Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:43:33 -0400
From: angusson <angusson-AT-aol.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] encouragement - joining puppet organizations


I am composing a note to Jon Green and want him to know that I agree with him, essentially.=A0
More on this later.

But I want to respond to Jim Menke's recent negative posts.=A0

I think it important to hear all sides of an issue. One would hope that any posting here on Puptcrit would be made in an objective manner and that the information presented would be as accurate and as honest as the writer could produce. One would hope that the posts might be constructive.=A0Healthy, positive criticism is a good thing. Helpful. =A0Necessary, even.

This, apparently, is not how Jim chooses to express himself. Far be it from me to try to divine why Jim is so bitter.=A0
I do know that the editor he derides has made a number of overtures to Jim to contribute to the Journal. I also know that under this same editor, Jim has published=A0several articles in the Journal. One wonders what Jim really wants?=A0

I =A0also wonder where Jim gets his information regarding those 'important' =A0puppeteers who do NOT belong. =A0I'd like to see their names. Please indulge me as I list a few puppeteers who DO=A0=A0belong to the Puppeteers of America. Not important enough to Jim perhaps, but I'm proud to call a few of them 'friend.' Each has made significant contributions to American and world puppetry. I did this in a hurry. I mean to exclude no one.=A0

How about Phillip Huber? Ronnie Burkett. Paul Mesner. Gretchen Van Lente. Bob Baker. René Zendejas. Pam Arciero. Jim Rose. Richard Bradshaw. Christopher Hudert. Deborah Costine. Martin P. Robinson. Heather Henson. Paul Vincent Davis. Mary Robinette Kowal. =A0Get the message? There are so many others who, perhaps have not achieved celebrity status but who produce outstanding shows, and who are important to those that really count: Their audiences!

Apparently, PofA is just mediocre enough for these folks to renew year after year. Funny, ain't it?=A0

BTW: =A0Jim. =A0IF =A0PofA =A0WERE an 'elitist' group, then I would not be allowed in.=A0

FWIW.
Best,
Fred Thompson











Mark, you mention the puppeteers that were greats BACK WHEN. That is the P
of A I grew up with and loved. It just is not like that today. I personally
knew Martin Stevens, The Roses, The Proctors Alan Cook,had contact with Bil
Baird and I was the one who told Jim Henson about the P of A and gave him
the address to join. I also knew Rod Young. So don't quote those names to
me.

Puppet Hub could not be easier to join and maintain contact with puppeteers
on it.Just go on it and look at my page to see what I have accomplished as a
puppeteer. That is easy to do, just put my name in the search section.

You will NEVER convince me to rejoin P of A. It is simply a mediocre
organization not worth the dues.

JM

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