OK................................
First, The COMPLIMENT
Pack93z, do you remember discussing over at PPO your attempt to carry on an intelligent conversation with Bears fans on one the "Bear Boards". Well, I remembered it. A couple of days ago, I registered in one, introduced myself at length, and made an attempt to carry on a dialogue. My attempt was thwarted by the very first reply, and has been carried to two pages and counting of idiotic dribble. Those are some seriously dumbass fans... Back to the compliment. What a huge contrast to what (99% of the time) happens at PPO. Mars, Formo, please pass my compliment on to Zeus, Prophet , Webby and the rest. I really do enjoy most of my experience over there, and of course enjoy your 99% friendly back and forth here... and of course I would be highly remiss if I failed to mention the crazy little gnome. I do have one compliment for Chicago, however... nothing to do with the fans. I love Carl's poem. It's a guy poem, and should reflect the aspirations and character of that town. Unfortunately, my experience has shown that not to be the case, at least lately. Those that skipped and/or snoozeed through 7th grade english period, here it is:
[align=justify]CHICAGO
HOG Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders:
They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I
have seen your painted women under the gas lamps
luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it
is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to
kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the
faces of women and children I have seen the marks
of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who
sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer
and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing
so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on
job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the
little soft cities;
Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning
as a savage pitted against the wilderness,
Bareheaded,
Shoveling,
Wrecking,
Planning,
Building, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with
white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young
man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has
never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse.
and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of
Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog
Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with
Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.
copyright 1998 Andyy Barr Productions
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