by Common Ground staff
Seven Deadly Spins
Just want to thank and commend you for your series of brilliant discourses on the seven deadly sins. I cannot remember when I have read something so right on and so deliciously written all at once...and I do a lot of non-fiction reading. In a world where many people are doing their little bits to try and change our ego (materialistic, competitive, pecking order) driven reality to one that is based upon cooperation, gratitude and respect (love), you are making a notable contribution. Thanks.
Jo Phillips
Sooke, BC
Excellent piece as always. I read all your columns on spindoctrination. They are all right on the money. I like your “link sausages” metaphor. Reminds me of Bob Dylan’s last great metaphor from his last really good album, Oh Mercy, back in 1988 or 1989. Dylan sings: “Turns you into a piece of meat/ The disease of conceit.” Anyway, I love your writing. You were upstaged this month, however, by Magpie Ulysses. I loved her button reading, “Jesus would slap the shit out of you.” I would wear a button like that if I could get one. Imagine a million folks wearing that same weapon! Could save Canada, change America and transform the world. Just to make sure, let’s grow long hair like in the ‘60s. At least then we would know who our friends are. A uniform is very important. And the chicks love a man in a uniform.
Lawrence Chanin
Victoria, BC
Your article on pride in the latest Common Ground was so right on... I applaud you on your energy to think so deeply and put it down in writing.
J. Shu
I want to thank you for your articles on the Seven Deadly Spins. I have collected every copy! I so hope you continue on this course that has so acknowledged my exact feelings on what is going on in this world today.
You have inspired me to speak up against so many moral wrongs. You have made me aware of how misguided we have all become. This is the best series of articles I have yet read in Common Ground. Thank you so much.
Gratefully,
Paulette Babey
Burnaby, BC
Bill Hicks
Hi! I just read two articles that made me a huge fan. The first was the Is the Universe Friendly? article and then the Bill Hicks tribute. I enjoyed every sentence of each. Man I laughed and cried about Bill again...it turned into a great night... Thanks! And keep it up!!
Mark Geier
St. Charles, Montana
Sitting here in work reading your article (Bill Hicks) - one of the best I have read in some time!
Paul Meade
Britain
I just read your Bill Hicks article at work here at the Common Ground website and it almost made me cry.
You’re a very talented writer.
Bryan Berndt
Langley, BC
Wonderful stuff in Common Ground.
I am envious.
John Dumas
Agassiz, BC
After reading both of your articles (Pride, Bill Hicks),I couldn’t help but send you this note to tell you how refreshing it was to read them. I’m so glad that that there are still writers like you who can still address the dilemmas of our society (Seven Deadly Spins) with big courage and conviction. Please keep up the great work you’re doing. I have been reading the Common Ground mag for the past 15 years and will continue to read it if you promise to keep writing ...Deal?
Chris Wong
Thanks for the article. You made me cry.
Mary Reese Hicks,
Bill’s mom
Vote Wild uncensored
I want all Common Ground readers to know that the Western Canada Wilderness Committee will continue to distribute its Vote Wild newspaper, despite a warning from Elections BC to either register as a partisan election advertiser, or cease distribution of our publication.
Our Vote Wild newspaper highlights five key environmental issues, the government’s record on these issues and possible solutions.
We’ve been publishing our little four page educational report newspapers regularly for 24 years now. Over those two and a half decades, we have suggested ways to safeguard BC’s environment and sometimes that means being critical of the environmental record of the various governments who’ve been in power.
Last week the Wilderness Committee was shocked to receive a letter via email from Elections BC official Nola Western warning that the Wilderness Committee’s four-page educational newspaper was deemed to be partisan election advertising because it is critical of the BC government’s environmental record.
The Wilderness Committee was warned to either formally register the educational newspaper or cease distribution between April 19 and May 17, 2005.
We consulted our lawyer and received an opinion from him that our publication is non-partisan and therefore does not need to be registered as election advertising.
Although not formally charged with contravening the Elections Act, if necessary the Wilderness Committee will challenge any formal charge in court. Fines can reach $5,000 and a sentence of up to one year in jail may be imposed.
As an organization we have never broken the law. This is a non-partisan educational report that highlights issues, not political parties. We have chosen to stand our ground because we believe that the public has a right to read our point of view regarding environmental protection issues in BC.
Vote Wild suggests five broad policy areas where environmental protection could be improved. They are:
1. increasing the amount of land protected in BC’s provincial park system;
2. increasing funding and staffing levels for BC’s provincial parks;
3. enacting provincial endangered species legislation;
4. getting open net salmon farms out of the ocean; and
5. investing in transit rather than freeway expansion.
The newspaper also encourages people to log on to the websites of the various political parties to check out their environmental platforms.
Vote Wild is available from the Wilderness Committee’s offices in Vancouver or Victoria or on our website at www.wildernesscommittee.org.
Joe Foy, national campaign director
Slam Story offends
I sometimes think I (aged 75) haven’t quite made it into the 21st century and that it must be me, but, hopefully, most people would find the article [April’s story slam] in bad taste.
I have had occasion to write to you to compliment you on the articles in Common Ground, but I’m afraid [that article left] me cold.
I could hardly be bothered to flip through to page 31 to try to find out, and the note at the bottom sounds like a bad joke. I wonder what kind of young ladies she turns out in her etiquette school. Joan Hetherington
We all live on Easter island
I just wanted to acknowledge you [Guy Dauncey] for your gutsy, excellent writings in ‘Common Ground’ Magazine. I have been reading them for the last couple of months, and they really touch me. Especially the February issue on Tikopia and the listing of that website. I logged on and here I find myself listening to Solomon Island music live!
Incredible, to see and listen into a world so far away and actually, so close by! Keep up your great work. You are the young David Suzuki!
sincerely,
Ms. T. Wilders
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