Hello All, I find it truly amazing that certain people did not pick up on the irony of my statement (As if my subject line was not enough of a hint). Granted, I do believe in what I had said, but I chose to write in an over the top manner that is similar to many of Morrissey's lyrics. I find Chris's response to my letter proves my point about Smiths fans better then I did myself: His reaction was one of knee-jerk anger, with obvious attempts to hurt my feelings. I am oh so sorry Chris for not following in the lockstep fashion (fascism) of the Smiths Army (by the way Chris, if I still felt the same way about the band now as I did when I was 16 would mean that I have not grown as a person since then--maybe one day you will understand what I mean and not react in such a manner). I find that there is no point in further responding to Chris's statement, because it will be like attempting to discuss the pros of Capitalism with a member of the Red Guard. And thank-you to Justin for picking up on a part of what I was saying: Imagine if you will Justin, being a person like myself (well imagine me at 16) who smokes, likes to have a drink or two and being a Smiths fan (which, contrary to what some people may think I still am--why does irony seem to be lost on so many?), and having a legion of male and female Morrissey clones "tsk tsk" you and call you an animal killer because you order a drink from the bar at a Smiths show? So you are right, my perspective was different; because I did not conform to what was expected of a Smiths fan I was seen as the "enemy" by lonely kids from the suburbs who today probably work in dreary jobs and watch Ally Mcbeal--oh, and probably have forgotten about their "childish" attempts at being a vegetarian. The point--if it is not clear by now--is that any type of conformity is negative (even if this conformity is for the supposed "liberal" ideals of someone like Morrissey. I say "supposed" because I remember in the late 80s early 90s Morrissey took on a very pro-British attitude that some at the time found to be slightly racist--but I digress...), and the conformity that surrounded Smiths fans went against the notion of personal freedom which should be important to anyone who has any sensitivities to others; and I feel that Belle and Sebastian--and the band's fans--represent this notion better than those of the Smiths. (I have a feeling that some might read too much into what I just said; meaning that I have a grudge, that I was not "liked" by Smiths fans or something like that. I am just using an example of something that happened--at the time I found their idiocy both funny and sad.) That's about it. I'm off to listen to "The Queen is Dead" (ha ha). Please remember that it is healthy to disagree and to argue in an intelligent manner--and to keep an open mind. Have a nice day all, Joseph +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the reborn Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail "sinister@majordomo.net". To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to "majordomo@majordomo.net". WWW: http://www.majordomo.net/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "jelly-filled danishes" +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+