Catfish Volumes 31-35

by Andrew Bushard

Catfish 34

  Andrew Bushard

  Welcome to Catfish 34

 

  I have finished my first semester at graduate school. It's nice to know I only have 3 semesters to go. It's nice to have a chapter of Federation Without Television here.

 

  These last months in Mankato have be absolutely pitiful for snail mail delivery. I almost can't believe it's possible to rarely get anything good.

 

  I hope you really enjoy this issue of Catfish.

 

  Send me your comments and lots of mail!

 

  Andrew Bushard

  Dear Editor:

 

  I believe it is most noble to resist and destroy the evil of this world. This should be a main purposes of one's existence. One issue that concerns me greatly is the issue of how the alcohol industry has wrecked this country. Many throughout history have argued and have demonstrated how this industry ruins humanity. As a person who has experienced second hand alcoholism, I can testify that alcohol = tears and sadness. We hear endless talk from conservatives about family values, but they are often spineless jellyfish about the issue of alcohol. On the other side of the coin, Marxists often express disdain about capitalism's injustice, but do not often enough boycott an industry which profits off the destruction of human health, the liquor industry. I believe it behooves both family value conservatives and anti-capitalist Marxists among others to resist the decadent liquor industry. I believe that we should be boycotting and otherwise resisting what we find most repugnant.

  From November 1st, 2002 to November 21st, 2002 (21 days), I fasted to protest the social damage caused by the alcohol industry. I fasted to call on the taverns of this city to close down and erect vegan restaurants in the place of their previously destructive and decadent businesses. Why should the taverns sell harmful products when they could be selling something good? If the taverns of this city, choose not to do the right action on their own, then I encourage the local government to be smart like MSU, and to make this city and county dry. We don't need any more taverns, but we sure need more vegan restaurants. I also call on the taverns and legislators of other cities and counties, and even the nation at large, to do the same. Fasting is beautiful and I seek to use this powerful tool for justice. I hope that others will be inspired to join me in this, whether you fast one day or 14 days or more, it all helps. At the very least, you can sign a petition I have created to call on those in power to make this nation a dry nation. If we want change, we must make profound sacrifices. We must work to dry the endless flowing tears caused by Alcohol industry. I hope this fast will dry some tears. I hope this fast can help destroy pervasive miasma.

  Reviews

  Audio

 

  Hollywood's Unsolved Mysteries, Barr audio, 1991.

 

  The way the narrator spoke set the mood real well. She had a good voice for this type of presentation. It's too bad that it wasn't released a few years later, so O.J. Simpson's case could be discussed. This type of tape can make you feel more cynical as sad as it is.

 

  Erotica, Madonna, Maverick Records, 1992.

 

  Although I really dig Madonna, some of the songs were too slow for my tastes. The song "Where Life Begins is cool, cool, cool. I'm glad she composed such a song.

 

  Shaking the Tree, Peter Gabriel, Geffen Records, 1990.

 

  This album didn't trip my trigger like "So" did. Many of the best songs from "So" were on this tape. It also didn't help that the portable tape player was not functioning the best.

 

  Jonathan Winters, Crank Calls, The Publishing Mills, 1995.

 

  More witty, sophisticated and mature, also less ribald and obscene than the famous Jerky prank calls. Prank works of art seem rare, thus it nice to come across them. I praise Mr. Winters for creating this. I do wish it was longer. This is proof positive that it is virtuous to tape record most everything.

 

  Robert F. Kennedy in His Own Words, Robert F. Kennedy, Jerdin Records, 1995.

 

  RFK doesn't really excite me all that much as a person, though I must say some of his messages were inspiring. I have heard some good comments about him and some quite bad remarks about him. I do wonder how much of his inspiring words were not just fluff. I was impressed that back in his day he discussed the perils of tobacco.

 

  Britney Spears, Britney, Zomba, 2001

 

  The fact that I had to resort to this is testament to the Slim Pickings of the La Crosse, WI libraries. I must say that this album is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. In fact, song 5 is a super terrific song. I won't go too far in defending Britney, but I will say that people have perhaps criticized her too much. There is some merit here and I would like a chance to hang out with Britney, because I could mold her into a revolutionary of THE revolution.

  The Fabulous Forties, The Great American Audio Corporation, 1987.

 

  Very brief but I still learned something. A brief audio tape gets a brief review.

 

  The 50's Lifestyle, The Great American Audio Corporation, 1986.

 

  Ditto the above review. This may be the first time I used "ditto" in a review. If not, it is one of the first.

 

  The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, read by Ed Begley, Caedmon.

 

  Why didn't the author read this?! Ed Begley's voice reminds me of the recording I heard of William Jennings Bryan. It was sure good to get a glimpse of a very early era. His life tale is indeed worth telling. I do consider him a bit off on some matters, but I suppose it is that way with everyone.

 

  Knowledge in a Nutshell: 500 Amazing, astounding fun facts, Charles Reichblum, read by Dan Cashman, books on tape, inc, 2000.

 

  As trivia fan, this was suitable for me. I have indeed heard alot before, but there was a fair amount that was new. It was good to go over some of the less banal cases I heard before.

 

  Rock Music Seminar, Peter Brothers and Zion Christian Life Center, tape 2, Zion, 1982.

 

  Ironically (to some), it's actually fairly difficult to get fundamentalist x-tian pieces about rock music. Thus finding this in a thrift store was a treat. Sadly, I did not get tape one. The tape is dated a bit early before rock music got even worse in X-tian minds. The speakers talk too fast, as if they have too much material to go through in too little time. They are even sarcastic, which I didn't really expect. I do agree that there are problems with rock lyrics, but the fundamentalist Christian way is not the way to handle it.

 

  The Press Questions NAACP executive director Roy Wilkins, Educational Research Group, 1969.

 

  short, but good.

 

  Clifford's First Christmas, Norman Bridwell, music by others, Scholastic, Inc, 1994.

 

  I could only see the very youngest of children liking this. I imagine lots of people would find it corny. Also the tape itself is very short.

 

  Your Child's Self Esteem: the key to his [and her] life, Dorothy Corkville Briggs, Success Motivation Cassettes, 1974.

 

  Much of it seems to be fairly good advice. The "homosexuality as unhealthy" bit demonstrates some truly old school elements of this author. If you are raising kids, you could use it, but a newer handbook might be more useful yet.

 

  Political Dissident Angela Davis speaks, Center for Cassette Studies Inc, 1972?

 

  I believe this is the first time I heard Angela Davis's voice. She seems articulate. She makes good points.

 

  The House at Pooh Corner, A.A. Milne, read by
Charles Kuralt, Penguin Audiobooks, 1997.

 

  Everyone seems to have a whole of respect for Christopher Robbins. I heard a pirate radio station talk about the deep analysis in books such as "The Te of Piglet" and "The Tao of Pooh", thus I started to analyze the other characters in this book too. The photograph on this seems to be an older picture of Pooh.

 

  Pollyanna, Eleanor H. Porter, read by Hannah Gordon, first published in 1927, Chiver's Children Audio, 1995.

 

  Sometimes, the internet is not enough. After hearing about the legend of Pollyanna, I wanted to learn more about it. Thus I did a search about "Pollyanna" on the internet, trying to find out more about the story. But I didn't find much. I found mostly references to the character. Then one day while looking for audio books at MSU-Mankato, I stumbled across it. I was glad because it looked like it was hard to find. Many people seemed to exaggerate Pollyanna's nature. She seems to be healthily optimistic, not naive the way many have described her. We could indeed be better off following her lead. I thought I figured out a bit of suspense in the plot, real good, but I was thrown off course, by an interesting turn. The vocabulary is neat, regularly used is "ejaculated" and "mistress". These words are not commonly used today in our society especially how they were used then. Due to the book's length, the real young might not have an attention span long enough to listen to it all, but thus it might be better suited for adults. The author sure seemed to be making some very valuable comments about life in this book. This is a story to remember. This story should get you to think, it should get to your heart as Pollyanna is a quinessential example of the joy of young children. I was relieved there was a happy ending.

 

  Black America: the Black Separatists, Educational Resource Group

 

  I do not really care for Elijah Muhammad. Surely, NOI has some legitimate concerns, but it seems as if integration is more beautiful than what they are espousing.

 

  Lives of Extraordinary Woman: Rulers, Rebels (and what the neighbors thought), written by Kathleen Krull, read by Melissa Hughes, Audio Bookshelf, 2000.

 

  It bettered me to listen to this. It furthers one of my arguments in favor of monarchism, is that women have actually had considerable power under monarchism while the United States has not yet had a woman president. My brains and passions approve. Why didn't we learn more about these strong females in our history classes? If we had our education would have been surely richer. The author helps to fill in the gap.

  Effective Telephone Techniques for Professional Secretaries and Receptionists, Thom Norman, General Cassette Corporation.

 

  Thom demonstrates sexism by assuming that secretaries are always female. Thom is perhaps the one who needs the education. Anal and rigid as many business presentations can be. Thom does have a commanding vocal presentation.

 

  Murder in the First, Dan Gordon, L.A. Theatre Works, 1995.

 

  Again another great one from the L.A. Theatre Works. Full of suspense that keeps you sucked in. The injustice of the tale sickened me. I admired the very brave and justice seeking young attorney who truly had guts to do what he did. Wow is a good word for how awesome these actors do in recreating the original situations.

 

  How to Remember Everything in Your Past, Kevin Trudeau, Nightingale-Condant Corporation

 

  The cassette they used just had to be shorter than standard which makes me wonder why they didn't just use a tape where they could fit it all on one side. Mr. Trudeau is terse which is good because I was thinking it would be very ironic if we could not easily remember a technique to help remember.

 

  Camping With Henry and Tom, Mark St. Germain, L.A. Theatre Works, 1996.

 

  I am beginning to really love L.A. Theatre Works because their presentations royally rule. I love the time period of the 20's. I haven't heard much good about Warren G. Harding, but he sounds interesting. My evaluation of Thomas Edison lowered due to see the side of him presented on this tape. I never realized Edison was so surly. I was wondering when Ford would make some anti-Semitic remarks, it took a while but it happened, which demonstrates how true to life this theatre group makes its plays. Alan Alda has a distinctive voice, which might not reflect Ford's true voice, but regardless Alan Alda is a good actor. I sure would like to hear more dramatic adaptations of famous people getting together. I'm really being drawn in by L.A. Theatre Works.

 

  Personal Power #8: Turn Fear and Self Sabotage into Success, Anthony Robbins, Robbins Research International, 1993.

 

  His voice can carry! He is the type that might not need a microphone. Active listening is crucial for these types of tapes and I was in the mood for passive listening, thus I didn't get as much out of it as one could. People need self-empowerment; folks that seek to provide it can sometimes seemingly perform miracles. He is able to make the tape seem interactive. He is skilled at being encouraging and I believe much of what he says can be quite helpful.

 

  Emily Post's Guide to Business Etiquette, Peggy Post, read by the author, Harper Collins, 1997.

 

  My late grandmother gave me an edition of one of Emily Post's early books written early in the 20th century. I found it to be an interesting look. At one Federation Without Television meeting, we were looking over it and many observed how prententious it was. The lot of it is nit picky rules. In this work, I was glad to see acknowldgement of the importance of sexual equality. Some of the rules were good, but a bunch of others were anal. This work is a big reason why the business world is not for me.

 

  What's Wrong With Sorts, Howard Cosell with Shelby Whitfield, read by Howard Cosel, Simon and Schuster audio, 1991.

 

  I thought this book was going to be okay when I got it, but it was alot better than just okay. Cosell impressed me with how he was concerned with principles and integrity. Although I am no sports fan, I realize the social side of sports gives us alot to think about. It takes a good writer to write so interestingly about a topic, that those who aren't even fans of the topic, like the book.

 

  In the Name of Security: The trials of Alger Hiss, Julius and Ethel Rosenburg and the case of Robert Oppenheimer, Peter Goodchild, L.A. Theatre Works, 1999.

 

  The library at MSU-Mankato has a good number of these L.A. Theatre Work tapes. Helpful is how they include both reenactments and commentary. It's cool how they make history exciting and lively. This is a fantastic way to learn more about our history. It is sure a lot better than dry textbooks. First rate acting too!

 

  Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers, by Gregory Cowan and Leroy Aarons, L.A. Theatre Works, 1999.

 

  I wished there was more about the trial instead of having the emphasis on the out of court scenes at the Washington Post. The actor who portrayed Nixon did it realistically, the voice was annoying, but it was impressively accurate. I'm happy that L.A. Theatre Works exists!

 

  Fitness for Dummies, Suzane Schlosberg and Liz Neporent, M.A., read by Suzanne Scholsberg, Harper Collins Publishers, 1997.

 

  This tape is doing a wonderful deed by making wellness accesible to the masses. America sure needs physical wellness. The reader has a lively voice and the humor thrown in is a plus. I knew the basic material, but I believe this would be a good general starting point for newcomers.

 

  The Hidden Life of Dogs, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, narrated by Barbara Caruso, Recorded Books Productions, 1994.

 

  Animal Lovers are swell because they have tremendous patience for animals. Their love is admirable. If only I could be as loving as this author. I was
under the impression that enigmas would be uncovered, but I didn't really get that here. I usually don't read nature books, thus this was good for me. It's a great evolutionary step when people have compassion enough for dogs to value them highly.

 

  Why America Doesn't Work, Charles Colson and Jack Eckerd, read by Adam McCormick, Word Inc, 1991.

 

  It seems contrived that most all these audio tapes last exactly as long as the tape lengths. I realize they don't want to waste tape, but it still seems contrived when a person thinks about it. I was under the impression that this book was a liberal or leftist book when I saw it in the stores, but it surely is not. My interpretation of the title lead me to believe the book was oriented differently than it was. I must say they had some good ideas and if these ideas were applied on a large scale, one might rethink an aversion to capitalism (a system the authors love). If we are to have capitalism, it should be the way the authors recommend. The authors talked about their Christian faith, but it wasn't all that overwhelming. They did mention it, but talk about it wasn't everywhere. I was impressed by the examples they gave. I was impressed about the egalitarianism in action that their examples demonstrated.

 

  What Does She Want From me Anyway, Holly Faith Phillips with Greg Lewis, Zondervan Publishing House, 1997.

 

  I almost didn't listen to it. Since it was influenced by Promise Keepers, I was a bit scared. But it ended up not too bad at all. Some parts of the book would even read like the writing from a book about a liberated feminist approach to marriage. Perhaps, to me, this tape seemed like the antithesis of what everyone says the Promise Keepers are. She talked about her religion a lot, but I didn't bother me. I felt bad for the bum deal she got. If this is the Promise Keepers, maybe they are not as harmful as people make them out to be, or maybe they are showing a good side here. I could see people benefitting from this if they ignore the Christianity.

  The Chicago Conspiracy Trial, adapted from the original trial transcripts by Peter Goodchild, L.A. Theatre Works, 1999.

 

  Extremely wonderful and fantastic! The portrayal of Bobby Seale was very convincing, loaded with some awesome energy. I got aggravated quite often by the Judge (about every time he spoke). I gained even more respect for William Kunstler from what I learned about this trial. Leonard Weinglass too. This tape mentioned Seale's contempt of court 4 years in jail sentence. It's egregious to ponder Seale's 4 years behind bars for a contempt sentence, when some people who rape don't even get that. In some areas, clearly, the worst crime is to offend the ego of a judge. Surely, I wished the play would have been longer, but it was very satisfying. I just had to learn more about this trial and I was delighted to gain this exciting knowledge! Besides, I love trials in general!

 

  Plaza Suite, Neil Simon, L.A. Theatre Works, 1995.

 

  Ed Asner seems to be suited to play grouchy people. It seems as if he is often in that role. Though in real life I've heard he is quite a good person. The style of these skits seemed unique, instead of having a defined climax, they just seemed to fade off into the background, leaving you wondering what happened afterwards.

 

  Six Degrees of Separatation, John Guare, L.A. Theatre Works, 1999.

 

  The two main characters had this rapid rate of talking that was almost overwhelming. For someone who talks slow, it can be harder to listen to people who talk rapidly. Looks like it is another example of good drama, because you leave it wondering whatever happened. What happened to these characters could happen to us in real life if we aren't careful.

 

  The Cocktail Hour, A.R. Gureny, L.A. Theatre Works, 1994.

 

  I didn't like some of the characters' ways of being. the play was fab.

 

  'Night Mother, Marsha Norman, L.A. Theatre Works, 1995.

 

  The description on the back says "Thus begins a nerve wracking dual between a woman systematically preparing for her own death and the frantic, comic, and touching efforts of her mother to stop her." Overall, it is a good description, except for one word, "comic". I didn't find anything funny in this tragedy. As tragedies go, it succeeded.

 

  Great American Women's Speeches, read by Eileen Heckhart, Claudia McNeil, and Mildred Natwick, Harper Collins publishers, 1995.

 

  I got inspired by listening to this. These women read dramatically with great expression and passion. The speeches made absolutely wonderful points that shook up the contemporaries rightfully. The speeches are great examples of rhetorical eloquence too.

 

  A Fair Country, Job Robin Baitz, L.A. Theatre Works, 1998.

 

  It looks as if many of the newer LATW performances are on cd, thus it is nice this is on tape for me. The political themes were a nice touch. I derived enjoyment from it. I reckon you will too

 

  Three Hotels, Jon Robin Baitz, L.A. Theatre Works, 1995.

 

  The style is different than other plays as it is two monologues. The different style is a great change of pace. Mr. Baitz seems to have quite a social conscience. Of course, that is a major positive.

 

  101 Secrets of Highly Effective Speakers: Controling Fear, Commanding Attention, Caryl Rae Krannich, Ph.D., read by Beth McDonald, Listen and Live Audio, 1998.

 

  Although, I would recommend this to people just starting public speaking, as someone who has learned a lot of the techniques from Toastmasters International and personal experience, among other ways, I only found about 1 1/2 tips here that were new to me, the rest I've heard before. If you are a beginning speaker, here is something potentially valuable, if you are more advanced, it is likely you won't find much new, though it may help to review these tips.

 

  George Sheehan on Running, Dr. George Sheehan, Listen and Learn USA.

 

  This tape gave props to itself for being short, but I believe it is a disservice to someone like Sheehan to force him to cram his thoughts into this tape. It should have been longer. The tape is obviously older, though I can't find an exact date, which is apparent listening to the sound quality. Some of the "basics" were too basic for me. All old hat, really. To me, there is just a different aura about more contemporary works on running that make them more readable, (of course some older running books can be about as good as you can get such as Jim Fixx's books). Maybe someone else observed it that I heard before, but in addition to that, I also observed that Sheehan isn't all that dynamic in speaking abilities. Critics are right about his writing ability, but speaking is a different matter.

 

  All Madden: I'm Talking Pro Football, John Madden with Dave Andreson, John Madden, Red Bear Inc, 1996.

 

  My big sports fan, brother told me "I can't listen to that guy" due to his intensity. Interestingly enough, Madden's energy is what really draws me in, even though I am not a football fan. It seemed as if he talked about the straight football matters, instead of the social issues of the game. I would have preferred the latter, but it was a good experience it hear him talk about straight football. This proves what people often say, "A good presenter can make any topic interesting."

  Should a Therapist Have Intercourse With Patients, by Arthur Seagull, Ziff Davis Publishing, 1973.

 

  I thought the answer to the title question would be a resounding "no", but I was off the mark a bit. The psychologist here hesitated to condemn such an action universally. I guess that perhaps might say something about the field of psychology. It seemed as if side two just a duplication of side one. I don't imagine someone reacting the same way today.

 

  Facing the Challenge of a New Age, Rev. Martin Luther, Jr, Spoken Arts, Inc, 1991.
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  Wow! I love listening to his emotionally charged speeches (with a wonderful amount of rational thinking mixed in too) I am glad I am expanding beyond hearing his "Free at Last" speeches which is so common and popular, and am hearing some of his other speeches, because most of the attention seems focused on that one speech. This other speeches are beautiful too, with great insight, and they surely inspire me. Although, civil rights isn't destined to be my main cause (both our times and myself are different from he and his times), I get charged by listening to him, because I love righteous passion!

 

  The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand, read by Edward Herrmann, Penquin High Bridge Audio, 1994.

 

  I am glad I got a chance to be exposed to this highly acclaimed book. Since it is a little longer in length, the book version scared me off a little, thus having it on audio tape was welcoming. In my junior year of high school, I did my term paper on "Anthem" which I thought was a most excellent book. Although, I surely do not agree politically with Rand, I must say she surely paints a noble vision. I don't agree with everything in this book, but I do believe there are some good themes. What was also valuable about listening to this is that, I got the chance to hear a political fiction piece, which seem all too rare. I found the main character, Howard Roark, aloof and stiff, but as Rand is getting across and as other readers have observed, he has traits which surely are to be admired.

 

  Run if You Dare, Randy Powell, read by Johnny Heller, Recorded Books, 2001.

 

  Great for young people, but it also has value for us other folks. As a longtime runner myself, I related to the theme of the book. Furthermore, the main character began running at a fairly early age and I also began running in my early days. Another book with good themes.

 

  Give a Boy a Gun, Todd Strasser, narrated by "various authors", Recorded Books, 2001.

 

  I was looking for an emotionally charged book, and I found it. I liked the liberal analysis of the situation. We usually get ad nauseum conservative takes on these school shootings. It's a very heavy book, which we need. The monologue approach was fabulous. Although, I do agree with those who suggest that there has been too much hype about these school shootings, I think the compassionate look at the stuation is insightful and deserves high praise!