Modest proposal in response to anti-Lairdism

[Wayne Johnson]

It is my understanding that Wali "de-listed" himself.  I enjoyed Wali's
diatribes...until they seemed to go over the wall with personal asides
(something all of us do from time to time.)

What we seem to have here, and I am no sociologist, is a "virtual"
community.  The original basis for "belonging" was Sixty-ish affliliation
with the Ranger Staff (my connection), the Ghetto or the music scene at that
time.  Time here being almost anywhere from 1962 to...what?...1970 or so?
Probably some Armadillo WHQ people too.  A loose network of people pretty
much geared toward a "life style" not in keeping with the Nelsons, the
Osmonds nor women who wear pearls whilst taking out the garbage.  We were
part of the Anti-Eisenhower Generation.  Some went to SF with flowers in our
hair...and a joint in our jeans.  (Fred, of course, took ink.)

Now we have met new people and reacquainted ourselves with old friends .
Some of the people in this list I have never met personally although our
paths may have crossed at some of our Holy Sites in Austin, like say,
Fontaine or Frances or Judith or Monty or Mary Jane.  It could be argued,
therefore, that we have a New Ghetto...or Nuevo Ghetto if you like.  So what
should the "membership" requirements be for this new group?

Let us assume that as the originals were politically liberal, but Capital L
liberalism as a label is pretty damn weak definition for people like Gilbert
or Jaxon or Jeff all of whom made their politics pretty clear, but in
different ways.  "Rebel" is sooo pretentious and very much devoid of meaning
from constant Media abuse but there was a definite pattern of rebellion in
those days.  What could be a greater act of rebellion that renting bikes to
Frat Boys, eh?  (Where are you Byron Black, Joe E Brown?)  But one thing
that was clear then and clear now: the people to whom I refer were all, to a
person, very, very, very bright.  Some of them were, or came to be, totally
fucked up by drugs or just bad circumstances, but all were 40 to 80 IQ
points above the crowd.  Sorry to use this rather dated and pedestrian
qualification, we could say they were all Creative, but that would be
somewhat like calling the Lincoln Brigade...as some have done,
condescendingly and inappropriately....merely, Premature AntiFacists.  So
having the ability to sort out the social wheat from the Texas shaff was a
basic ingredient.  At least that is how it appeared to me.

OK.  Let me suggest that we start over.  People who are on the list now are
have been on the list in the past, stay on the list.  But there should be
some loose "rules" for new...and continuing...membership.  And by rules, I
really mean clarification.

1.	Having been there...or San Francisco.
2.	Having a close affiliation with the many Austin musicians.
3.	Having been deemed "cool" by some of the above.
4.	Staying "cool"...and by this, resisting the temptation to do a basic
"core dump" every other posting or flaming anyone who disagrees with you or
constantly carping 	about this or that person or the web-meister.
5.	Bringing real information to the group...ie. posting articles and
references which people can (if they choose) read and gain something.
6.	Acting as though this group was comprised of real sensitive, intelligent
and caring people, who...although they may have a totally wierd sense of
humor...are sort of 	an extended family.  Let us not litter the landscape
outside our windows with damp babies!
7.	Recognition of what others have been through.  Afterall, we are all about
the same age here.  Think "other person's mocassins" once in a while.



The above unsolicited opinion is mine alone and does not represent the
Ghetto Web or any of its national affiliates.

Wayne