Write Us and Rant

(responses to the article "The Little Denver Nugget Who Wouldn't" -ED.)

Great Article BRother AMerica has often been afraid of A good muslim leader to show afro amercans their real religion, since muhhamed ali and malcom x, america has feared us, we will rise in holy gihad against this christian slave makers!!

sent in by "Mohamed Souaiaia" (jakesmith@foxinternet.net)

I was doing a search about people who run into trouble for not doing the Salute to the flag and came across your article. I enjoyed reading it and wanted to tell you that I particularly liked your comment that 'U. S. was not founded for the flag or for the "Star Spangled Banner." ' I like also your statement that these "are symbols of this freedom, but the freedom comes first."

I had my own little drama in 1991 that involved my dislike for doing the flag routine. I was a first year teacher in a school that expected each class day to begin with the salute. I always had the students do it and I feebly did so also, except I didn't speak very loudly and I didn't put my hand on my heart. A student finally asked me about this and I stupidly expressed myself. End result was a nightmare of a teaching job until I threw in the towel a month before the end of the year. I needed the approval of a supervising teacher and the principal to receive my full certification, but they weren't going to give it to me. The teacher told me that, if I would resign, she would vote to certify me; and, if I didn't, she would not vote to certify me. With that statement, I knew I had an difficult battle and after considering fighting it, I came to the conclusion that I just wanted to have the stress over. I at least felt I maintained some dignity by resigning without waiting for my final certification meeting. Although I cut off my nose to spite my face, so to speak, I at least left without allowing anyone to provide some so-called benefit to me for doing so - don't know if you call that a bribe or blackmail. It was the worst experience of my life, but after I regained my composure and sanity again, I could say that I would not have missed that experience for anything as it was a great learning experience.

A incident occurred here in Oklahoma in the last couple of weeks in which a person who was being considered for appointment to a school board was taken out of consideration when the person was asked how he felt about the flag salute and replied that he would not recite the Pledge. These incidences vex me greatly. Anyway, I have copied your article and will save it in my "flag" folder. I am curious as to where your article appeared. What is the "Raptorial?"

Sincerely,

Sharon B.
Newcastle, OK (gardener@telepath.com)

Mattro responds to Sharon:
Hi Sharon, Thanks for your response to the article and for sharing your story. Raptorial is a sometimes print... always net publication run by myself and a few co-conspirators. Some of the articles at the site have appeared in other publications, but not the Rauf piece. – Mattro

To avoid being too lengthy in my first e-mail to you, I didn't mention that I had written a letter to Abdul-Rauf at the time that was in the news. I sent it in care of the team. I never heard an answer, but I hope they sent it on to him.

I just sent a letter to the editor of the paper that had the latest "flag/Pledge" incident in it. I could say there are more important things in the world to get riled about except that it is worrisome that a person can be put down for this when you do no harm to anyone by not liking the ritual society demands regarding this patriotic issue. Frankly, I just feel flat out silly talking to a flag. If you ever have occasion to discuss the issue, I can send you the long version of what all happened to me. A local fellow in my small town ended up writing quite a lengthy article about my case and in my defense which he submitted to a liberal type regional news publication. The guy didn't even know me, so I was quite surprised to learn a stranger was so upset for me. He, like you, had some great comments and quotes of esteemed Americans from the past in his article.

I will look at the Raptorial website. Thanks again for the response.

Sharon B.
Newcastle, OK (gardener@telepath.com)

(In response to ?? -ED.)

"Live music is better...bumper stickers should be issued."

--Neil Young

sent in by dAVe (dhewitt@tamu.edu)

(In response to the Wrench Boy exclusives. -ED.)

Dear Wrench Boy,

You are awsome! I adore you I idolize you! you suck! I want you!

-anonymous e-mailer

(In response to ?? -ED.)

Stop Complaining

I see now that TV and computers have made us all into docile people reminiscent of the followers of Moses. If you're watching TV or playing or smoking weed, etc. ad nausium, you can't do much really constructive stuff. Muttering amongst themselves while the city burns and the nuclear warheads fall and the trees are cut and the air is grey. Is there any way to consolidate everyone here rather than just complaining or talking shit?
Who wants to start something real? I'll sign up. Where's the list? Who wants to have a protest? Hmmm... maybe I'm just a hippy, but if punk is about all this then pass my fucking beads and bong.
Turn that fire into something real.

-Just some dumb fuck named FRANK
Seattle, WA