Narcissism runs rampant this week. And some of it even pertains to Tim Hall's feature last week.
Since MUGGER divested himself of New York Press, a lively wind blows there. Black people have appeared in your pages, suddenly. Letter-writers may oppose our despotic "president." Even the cartoonists are freer. I thank the 14 smiling gods!
Name Withheld, via email
Goodbye, Girl
Just as MUGGER edits better than he writes (or was that John Strausbaugh?), MUGGER, Jr. writes better than he draws. His rebuttal to his critic seemed quite precocious in its logic and its use of cuss words ("The Mail," 1/29). Perhaps MUGGER Jr. plied a faux primitivism while playing upstairs at one too many Outsider Art Fairs in the Puck Building. Or maybe he really can't draw? Hasn't stopped the strip from being one of my favorite Press strips, though I'm glad that I've been missing the so-called political subtext.
If MUGGER had had a sense of humor, he might've added a line to the Press' sales agreement and made "Idiot Man" a required part of every issue, rather than his own page filler. If he had some class, he would've saved Strausbaugh's ass instead of his own. If he had more smarts, he would've started his own website where his most ardent fans are: out "there."
No surprise that the new editor has already left. Reading your paper under the new regime has been like watching a favored turd break apart as it spirals slowly down a flushing toilet: page count and content dwindles, the tone of the Mail's "overheard in New York" sidebar can't even attain the veracity of the Penthouse Forum, and Tony Millionaire might as well fingerpaint now that his fine line work is all smudge in the reduced-size "Maakies." See you after the war? I doubt it.
Chris Beneke, Brooklyn
Your Personality, Not Platform
MUGGER says pot should be legal ("MUGGER," 2/12)? Well, if he really believed that, then why didn't he endorse me when I ran for mayor? It was in my platform to put it on a referendum ballot in New York City and once the voters agreed to end the war on drugs, I was going to use this to publicly pressure Albany and Washington, DC. I was also going to stop the NYPD from bothering anyone for smoking pot, saving taxpayers tens of millions of dollars each year. And considering the financial hole Rudy Giuliani left us with, legalizing pot and taxing it would not only save us millions, but would generate hundreds of millions in tax revenue. (Maybe Smith will lie and say he didn't like the rest of my platform? Nope. Check it out?it's still up at MayorBrodeur.com. I bet he likes 90 percent of my initiatives, and this year I'm running for City Council downtown. Will he foster an open dialog about solutions for New York City? $100 says never.) Actions still talk louder than words.
I don't know exactly what Rush Limbaugh or Mike Signorile said, but I can prove conclusively that Limbaugh is a gigantic liar (and I'm not referring to his liberal girth) and lies are not protected speech, nor should they be. I love free speech, but that doesn't include dishonesty. In a better world, dishonest talk show hosts would be arrested and tried by a jury of their peers. I don't care if you're right wing or left wing. New York Times editors should have to share prison cells with Rupert Murdoch. The aisles of Congress are full of shit and we need to start holding liars accountable for deceiving the American public.
Christopher X. Brodeur, Manhattan
Fasst Talking
Tim Hall: I enjoyed your article ("New Narc City," 2/12). As we are on the eve of going to war with one of the most dangerous narcissists on the planet, I hope to see much more media attention on this malignant cancer of society. In these days, narcissists pose the greatest threat to life as we know it.
Chuck Fasst, Portland, OR
Read it Very Slowly
MUGGER: Your article ("MUGGER," 2/5) that defends Attorney General John Ashcroft's assault on the U.S. Constitution by comparing it favorably to the misdeeds of Woodrow Wilson and FDR and insults Maya Angelou in the context of properly criticizing the political correctness of Escambia County "educators" betrays the faulty reasoning of an insincere idiot with an agenda both fascist and racist. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Russ Musto, Bronx
Russ Smith replies: The incoherence of Musto's letter is breathtaking. Is he calling John Ashcroft a fascist and racist? Or is that label for me? Once again, for slow readers like Musto, my point is that the utter hyperbole about Ashcroft "gutting" the Constitution is politically motivated propaganda. I did not compare "favorably" Ashcroft's policies to those of Democrats Wilson and FDR: In fact, whereas Wilson stifled dissent, jailing Eugene Debs, for example, Ashcroft has done nothing of the sort. If anything, during this decade of war, the First Amendment has never been more sturdy.
How About Pillaging?
Mike Signorile: Thank you for your enlightening article regarding the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the U.S. Court of Appeals ("The Gist," 2/12). This administration is appalling, discriminatory and blatantly prejudicial towards anyone that is not "normal" in their eyes. I have never seen so much hatred coming out of the White House. It is rather frightening to listen to our fearful leader speak anymore. He cries out for stopping the terrorism but in fact there is more terrorism here in this country towards the GLBT community.
It is sickening to watch the European countries embrace diversity while our own legislators introduce bill after bill to take away what few laws there are protecting us. If any president should be impeached, it certainly should be this one. But unfortunately that would never happen. I guess lying about receiving oral sex is a much bigger offense than raping and ravaging this country to keep the wealthy rich and the poor destitute. Is there something wrong with this picture? Thanks for listening.
Robert E. Godwin, Jr., Millsboro, DE
Include Your Influences
In response to Benjamin Kessler ("The Mail," 2/12): I'm not one to argue that the music scene isn't shallow and the New York hype isn't artificially created and inflated, but arguing that a store has failed due to the shortcomings of the local "indy" rock scene is just as reductionist as assuming it should thrive due to the success of local bands. Economics is the most common cause of death for shops and clubs?they are, after all, businesses. Bemoaning is a stronger word than I'd use to describe my feelings over Sound and Fury, though it is missed; regardless of the fallacies of "New Rock City," cheap independent music stores are always okay by me. Other than that, you seem like one of the sharper reactionary leftists I've come across (and I mean that as a compliment). If you're in a band or looking to put one together, feel free to contact me c/o New York Press with details.
Phil Henken, Manhattan
We Love 'Em
How many times has Jim Knipfel pulled the "let's look in the paper and see which story I can shoehorn into sounding like a Japanese monster movie" schtick ("Daily Billboard," 2/12)? I can remember finding it amusing the first time I read this boilerplate, before I realized it was boilerplate, but enough is enough. When I read Knipfel employ this little gag for the 10th or 11th time it doesn't remind me of a Japanese B-movie as much as it reminds me of Groundhog Day.
Mitchell Glodek, Manhattan
And We Sold Grain?
Christopher Caldwell is dead wrong when he says Germany and France "sincerely believe that rushing into war in Iraq is a bad idea" ("Hill of Beans," 2/12). German and French companies have been selling Hussein the very weapons technology we're going to oust him over. The German and French governments at the least knew of it and looked the other way, and at worst actively promoted that business. Once we take Iraq and reveal hard evidence of this, there'll be hell to pay for Germany and France in the civilized world. They oppose us because they're scared to death of what'll happen when the truth about their roles in this comes out.
Rod Nunley, Arlington, TX
The Horsemen Cometh
Code Orange you say?nuclear proliferation you say?ricin you say!? For a film lover all this pales in comparison to a much more salient indicator that the world is going to hell in a hand basket. Chicago, the latest moronic quasi musical geared toward fourteen-year-old girls of all ages and both sexes is nominated for Best Picture (among other things) by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
"Did we not learn anything during the Gulf War?" ask the politicos. Did we not learn anything when that other travesty (not worth the light it took to make it), Titanic, was equally nominated and later exalted? Is America destined to salivate over and subsequently laud increasingly bad films? Is the culture in such a decline that critics who I can only assume have (or at least should have) seen what a real musical is are heaping kudos on a film that is nothing more than an extended musical episode of Xena set in the 1920s!? Sadly, it seems the answer is yes.
I guess for now I'll just stock up on bottled water, canned foods, and Vincente Minnelli DVDs and brace myself for the inevitability of the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award going to Baz Lurhmann. It is nigh.
Rory Tyler, Manhattan
Nada but Praise
Andy Wang: I enjoyed your article ("Music," 2/12). Thanks for giving Nada Surf the stateside nod they so strongly deserve. An amazing band and new album (early top 10 of the year for me), hopefully the kids notice it.
Matthew Serban, Brooklyn
Duel at Dawn
MUGGER foolishly claims that journalists' "First Amendment rights?have in no way been abridged by unjustly maligned Ashcroft" ("MUGGER," 2/5). He further includes the likes of Lewis Lapham and Noam Chomsky as those who "have made fools of themselves."
I've been reading Smith's drivel for years. I've also read the well-reasoned works of Lewis Lapham for as many years. I've listened to and spoken with Noam Chomsky on dozens of occasions. I wonder whether Smith would have the courage to sit down with Chomsky, at a venue of Smith's choosing, at a time of Smith's choosing and debate any issue of Smith's choosing. I suspect that Chomsky would relish the thought of establishing precisely how hollow your premises are. Then we might find out just who is the fool.
You, Smith, are a myopic writer in an urban alternative weekly, while Chomsky is a world-renown and respected scholar of both linguistics and politics. Do you have the courage of your convictions? I doubt it.
Mark Aleshnick, Okinawa, Japan
Russ Smith replies: If my correspondent from Japan would like to set up a debate with Chomsky or Lapham, I'll be there.
No, Not Those Jews
MUGGER: I was surprised that you labeled the New York Times "anti-Semitic" ("MUGGER," 2/5). There are many liberal Jews who relish the Times. Please enlighten me. I read your columns in the Jewish World Review online.
Kevan Rowlee, Kingsland, GA
Dude
MUGGER: While I'm pro-medical marijuana, I can never understand people who make legalizing pot their crusade. For the recreational user, it's okay once a month or so. But the fact is that pot has lousy side effects for many tokers. Paranoia and stupidity are the most prevalent. I was a regular smoker in high school, and after about a year of steady smoking, the enjoyable part of the high diminished and I was left with fuzzy lethargy. Over the long term, it's a boring drug. Legal or illegal, who gives a shit? If Americans need pot, they should discreetly grow their own. There're folks in Canada who'll send you great seeds for next to nothing. I don't see how the government could ever collect much revenue from pot sales, since it is so easy to grow.
James Haley, Seattle
Tork Wrench
Tim Hall, you are the Pepsi of New York Press, the choice of a new generation. The mantle is on your shoulders now.
Adam Heimlich should not be wasting his talent writing about restaurants, as enjoyable as his reviews are. It's just wrong.
Andrey Slivka appears to have pulled a Bill Monahan.
Jim Knipfel needs to shut the fuck up about the spiders. If you have nothing to say, there's no shame in keeping quiet.
You still have too little New York content relative to the rest-of-the-world crap that nobody cares about.
Jabairu S. Tork, Boston
Pudd'nhead Farber
MUGGER: I have long held that there are two kinds of people who consider Mark Twain racist: those who have not read him, and the functional illiterates who cannot understand what they read ("MUGGER," 2/5). If you get the opportunity, ask the mentally challenged principal of that school whether he has ever read Pudd'nhead Wilson or The Prince and the Pauper. See if he can comprehend what Twain believes (re: nature vs. nurture) and why that makes it impossible for him to be racist. Perhaps that would be giving him too much credit. Instead, why don't you let him know that The Merchant of Venice makes a lot of students uncomfortable, and that Shakespeare should be scrapped, too.
Irvin Farber, Philadelphia
Poorly Addressed
Mike Signorile: With all due respect, I would like to address some of the points you mention in your article ("The Gist," 2/12).
First, any thinking person knows the chaos that could erupt should the president and vice-president of the U.S. be killed simultaneously. The closest we've come is Lincoln-Johnson in 1865. In a time of national crisis, the confusion would only be aggravated. We hope that the hierarchy would be ready to assume the role of president, but we also know through experience that knowing how to do something is in itself not the same as actually doing it.
Second, President Bush does not pray to the Prophet Isaiah. He may have quoted that prophet, but he prays to the God of the Bible.
Third, your statement about the economy tanking while Bush wants to get the tanks rolling seems to mean that you believe Saddam and al Qaeda will hold off on attacking us until we fix our economy. Our economy has struggled because of the massive damage inflicted by the terrorists on Sept. 11, reduced air travel because of future threats, and beefed-up security and intelligence (which, by the way, the Clinton administration seemed to virtually ignore).
Were you more satisfied with Bill Clinton sitting on his hands while the Khobar Tower bombing, the 1993 WTC bombing, and the U.S.S. Cole bombing took place? Unfortunately, his sugar-sweet personality deceived many people into believing these incidents were nothing to get worried about. In fact, he knew they were, but instead he left it for George W. Bush to handle. And Bush has done well to take on the mantle of leadership at a time when leadership (not capitulation to public opinion) is needed.
Fourth, Miguel Estrada has argued several cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, so your argument about him not having been a judge is diversionary.
Jeff Schicke, Rockaway, NJ
Paying Respects
Jim Knipfel: Dirt-eating, shoulder-massaging Zippy says goodbye Guy, see you soon.
Mark Duffy, Manhattan
Take a Guess
Mike Signorile: Just as a matter of record, I've been writing to Senators Santorum and Specter for weeks regarding the judicial nominees mentioned in this week's column ("The Gist," 2/12) and have not received one acknowledgement. Nor has the White House acknowledged anything I've ever sent them?ever. And that lack of response has never occurred in the entire sixty-three years I've been voicing my opinions at the White House. I've also been asking for a copy of the Homeland Security bill. That, too, has received no response. What do you think might be going on here?
Robert E. DiNardo, Philadelphia
He Already Does
Kudos to Jim Knipfel for his exemplary reportage on the Columbia disaster (soon to be known as the Columbia cover-up) ("Daily Billboard," 2/3-2/7). I can only imagine what his FBI file must look like. My only concern is that he will someday "know too much."
Rosk Borgaan, Richmond
Show You Care
So I go online and jump right to the mail just after reading MUGGER, and what do I not find? I do not find that epitome of the deep-thinking liberal, Franklin L. Johnson ("The Mail," 2/12). His letters are not there. But is Johnson still there? Can someone go check on him to see if he is okay? I would hate to think of him as forlorn and cold, forgetten by his loved ones.
While I am not able to make cheap long-distance calls, I was able to find a few places where he might be. Perhaps one of your readers could check up on him? Here are the numbers:
Steve Miller, Seattle, WA
Factual Information
In The Mail (2/12), Jon Popick asks why Armond White fails "to mention he's a member of at least one of those groups [which exist purely to hand out awards]?the New York Film Critics Online...a new group created just to hand out year-end awards."
Not really baffling to someone who takes the time to get his facts straight, which you failed utterly to do. Popick is incorrect. The New York Film Critics Online is hardly a new group, having recently celebrated its third anniversary; handing out awards is only the icing on the cake: NYFCO members communicate with one another at New York film screenings and via email, comparing notes on what we see and offering advice to one another almost daily on the quality of our reviews.
Harvey Karten, Brooklyn
Foning It In
William Bryk's excellent piece on Horatio Alger ("Old Smoke," 2/5) brought to mind the verse of a song that Norman Franklin and I wrote for the musical, "Thursdays 'Til 9" in 1947 for the Department Store Employees Union. The scene of the show was the R. H. Maybe department store ("Don't Say No, Say Maybe!") and the store president, R.H. Maybe sings a song called "That's How I Got to Be President," the verse of which ran:
Word Play
MUGGER: I liked the fact you pointed out a recent New York Times front page headline suggesting that, even though Columbia was gone, Bush's Iraq policy was unlikely to change ("MUGGER," 2/5). How could the two items be in the same headline? What is wrong with the Times?
In your recent column about Art Cooper and war, you say a reporter is "enervated" at covering the story of his career. Why would he be weakened at the prospect? Anyway, I always enjoy your columns.
David Sweet, Manhattan
Three Copies Are on the Way
Now that he's back in civilian life, will someone buy chicken hawk Russell Smith a slightly used Webster's? In ridiculing GQ's Art Cooper (2/12), MUGGER writes, "Those (reporters) who go (to war) are not only willing but also enervated at the prospect of possibly covering the story of their careers." Unless he secretly agrees with Cooper, I'm sure Smith meant to say "energized" since the dictionary defines "enervated" as "to debilitate...to weaken...deprive or destroy the strength or vitality of." In short, scared shitless.
FP Model, Manhattan
A Real American
First I'd like to say I'm no Democrat. In reply to Hank Borelli ("The Mail," 2/12). The Anti-American Marxist leaders of the antiwar movement I've never heard of. I'd venture to say the vast majority of the war opposition have never heard of them. I'm against this impending war for Pro-American reasons (remember when we were the good guys?). If we were ever attacked by Iraq or North Korea, then I say crush them with all our might. We were not worried about Iraq or Korea until Bush started the saber rattling. Do any of you Republicans remember Osama bin Laden? The one who attacked us? The one who is still alive and poses a credible and ongoing threat? Your guy in the White House is an inarticulate John Wayne wannabe who never mentions Osama anymore. That doesn't strike you as odd?
He wants to go it alone without international support. Gee? Ya think he can do anything else to garner more anti-U.S. feelings? The so called left-wing leanings of the press are nonexistent as far as I can see (more Republican mass insanity). I just don't hear or see anyone in the press coming out in opposition. Your children will pay for the war's long-term destabilization over and over. I'm more American than Limbaugh, Bush and the rest of these right-wing reactionary hawks will ever be.
Lastly, I'm pissed because for once I'm forced to agree with the French.
Dennis Alpuerto, Manhattan
Savaged
Mike Signorile: Enjoyed your take on Rush Limbaugh and the need to stop him ("The Gist," 2/5). I suggest it's even more important to stop the vicious rants of one Michael Savage, who is just starting to surface on a national level. As a resident of the Bay Area I've heard this guy (three minutes at a time) for years, and I'm appalled he has any leverage at all in the media?but he's the number-one bestseller right now.
David Gowdey, San Rafael, CA
LCD Appeal
Mike Signorile: Another disgusting right-wing gasbag with a big radio show is Michael Savage. Savage has a best-selling book and he always rips into the gay community! I can't understand why these blowhards are popular! Has America become that homophobic?
Edward Cruz, Las Vegas
What Jesus Would Do
If Jesus Christ had to bear the misfortune of launching his "Second Coming" ministry in the year of our Emperor, George Tiberius Bush, how would he fare? Sadly, he would discover: the more things change; the more they stay the same.
There's little doubt his name would have been omitted from the Emperor's Inaugural Ball list. In fact, there's every reason to believe he would have been beaten and arrested with the other protesters who were denied access to the presidential parade route.
Jesus Christ would begin his ministry among the exploding millions of hopeless Americans. He'd spend every waking moment in soup kitchens feeding the hungry; at family shelters housing the homeless and visiting AIDS hostels healing the sick. As he fulfilled his calling, he'd spread his gospel of redemption to the abandoned and betrayed in our runaway nation.
News of Jesus Christ's radiant personality, inspired oratory, compelling journalism and healing hands would spread like wild fire. Dozens of peace and progressive movements would beg him to speak at their rallies or join their little band of rebel writers. He would respectfully decline their invitations to spend more time doing the "hands on" healing work of his ministry. Unfortunately, Christ's growing reputation wouldn't go unnoticed by the Emperor's Royal Guard.
Jesus Christ would understand the urgent need to respond to our Emperor's frantic drum beats for world war. His speaking engagements would multiply overnight. He would be among the featured guests at the Washington rallies against another Iraq war. By this time, the Emperor's Royal Guard, known as the Homeland Security department, would've compiled a giant file of Christ's profile, movements, speeches, e-mails, phone calls and articles, replete with photos and videotape. Further, the Emperor would secretly sanction an expansion of the "Ten Most Wanted List" to include Jesus and all twelve of his apostles.
As Tiberius Bush glad-handed supporters after his grim State of the Union address, Jesus would burst through the crowd and stand defiantly before the Emperor. He would shake his forefinger at George Bush and condemn the president in an awesomely thunderous voice. He would accuse the Emperor and congress of being whitened sepulchers for endorsing crimes against humanity. In his brief tv exposure, Jesus Christ would've had enough time to express humanity's outrage at American imperial policies. He would declare: "The world wants peace now and no more war! You, George Bush, and the spineless rabble in Congress and the Supreme Court are not worthy of the offices you hold!" At that moment, Jesus would pull a makeshift whip from his pocket and begin beating the Emperor. Instantly, the smugly contented crowd would flee for their lives into the congressional hall, running over their fellow legates. Jesus would chastise dozens of lawmakers in the chamber, sparing no one. The plug would be pulled on the tv broadcast just as federal security fell upon the whip-wielding prophet.
Jesus Christ would be whisked away to an offshore detention center to avoid the long arm of U.S. constitutional law. There he would be relentlessly interrogated. When it became evident no information was forthcoming, Jesus would be handed over to torturers from our Middle Eastern "allies," specially flown in for this purpose. After several days of savage abuse and no answers, Jesus would be dragged before a military tribunal at midnight.
In a cold and dimly lit room, Jesus would be forced to stand and listen to the litany of charges against him. It would take several hours before the prosecutor's dull monotone ended. The head magistrate on the three-judge panel (hidden behind a black curtain) would inform Jesus many of the charges carried the death penalty. The head judge would state Christ's insurrectionist activities forced the court to declare him an "enemy combatant." Jesus would respond: "It is you who say that I am." After a brief consultation with the other judges, the head magistrate would slowly stand up and declare the verdict: "It's the determination of this court the defendant is an enemy combatant and a grievous threat to the sovereign security of the United States of America. Based on the facts presented before the court in this trial, we find the accused guilty on all charges and thereby sentence the defendant, as prescribed by law, to be hanged by the neck until he is dead." With these words, the judges would swiftly escape through a rear door as the military police hustled Jesus to the barracks to await his dawn execution.
Barely a word would appear in major media about the televised riot following the Emperor's address to the nation. Only a few obscure papers would make it a front page story. Every copy of the lone publication which featured a small picture of the incident would be quietly confiscated. That paper would later remark it was under IRS investigation. The Emperor's War House would offer no explanation as to what happened to Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles.
There would be mounting outrage in the nation following these traumatic events. The Emperor would schedule a short address to the nation in an apparent attempt to calm the unease. Tiberius Bush would use the opportunity instead to rant against the rise of enemy combatants in the U.S. He would strongly assert his "court" was doing everything possible to bring these criminals to justice. The Emperor would assert it was vital to strengthen the Patriot Act further and invoke martial law indefinitely. No mention would be made of Christ's execution or the fate of his apostles.
If Jesus Christ were alive today he would face the same cruelty as two millennia ago. Indeed, the more people struggle for change, the more vicious vandals like George Bush fight to ensure conditions remain the same. Humanity stands at an unprecedented crossroad. The battle line has been drawn between those who support endless war and those who prefer to build endless peace. We don't need another hero. For the first time in history, we have the Information Age tools to defeat the dogs of endless war and guarantee universal peace.
George W. Bush will be the last American Emperor. Today's worldwide peace movement is resistant to the "divide and conquer" tactics boiled up in Bush's War House basement. His whitened sepulchers of death and destruction will be defeated by the dynamic, liberating effect of informed opinion.
Francis Fukuyama was prophetic in his 1989 landmark essay: "The End Of History." However, he came to an incorrect conclusion. When the cold war expired of its own futility, we didn't witness the end of history. It was the end of state sponsored secrecy and propaganda and the beginning of open access to information. With the rise of the Internet, no nation has absolute control over the news. The fear of external enemies is harder to sustain when people have universal access to the truth about the lies. Demonization is no longer enough to convince the public our problems are caused by someone other than ourselves.
Throughout the ages, great leaders are legion on the long march toward global peace and justice. Many are known only to those who had the good fortune to benefit directly from their service to humanity. Among the saintly servants, no life shone brighter than that of Jesus Christ. Despite this fact, his hard work and sacrifice have fallen victim to the greatest misinterpretation in human history.
Jesus Christ did not come into this world to die for the sins of mankind. Our sins are our personal responsibility. Like all prophets, Jesus Christ redeemed weary souls through the example he set in his life, not his death. Simply put, he came into this world to show us "The Way" to redemption through leadership and a well-lived life.
When we focus on a prophet's passing, we brainwash ourselves into believing the only way to save souls is through death. Since no one wants to die, salvation is left to the few with the "superhuman" courage to confront tyranny. Of course, this is the convenient excuse tyrants used for centuries to murder the prophets who tend to disturb the status quo. Tyrants absolved themselves of their deadly deeds by proclaiming the martyrs "were somehow asking for martyrdom" or bleating the officials were only "doing their jobs" and "following the law."
When we demystify the lives of the prophets and live according to their teachings, we begin to understand there's nothing superhuman about standing up for truth and justice. We ultimately discover the most important reasons for existence are to walk humbly with God and make ourselves worthy enough to be of value to others. If we committed ourselves to these simple principles for life, love and happiness, no army on Earth would have the power to defeat us. Let's remember Jesus Christ and the prophets brought salvation to the world through service to humanity. We're all born to be prophets and peacemakers. The saints would thank us when we finally get this message. And God would be happy to shutter the prophet foundry in order to work on other divine business.
Franklin L. Johnson, Manhattan