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[Sarah - 21 Grand]

Dear Mr. Broderick & Mr. Cremaschi:

re my analogy:
>and we shouldn't criticize the president either, because he's the only one
>we got, right?

- It seemed to me that George's logic regarding why not to criticize the
Express and the following lines about not writing righteous complaining
emails was based on the fact that it is "all we got" ... basically the
source of press coverage (i.e. power). To me, the argument read as "don't
criticize those in power, because they have power over you and can use that
power against you."

GC:
As far as "bowing down" to the East Bay Express goes,
well I'm not advocating that. Obviously, it's a completely
stupid, corporate rag.

- wait, I'm confused ... you seemed to be advocating it, at least somewhat
in that cautionary "don't complain" paragraph.

GC:
Still, after all these years, I can't help
but notice the cycle of a) bitching about not getting any
press and then b) picking it apart, line by line, when it
actually happens.

- after all these years, George, you don't realize that this is part and
parcel of belonging to/participating in just about any underground scene,
right up there with the authenticity/selling out debates?

GC:
expect laughter and derision, show grace and good
humor in the face of it, and then kick ass in spite of it.

- agreed - the "mainstream" (or whatever you want to term it) is going to
respond w/condescencion and words like "weird" "wacky" and my all-time
favorite "zany" - because it's beyond the scope of "normal." I've certainly
stopped (or at least tried to lessen) getting bent out of shape about such
things. Honestly, I'll take "weird and wacky" graciously ... far better than
"so hip it sucks" (that was from 2001 and the now-defunct Urban View that
focused on Alameda/Oakland/Berkeley). I still kinda want a "so hip it sucks"
t-shirt ... probably in some hideous color or faux-metal font.

GC:
And finally, concerning "Escape from 21Grand":
an endless jam, with mostly dudes, and a couple of
bottles of Two-Buck Chuck? Uh, I think I'm out of town
that week...

- well 21 Grand stopped serving 2 buck chuck around 2004.

hugs,
sl