Noise Maker manqué

I'm really wondering--what does it take to be considered as a Mirror "Noise Maker" [Jan. 4]? I really busted my ass in 2000 with numerous projects and you guys didn't even take the time to come see what I was up to. I invited you guys in many ways, (e-mail/fax/in person) but still no response. It's as if you are only interested in what's going on in this city's obvious cliques. Is it because you guys are too lazy to search for new stuff or that I'm just not good enough for your standards? Because many other papers make the effort to come see and write about my work and, strangely, they all think it's great. I'm honestly disappointed in you guys because you were my first pick at the paper stand but the more I read, the more I realize that you almost only write about the same people. Anyway, this is just my personal opinion and I really don't even expect a response because I've already been let down. Here is a short list of the things I produced in 2000: a Web page promoting local culture, www.mtluniversal.com; an original CD (produced/written and mastered by myself) DJ Element; a mix CD called BossaCartel; a vernissage with Zïlon of 20 paintings each, now in its second location; a recording studio named Cartel in which I'm producing local artists; many design contracts that are giving a facelift to several known locations in Montreal, for example the new look for the Montreal Olympic Village. For all of these projects I had an evening set up so you could come get the scoop. You didn't come.

---Stéphane Lacroix, aka DJ Element

Ridiculous right

The cover story of last week's Mirror ["Monkey Business"] opened my eyes to a problem I didn't even know existed, or at least I didn't think had gone this far. The ludicrous reasoning of Creationism is worse than I ever thought possible. To me, the disturbing fact that this "debate" (Creationists vs. Evolutionists) has been revived is indicative of a larger, global far-Right resurgence. With Bush in power in the States, all talk has turned to issues which I thought were long dead and buried: the threat of nuclear war, no more abortion, no more protection of the environment... And no more evolution?! As Canadians, we pride ourselves on being more docile and socialist than our more extremist neighbours to the south of us. And yet the Right, and their often racist, backwards ideas, seem to be getting more attention in the media than ever. How the hell can so-called "Young-earth Creationists" cling to the idea that the earth is only 6,000 years old when presented with million-year-old fossils? Spirituality must be kept separate from science and politics as much as possible or pretty soon the fundamentalist, religious crazies in the West will become as powerful and dangerous as the Taliban in the east. Will we stand by complacently while our children are taught a 1,000-year-old book's version of the earth's history and how we got here? While we're at it, why don't we outlaw computers and rock 'n' roll--ain't they the devil's work? The Creationist movement's increase in clout seems to be signalling a return to the Dark Ages, where knowledge will be suppressed and shaped by Right-wing zealots on a mission to brainwash their "subjects." I, for one, am afraid. Very afraid.

---Cecil Milner

Corrections

The photo accompanying the Noise Maker piece on Out of Province, an Internet theatre project, was of actor Sylvain Carle, not of David Allan King. Also, the full-length auto mechanics course offered by McGill's engineering department ["Triple-threat tutor," Jan. 11] is not available this semester. However, weekend seminars are offered through McGill's intercollegiate design partnership with the Society for the Advancement of Engineering (SAE). For info please call 398-4073. Regarding last week's review of the CD Body and Soul Vol. 3, it will not include the Blaze track "Elements of Life" which was misidentified as "Elevation" in the review. The Mirror apologizes for these errors.