A Manifesto for the 50th

[Charles Drago]

I may be a common man, but please do not address me like a commoner.

Brilliant.

Pithy.

Tres drole.

[Seamus Coogan]

Talk about egos outta control lads. Pipe down sheesh I found both articles are very enjoyable very informative and I see no better or worse. Both have good content and a good message. So you both like your own pieces...fuck me so do I.

Sure, Mark CD's manner can be very curt to say the least! But in fairness he's been on the scene for a bloody long time, he's got some great stuff out there (if and when you can find it...check out the Fourth Decade back issues I've had a lot more luck there). He is also one of the co-founders of this forum which is a very, very good one. I'm sure you now know all of this Mark.

But whinge as I might or complain as you have. It's out of CD's and others pockets, time and energy that we get to express our POV's here. I'd much rather encounter CD being a tosser (occasionally) than some shitty little no-name, insane, jerk off, Fetzer or McAdams clone as an admin any day. If a shit head is hassling you, guaranteed he'll boot them. After all he does have your back believe it or not, even if he has attempted to rip your throat out.....its a Sicilian thing. Thus I think your letter to him was a little jumpy and you should have thought it through and tried to find out more of what CD has done. Equally jumpy was CD's idea to publish the email. In light of that excellent post awhile back by Greg about the putting up private correspondence. I don't think it was cool either. CD you are smart and canny enough to reference comments in such a manner to make the misguided comments in the misguided letter look misguided anyway.

So let's bury the hatchet from here (not in each others skulls) please. I can see CD (bless him) sort of has in his own way.

I think you both have important and good work to do for the 50th and after. In saying that CD (as I have said before mate) I really do hope you can get some articles out this year. I'm all ears and well I guess eyes as many of us are. I think part of the problem for people like Mark CD is that unless you know where to look, your work isn't as visible as it could/should be.

[Magda Hassan]

Well said Seamus!

I'd love to see more of Charles' article like this. A fearsome warrior against the enemies of truth.

[Charles Drago]

My point in making public Prior's transparently self-serving, brutally ill-informed correspondence has nothing to do with gratification of my ego.

The piece revealed its author to be an inferior literary packager of previously, eloquently presented ideas -- one so obsessed with self that he would proudly trumpet his own ignorance of the cause he professes to champion.

Prior has the audacity to attempt to indict me for his failings as thinker and essayist. His "Manifesto" on its own merits (actually, lack thereof) has exhibited zero traction here. But as he would have it, that's entirely my fault.

Bullshit!

As writers, we enter our work into the marketplace of ideas, my friends, where they will flourish or perish on their respective merits.

As for making Prior's comments public: It was a tough call for me, but ultimately I made my decision based on the following judgment:

Readers of Prior's "Manifesto" have the right and indeed the need to gain the deepest possible insights into its author's mind, character and agenda. His "private" attack reveals, at least to me, that he thoroughly lacks the courage of his convictions and his craft. Its submission as a private correspondence was a cowardly act committed by a person who postures as a bold seeker of truth and justice. It is comprised in equal parts of arrogance and ignorance.

Did I violate the sanctity of the PM? Arguably, yes.

Do desperate times require desperate measures? Inarguably, yes.

[Seamus Coogan]

I totally agree that its good to go balls out on a forum CD. Trust me you and I do often. I also agree Mark could have come forth publicly. But I didn't really see the email as a threat or something to be made an example of. Commented on mate that's for sure. I bet there's a million and one irate emails you have received over the years lol. I mean why choose Marks? It's pretty cock eyed but it's not the worst surely? What I'd give to see some of the gems you have. On the other hand I do get your points and I hope Mark will. As he gets to learn more about you, your positions and your works. Let's hope Mark sticks around and lets hope there's more coming from you.

[Charles Drago]

Cooler heads will prevail. Sooner rather than later.

[Mark Prior]

I will not let the point of the beginning of this thread be eclipsed. The important thing is that discussions be had on preparations for the 50th anniversary.

Charles,

I sincerely apologize for my hastily written message. Would it be possible to add a sticky for discussions & ideas regarding any preparations for the upcoming anniversary?

Sincerely,
Mark

[Charles Drago]

I will not let the point of the beginning of this thread be eclipsed. The important thing is that discussions be had on preparations for the 50th anniversary.

Charles,

I sincerely apologize for my hastily written message. Would it be possible to add a sticky for discussions & ideas regarding any preparations for the upcoming anniversary?

Sincerely,
Mark

Mark,

Apology accepted.

Apology offered for what overreaction I posted.

You are most welcome at DPF. Why not start a new thread for the discussions you propose? One that might begin with a link to your initial offering?

Best,

Charles

[Mark Prior]

Charles,

Apology also accepted. Will post that thread promptly.

Mark

[Phil Dragoo]

But now do they think of those days.

The tape recorder mike was in my hand and the man in the Chicago restaurant answered, "WhatdoIthink! What do I think! I'll tellya what I thinkI think they oughta be in jail! That's what I think!"

This is a green room where a premise is the carpet. The carpet is blood red.

Out there they have a vague idea, and that a hopeless distillation.

Sawing on the cello, they bought the Kool-Aid and forgot the Who

Bill Ayers was in the street that night, and Rahm Emanuel was not the mayor

Nixon was the president but it might as well have been DBA OBAMA

It is the Matrix and they are on soma

Soma other planet where troubles melt like lemon drops

They worry about cell phone apps not that they are run through a maze

by Washington's Mengeles

I talk to people and they start not knowing who Kennedy was

And I can part knowing they know he was murdered by men still powerful

But that is one-on-one

I question whether this is a 1960's America

Where a human sea expresses zeitgeist

Dallas is a sewer

Larry Dunkel crossdresses as an historian

But at closing time is always Lady MacBeth at the washstand

(oh send me another Church Lady email)

Charles has nailed 99 Theses to the cathedral door and they dare not confront it

Mark might unfurl a banner but the tactical police wouldn't appreciate it

I am privileged to be among the most articulate minds of my age

They could webcast a video presentation combining

The coolest jazz

The most wrenching Chopin competition

The soccer match against the Pamplona bulls

On Big Screen Imax 3D SurroundSound

Charles commissioned the T-shirt




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