensive drug therapy Ric has had to go through lately. Interested? Email Ric Masten
Jan 06, 2001
To: Donald Grant DeMan
From: AntelopeTwomey
Re:Misogynistto Donald Grant DeMan:
Antelope
As I'm sure Donald Grant DeMan can glean:
I spoke of misogynists, men who are mean
As poet to poet to you I respond
your words are so fiery they should be neoned.
You're one of the good ones, one of just many
I know this because of my "good Deman" antennae
So please rest assured I speak not of you
But of those that belong to the misogynist milieu.
Jan 05, 2001
To: Email Antelope Twomey
From: Donald Grant DeMan
Re: Love Poems
Who in the dickens is this Antelope Twomey, self proclaimed poet laureate of Wyoming, saying these cruel things about men? Her words come as painful darts, no credit to a woman of arts; they fireballs to make me sick, and wound this old boy to the very quick, for loving those raggedy bones and hair, that I found through the years, one here and one there, and as the curtain falls 'round my life, let me please be held in the arms of my wife. As has been written by an - unknown to me - poet:
They talk about a woman's sphere,
As though it had a limit;
There's not a place in earth or heaven,
There's not a task to mankind given,
There's not a blessing or a woe,
There's not a whisper, Yes or No,
There's not a life, or death, or birth,
That has a feather's weight of worth,
Without a woman in it.I am sure every man acknowledges the truth of this.
furthermore To: Richard Koss
Just wanted you and Richard Koss to know how much I appreciate Victims and Tomorrow's Here. The inherent themes readily represent much of my own philosophy, but how succinct, clever, and musically this poet sums up the human condition of fervently searching for scape goats and excuses while forced to march inevitably toward a final reward - however just or undeserved.
Splendid work: excellent delivery.
Jan 03, 2001
To: The Dean The Mentor, The Bard
From: The Editor, former Prince Regent, President Elect - Rockaway Park Philosophical Society
Re:Ascendancy to High OfficeI accept, with most humble gratitude this ascendancy, along with it, the confidence 'The Society' has shown in this candidate. The silken and golden mitre, the sceptre of ivory and ironwood, the gavel of office shall all be meticulously cared for until that time they be passed on to a deserving candidate.
The President pledges;
to relegate forthwith to literary and artistic perdition those who would scoff or otherwise denigrate the causes and aims of the Society;
to faithfully delegate to those most capable of fulfilling dicta as proscribed by the Society and in so doing lighten the presidents load of official function to nothing.
The confidence of The Society in its choice is overwhelming.
May I take this opportunity in drawing to the attention of Society non-members that this organization, most uniquely, has President, Prince Regent, Dean, Mentor, Bard and Bardo - or that one who cares for the needs of the 'astral soul' of the ones after death and before birth.
The Editor - President Elect
Jan 02, 2001
To:Jeffrey Dane
From Richard A Koss
Re: The Composers' PianosWhat a wonderful piece, skillfully done by merging fascinating history with insight into the personalities of these great composers and pianists. The research alone would seem to require more than the patience of Job. You don't even have to be a classical music buff or a late-blooming piano lover, like myself, to truly enjoy reading this essay. Another excellent effort by Mr. Dane.
Jan 02, 2001
To: Jeffrey Dane
From: Donald Grant DeMan
Re: Aaron CoplandI am once more in awe of Jeffrey Dane, whose profound knowledge and research floors me. What a writer and what material! This time he celebrates the centennial of the birth of another American giant of the arts through a lifeline of genius and hard work, Aaron Copland, symphonic composer and ballet master of the world, although humble folks like me recall and thrill at the performances of little things like 'Appalachian Spring' and 'Rodeo."
Both Jeffrey Dane and his material remains good evidence that the culture of the great nation of the United States lies as rich, deep and profound as any offered by the rest of the world.
That NPR - in Washington DC - a US national pinnacle of broadcasting - should be linked to the Inditer through the Jeffrey Dane's significant piece, is indeed a fine accomplishment also. Bill Loeppky's Inditer, of course, has long been a Canadian treasure of the arts.
