All good anarchists

In response to last week's letter by Bernard Cooper, anarchist-at-large, I would like to add a point to the principles and objectives of anarchism that he has admirably clarified.

Classical anarchism has aimed to totally destroy prevailing political culture: government and authority are to be abolished and freedom and egalitarianism are to reign. Unfortunately, this utopian project has scarcely succeeded. The reason has been given by George Woodcock, probably the world's leading specialist on anarchism (and on George Orwell) in the 20th century. In his 1960's tome on the topic, he concluded that anarchism was doomed to failure because it appeals only to "good" people. Of course, these people are in short supply!

-- Frederick J. Tatlow

Veggie wars

Concerning the article "In a vegetative state" by Chris Barry [Spring Fitness supplement, April 13], after reading his assault on poor defenseless garden babies, I had to stop and question Mr. Barry's sanity. I understand that the purpose of this humorous little article was to share his thoughts on vegetables and health food supplements, but he clearly states that he has not sampled a vegetable since he was two.

Some of us have a mind to question Mr. Barry's ability to judge and discuss, in any serious tone, the liveliness of veggies. He speaks of texture and yet has not felt it on his tongue. His main argument, however, is that vegetables are "gross" and dirty because they are grown in the earth. Do his people not wash their food before cooking and eating it? How strange! Alas, he would prefer to have his "food" born, nurtured and then pleasantly (or not) butchered before being put upon his dinner plate. This is more appealing to him than--god forbid-- a salad?

So, as a carnivore, Mr. Barry managed to offend not only vegetarians but salad lovers all across Montreal. He then proceeded to carry on about "the splendour of [his] stools," thus offending people of a more sensitive nature who generally do not discuss such crude bodily functions (perhaps even holding their bowels in until the house is asleep). Way to go!

--Charlie McCove

This poet knows it

Hi. The first time I read your rag was to find out where the Anti-Nowhere League was playing. Yeah, that's right man, those were the fucking days!

There's a couple of reasons why I think your rag is better than the rest. One reason is the Rant Line. I mean, I'm all for self-expression... so fuck you! So what I'm trying to say is... me, I'm a fucking poet! I hope that I don't come off sounding too self-centred but as a poet, there's only two words that best describe me: fucking and spectacular!

I would like you to print one of my poems and let your people decide whether I'm as good as I say. You may be thinking, "What's in it for me?" Well, maybe you could have a contest where everyone could send in some kind of personal talent. So let's get together on this--I'm sure it's not a waste of time. So, here's a poem:

You ugly tree, you're standing there lonely/You ugly tree, you glow in a crowd/Ugly tree thinking, I wish some one would hold me/You're an ugly tree and you don't cry very loud!/Covered with rain, I feel you shaking/Cold in your night, and nude as the sun/People around you, are just there for the raking/Rake all of yours, and leaf you with none/Ugly tree, I know inside you are screaming/Help me someone, before I fall down!/Mirror of me, it's love you are dreaming/It's painful now, but soon you'll be found.

Anyways, I want to thank you for your time and your patience. I'm very serious about what I want to do and I think that we can both benefit from it.

-- Cruciano Nardinocchi, aka Cooch