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The Magic Cafe Forum Index :: THE MAGIC MENU - The International Journal for Close-Up Magicians :: Autumn 2009 - Comments or Questions? :: TOPIC IS LOCKED (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

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Spinnato
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"Can't we all just get along?"
Christopher Lyle
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Quote:
On 2009-10-30 13:14, Spinnato wrote:
"Can't we all just get along?"


What fun would that be? = )

Seriously...Chet is a strong opinioned person and I respect that becuase I am much the same way...tho' on the other end of the spectrum. I don't have to agree with his opinion to respect the guy. It's all good and he knows that too!

At no time did he make a personal attack towards me (or Tom) regarding out column. He simply stated that he stopped reading it due to our colorful choice of verbiage. The world will continue to spin folks...

The good news is he read enough of it (based on where he stopped) to have gotten the gist of it all.

For Chet (and those like him), all that I can ask is they always give my article a chance...but just like I have the freedom to write whatever I want, they have the freedom to not read it. What a great country we live in!

I'm sure that all of us knew going in that there would be a % of folks who would not like what we say, how we worded it, or the topic of which we are writing about. That's reality.

I'm going to begin a new thread this evening upon my return to try and speak about some ideas that I have had since reading the Menu (several times now). I just can't put it down. Lot's of great stuff in there for us all...

Christopher
In Mystery,


Christopher Lyle
Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius
For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
patrick flanagan
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Spinnato,
I think we are getting along just fine. It's just a discussion of differing opinions on language and it's usage. LOL...I just called someone a stupid m-f'er about 15 minutes ago, so I'm not opposed to colorful language. I (my opinion) just don't know if it's appropriate or necessary in a magic publication. I've stated my view, and I'm done with that topic.
patrick
mormonyoyoman
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Frankly, even though I dislike ambushes (and have stated so) I'm really enjoying the exchange on this thread. And I hope it is just controversial enough to stimulate many more subscriptions for Jim.

Christopher, I can respect, even while disagreeing. Right now, his opinion (at least among magicians) is in the majority, and mine is the politically incorrect one. Once, this country tried to be as morally clean as possible, though way too many people paid it lip service and covered up their falseness. My dad, when drunk, would use the same abusive language which is considered "colorful" by folks today, but would be extremely apologetic when sobered. (Praise God, he was able to finally beat the alcoholism and spent the last half of his life sober and clean!) Those were the days when uncleanliness was considered the aberration. I was able to raise my kids in a better atmosphere, and I'm able to see my grandkids raised in an even better environment.

We're getting along (for the most part. Those of you who've sent me the anonymous threatening e-mails - Do you really think you scare me?) and I served for much of my life to defend the Constitution. Though our founding fathers were mostly morally clean, they'd defend - and did - the right to others leading their lives as they wished to, if they tried to avoid hurting others. (Which is one reason I oppose abusive, dirty language.)


*jeep!
--Grandpa Chet
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf

--Grandpa Chet
John Pilotzi
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I still maintain that the editor should be the ONLY person allowed to edit his/her own magazine. If you subscribe and don't like it - unsubscribe! Simple.

JP
mormonyoyoman
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Don't be silly, John. Though the editor remains the final arbitrator, one shouldn't throw out the baby with the bathwater. (Have I said that already?) And Jim's work has always, always worth saving. It's easy to remove the dirty pages, photocopy the clean pages on the back of them, and save the photocopied sheets. Y'see, once I buy the magazine, I own it - it's mine. Birthed by Jim, but that copy is mine.

Oddly enough, this topic of dirty language and presentation was discussed on the final disk of *13 Steps to Mentalism* another one of those projects with which Jim Sisti was instrumental, and which I just plugged. The discussions are the greatest value in magic and mentalism learning, and I think Disk #6 alone is worth $120. Get it, and get it from Jim's and Richard's site.

*jeep!
--Grandpa
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf

--Grandpa Chet
Jim Sisti
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This entire discussion has gotten entirely out of hand and I have now officially lost my patience with it.

First of all, John isn't being silly at all. In fact, he's quite correct. I have the final say about what goes into each issue and my vision has always been, from the very first issue in 1990, to never edit the magazine according to the whims of squeaky wheels but, rather, to let it find its own audience. The latter approach is the only way that any artistic endeavor can remain true to any kind of ideal. I refuse to have it editorially blown around by loud, but largely self-serving, winds.

There are 15189 words in the new issue of the Menu, only two of which some have found objectionable. I let them go because I firmly believe in something Lenny Bruce (someone else, I'm sure, some would find "immoral" or "unclean") once observed: "Take away the right to say 'f***' and you take away the right to say, 'F*** the government'." It was my call because I felt that the words in question bolstered the particular viewpoint of the columnist and I let them see print. If I decided that their use was gratuitious, I would have edited the words out. I didn't. Get over it.

And, again, forgive my bluntness, but the idea that there are "dirty pages" in this issue, rendered so by two words, is so ridiculous and provincial that I would feel silly even offering a comment. Make a paper tree out of the magazine for all I care - just please don't waste my time telling me about it any more.

Make of that what you will.
John Pilotzi
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Bravo Mr. Sisti!

I just emailed Paul Gordon to ask his opinion about this thread. His reply (with his permission): I left TMC ages ago and I haven't read it since. The reason being is precisly what appears to be happening now. Anonymous posters making idiotic statements. Bully tactics, wind-up merchants, stirers, whiners, moaners and such like. Re Magic Menu: When I write my next column, it'll be my exact opinion (about whatever subjects I care to raise), and if folks don't like it - fine. If they do like it - fine. But, the only one who can/will censor it will be Jim Sisti...and I doubt he will. He's too good an editor for that. In my opinion, there is NO place for censorship in art. Yours, Paul Gordon

JP
Adam1975
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Quote:
On 2009-10-30 15:21, Jim Sisti wrote:
This entire discussion has gotten entirely out of hand and I have now officially lost my patience with it.

First of all, John isn't being silly at all. In fact, he's quite correct. I have the final say about what goes into each issue and my vision has always been, from the very first issue in 1990, to never edit the magazine according to the whims of squeaky wheels but, rather, to let it find its own audience. The latter approach is the only way that any artistic endeavor can remain true to any kind of ideal. I refuse to have it editorially blown around by loud, but largely self-serving, winds.

There are 15189 words in the new issue of the Menu, only two of which some have found objectionable. I let them go because I firmly believe in something Lenny Bruce (someone else, I'm sure, some would find "immoral" or "unclean") once observed: "Take away the right to say 'f***' and you take away the right to say, 'F*** the government'." It was my call because I felt that the words in question bolstered the particular viewpoint of the columnist and I let them see print. If I decided that their use was gratuitious, I would have edited the words out. I didn't. Get over it.

And, again, forgive my bluntness, but the idea that there are "dirty pages" in this issue, rendered so by two words, is so ridiculous and provincial that I would feel silly even offering a comment. Make a paper tree out of the magazine for all I care - just please don't waste my time telling me about it any more.

Make of that what you will.


I think Jim has put it quite succinctly above,and I agree,as editor,and founder,its his choice, end of.Thats how it should be.
I observed a few posts up that "tearing the mag up",was insanity.Then bringing religion into it from nowhere,well......pointless.
Jim has made much the same point as me,but put it a bit better.
If you don't like it,unsubscribe,and leave the rest of us to enjoy.
Columnists,and editor,more of the same please!
Ive upped my standards.Now,up yours!
Jim Sisti
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John and Adam:

I agree with everything you've written, but in this situation, I particularly agrere with the signature line in the tiny type below Adam's post.

That, my friend, is really putting it succinctly!
John Pilotzi
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Dear Mr. Sisti,

It was Mr. Gordon's words, not mine. But, I agree with his sentiment.

JP
Jim Sisti
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Hi John:

I was referring to the small sig line at the bottom of Adam's posts. Check again...and I think you'll agree it's apt.

It begins, "I've upped my standards..."