Random Times offends Kenny Mount with new holiday edition Jesus cover - By N.L. Belardes
Earlier this evening I saw Kenny Mount storm angrily out of the Empty Space Theatre.
Why?
The new edition of The Random Times is out and let me tell you, its cover is sure to offend some of the conservative minds of Bakersfield. One already offended is Kenny Mount of The Filthies. He's spoken out, and just saw the new cover this evening at The Empty Space Theatre. Apparently, after he stormed off, he went straight home and wrote me an email.
Now, before you get your panties in a bunch, here's the cover and you can make your own decision:
A pentagram and a dying God with a Santa hat? Would you read this newspaper to find out what these images are all about?
Personally, I wouldn't care if the cover of a local rag had a photo of Donald Duck being cooked ala Peking by a disgruntled Jesus in a Tweed suit. I think folks have a right to create whatever art they want to make. The writers for the Random Times just have to realize their names become associated with any controversial cover art.
Here's Kenny Mount's email I just received:
I'm pissed! The new random times for December has a picture of some
jack off bastard on the cross looking like Jesus Christ with a Santa hat
on! That's not why I'm pissed! I'm angry because I thought we were
going to have an awesome new Alt paper that was going to cover the scene,
stir the pot, attack the "MAN" and take it back to grass roots. Instead
we get the lamest attempt at making people angry. Jesus? In December?
I'm Catholic, but I could give a rats ass if you sat down on a bible and
took a shit on it. Shove a crucifix in your vagina like Linda
Blair....who cares. But don't put Jesus on the cover for shock value like it's
something new and refreshing...Hey look everyone! We've never seen this
before! It's Jesus with a Santa cap! If you wanted to shock people,
shock us with something we haven't seen before. Everyone knows Christmas
wasn't about Christ until the puritans made it that way. Yes, Germans
brought a tree in their homes and ate all the livestock save for two.
Everyone knows that Mistletoe was for plugging Victorian chicks because
they were prudes!!! We already know.
Somehow I knew this paper would suck. Now I can't even wipe my ass with
it because Jesus is on the cover. You want to shock us? Put a picture
of Moses whacking off with a dildo in his ass, or how about a Kwanzaa
parade through Oildale. Or maybe, just maybe, a picture of an event or
upcoming play or a supporter of the paper or a band? Wow, that would
really be shocking. Fucking people. You get all excited about something and
they just let you down. While trying to be different and fresh they
already turned this paper into rancid turd. And for you people who will
accept this paper as it is and continue to read it....you're only
encouraging them to print more.
Kenny
So, you make your own choice on whether you agree with Kenny Mount or not.
Why?
The new edition of The Random Times is out and let me tell you, its cover is sure to offend some of the conservative minds of Bakersfield. One already offended is Kenny Mount of The Filthies. He's spoken out, and just saw the new cover this evening at The Empty Space Theatre. Apparently, after he stormed off, he went straight home and wrote me an email.
Now, before you get your panties in a bunch, here's the cover and you can make your own decision:
A pentagram and a dying God with a Santa hat? Would you read this newspaper to find out what these images are all about?
Personally, I wouldn't care if the cover of a local rag had a photo of Donald Duck being cooked ala Peking by a disgruntled Jesus in a Tweed suit. I think folks have a right to create whatever art they want to make. The writers for the Random Times just have to realize their names become associated with any controversial cover art.
Here's Kenny Mount's email I just received:
I'm pissed! The new random times for December has a picture of some
jack off bastard on the cross looking like Jesus Christ with a Santa hat
on! That's not why I'm pissed! I'm angry because I thought we were
going to have an awesome new Alt paper that was going to cover the scene,
stir the pot, attack the "MAN" and take it back to grass roots. Instead
we get the lamest attempt at making people angry. Jesus? In December?
I'm Catholic, but I could give a rats ass if you sat down on a bible and
took a shit on it. Shove a crucifix in your vagina like Linda
Blair....who cares. But don't put Jesus on the cover for shock value like it's
something new and refreshing...Hey look everyone! We've never seen this
before! It's Jesus with a Santa cap! If you wanted to shock people,
shock us with something we haven't seen before. Everyone knows Christmas
wasn't about Christ until the puritans made it that way. Yes, Germans
brought a tree in their homes and ate all the livestock save for two.
Everyone knows that Mistletoe was for plugging Victorian chicks because
they were prudes!!! We already know.
Somehow I knew this paper would suck. Now I can't even wipe my ass with
it because Jesus is on the cover. You want to shock us? Put a picture
of Moses whacking off with a dildo in his ass, or how about a Kwanzaa
parade through Oildale. Or maybe, just maybe, a picture of an event or
upcoming play or a supporter of the paper or a band? Wow, that would
really be shocking. Fucking people. You get all excited about something and
they just let you down. While trying to be different and fresh they
already turned this paper into rancid turd. And for you people who will
accept this paper as it is and continue to read it....you're only
encouraging them to print more.
Kenny
So, you make your own choice on whether you agree with Kenny Mount or not.
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Saturday, December 23, 2006.
You can leave your response.
I always felt that Christmas was a time to reflect. Reflect on the most valuable gift of all...LIFE! We were GIVEN life, and in return of that small little miracle, maybe we could give a little something of ourselves to others. Even if it's once a year( which is actually a sad fact).
Help an adult with something, give a child a little joy with a toy or game. And maybe if just for one day, they could forget about their problems around them. If Saint Nicholas was real, then I'm sure it started as that, pure and simple. Consumer greed has perverted the simplicity of Christmas. It's easier to buy an IPOD than it is to pull over and help someone. The simple message of Christ: "Love one another". We make fun of that because maybe we're insecure. Masked in big toughness. Big words. Big noise.Too bad. Walk through the mall or Walmart tomorrow and feel the new Christmas love.
For my grandfather, who was German, the Christmas tree WAS the gift if they were lucky enough to get one. They went to church for a service Christmas eve, and maybe got a piece of fruit the next day. Something special indeed. Knock or mock the history of traditions, who cares. For that matter if we're going to take everything literal than you better throw out the months of the years, days of the week, planets, they"re all paganistic! Holy crap, now I can't even look at a calender 'cause it's offensive!
I've seen some bizarre, odd and even scary portraits of Jesus in the most respectable religious stores and Mercado's! Whatever strokes yer yoke. Look at it this way,if anything, at least Jesus, or an artistic representation, made a front cover somewhere in Bakersfield! Valentines Day is coming up soon, wonder what they could do with that? Who cares! Bring it on!
I haven't read this issue yet, but I liked their first one and I hope they always do different things with their articles. That's why I like N.L. too!
I do enjoy and celebrate Kenny's rage here, personally I'm not that put out by the cover, but I do respect Kenny for being honest and writing it out here!
Agree to disagree.
Shock art is so last millennium.
What is the art of this millenium? Video games,movies,books...is that a different kind of shock now?
Is there a reason why Random Times gets slammed everytime they fart? Maybe farts are past millenium too. N.L. gets slammed from time to time. How about Mas or Bakotopia? How come nobody slams them? Maybe every independent journalist should just quit right now and join their team. Diversity could just go on home and be a couch potato.
I hear burning yourself to protest Christmas is the art of the new millenium.
... but personally I prefer the whole couch potato thing.
Dw,
Bakotopia and Mas always get slammed. Have you not been reading the comments? Your comments included. NL has done it since the beginning of his blog. You don't have to be as explicit as Kenny's comment to "slam" someone.
Does NL's posting of the cover on Paperback Writer qualify as a "slam" on The Random Times?
Bakotopia and Mas get e-mails and letters from critics, and welcome them. We just don't get on the defensive all the time, we can take it, and listen.
What if Mas, Bakotopia, and The Californian, publicly and continuously slammed The Random Times, Paperback Writer, The Blackboard, Wellness Times, Senior Gazette, El Popular, etc? It would open up a shit storm..
"Oh, look at the big guys pickin' on us little guys!!! Waaaah, waaaah, waaaah. You see? I told you!! The mainstream media wants to keep us down, man!"
The reality?
No, we don't.I don't. Nobody does. Get over it and don't flatter yourself, toots.
Let's get real (again.) MySpace is big-time, beast of the apocalypse mainstream, yet you find more local "alties" there than anyplace else. Go slam them for allowing people to be as fake as they want.
Yes DW, it's okay for people to collectively like Bakotopia, Mas, Paperback Writer, The Random Times, The Blackboard, The Senior Gazette, El Popular, MySpace, etc.. I read them all to stay on top of things, that's what smart media people do. Even if I wasn't a media guy, I would read them.
NL is a great blogger, and we know that. You remind us at the end of every comment you've ever posted here, and that kind of concerns me. A Buckaroo and Paperback Writer? Is Nick covering the MSM Buck Owens Productions when he interviews you, and lets you do a restaurant review? Is NL on the MSM Owens Productions payroll? Maybe that's why he's so Buck-centric?
OH SHIT! I think I may have "slammed" you? Yeah, but let me make it clear...My slam comes from Kern County native, longtime member of the local art scene and supporter Matt Munoz, NOT the so-called "MSM," Bakersfield-owned, Bakotopia. This is my town too, homie, and I want have some fun, visit more than one site, and read more than one newspaper.
I can see Nick giggling right now..."Mwahahahaaa!!!!Matt's getting uppity!"
;-)
Paz Afuera & Feliz Navidad to all,
Matt
**FIERCE SHAMELESS PLUG: Don't forget to visit your Bakersfield alt-friendly friend: WWW.BAKOTOPIA.COM, where you can be as alt as you wanna be, for FREE!
Slam dancin'.
don't know what to say about that one. i'm with kenny on this one.
freedom of speech and tasteful art should only be taken so far.
whatever, dude! merry christmas.
they're leading with their chins, here, yes, but i'd think they're younger people running this deal & at least in my case, youth (& now, too, at times) equaled/s a lot of impulsiveness... it's hard to swallow & quite embarrassing to learn lessons after the paper's on the street, when you can't pull it & word gets around of snafus... this happened to me more than a few times, but oh well. lessons learned (i hope) & no one cares a bit anymore, anyhow, if they ever did. i'm sure we'll all keep making our wise & dumbass decisions, & that's how a person grows up, & life goes on for all, at least for now, tweedle-dee...
maybe RT won't/don't regret this cover one bit & you're right, it's their art: in the eye of the beholder to be judged creative or crap, printed at the expense of the guy who made the decision to go to press with it. he must've known he'd take his lumps for it, unless he too rashly slapped a cover on the thing to put it to bed on deadline (but i don't think papers work that way anymore, especially ones printing just periodically)...
greg had a good article in there about BIFF, btw, i thought. :) and they look like they're getting the advertising, which is most of the blasted trick, unfortunately, unless you have a good business head & can stomach going after potential advertisers.
hope all had a nice christmas. :)
Well, I was RAISED in a Catholic home, but my forefathers were Jewish. (Actually, I should say my foreMOTHERS were Jewish, as Judaism is a matriarchal religion, but I digress) and I wasn't offended by the picture of Jesus on a cross wearing a Santa Hat. I was offended by their ignorance. Sorry, I guess I'm just picky that way.
Shock art, as this has been called, is lamer than a one legged dog. Whoops, did that offend anyone? Most likely NOT, but you won't catch me posting a picture of a one legged dog. Verbal imagery works well too, don't you think?
Shock art, as this has been called, is lamer than a one legged dog. Whoops, did that offend anyone? Most likely NOT, but you won't catch me posting a picture of a one legged dog.
Verbal imagery works well too, don't you think?
Whoever anonymous is- I can take it, that's why I enjoy a blog like this. Free to express and enjoy diversity. I did put the Mas and Bakotopia out there because I really haven't seen the kind of expressed "slams" like some of the other local media forms get in here, thats all. Sorry. I might have missed them it's true. I do see a LOT of feudin between papers and blogs in here, and I'm just tryin to understand it. No biggy. I try and get bitey cause that usually gets better returns! I've asked questions nicely in here before and got no response.
And I don't care if you want to get all panty bunched about Buck Owens Productions either. Nothing anyone says here or elsewhere can take away what that man has done to this town. He even opened up his doors to local bands like Mento Buru too!That was too cool! And everyone makes references constantly about "Streets of Bakersfield", and thank God he put the "Bakersfield" sign back together, so every business could use the new image in their advertising! Do they pay him for that?LOL!
And I don't care if reporters want to dis the Buckaroos gigs either. Freedom baby. I don't have a history of crying over that shit with any band I've been with since the 70's. I did comment here recently on N.L.'s video's of Matt M. advertising Bakotopia news. There's a lot going on in and around this town, and in a 2 min. ad Mento was mentioned twice!LOL! I think that's funny , but you can twist words and make me look harder than I am about it. I love Matt by the way. And good brother's can get spicy by the way too! Best friendships are built like that. Checks and Balances. I am not the know it all of the arts in B-town by any means. I've had some experiences since the 70's thats all.
So Mr. Anonymous...how many times do I ever advertise a Buckaroo gig on Bakotopia or even here?...EXACTLY! And if N.L. wants to talk about it, well, it's HIS blog. That's not my walk here. I really don't know how many concerts at the Crystal Palace are advertised or REPORTED on Bakotopia. I don't put any in there. Well maybe one. I think I recently put a comment on their myspace about Raul Malo. Did they go to that show? I don't know, they should have, he is awesome. Oh well. I don't know the rules of the local papers, I just know that N.L. will go out on his own and search. Not wait for calls, search. That's what I like in a journalist.He's not the only one either. And that's how I met him. I haven't INVITED him to anything I've done or played at either! Except an occasional smoothie!LOL! So maybe you should ask him about our relationship!
I do think it's hilarious that anonymous is "concerned" about my comments to N.L!...What?...Oh crap!Better call the blog police! Somebody broke the blog rules! Oh brother! Disagree with everything I ever said here...really...it's cool! "Concern" sounds funny though. Sounds like a dictator I once read about.
Anonymous wrote: "NL is a great blogger, and we know that. You remind us at the end of every comment you've ever posted here, and that kind of concerns me."
I do?It does? EVERY comment? Seriously?EVERY? Wow...maybe I do need to get paid here!
As a fellow blog visitor I'm not "concerned" about anyone's comments past or present, but I do try and engage in conversation that will get me to understand them. Again, this is a good mix of ideas here on N.L., and I like the exchanges between them! Here's life...get on board baby! N.L.'s blog gets scrappy about stuff and that's good. It's healthy to vent. Maybe learn something from it. I'm learning something about anonymous right now!
Should I start keeping my comments to one liners like "Word!", like I've seen some do, and on heavy topics too! Cause that says so much!
***My point anonymous, in my previous comment, was only in relationship to Kenny's. It had to do with the over all freedom of the Random Times. Trying to understand his comment, that's all. So I throw something out to possibly understand what he's getting at. Isn't that the purpose here? Go back and read it. I don't take EVERYTHING you wrote literally!...or should I?LOL
You brought up a big old wedgey of frustration or anger or something, cause I mentioned Mas/Bakotopia?...a paper and site I happen to enjoy by the way.
I'm not here to sell my gig, or myself. Never have been.
But for the new year I guess I'll start practicing the "Word Bro!" comments and leave it at that...
Keep up the fighting spirit, speak your mind, and join the discussion. What's in the comments is just as important as the articles...
peace to all!
What the hell happened with my comment? D'oh! Typos (even the repetitious one repetitious ones) bug me.
jenny angel your comment is great, by the way!
Who's anonymous? He signed his comment "matt".
Lisa Luna's photos are quite a bit more interesting than the article about her. I wish they would have gotten more into her processes. Her photos kind of remind me of Robert & Shana ParkeHarrison parkeharrison.com
Anyway, the Christmas Christ seems like a logical choice for the cover considering she was the featured artist for December.
rebekka
Fighting spirit, that's funny.
Hey, I'm still trying to understand why R.T.'s cover is/was being raked thru the stuff for being shock art. And that shock art is stupid or old or something.
Aren't the shock art boundaries pretty wide really? From local band CD covers, film makers,artists,food reviewers to mainstream media it's all over the place. To be funny, to sell or yes, to be shocking!
I don't personally have a big problem with it. I can choose to buy/not buy or look/not look anytime. And R.T. is a "free" paper. What makes a picture shock art or not? Help a brother out here.
I remember for a while it seemed like every movie, kids movies especially, there'd be a "fart" scene. HOOHOO, how funny is that? Or shocking? Cause some people were shocked by it and disgusted. But there it is, over and over, the fart scene, the crapper scene, the ralph scene. I saw the new Superman movie yesterday. Pretty graphic scenes.The slow-motion bullet hits his eyeball, and crushes and falls!OOOOOOOO. The little kids in the room were diggin that scene!
Maybe shock art is actually in it's infancy stage...
Lysa Luna is a daring artist. Her imagery is some of the best textured Photoshop artwork I've ever seen come out of Bakersfield.
Her BIFF poster is outstanding, as are her tarot cards! Very cool.
Fart scenes are cool.
You owe me lunch at Luigi's for this comment, Nick. Word..
DW said,
"I think I recently put a comment on their (Bakotopia's) myspace about Raul Malo. Did they go to that show? It was awesome"
Bakotopia's response:
No. Bakotopia & Mas contacted The Crystal Palace after we recieved DW's MSM MySpace invitation, who then directed us to Raul Malo's mgmt. to get permission to cover the Crystal Palace show. Malo's publicist declined to grant us photo access, saying that Raul Malo was, "Not very photogenic, but maybe next time." Yikes! True story.
PLUG, PLUG, PLUG, cuz I'm still part of a local band:
Catch Mento Buru LIVE at The Nile Bar & Grill on New Year's Eve, along with DJ Chuck One! Buy your tickets at the bar!
Matt
WWW.BAKOTOPIA.COM
***Bakotopia Music Compilation Vol. 1 coming soon! The Filthies, Three Chord Whore, Dirty Spanglish, Hayes Field, Joel Jacob, Mento Buru, and 11 More!!
Wow, Matt! Too bad. I didn't go either. I said "He is awesome", not "It was awesome".No wonder you wig out about my writing! You ain't payin attention homecheese! I've seen him before. He is great!
I don't get free tickets to shows all the time at where I work (none all last year!), so if I want to see them bad enough I pay for 'em.
Is the shock-art topic over now though? I keep coming back here to see. Pretty soon it's just gonna be me and Matt plugging all his gigs!
And PLEASE do go to the Nile for New Years Eve. Mento Buru is a great band!Call a cab though, DUI's are messy I hear!
I owe, I owe, it's off to the land of debt I go... la lalal a la!
Mento Buru and the Buckabooboos rock!
geez Matt and d.w. get a room already. ha.
WORD!
After this shock art hoopla (thanks for posting it N.L.) I would actually like to read Bitter Barney's rant about Christmas. Too bad they're not online. Maybe my dear sweet sister will mail me a copy. *hint *hint I know you're reading this Nancy.
word.over and out...
Hey Kenny.
This is our email address:
randomtimeseditor@yahoo.com
The next time you take issue with something we do... remember... none of us work at nlbelardes.com
Email US.
I can understand why you'd email Nick about it, though.
You knew that it would become a "controversial" blog, and you would feel like you had successfully vented.
Well, congratulations. Good for you! Feel better?
And now, allow me to remind Kenny and anyone else who has forgotten...
The Random Times does not interfere with the creativity of the artists who submit.
I told Lysa Luna she could do the cover. And she told me what she wanted her cover art to be. And I said okay.
It's as simple as that.
You might think Jesus wearing a Santa Hat is an old hat (so to speak) but it doesn't make the point any less valid. In fact, I think with each passing year, Christmas sinks further and further down the drain. Nobody knows that it's about anymore. Is it about a fat man who drops down chimeneys? Is it about Jesus, or commercialism? Or Peace? Or maybe just peppermint-flavored peeps? The point is... the holiday is lost. So you're going to have to accept that, as a result, the holiday will be criticized-- and much of the criticism will seem old hat after a while. Such is life.
Maybe... Kenny... if you'd like to submit some cover art... maybe you can make an illustration of Linda Blair fucking herself with a crucifix, or maybe a cartoon of yourself wiping your ass with the Random Times.
Lysa Luna was a major focus for our December issue, and I told her she could do the cover.
Not everyone is going to like it, just like not everyone is going to like the music of the Filthies.
And that's life.
James wrote: "The next time you take issue with something we do... remember... none of us work at nlbelardes.com"
And I'll try to remember to email the President of the United States next time I have an issue with foreign policy out of the White House...
:)
Yikes, James.. haha. So it safe to assume if I don't like an issue/article/picture on the RT I shouldn't be allowed to talk about with anyone other than a member of the RT?
Hijole! (spanish for Yikes)
It made for a good discussion. Nothing wrong with that, right? :)
Thanks again, N.L. for posting it. I'd forgotten about it (the RT) until this new article on them. My sister is picking up a copy for me and mailing it.
Be careful Norma. You're a minion.
I'm hoping to have immunity since thanks to your articles on them, I'm a Random Times fan as well. :)
Norma:
No, that's not what I'm saying at all. Please don't take it that way.
I don't care if people complain all day long about the RT. I'm still going to get my same amount of broken sleep at night.
All I'm saying/asking is...
Why wouldn't Kenny email US his rant?
Why is Nick serving as Kenny's mouthpiece?
If Kenny had opened up the paper instead of just storming out of the E.S.(which is overly-dramatic, if you ask me)-- he would have found our email address, and he could have used it.
If somebody wants to bitch about us publicly (and I've said this repeatedly), they should email us and we'll print it! And if they want a response, they'll get one! And if they don't, and they simply want to rant, that's cool too! I don't give a shit.
People have the right to think we suck or to think we're valid!
Mongold: Why should folks wait a month to rant just to be in print in the Random Times? People want instant discussion. The cover art created a great topic. We're having it.
And why do you want to control where people have their discussions? Just so you can have print fodder? Just be happy that people are TALKING about your paper.
And Paperback Writer is a mouthpiece for the Random Times too since I allow YOUR comments...
Start a Random Times blog. It's free and easy. Traffic could be easily redirected from discussions here. Then you can interact with folks and even publish portions of the discussion thread. You'd have lots of print fodder.
SCORE, NL!
you know, we all know RT doesn't work for nlbelardes.com and mr. mongold has made that reduntantly clear in many entries. he also must understand that with press comes trust from the audience and kenny expressed his views to you because he trusts you. RT hasn't been around long enough to earn that audience trust and why would kenny even pick up the paper if he was offended to begin with?! duh!
whatever, man! i know they may consider me a minion, but who cares. they have no blog for instant discussion. maybe they'll take your advice and build one since it's free and they can stop lurking around yours to defend themselves.
peace out!
I could be wrong but I think Kenny did take the Random Times paper home with him that day at the Empty Space. I swear I saw him leaving with one. :)
But I understand why he wrote his email to nlbelardes.com instead of the Random Times. He knew that here his email would cause a discussion and would eventually get the attention of the Random Times folks. Instead of receiving an email response from RT that would probably say something like: "Not everyone is going to like it, just like not everyone is going to like the music of the Filthies."
People who are upset want instant discussion and action, they don't want to write a letter to the editor that will be printed a month later when they've forgotten they were upset!
NL is right. The Random Times should start a free blog just for discussion with their readers about their paper and its content. I'm sure if there had been a RT blog, Kenny would have submitted his letter there and gotten a discussion as he wanted.
But then what do I know... I'm just an NL minion.
Here are a few related comments from Bakotopia, where I posted a blog about this article. See, instant discussion:
posted by drblt on Dec 24, 2006 at 12:08 AM
I'm all for free speech, but this may be an example of what I referred to once in a song as Free Speech Gone Wrong. Free speech allows artists to push the limits, but should we push limits simply because we can? Do taste and tact have anything to do with art? And if the goal is to persuade, then here is something that should be considered: Unless you are able to engage the audience whose opinions you wish to sway, you are simply preaching to the choir of extremists. So much for effectiveness. You end up only creating further divisiveness in a country that is already far too divided.
posted by danrathernot on Dec 24, 2006 at 12:30 AM
first ammendment.....gotta love .........we should fight to death to preserve
posted by Chase on Dec 24, 2006 at 03:45 PM
I have to agree to an extent with the "drawing the line" thing. I mean, the cover doesn't offend me, I think its retarded, but whatev. We're stuck in a society of people with no flexibility at all against people who are overly flexible. I'm addressing, at this moment, the latter. I think in our attempts to be free, we forget to stress the responsibility that comes with the freedom. We're hitting a point where we can justify everything and it will lead us into a very bad bad place. I think we must come to a consensus about what we want as a whole and work with that. We are too divided and complain about it, but then do nothing to help the situation. Yeah, I know a lot of that was irrelevant to the post, but I'm extremely tired right now and am spilling out randomness.
posted by drblt on Dec 25, 2006 at 07:09 AM
Chase, you always make a lot of sense. You are a voice of reason in a blogosphere marked by emotional reactivity.
posted by thenovelist on Dec 25, 2006 at 09:11 AM
Both of you always leave great comments...
posted by Chase on Dec 25, 2006 at 01:50 PM
N.L. you leave great follow up comments... just tryin to keep the train movin. Hah
Belardes:
Look, man...
I've said all this before, but here we go again.
I can appreciate the art of the blog... I enjoy writing them myself from time to time.
But to me... there's something fun about putting out a print paper.
It's kind of like driving a classic car. They may not have satellite radio or have the latest digital gadgets, but they've got a certain character to them.
Likewise, a monthly alt-paper may not be cutting edge, and it may not be instant, but there's something about them that I just like. I think they have character,
and I don't think I'm alone in that.
Your blog is fun for you, right? That's why you do it, right?
I assume it is fun, to a certain degree, otherwise you wouldn't do it.
Look...
If the RT was a "hard news" source, we'd be obsolete without a blog. Or a website. Or our own radio station... or... ANYTHING instant. I understand that.
However... we're a paper that prints articles that, for the most part, aren't time sensitive.
Does it matter if we do an article on Order 66 this month or next? Are they going anywhere? Are they any less valid of a band if we cover them next month instead of this?
Believe me... if funds are ever available and time becomes a non-issue, we'll build a website. We'll start up blogs and message boards and post videos and and and..
You have to realize... WE ARE BRAND NEW! Our second-ever issue just came out.
You've seen how few ads we have in our paper, right?
If you have, then it should make sense to you that we don't have the money to build a website right now. We're covering printing costs, and that's it.
And as for a blog... I apparently don't have the time that you do.
I have a day job AND a night job. If I were to attempt a time-sensitive blog right now, it would fail. Miserably.
So... I'm doing what I can.
Which happens to be a monthly alt-paper for Bakersfield.
You have the room in your life to handle a time-sensitive blog.
Good for you.
I'm glad it's working out.
Seriously, I really am.
But it's not for me. Not right now.
I'm sorry you can't understand that.
But the difference between you and I is... you consider yourself a journalist.
I'm not a journalist. I'm just a guy who started a paper, in hopes that people would send stuff in to keep it alive and interesting.
And as for Kenny's rant... you asked why folks should wait a month to read a rant.
Do you think Kenny's opinion is any less valid a month later?
How do you think Kenny would feel about that?
People's hate letters are published in MAXIM & PLAYBOY and countless other monthly publications-- and are those letters without merit simply because they're printed a month later.
Your logic is absurd, man.
THIS IS NOT HARD NEWS.
I don't know how else to tell you that, without continuing to run in circles.
Also... I believe Kenny said in his letter that while he was offended by the cover and its attempt at shock art, he was more offended/pissed by the content in the Random Times or the lack of content as he says:
"I'm pissed! The new random times for December has a picture of some jack off bastard on the cross looking like Jesus Christ with a Santa hat on! That's not why I'm pissed! I'm angry because I thought we were going to have an awesome new Alt paper that was going to cover the scene, stir the pot, attack the "MAN" and take it back to grass roots. Instead
we get the lamest attempt at making people angry. Jesus? In December"
"Somehow I knew this paper would suck. Now I can't even wipe my ass with it because Jesus is on the cover. You want to shock us? Put a picture of Moses whacking off with a dildo in his ass, or how about a Kwanzaa parade through Oildale. Or maybe, just maybe, a picture of an event or upcoming play or a supporter of the paper or a band? Wow, that would really be shocking. Fucking people. You get all excited about something and they just let you down. While trying to be different and fresh they already turned this paper into rancid turd. And for you people who will accept this paper as it is and continue to read it....you're only encouraging them to print more."
While Greg Goodsell's article on BIFF was good... it was a month old by the time it hit the streets in the Random Times!
If the Random Times is going to be Bakersfield's alt newspaper, it needs to serve its community. But without offering an online version for instant and fresh news, it needs to find a way to make its content fresh when it hits the streets.
Dw...Happy New Year, from...
:P
WWW.BAKOTOPIA.COM
James: I call myself a journalist? No, I have used the terms citizen journalist, blogger, and novelist. If ever I become a journalist, I will announce such.
Yet, you run a paper, and write for one, and you aren't a journalist? Bullshit.
You're making excuses once again. You're a journalist of sorts and a publisher.
Writing and maintaining a blog isn't any more time consuming than you posting your rants on my blog. You sure have enough time to come onto my blog and complain.
Oh yeah, and big deal if Kenny's rant wasn't hard news. We are talking about it, and you are contradicting yourself by even coming to this blog and commenting.
Your very comments are evidence that you value online discussion about the Random Times.
Matildakay: Let's face it, James doesn't get it. He's so fixated on his classic car idea for a newspaper, that he's ignored that today's print media is also online media. He's making excuses.
A blog is so easy to create and maintain... yeesh.
James: I had to delete your last comments. As usual, your words deteriorate into hate against me.
Hopefully, Kenny will come on here and comment about your questions.
And yes, words on blogs or in print can be worth their weight now or a month from now. BUT, you're ignoring that folks, like yourself, find value in online discussions. Or else your words wouldn't be here.
Face it, you just wanted to stir up trouble on my site. You could have just written Kenny for permission to print his rant in your paper. That would have been yet another easy solution for you.
Mr Mongold,
The reason I wrote to NL is because I wanted to. The reason I didn't E-mail you is because I didn't care to. I don't like the cover, I think it's beating a dead horse. You can't make everyone re-discover the true meaning of Christmas with an issue of RT. Everyone has their own view of what Christmas is all about. Lisa is fine artist and thats great you did an article about her. But lets not lose focus. Are you proud of the cover? Then stop beating around the bush and tell me to go fuck myself. Your too nice. Will you take the December issue into businesses and ask for their advertising support? Would you make a t shirt of the cover and wear it to your kids Christmas play? Do you want a handful of readers? Then keep up the good work. If you want serious support and faithful minions then you might try appealing to a larger group of people, it's your paper, do what you want. I'm not really even offended by the cover. I'm just disappointed in the content in general. You're right! Not everyone is going to enjoy the new 13 song Filthies Cd out January 14th on Fallen Angel records*(shameless plug)* so it's a good thing there are 4 million other bands in this world to choose from. But hopefully we'll appeal to a large group of people. We do have many types of artists in town, are you going to cover some of the mainstream artist as well? Not all of your readers as profound as yourself. A Random Times blog? Great idea. Then you could print some of the discussions every month. The background picture on the blog could be James with a tiny Fur tree hanging out of his ass! Now thats art!
Oh Nick, calm down. My hatred for you is a mild one. But your latest claim is outrageous!
I'm using your site to stir up trouble????
You posted a blog that was custom-designed to stir up trouble-- KENNY'S RANT!
All I'm doing is speaking my side. I'm sorry... was I not allowed to defend my paper?
And why should I hunt Kenny down to ask him for permission for anything? I posted the email address, so he can choose to use it or not. Do you really expect me to go to any greater lengths than that to help someone post a rant against my paper?
Don't be ridiculous.
OK, James bagged on Kenny, Kenny got personal back. No more personal attacks you guys.
James. I am calm. Look at how many question marks you're using: "I'm using your site to stir up trouble????"
An obvious sign of shrieking and ranting. :)
And why play dumb about stirring up trouble?
As for me, I was hesitant to post Kenny's email. I told Kenny that I would get the usual hate mail from you for posting his email. I was right.
Darn, you could have written a lot on the Random Times blog, James, with all your comments. If you had a blog.
Great comment, Kenny.
I can dig that you hate the cover.
And to address your question... am I proud of it?
I'll say this... I am EXTREMELY proud that I gave an artist creative control over the cover photo.
Some people might think that's irresponsible, but I think even you (as a musician) has got to respect when someone gives an artist creative control.
What if a producer told your band that your music isn't commercial enough, and asked you to change it for the sake of the mainstream society? I hope you'd tell them to go fuck themselves, and not compromise the vision of your music for anyone at any time.
I'm a lover of artists and writers and musicians.
And I believe in letting them have control over their own work.
And if the shit hits the fan, I understand that I'm the one who has to eat it all with a smile on my face.
The only reason I started commenting on this blog is because I'm defending my right to allow an artist to have creative control. But then something happened, and I once again got caught up in Nick's sermons on the validity of online media (which I've never once denied).
The cover may seem like a beaten horse... but I stand behind it.
And I will stand behind every cover every single time... because I will support the artist who submitted it.
No matter what.
peace.
Hijole! pronounced eeh-ho-lay, spanish for yikes
I agree with d.w. who said: The simple message of Christ: "Love one another".
"Mild hate" is still hate. You can disagree with someone without hating them. It takes more effort to hate someone anyways.
As for me, I think I changed my mind about wanting a copy of the Random Times. I'll just stick to bakotopia.com and nlbelardes.com. They're easier to read since they are online anyways.
Hope you all have a great new year and continued success in all you do! (including James and the writing staff at the Random Times)
Okaaaayyy............ I did not finish reading all the comments, because honestly, it just got a bit redundant. I completely understand that some people did not like the art I did for the cover of RT, whether is is because they were offended, or because they feel it is complete and utter shite. Whatever. I don't really care who doesn't like my art. I create for ME. But listen up.... had I WANTED to be "shocking," I MOST CERTAINLY would have done so. Do you really think that's all I have up my sleeve? My cover art has nothing to do with "shock value." It is a commentary on the commercialism of Christmas. Nothing more. Should I repeat that? NOTHING MORE. Now, having said that, I would also like my critics to note that the days before deadline were spent at the Heart Hospital because my mother had a heart attack. I did not have a lot of time or energy to spend creating. But here's the great thing about art - not everyone has to like it. Thank GOD the same goes for music, eh Kenny? Kisses, ~Lysa Luna
Yay, Mongold supports online media! (He just trashes me and my blog! woo!)
Thanks James for your "mild hatred" and your appreciation for online media. Always appreciated from you.
Lysa: I hope your dad gets well soon. Although I lost my parents from heart-related ailments, I know modern medicine helps most people through such hard times.
And yes, I know Lysa, you could really shock us if you wanted to!
Nick:
1. It was Lysa's mother that had a heart attack. Please re-read her comment.
2. I used to support you and your blog... and even defend you sometimes when people called you an arrogant asshole.
But... you burned two of my friends and you've tried repeatedly to cause problems for me and my paper. Do you expect me to want to hold your hand and skip through flowery meadows with you?
Hey! That would make a great illustration for the cover of the next RT!
Anyway, take care, Nick.
See ya at the next scandal!
James: I never needed you to defend me. And if anyone is arrogant, it's you. I'm not on your website/myspace/newspaper causing problems.
I burned your friends? Because I don't play your good old boy politics? Screw that.
I'm not worried about you or your cover art. I never was. But I'm good at Photoshop too. Just remember that when you go joking.
I have emails regarding some of your antics that would go great as captions beneath images of you.
Have you really just threatened me with Photoshop?
Hey man... do what you gotta do.
If it makes you feel like a man to doctor up some photos of me and try and make me look like a clown, knock yourself out.
But be sure and write a long blog about it, as I enjoy the exposure you're giving my paper.
Thanks for everything, man!
P.S.-- can I email you some photos for you to get started on?
James: I'm just saying, if you start doctoring photos of me for a cover, I have the same talent. So, I believe you threatened, and I'm countering and suggesting I can handle your antics.
boys, boys, boys! enough already and let's move on... this is tired all ready!
nl has great ideas and a talent that james won't acknowledge.
james is james and will do what he feels his right even if it's not in the greatest of common sense.
It's kind of like driving a classic car. They may not have satellite radio or have the latest digital gadgets, but they've got a certain character to them.
yeah, but you can add a transmitter and ipod to update a classic and give it more character... lol.
lysa is an awesome artist. i hope her mother gets well soon.
peace... next subject please!
I need to clarify something....Lysa's art is not what offends me. It's a great piece. The reflection below showing the true Christ while the Christ "casting' the reflection has more suffering and the wearing of a hat that symbols nothing more than a played out commercial for consuming. the spirit of Christmas is diminishing. I love it! Just not on the cover. It's not Lysa's fault and I realize that she chose that one to go on the cover, but someone should have advised her that it would be in very bad taste for RT to put it on the cover and simply had her choose another and then put the Christ photo on the inside. Why? Because most people won't really enjoy Lysa's art for what it is...wonderful. They'll simply glance at the paper, gawk, then never know what was in it, only that it offended them.. and go on thinking Random Times blows. Please don't think that I didn't like your art.
Man, if I only could have seen all this dick sucking coming ahead of time... I sure as hell would have jumped in line a lot earlier.
Shit talk, shop talk, retracted statements and butt sucking.
I think I'm all caught up on my Soaps for the week... thanks everybody.
Heath Dobbler
heh.
meh.
Hey Lisa I think your art looked cool and I can't wait to see what you do next. I don't really read the random times because I have a TV and I like to watch it. Lisa I like your art because it takes awhile to see everything. Oh yeah and just for the record I think the filthies friggin' rock.
Remember Kids:
Christmas is what you make out of it....
Peace!
This is why I love Paperback Writer. ha.
The discussion goes from light to heated, to freaken funny as hell all on the same article. haha.
What!
The random times doesnt have a blog?
I wonder why?
I'd like to see Kenny on the cover next month wiping his ass with the Jesus issue.
Be careful daring Kenny. Punk rock morticians are CRAZY!
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This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
I like both of the suggested cover ideas ... James and Nick skipping through flowers (should be the February issue) and Kenny wipping his ass with the Dec issue for January's cover. Awesome! There could be articles re: the controversy to go with the cover art. But maybe that's just my sick sense of humor ...
Better yet I'd like to see Kenny wiping the ass of a dead guy with that issue, that would be crazy.
Now that's gross!!
Be careful. We might offend Kenny for talking about the deceased in a humorous light...
He might write a letter to me about me!
I think the writing in RT this month was a huge improvement over the writing in their first issue. I'm looking foreward to the next installment.
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