Message Board Celebrity Of The Day (Part I) - papalovesmambo — Page 142

As a fellow vegetarian, I am curious to know what prompted your decision to do it. Were your reasons more health related or was it a moral issue?

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Updated On: 2/9/06 at 12:27 AM

Kringas wrote, "As a fellow vegetarian, I curious to know what prompted your decision to do it. Were your reasons more health related or was it a moral issue?"

I did it 20 years ago because I figured I had to do SOMETHING healthy for myself. After all this time I have remarkably good cholesterol, which can't be said of everyone in my family. I do feel bad about the thoughts of cute little animals being killed for food, but that was never my primary motivation. Plus I wear leather, so I can't exactly claim the moral high ground.

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I just looked up the WHY WE FIGHT web-site. Any film that showcases the opinion of John McCain AND Gore Vidal is ok in my book. Count me in.

Did you see the Canadian documentary THE CORPORATION? That's as close to the horror genre as I care to get.

Namo, it is a bit long-winded. That's why I watch almost everything on DVD - on MY time.

What are three things that you wish more people would think about - or filter there decisions through - on a daily basis?

DG:

1) The difference between needing and wanting. There's nothing inherently wrong with wanting things, but I think as a culture we're encouraged to see the two as synonymous. Does our getting something we want prevent somebody else from getting what they need? And if we know that, are we willing to forgo?

2) Which is/are the strongest bias(es) operating in our decision making? In my opinion, the big three are racism, sexism and classism. It is from these that all the other isms come. And I wish people in every dominant group could do an honest personal inventory, I'm a guy and I get a whole lot of benefits from that. How does that alter my perception of the world and what's available to me and everybody else?

3) I'll borrow this one from Bruce Vilanch: Is it funny and is it okay to laugh about, or did somebody die?

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Updated On: 2/9/06 at 12:56 AM

Do you like the gluten products? One of my fave restaurants here in Seattle is all vegan, and most of their stuff is tofu, but they have some imitation 'meat' dishes made with gluten.

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I'm stopping for the evening, so I just want to offer my thought that I'm really glad you participate here.

And I won't even ask you why.

Namo, I know I'm not alone when I say I think that you're one of the best posters BWW has. You're pretty much always the BWW CotD to me.

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Please, just a couple more questions...

1)Why did you ignore my questions but answer everybody else's?

2)Did you really write, "Like delicious chow fun noodles and battered tofu. YUM." Or were you possessed by the spirit of some two bit food critic?


Seriously, thanks for your candid and honest answers. Sometimes you surprise even me. And I don't think that is too easy to do anymore!

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I hereby dub Namo's indian name "Travels With Barley"

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Thanks for answering all these questions, Namo. I think people may get their feathers ruffled by your comments at times because you are so damned smart. People often feel threatened by that. It's difficult to argue with someone so well-informed, and people like to argue...especially on a board where their anonymity shields them and turns wimps into dragon-slayers (but not REALLY). Oh, and let's not forget the "block feature"!

I think a lot of us share your desire to remain optimistic despite the fact that it often feels we're spiraling downward and rapidly losing oxygen. I am afraid of what's coming, but not because of what's "out there," but rather by what we have allowed to happen right here. I am comforted by the fact that history shows us fascist states are eventually overthrown, but I am too old to feel certain that it will happen in my lifetime.

We need voices out there like the ones you mentioned above...and like yours. (I'd urge you to run for office but I just don't think this country wants their elected officials to be smart...again, too threatening. That's why we have W in the White House right now.)

My only source of optimism is hearing from people like you who actually know what they're talking about--people who READ (for one thing) and THINK and TAKE A STAND despite how unpopular it might be. I become hopeful because I think, "There ARE people who understand what's happening here, who REALLY, REALLY get it." Without people like you always questioning and rocking the boat of regressive conservative thinking, I would basically stop getting out of bed in the morning.

Funny you mention Frank Rich. He was the one writer who made me understand exactly what was going to happen in the election of 2004. The article was cycnical and disturbing and ended by stating that the man who would win the White House would be the "better actor" of the two. And that's exactly what happened.

This is my long-winded way of saying that the honest man is maligned, attacked and distorted even though he speaks the truth and is both intelligent and courageous. You are like this, and we should all feel lucky to have someone like you on a silly little Broadway-related message board. You raise us up...and not every one of us deserves to be.

Remember there are plenty of like-minded folks out there, respecting, admiring and, most importantly, learning from you. There is no better gift you can impart.

Again, thank you.

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I'm coming to the party late. Or, is it early for the cleanup? At any rate, what a wonderful thing to see you as CotD, Namo. I've always enjoyed your stand-up, take no prisoners, suffer no fools contributions to this little addiction that I call home. I read your posts like I have sex; without caution, with a bit of urgency, puncuated with long stretches of primal recognition, and culminating in spent, exhaustive pleasure. Thanks for that and for sharing a bit of yourself with us.

Updated On: 2/9/06 at 06:54 AM

Glad you like the Jarecki clan. I used to work for them.
They are very talented and very nice people.
I worked for Henry, greatest boss in the World.
They know how to throw a party.

Updated On: 2/9/06 at 07:58 AM