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LOST IN TRANSLATION (WE HOPE)?
I live in Texas and, apparently, this Saez moron you've been writing about has been wanting to do this floating banana stunt for years. He says the whole thing will cost $1 million total, and gives a rambling explanation about why he wants to do it: "It is in Texas because it has oil and a lot of Wal-Marts, Exxons and Halliburtons (and the Ranch). It is a buffoon act, trying to impress. ... Texan dominant Aerospace and all the Gun Clubs."
Yeah, that makes sense.
Blair
NO TAXATION FOR BANANA FLOATATION!
How is it that the people that are always complaining that we're not generous enough in solving a multitude of (admittedly real) problems are the same people that scream for more support for the arts? (Well maybe they're not the same people, but they're in the same political party.)
Assuming this banana guy is legit, he would need to pass the hat around until he collected the million dollars necessary to hoist his prodigious prodigal plantain. Nevertheless, I would love to see him collect the money… so long as the check could be presented in Haiti or some other Third World country where the peoples' main concern isn't "Are the arts receiving enough support?"
I love the arts (especially the ones that make a profit all on their own), but seriously, can we agree that this guy gets the first dollar just as soon as worldwide disease and famine are permanently wiped out?
Steve
AT LEAST THERE’S NO ELEPHANT DUNG ON THIS ONE
Just reading Ms. Thrasher's line— "The grant was to undertake research that would lead to the creation of a geostationary banana”— caused me to crack-up. How could any sane person write such a line with a straight face? It is a near-perfect summation of all that is wrong with government arts funding.
Rick
Michigan
MARK SAYS: Actually, what's interesting about Ms Thrasher's line is that, as she puts it, the grant was "to undertake research that would lead to the creation of a geostationary banana." She says his research fully complies with the terms of the grant, and yet it did not lead to "the creation of a geostationary banana". No such geostationary banana exists. That Quebec radio guy is quite right to be demanding: "Où est la banane?"
LESSONS FROM THE GREAT BANANA SPLIT OF 2010
This banana story is indicative of two things I’ve always believed:
1) intellectuals dream of influence without responsibility
2) artists dream of money without accountability
Greg Hlatky
Pasadena, Texas
WE HAVE ALREADY REPORTED YOU TO THE THOUGHT POLICE
I shudder to think what the racial fallout would be if a 300-meter long banana had been commissioned— whether it was actually ever constructed or not— to float over Illinois to protest the policies of Barack H. Obama.
Chris Traczek
DON’T CRY FOR US, TIM RICE AND ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
I really enjoy your commentaries, and since you're into composing songs, here's one I would dearly love to hear Madonna sing, if you can arrange it:
We have become Argentina
The truth is, we're going bankrupt
I blame the Congress Rove, Bush and Cheney
The banks aren't lending
We must keep spending
And as for fortunes, we'll tax them away
You're all too rich anyway
Though it seemed to the land I was really quite smart
I'm an illusion
This is not the change I promised to you
The answer was hid at the time
Got your vote 'cause I know you love me
We have become Argentina
Have I said too much?
There's plenty more I plan to say unto you
But all you have to do is look at me to know
Some of the words are true
Feel free to tinker with this.
Gary Irwin
Moraga, California
MARK SAYS: Well, I'll pass that on to Tim Rice, who, as you know, was a guest on this year's Mark Steyn Christmas Show. I have a feeling he may query some of your amendments to his rhyme scheme ("lending"/"spending"). But, on the other hand, Tim once released a cover version of "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?" in which he sang it backwards - "Window The In Doggie That Is Much How?" - so he's hardly in a position to complain.
Thank you for your kind (and unkind) letters from America, Canada, Britain, Australia and around the world. Mark reads all mail, but especially enjoys the vicious ones. Each day Monday to Friday we pick six of the best for our Daily Delivery. So drop a line to Mark's Mailbox, and on Friday if you're chosen to be the one and only Letter of the Week you'll join our roll of winners from four Continents and receive a copy of Mark Steyn From Head To Toe. It would help if you could indicate your city or town, or, at any rate, your state, province or country. If not, at least let us know what planet you're on.
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