don't expect SALON to offer a venue for long-term debate on the Internet,
but I will offer a short rebuttal to Mr. Baldwin's response to my original
letter.
Firstly, I do not look at the Net as a mere gimmick or fad. Secondly, the
very fact that the Net does what Mr. Baldwin says, i.e. it is an incredible
communications tool, ensures that the entrenched status quo will move to
censor it. It's a two-way street; just as the Net is a communications tool,
it is also a monitoring tool. The FBI has requested, and received permission,
to monitor 70,000 phone calls simultaneously; they aren't monitoring voice
calls, they are monitoring e-mail transmissions....
Anthony Jankowski
P.S.: Thanks to SALON for allowing the discussion!
Pathetic Nebbish
I was disapointed, but not surprised, to find SALON devoting space for right-wing
political extremists to shoot off their mouths. Did we really need to read about that
pathetic Norquist nebbish? It isn't as if we have a shortage of right-wing
propaganda being shoved down our throats on the public airwaves and in the press.
The world already gets huge daily doses of: Wiliam F. Buckley, John McLaughlin,
Pat Buchanan -- when he isn't running for president -- Paul Gigot, The American
Spectator, George Will, Cal Thomas, The Washington Times, Marilyn Vos Savant,
John Carlson, Rush Limbaugh, and dozens of other right
wing propagandists. Enough is enough.
Jeff Harris
In Praise of Johnson
It's great to see Denis Johnson on your pages. He's one of the best
American writers alive, I think.
John Sutherland
"Fleas" Fan
I enjoyed Mary Beth Williams's article "Lord of the Fleas." The quotes are
hilarious. Now I'm convinced that SALON values good writing and not just
overblown subjects. Williams's article reminds me of the old "Talk of the
Town" pieces that appeared in the New Yorker when the New Yorker was
interesting and tasteful.
Douglas Pond
Eclectic Kudos
Once again SALON has come out with a terrific, eclectic issue. The Oliver Sacks interview, though briefer than I would have liked, was an interesting look at an intriguing man. And the photo-essay on the closing of the White Furniture Factory in Mebane, N.C. was a new type of feature for SALON. I also appreciate the link to DOUBLE TAKE magazine which came from that article. And, of course, I continue to chuckle at my favorite comic strip, "Tom, The Dancing Bug."
I'm looking forward to your electronic store. Hope it carries many items with the SALON logo so I can carry/wear/give them and introduce my friends to your site in yet another way. (Also hope that there's a way to order by phone or mail for those of us who don't like to use credit card numbers over the Internet.)
Carol Johnsen
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