RE:
Misplaced Blame [June 1999]
Where's the Responsibility?
As much as I detest a great deal of pop culture, you're definitely right about the pervasive "victim" mentality abroad in the
land. Almost no one anymore has the guts to stand up and take the responsibility for their own errors.
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The Right Combination
It's extremely nice to see an online magazine that regularly publishes
fiction and poetry as well as nonfiction. Thanks for providing the sort of
well-rounded and intelligent magazine that the net needs.
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Funny Stuff
I was just checking out some interesting new places to find good sources of
jokes, and lo and behold, I found your humor section - great stuff. In fact, I even sent out a link to that section in my daily joke ezine, The Daily Dose! I'll be back regularly.
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RE:
Owen Hart's Unnecessary Death [June 1999]
We received over thirty emails about Marc Ciampa's memorial piece on the wrestler Owen Hart. It seems the issue struck a nerve with many wrestling fans. The following are just a few of their comments.
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Bring Back Real Wrestling
What is happening to wrestling? I remember when it was wrestling. My grandfather and I would watch wrestling every
Saturday and not know who would win. But now I don't even want my kids to watch it anymore. When someone has to die ,
just so they can make money, that's going to far. It is time to stop it.
+++
Tone It Down
Yes, pro wrestling is going much too far in an attempt to gain greater
audience share. Although I do enjoy some of the schtick, verbal threats and
confrontations created to create a mock atmosphere of hate, viciousness,
etc. wrestling has become totally secondary to the theatrics. Frankly, I
find myself switching channels much more often and come back only when there
is some real "action" on the screen instead of maniacal wrestlers screaming
into the camera, making faces, grabbing their crotches and begging the
audience to suck it. This may work for the short haul but what you are
winding up with is a collection of freaks and steroids-a-holics strutting
around the ring more concerned with their hairdo and costume or
remembering their lines than showing the audience any modicum of wrestling
ability.
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Hart Knew the Risks
I personally do not think that wrestling is going, or has gone to far. It is
entertainment, simple
as that. As a matter of fact I believe that actual injuries or death are
few and far between in pro wrestling. Look at boxing, even movies, Brandon
Lee's untimely death - unnecessary for sure - however accidents happen in the
entertainment business. It may sound cold, but Owen [Hart] was a big boy who was
quite capable of saying no. There was personal gain in it for him as well
if it had worked. Stunts make money for the federation, yes, but lets not
forget the money Owen would receive as well. I think you people should stop
your petty blaming and just accept the fact that when it comes to
entertaining the public there will always be the risk of injury, or God
forbid death. Rest in peace Owen, you were, from what I hear, quite a
guy.
+++
Briefly...
I have lost major respect for much of the industry...Prayers to the hart
family and hopes that the rest have learned from this tragedy...Today, the WWF is closer to being the prime time, wrestling version of the Howard Stern show...I found your article very moving...I just think it is all about money...The WWF is just going too far to win the ratings war...WWF events should have an "R" rating.
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SHORT TAKES
The new look of the site is GR-E-A-T!!!!! ... Very nice graphics ... Please add me to your subscription list, you got my attention in 10 seconds ... just found today and I'm enjoying your features ... the mag's looking great
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JULY 1999 | VOLUME 3,