Letters to the Editor
Re : "Monster
Mash"
From Joel Finkle
It's funny, I just saw one of the Big Furry Monster
with Sneakers episodes on Cartoon Network's "June Bugs" marathon.
But I seem to remember at least one appearance of the
BFMwS where he was defeated by all his hair being cut, and there being
nothing else but hair.
It's possible it wasn't even a Bugs, but a Daffy 'toon,
but I doubt it. I hope I'm not remembering the atrocious Quackbusters.
Cal Meacham responds
You are indeed correct. It was "Duck Dodgers and the
Return to the 24 1/2 Century", the cartoon which christened the orange furball
"Gossamer". It came out in 1980, was written by Chuck Jones and Michael Maltese,
and directed by Chuck Jones. In it, Gossamer is the aide to Marvin the Martian,
and is shaved down to his sneakers (although in the 1952 cartoon "Water,
Water, Every Hare" he's shown to have a bald scalp when Bugs sets off the
TNT "curlers" -- but asking for consistency in cartoons is asking for trouble).
Gossamer DID show up in the hated "Quackbusters". And, like everyone else
in the WB universe, in "Space Jam".
The gag of being revealed to be nothing but hair isn't
original with Gossamer, I feel compelled to point out. Jay Ward had used
the same idea in an episode of "Super Chicken", wherein the nefarious Doctor
Chicago creates a giant living wig. Super Chicken defeats it by causing it
to worry (Calling it in the midle of the night and saying "I saw what you
did!", delivering a Draft notice, etc.) which causes its hair to fall out
untril "nothing was left but a giant Bald!" God, I love cartoons.
Re : "Forlorn Death
Sells Circus Balloons"
From Stormborn
Oh, geezus. Woo-hoo, someone on their first acid trip.
How...sweet, how nostalgic!
I least when I tripped I still knew that melting watches
were associated with 'Dali' not 'dolly'.
Re : "Jesus Goes to
the Movies"
From BlueMit11
I must say I was both intrigued and disapointed by
this article. Well, it's not that I "must" say, I guess, it's just that I
want to say. But anyway...
I would agree with mobo any day over Mr. Carder on
most things. But, there are a couple problems:
1)The Bible wasn't meant to cover every single thing
that we will encounter directly with specific detail, but it was rather a
guide. From the things the Bible says and from our own discernment and our
church's discernment we can know exactly how Jesus felt. If the Bible was
meant to cover everything like that, it would have to be stored in a large,
abandoned Wal-Mart parking lot in Nebraska.
2)Actually, two of the priests that I am good friends
with love attending movies. Movies are an art-an escape from real life. If
anyone needs these its priests, who are constantly under stress and pressure.
If anyone would like to argue with the last statement, please feel free-I
probably know more priests than you and I probably know them better than
you.
3) I agree with you that it's ok to portray things
that happen in real life in the movies. Even the Brady Bunch contains people
sinning. But the key here is not to glorify the sin-put it in its perspective.
Sometimes I don't even care if the consequences are shown (but usually they
are, if not unintentionally), as long as its not something where the sins
are put on a high pedastal and are the focus of the movie. Besides, any good
movie critic would denounce a movie made this way anyway-it's impossible
to make a good movie that way.
4)My only problem with Harry Pothead is that it's a
little too real for kids. Or, at least, if I had kids I'd consider it too
real for them (of course I would allow them to read it if I thought they
were of the right maturity level), but I don't support book burning and I
leave the ultimate decision up to parents. The part in the books where they
grow plants that resemble humans kind of portrays human life as something
expendible, if not on purpose then in image; and the whole fact that there
are pagans and people today who practice witchcraft is kind of a nasty
parallel.
As I said, I agree with most of the common sense points
of what you said and I think things need to be looked at a little further
towards the middle of the road for that kind fundamentalist who seems to
have had his underwear starched a little too much.
Re : "The Bee Stings
in Life are Free"
From John Schmoldt
I enjoyed this (very) short story so much, I read it
three separate times. Very simple, specific subject matter with a good sense
of humor.
Scylla responds
I'm sorry to make you wait John. I wrote this piece
at the last minute, the day after it was due because my computer completely
crashed and I was moving, so I just churned out "bee stings" in half an hour
or so.
The piece that I wanted to have last issue will be
in this issue, and I plan on completing "Bee Stings" for the next issue.
Thanks for the mail!
Re : "Reading from
the Book of Matrimony"
From Kevin G.
I thought this article was quite creative and very,
very funny! Thanks.
Re : "Ask Osama Bin
Landers"
From Kathi Sutter (aka Guinastasia)
Once again, Fenris stuns us with his talent for satire!
"Osama Bin Landers" is the funniest thing since "Gotcha ya!"