correspondence
Please send your thoughts or comments to us so we can print them in our correspondence section. They will be printed unedited, except for some spelling and grammatical errors. Here is what entered our mailbox since last issue:
 In defense of Silver Spoon Fucks To Flaming Flag Followers (supporters or no): It's true that they contradict themselves. Say their way is the right way, the one way, that they indeed are the cool ones and those others are posers and not real. It's also true that they are no more real than those they call fake. But who really can define themselves? What person who puts their own label on herself or himself, be it Hilfiger or  is accepted as what they want to believe they are? I mean, aren't we a society of pots and kettles calling each other black, even those of us who "aren't members of society"?I agree with Toxin, have for years, yet prefer to think myself open-minded (yet another self-applied label) toward these "rebels", for I feel I can identify with their feelings, though not those they repeat so blatantly with such gratuitous use of curse words. I see in the Flaming Flag a search for identity and definition. "Everything in its place" while seeking to upset the standard meaning of "its place" for the sake of having a cause. Since issue one I have criticized the notions presented in this "zine" and especially the way they are presented. Nonetheless, one must respect the Flamers for their willingness to put forth their thoughts, whether people think they're right, wrong, or just plain fake. Even former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir was a rebellious teen. Her cause was Zionism from the time when she was a young child in Russia and her older sister went to secret Zionist meetings. Whether or not the Flamers believe so firmly in anarchism is doubtful, but at least they have some sort of "cause" that is not harmful to channel their rebelliousness. Sincerely, A Closet Supporter P.S. "true anarchists" are historically upper middle class. Dear closet (teacher I suspect), First of all I would like to thank you for attacking us in a civil rather than nasty manner. You can condescend us and say that our convictions are doubtful and just an expression of rebelliousness, but I have had my beliefs for the majority of my life and ever since I became aware of politics. I'm not trying to put out a certain image. As for the cuss words, we only use them occasionally for emphases or as a part of natural colloquial speech. There is certainly a much higher occurrence of these words in the letters of "Steve Toxin" than in any of our articles. You must not be knowledgeable about the history of anarchist movements. Historically they have involved large numbers of working class people. A good example of this is in Spain. I suggest you read the book The Spanish Anarchist by Murray Bookchin Ð from AK Press. It chronicles the history of this movement. I suggest that you come out, or at least reveal yourself to me. Perhaps I could teach the teacher about anarchism... ÑAbe Haim  Dear Flaming Flag, I would like to say a few things. First of all letters like the one you got from Steve Toxin show that the government is doing a good job of brainwashing people. He has so much hate for people who just want our freedom. He must like fucking things a lot (I'd hate to see him in a farm). The Flaming Flag is cool and it can really open up people's minds. I never did like Nike's shit anyways, but know I will tell everyone not to buy their shit. If that new law comes out where you can't burn the flag; I will make sure to burn every flag I see. I have shown the Flaming Flag to some people at my school. Even though they aren't anarchist the still believe in some of the things it says. I'm glad that there are people with open minds. Not like that Steve guy. One last thing: What the hell is wrong with peace and anarchy? If we have our freedom people would be less full of hate. Never stop writing and making the Flaming Flag. Derrick Navarro, CA. Dear Flaming Fag, Morons! Youre all fuckin' morons! I still want to make it clear that I hate each and everyone of you and your litlle shitty zine too. But since you devoted two whole pages that cost you assholes so much money, I thought I owed it to you to reply to your replys. First with cool guy "Peg Leg Cat". How is there any irony in me writing a three page hate letter? I fail to see it. So shut your mouth. And no love is shown in my hate letter. And even though I sensed your sarcasm, you failed in trying to make me look or feel stupid because I DON'T GIVE A SHIT! Then on to Abe's attempt to prove me wrong. First off, to clear my name, I DON'T WORK FOR STRAIT FROM SUBURBIA, although I do do a local zine, so your attempt to make me sound richer than you has failed. You speak of how an anarchist can still fight for peace. (A big oxymoron) what the fuck are you talking about? Anarchy means in other word "No Rule" or no social and (or political structure. So how can say your for having no laws or political leaders, but also support world peace. The 2 can not survive in one society. So shut your pie hole! Which brings me to my next point. you talk of how there's no way of avoiding capitalism. Then why are you against it? You wear shoes, shirts, patches, etc., etc. So unless you run around naked, the you SUPPORT CAPITALISM! (AND I know for a fact that Greg has worn his "Punk's not DEAD" shirt in the last year) ÐJust because you buy from the Wardrobe doesn't mean I can't call you a POSER! POSER! You are in no means poor. I have seen you guys on the street and I can tell by looking at you that you are well off and in no means poor, so stop trying to sound cool. Am I supposed to get a hard on that you guys burnt stolen flags? I dno't give a shit! And besides, your demonstrations didn't do shit and all it accomplished was giving you dickheads something to jack-off to. Since when am I a rich yuppie type. You don't know shit. I am in no means rich, not even middle class so FUCK YOU and get your info straight you piece of shit hippies. You guys are'nt worth shit and neither is your fucking zine. You think you are doing something to help the youth of America prosper when all you do is corupt the young shaping minds of your 7th grade groupies IF you find something actually worth fighting for, then maybe you recieve some respect. Fuck you all. Face it, you all are a bunch of yuppies, that dress like hippies and pretend to be anarchist. Also, where do you get all you arrogance to tell people how to think and give you money for your opinions? Your opinions are tired and not worth shit to me. And let me re-state something to you, THERE IS NOTHING WORTH FIGHTING FOR IN COLUMBIA, MO. So just shut up. You're all a bunch of no-life losers who think that having meetings in a basement and putting out a zine is being an anarchist group. But are'nt real anarchist usually against any organized groupings that convey as a whole one political belief? So I would quit while your ahead. So in conclusion, FUCK OFF! No one cares and another FUCK OFF to Peg Leg Cat (You're far from insulting or funny) LOVE ALL YA, Seve Toxin p.s. once again, I want to see this in issue 6 with all your thoughts. See ya at the Peace Nook Fags! Note: This letter was typed exactly as we recieved it. It has been double checked against the hand written version, so there are no differences between the original aside from handwriting. Dear Steve Toxin (Mike Welch), I could easily have refuted your ridiculous attacks point by point with flawless logic, and at times perhaps even a bit of wit. I was going to do that, but we really don't have the space. People can contact us if you want me to send you a longer response. I'm just going to say two things right now. First of all, I am not intimidated by you, Jace Hentges, or any of the other assholes in your clique. We have decided that we're not going to print any more of your letters. We don't have the time or space for the same bullshit from you every issue. Second of all, you're homophobic attacks on us are totally outrageous. When you call me a "fag" it simply shows that you are ignorant and bigoted. What makes it even more absurd is that I'm not even gay. (Not that I've had a lot of girlfriends - but that's just because I'm ugly and shy.) -Abe Haim |
Jace here from "S.F.S" Just want to tell you that you had no business printing crap about me that was unfounded. Especialy you Abe. You don't kiow me, so don't write shit about me. I know two people of the "Flaming Flag" well enough, and could easily talk about them, but you don't know me, so cut that shit out before you regret it. -Jace Hentges <str8frmsuburbia@hotmail.com> No hard feelings Jace. It seems you and Mike have developed a rivalry between our zines. Abe made a guess that you were Steve Toxin since he had narrowed it down to you or Mike. Hopefully, our magazine and your zine can coexist peacefully in the future without grudges or idle threats. -Peg Leg Cat Dear Flaming Flag. . . . it just so happened that while i was heading for the exit of Whizz Records last nite, i had the (dis)pleasure of catching glimpse of the small "zine rack." that basically consisted of Flaming Flag & Strait from Suburbia. i've completed both & I'm oh-so pissed that i decided to waste those 10 or 15 minutes of my precious life to go thru the latter zine. What obscene & just utterly horrid waste I found contained in those pages (a tree that could've went to much better use for t.p. to wipe my arse). And so the story begins. . . . Twas me who was so punk once upon a time. i started out with such a huge corporate punky-punky band called _______. I'm sure you can figure it out. Time went by, i progressed. Crass, Rudi Peni, Vawkers etc happened. i was anarchy. Whatever. I got vaguely involved w/ a few little collectives/networks, read up, spelled womyn, went veggie, all that good stuff. I became a hippie cos I was told to do so by - guess who guys? - PUNX. Go fucking figure. i kissed ass to stay in the stupid scene just like the rest. I call that ELITIST bullshit. I call that bogus & wrong & dumb on my part. I was learning, don't get me wrong. I had fun very seldomly, mainly cos I was too busy being depressed about our system. It caused me plenty of pain while I was involved. I tried the zine thing 10 million times & failed miserably, out of laziness & lack of . . . motivation, interest maybe? And to think I just simply adore writing. You can tell can't ya?  So the anarchist thing went Pogo, due to the shit I (not exclusively meaning me, but the whole anarchist-punk scene) received from the pogo-ers. Call it weak self-esteem/confidence, something I deal with pretty heavily today while outside the world of punk. I went to a friend's friend's house. Comments received Ð "You dress pretty nice for a political punk." "What's your problem?" Among others. It just got old & sorry & I felt alone. The pogo punx Ð the majority Ð were winning. The  punx - the minority - were losing. And punx, in a whole, are a minority, fighting for identities, just like any other groups you may come across. Nonsense. Made me sick to my stomach.Onto a subject dredged up again & again by zines. G.O.D. This is probably one thing that I cannot understand you people do not (apparently) put much thought into. Why are you strictly "dissing" this one & only God? Perhaps the Catholic/Baptist/Protestant/Episcopal Lord is not our only option? Perhaps there are other things to believe in? Perhaps the Catholic God is not right? Maybe they're distorting what the Bible reads? Have any of you actually read the Bible cover to cover? I'm assuming not. Just like Crass. Just - like - them. How about Buddhism? I'm actually just beginning to learn about it & it is intriguing. It's smart. It's peaceful. It's love. I truly urge you all to check into it. But I still have much learning to do. But just portraying the Christian God in such a poor light isn't doing any good, especially if what you say is way out of context. All I'm saying is, the "Big God" is not the only alternative, but if you still wish to rag on him, check your facts because most are not straight. - One last quick note on God. Why do you all believe he's so for the gov't system? Now we all know this has been made up & you're collecting these tidbits from the "punk way" of thinking. You've fallen prisoner to lies on make-believe ideologies, so why would someone want to read that. I do not understand the political system. I don't know my rights. Why? Because I never cared to read much about the government. Boring. I figure, rebel if you want. And to truly rebel, you must be an intelligent being. But don't conform to something because it's included in your "genre." Why confine yourself to one clique when there's a whole world to explore. No boundaries folks. You don't need to break the law or get arrested to gain knowledge. -> This is true power. Apply your knowledge to your education. Keep reading, but read everything. Literature, Gay Sex books, Comix, whatever. There's something very wrong with these "one-way systems" but the way punx & G's & whoever else chose to be exclusive in their groups, well, there's plenty wrong with that too. Well, hey, this has turned into quite the long nag. I'm sure after I'm done more & more & more ideas & thoughts will just flood my mind that I wished I would've mentioned. I'm not meaning for this to just bitch & complain about punk. I don't know what the hell I mean. I write y'know? Whatever comes. I got so damn fed up with the punk shit. I finally realized I was a prisoner w/in the scene. What is that supposed to mean? Now I really believe punk is not at all alive - it died a short while after it began. Now all punk brings to mind is sissies, bitching, stupidity, & the biggest thing of all - clothes & hair. Which, what I believe, is what it's supposed to mean - but - now-a-days, the kids constantly compete - who's got the biggest 'hawk - fuck shit like that. The fun, the zing has left the building. What you anarchists are, well, you are anarchists, plain and simple. Why the punk thing? Why not just anarchists in cool clothes, or maybe you dress like a bum. Very cool. Just be the anarchists cos that is who you believe you are. Me, I'm an artist. I write, I paint & draw, I create, I'm an alien, I have a deathwish, I love to learn. I don't know who I am. I'm here & I say or think things. I change my mind a lot of the time. And that's okay. I am living & I am learning. That's how I can describe who I am. What else is there? Be happy, Spread the love, Smile at people, & 1st & foremost - don't be stupid. Encourage kids to think & be their own person. Live it up. And by the way, I'm truly sorry you (& I & whoever else read #5) had to witness that drivel from a Mr. Steve Toxin. Keep it to yourself next time man, I'd rather your head be kept in the gutter where it belongs. With Sincerest Regards & Sloppy handwriting, 11/7/97 S- Thanks for your thoughts. In defense of the God issue, yes, the author of "Ideology of an Atheist" (FF #4) has read the entire Bible. We never claimed God was "for the gov't system," we only claimed that God doesn't exist. I will discuss religion further in "Religion or Superstition?" elsewhere in this issue. -Peg Leg Cat |
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