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In this issue:
-Gay News Roundup & Eminem thread (7)
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Headlines:
Text: 2) More than 350 people have canceled their subscription to The Roanoke [Va.] Times since the paper published a four-part series, running January 28 to February 4, about gays and lesbians in the city. The cancellations, a record number for the 100,000-daily-circulation paper, were also accompanied by angry phone calls, E-mails, and letters to the editor. "The reaction was more than we expected," said circulation director Debbie Meade. "We wrote about a topic people would just as soon not discuss." Managing editor Rich Martin said the series was prompted in part by a shooting at a gay bar in the city in September that left one man dead and six other people wounded. The paper has added a second page to its letters page to accommodate all the response, most from subscribers angry that the paper discussed homosexuality on its front page. "We do not need photographs of homosexuals kissing in our newspaper," one reader wrote. "I was mortified." 3) A gay student at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, has withdrawn from the school after being attacked in his dorm room last month. School officials confirmed Friday that the unnamed student was knocked unconscious and beaten, with the unknown attacker writing "Die fag" on the student with a marker. The attack has led Democratic legislators in the state to push for the inclusion of sexual orientation in the state's hate-crimes law. (NOTE: The above-mentioned bill to include sexual orientation was rejected by the legislature the following day. Republicans were the major force against the bill's passage.)
4) Eminem's performance with Sir Elton John at
the Grammy Awards later this month continues to
dominate headlines. BBC News reports that
rapper Eminem, currently on tour in the United
Kingdom and the subject of controversy over
lyrics on The Marshall Mathers LP that some
activists consider to be homophobic, responded to
questioning about his attitude toward gay men by
saying, "To be honest, I don't think about gay
men. I only said that shit to piss people off. They
just don't get it. It's all right, though." According
to E! Online, Eminem also told a TV interviewer,
"As far as Elton John liking my shit, I think it's
beautiful. I think he gets the joke, and I respect
him as an artist." John, meanwhile, has told the
Los Angeles Times that the idea to perform a duet
was Eminem's. "I'm a big fan of his music, and I
said I would be delighted to. I know I'm going to
get a lot of flak from various people who are
going to picket the show. If I thought for one
minute that he was [hateful], I wouldn't do it."
Dear Ben: I may be wrong and, hopefully, you will let me know what you think, but that's what is going through my mind this morning. And with MinM's apparent rage against gays is it any wonder that a newspaper is getting negative feedback, a gay student was bashed, etc. We are living in the world where one's own personal anger and prejudices rule and affect the lives of the innocent. It's amazing to me how the anger and the maliciousness of American men (and, perhaps, women) is taking over rational thinking in this country.
Love, 4) Eminem and Elton speak up So what? People thought that rock band KISS was satanic and now they don't break sweat when Marilyn Manson pops a new CD. Relax, as long as he doesn't sing in a GOP meeting it's okay with him
Hugs n' kisses Eminem's performance with Sir Elton John at the Grammy Awards later this month continues to dominate headlines That would be interesting to see since Eminem (Marshall Mathers), and Elton John are more or less on the opposite end of the music spectrum.
As far as Eminem being anti-gay, I think anti-intolerance would be more
fitting. His lyrics are more amusing to me than they are offensive, and
should not be taken seriously. In fact, I would even dare to compare Eminem
with the Bard himself, for he is an entertainer, a wordsmith, and a very
talented one too.
Okay peeps, I have to agree with "Clark". "As far as Eminem being anti-gay, I think anti-intolerance would be more fitting. His lyrics are more amusing to me than they are offensive, and should not be taken seriously. In fact, I would even dare to compare Eminem with the Bard himself, for he is an entertainer, a wordsmith, and a very talented one too." And "Angel". "So what? People thought that rock band KISS was satanic and now they don't break sweat when Marilyn Manson pops a new CD. Relax, as long as he doesn't sing in a GOP meeting it's okay with him" I don't think Eminem threatens anyone, anyone who listens to his lyrics...........(The Kids), they know he's messing..............he says as much on both albums that he has released. Do ya want an example peeps?????? Okay here we go:-
"A lot ov people ask me, stupid fuckin questions. I'm not a sucker peeps.........but i know a dickhead when i hear one...............Eminem isn't one ov them. I really don't think he's homophobic, i just thinks he hates everyone. He's a very angry young man, but if you know his past you would understand why. I know that is no excuse, but he even says "How much damage can you do with a pen". The guy knows he's gonna lose every penny he's earned, fighting court cases, but he doesn't care...........he just wants respect as a Rap Artist. I have too be honest here, i always hated Rap until i heard "Stan, by Em". I downloaded it from napster, then i got the whole album..........and even my silverfox hubby loves it. He just bought me the Eminem DVD for Valentines. Well thats my two-penny's worth on the Eminem subject.
Tonka
p.p.s I don't know what GOP is???????? Angel ......sorry
Tonka wrote: "I don't think Eminem threatens anyone, anyone who listens to his lyrics..........." Personally Eminem doesn't do a lot for me and I don't particularly like his music. But then, I can't say I'm the greatest fan of rap. However, one thing I'd like to point out is this: Controversy sells! Whether it was Elvis wiggling his hips, Chuck Berry singing about his 'Ding a ling', The Sex Pistols singing about "God save the Queen" and David Bowie & Boy George bending genders. Or even Frankie Goes to Hollywood singing about oral sex in 'Relax' and a whole host of 'satanic' metal bands praising the Devil. Look to more recent times and we have Rage Against the Machine 'raging' about US politics and social issues, Marilyn Manson upsetting people because of his weirdness and now we have Eminem causing a fuss. Even at the age of 32 I've seen and heard all this before! Some artists are 'genuine', and I believe that bands like Rage Against the Machine truly believe in what they were saying, along with the Sex Pistols who represented the disenchanted UK in the late seventies. Other artists (and their management/ record companies) are more calculated in causing an uproar. In the UK (1992) a band called the Shamen got to number one with 'Ebeneezer Goode', which had a chorus that went 'Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode, Ebeneezer Goode'. The Shamen came out of the dance and trance scene of the UK, one that was heavily influenced by the drug 'ecstacy' also known as 'E'. So re-read their chorus again, and say it phonetically. "E's are good, E's are good, Eben E's are good"!!!!!!!!! They admitted in an interview how funny it was to get a number one single praising the drug 'E' and how the radio stations never realised! Take as well The Sex Pistols top 5 1977 UK hit 'Pretty Vacant'. The chorus goes: "We're so pretty, oh so pretty. We're vacant". Now listen to how John Lydon emphasises 'vacant'. He splits it into two by saying phonetically 'Vay - Cunt'. Again, the Sex Pistols said in an interview how they managed to put the word "Cunt" into a song played on prime time radio without the stations realising. Quite a feat for 1977 let alone 2001! Rage Against the Machine didn't beat around the bush and just simply swore to give impact to what they had to say! So where does this leave Eminem? Personally I reckon that there is some cold calculation going on primarily to upset and antogonise as many people as possible. From what I understand Eminem doesn't have any particular social or political stance in his writing, so what exactly is he trying to say? He manages to annoy many different groups of people yet without supporting any. I may be wrong here but that is what I am led to believe. Marilyn Manson on the other hand is a very clever man. He deliberately courts controvosy via imagery, lyrics and statements. Then he gets all the kids (and older people too) onto his side by sticking his finger up at authority and censorship and creates a 'them and us' situation. Kids want to be part of an outcast group, particularly one that their parents dislike! But what he doesn't do is to try and say that what he does is an important contibution to society, or that there is immense depth and meaning in his work. He laughs at the people who despise him, for they are the very ones who 'just don't get it'. By taking him seriously you are missing the point. He is the epitome of youth culture and teenage rebellion and is laughing all the way to the bank...... Where does that leave Eminem? I suspect that if he upsets too many different sectors of society he will find that he has no friends and supporters left. Kids may question as to where it is that he stands on certain issues and the constant barrage of newspaper reports will soon become boring. People don't want to read about the same artist being a 'bad boy' time and time again. And as for his mother sueing him...... Then again, maybe Eminem has yet to find his true identity. If his lyrics really are 'poetic', maybe he will shed his controversial image and evolve into a latter day Bob Dylan. Perhaps he will show that his words have substance rather than being written with the primary concern of antagonising people. But then again, the cynic in me suggests that Eminem is really a very successful marketing and promotion exercise. All the publicity, both good and bad, is just helping his public profile. Plus of course, it keeps the cash tills ringing...... Just my thoughts on the matter. Now I think I'll go and give my Rush CD's a good workout! Hugs to the silverfoxes list,
Chas
Speaking of Eminem, has anybody checked out Dido's "No Angel" album? Its a great album. Anyone that has heard "Stan" should know that this is who was sampled on the courus. If you like Sarah McLachlan, then you will love Dido. She is the English equivilent of McLachlan. Anyway I feel the same as Tonka. I really don't thing something of things Em says should be taken seriously. Boy I can't wait for the Grammys!!! Should be very interesting.
Bill
1) Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow. 2) Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process. 3) Retrieve cat from bedroom and throw soggy pill away. 4) Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut while counting to 10. 5) Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden. 6) Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, holding front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cat's head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously. 7) Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines frome hearth and put to one side for gluing later. 8) Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with its head just visible from below spouse's armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw. 9) Check label to make sure pills are not dangerous for humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap. 10) Retrieve cat from neighbour's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band. 11) Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for last tetanos shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom. 12) Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologise to neighbour who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap. 13) Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. force cat's mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour pint of water down throat to wash pill down. 14) Get spouse to drive you to emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Stop by furniture shop on way home to order new table.
15) Arrange for vet to make a house call.
1. So your daughter's a hooker,
2. My tire was thumping....
3. You had your bladder removed
4. You've announced that you're gay,
5. Happy Vasectomy!
6. Heard your wife left you...
7. You totaled your car... End of silverfoxesclub-digest V1 #140
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