- For Lack of White Robes Fiction by Wade Hartel
- I am really drawn to this work and enjoyed the story. He is eloquent in his writing and clever at the same time. Mr. Hartel manages to point out what is seemingly obvious yet most likely unrealized by any of those characters. My favorite part: "Anything was permitted on cardboard as long as it had an exclamation point. Pity, then, that no one thought to write them in Spanish." Beginning the story, I had it all figured out in my head. Wow, was I wrong. Yet when I look back, I don't know how I didn't realize what the topic of the story was and where it was going to go. That's the thing about a great writer: they can convince you of one thing while pointing out the truth. Thank you for publishing his writing. --Mandi Ward
- A Drink with Ron Wood Nonfiction by Chris Epting
- I laughed my tush off with this story. What is forbidden is what makes it funny. Naive youth and rock icons are a perfect combo for a story. Chris has the knack for using words that makes readers feel like they are sitting right next to him while he is relaying the story. It's as if I can see the expressions in his face as he is telling it and I am cracking up at all the punch lines. I can't help it. My husband was asking me what I was laughing so much at, and I told him it was Chris' writing! ...a great piece! --Enea Ostrich
- America's Secret Crime Against the Family Miscellany by Jess DelBalzo
- Dear Jess--I found your opinions to be very disturbing. What is your solution to adoption, kill the babies? Where are your citations for the claims you make about the psychological damages to adopted children? Your article may traumatize an adopted person who reads your unsubstantiated claims. You wrote: "Perhaps this explains why adopted children are over-represented at both in and out-patient psychological treatment facilities." Have you any studies to back this up? Oh--no, I forgot. You wrote "perhaps." That means you don't. If you actually do any real research, you will learn that disadvantaged or neglectful or birth mothers are to blame--they typically lack early pre-natal care. The birth mother of our child did not seek pre-natal care until six months into her pregnancy. She also smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol. A very balanced and well-researched article can be found at National Review, August 4, 2008 issue. "Lost Generation: adoption in America has collapsed; here's what to do about it." Excerpt: "Transracial adoption is a volcanically touchy issue--the National Association of Black Social Workers has deployed weapons-grade rhetoric characterizing the practice as 'cultural genocide.' That ideology has had predictable consequences: Black children spend more time in foster care than others, and in general have less luck in finding permanent adoptive homes. The Multi-Ethnic Placement Act of 1994, a legacy of the late senator Howard Metzenbaum, forbade the use of race as the decisive factor in making adoption-placement decisions, but the language of the statute left those politically opposed to transracial adoptions with room for much mischievous maneuvering. Would-be adoptive parents were disqualified for expressing political opinions at odds with social workers' preferences. Just as the social workers of Teddy Roosevelt's day defended the orphanages against the president's radical drive for adoptions, their professional descendants have defended racial practices that allow them to impose their own political preferences as policy." --Deb, adoptive mother
- Talebearer Fiction by A. Ray Norsworthy
- I've never commented on any story that I've read on the internet, but this time I simply must. Since I read this incredible story I haven't been able to get it out of my head. What beautiful, poetic prose about the horrors of one delusional woman's afflictions. How in the world did he get inside her skin and make this troubled soul so real? Since I read this story I have looked up other stories Mr. Norsworthy has written. What a prodigiously talented writer he is! I'm just amazed that he isn't already famous. Please continue to publish his stories. Thank you.
- Nacissism Nation: My Country 'Tis of Me Salon Essay by Tom Dooley
- I have to wonder about discussions of cultural narcissism in a literary magazine... is there any more narcissistic soul than that of the artist or any gaze ultimately more perversely focused inward than that of the artist engaged in the contemplation that inspires, sustains, and ultimately values their art? --C
- Nips Fiction by Brad Wetherell
- Just read "Nips" by Brad Wetherall and wanted to congratulate you on publishing
such a terrific story. It's my first time at ECLECTICA but I'll be back and looking for
more new work by Wetherall and your other excellent writers. --RRB
- My Mother's Lost Loves Nonfiction by Jessy Randall
- I just read "My Mother's Lost Loves" By Jessy Randall and was so impressed, I added it to my StumbleUpon.
My comments there were as follows: "This is about the best damned thing I've read on the web all year, It's a short essay about lost love...and how we idealize those in our past. Is there something concrete in the nostalgia and regret we feel for the one not chosen? The one who may have very well been The One? Or is it just a time-induced amnesia that shines only the softest light on those who are no longer around to make an ass of themselves?" Either way, this is a topic that hits close to home with me. --navkat
- Return to Tannu Uriankhai Fiction by James Warner
- In about two minutes' of reading, he packs in so much meaning that I have been
remembering that story with all the depth and vividness of something much
longer. It is funny but also touching and strikes a deep chord on the modern
condition.
- Why I love gay men Nonfiction by Timothy David Orme
- I just read this article and I have
a few responses to it. As far as women kissing in public being okay, I
think it is because men get off on it. Notice that when the women kissed
(or almost kissed) it was because THE MEN TOLD THEM TOO. How many
straight men *really* like seeing two dykes together in public? The second thought I have is that the way straight men express their
sexuality is often degrading to women--especially the way they do it in
grups with their buddies--that would explain why someone, namely the
author, might be uncomfortable acting like a straight guy. Maybe you're
not the slightest bit gay, Tim (or whatever you go by)--maybe you're
just not an asshole. PS--I love gay men too. Signed, R., a straight woman
- Andromeda's Museletter Travel by A. Lopez
- I just want to tell A. Lopez that I really enjoyed her informative piece on everyday
life in the UAE. Especially the part on what "in sh'allah"(sp?) means... anyways, since
there was no email for her in the contributors info page, it'd be nice if you can let
her know someone really appreciated her piece--it was entertaining and informative. --Joy
- Two Women and a Boat (to say nothing of the dog), Nonfiction by Jane Cates
- Hi--Just finished reading Jane Cates's piece on building a boat (she posted a link to the Dead Runners Society listserv) -- loved it, and I'm also pleased to find out about your magazine. I'll read more. Regards--Brendan
- Two Women and a Boat (to say nothing of the dog), Nonfiction by Jane Cates
- I just read this and wanted to share my reaction with you. I found this piece of writing wonderful. I'd love to read more by Jane Cates. --nlc
- Two Women and a Boat (to say nothing of the dog), Nonfiction by Jane Cates
- That thing by Jane Cates is the greatest thing I've ever read. She told me to say that. But that doesn't mean it isn't true. --Chris Howard
- January/February 2006 Issue
- Editors--what a great issue the Jan/Feb Eclectia is. The internet is sometimes (most times?) looked down upon by print publications. Eclectica is certainly as good as many of the UK print publications i currently subscribe to. Fine work. Thanks--Chris Major
- Another Incarnation, Nonfiction by Valentine Michael Smith
- Amazing that the author who calls himself Valentine Michael Smith doesn't admit to having held police at bay in Missouri a few years ago when he discusses having left violence behind. Are we supposed to feel sympathy toward a man who has, by his own admission, tried to kill more than a dozen people, is a mental hospital escapee, and we know full well is lying about not having committed one act of violence in 26 years? Move his story to the fiction section since that's most assuredly exactly what it is.
- Duraznitos, Fiction by Lilliana Blum
- I wish I could read Spanish well enough to read all her work. Its delicacy belies the needle sharp wit in its center. It's wonderful.
--Sandra Scofield
- 00:00:01, Poetry by Dave Smith
- Powerful, emotional and moving. The author shows deep empathy and understanding of a mother's heart.
- Interview with James Valentine, Director of Passion of the Christ—The Outtakes
- Chris Wilson defames the Lord's followers and continues the Liberal
elite's gross persecution of God-fearing Christians. Nicely done.
- Sometimes I Wish I Lived on a Houseboat
- Dear Tom: Why can't you live on a houseboat? A moveable water front zip code. It's my dream and I'm about to embark on making it happen. My research has turned up nothing but equivalent's to floating mobile homes. I have all my teeth thank you. Has anyone written to you about there adventures and how they've managed. I go to sleep with a vision of fine mill work, custom upholstery and the best kitchen ever afloat. Even a little fireplace for those cold Bahamian winters (propane of course). Thanks! —Laurie
- Stranger Than Fiction: Stories
- Kevin, you are a fantastic writer... as another Chuck P. fan who didn't like Lullaby either, I loved your Gonzo riff on his last book. [snip] —Mike
- Calling Your Bluff
- It is really sexy! —Nan
- Calling Your Bluff
- This poem...well....it makes me feel wantonly sensual, wild as a mustang, and carried by those high winds that hit the Four Corners of the U.S. Fresh, Clean. —CBrooke
- Calling Your Bluff
- That is the toughest, smoothest, most kick-ass poem I've ever read. Jesus! When you read a fucking POEM and experience the delicious humiliation of being dommed by un-beautiful words that flow like sex, you know it's time for a new poet laureate. This woman writes like Lucinda Williams sings--singing the chrome off a trailer hitch. That poem is so fuckin' tight you couldn't swipe a debit card thru. —K.M.
- January's Resolution
- What a delight to see a poem by Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda in this issue—she is as delightful a person as she is a poet! In the depth of summer, I loved reading her words about January. —Shann Palmer
- America's Secret Crime Against the Family
- This has got to be the most self-righteous piece of tripe I've read in months. Is the monetary price for adoption exorbitant? No doubt. But in a world of 6 billion people, where women in developing nations are still treated like broodmares with no access to contraception, what does the author suggest as an alternative? Just let these children grow up neglected and sick because they are born to women and girls who have absolutely no means to provide even the most basic of necessities for them, like food, water, shelter, and clothing—if these children even survive? What about unwanted children? Newsflash: Not all birth-mothers want and love their children. The notion that they do, as well as the notion that birth-mothers make better parents, or are even emotionally ready or able to be parents, simply because they conceive and pass on their genetics, is presumption on the author's part at best, utter nonsense at worst. A cursory glance at child abuse statistics among biological parents lays waste to the assertion. What's more, the notion that a child comes into the world expecting "the familiar" is preposterous. Infants have no idea of the world around them, no sense of boundaries, no sense of self or other. No, all I see here is anger, self-righteousness, and ugliness—no suggestions, no solutions. When she can do something productive, like discuss the importance of educating women, developing better forms of contraception and providing access to it, and empowering women with choice concerning whether to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term, all she does is spout vitriol. Please, Ms. DelBalzo, spare us your intolerance and hate. It's women like you who help keep women oppressed. T.K.
- America's Secret Crime Against the Family
- This is a wonderfully direct and masterfully crafted piece, full of ideas and things that really should get people way angry—no disrespect to Shann Palmer, but balance is for the trite and bland publications, and not a magazine of creative fire. DelBalzo has offered something for us to lick our lips and taste the blood, or bite our lips until we draw some.
- A Choice of Both
- I have been out of loop with Eclectica for a while, but I seem to remember McGowin showing up back then too, so I guess you (the Editors) have some fondness for his words. It's hard to express just how unremarkable I found this work—it feels more involved with promoting the image of the writer behind it than delving selflessly (no pun intended) into the subject matter. Might have made for a good metaphor, something almost like Barth, had the writer had enough wits about him to realize such a thing.
- America's Secret Crime Against the Family
- I want to thank you for Jess DelBalzo's excellent article that brings to
light the dark side of adoption. When, even with help, parents are unable
or unwilling to keep their children safe, the children should be taken
away to a safer home. However, many parents, myself included, lost our
children to adoption simply because they had temporary financial problems
and were unmarried. We were told by adoption agencies that adoption would
be the best thing we could do for our children and that keeping our
children would only bring them harm. They hid from us all the harm that
adoption causes, and the fact that we could have made good parents,
despite temporary financial hardships. For us and our children, adoption
is a tragedy that unnecessarily separates families. This article should
be read by all families considering adopting and by all mothers
considering surrendering their children.
—Bernadette
- The Birth of an Anti-Semitism
- Tom Rogers' pre-emptive strike against Mel Gibson film is predicated on the idea that the Gospels themselves are "inherently antisemitic". Apparently logical debate stops at that point as being anti-semitic somehow disqualifies you having a point of view. Well I saw the film, something that TR doesn't need to, and anything that makes me check out the historical record which brought me Mr Rogers piece can't be too bad. Antisemitic? Don't know and, shock horror, don't care. If I have to be obliged to recognize antisemitism everywhere I'll feel obliged to do the same for the Romans and everyone else. Frankly, I just can't be bothered. In a world full of real everyday tragedy, it is cheapening to almost to be apologetic to just one group. I wouldn't care if any of Steven Speilberg films are anti-German. I doubt it. Anti-semitism is, or has become, a term of heresy applied to other people. It is a charge that people have to defend. Heretics rarely owned up to it and anti-semites, it seems, are a bit like that. The net effect of this double standard has been an increasing incidence of holocaust fatigue. The film is without a doubt anti-mob and so am I. And if there was a mob of jews who were responsible for an act of horrible punishment, those who get upset will just have to get over it. Join the club that the rest of us humans share. Even Mel Gibson. —Nick Lindsley
- Ptim Callan
- I found this at the bottom of a search engine looking for "academic" takes on Eminem's work, since I was sure there must be some. This piece is a parody of academic criticism, I guess, although I'm not exactly sure what the "genre" being parodied or the point being played with is... actually, of all his work so far, I find "Without Me" to be the most condusive to REAL scholarship, from Mathers' parody of the Nursery Rhyme at the beginning, undercutting the idea of "girl" with "innocence" like much of the rest of the piece. It's ironic that Eclectica now has on it's staff the #1 nursery rhyme parodyist around (see McGowin's online novels). But anyway, congrats on publishing something so experimental. —Rudy Carter
- Kevin McGowin
- Great Job Mr. McGowin! A well rounded and interesting array of picks! The choices stretch and inform the head, great brain food... a well informed gentleman, McGowin, and man of letters himself...
—CBR
- Paula Sergi
- The poems in the October/Novemember 2003 issue are brilliantly posed! I commend every writer. As a fellow writer myself I am in awe of such beauty and talent. The poems, "Impatiens" and "Ice" by Paula Sergi are magnificent! I enjoyed reading them tremendously. I applaud her! Thank you for this wonderful place to share in the love of poetry!
~Lisa~
- America's Secret Crime Against the Family
- Certainly there are horror stories on all sides, but the author paints all adopters—the "slave traders"—as desperate, living cushy lives, certainly cruel and infertile. Is it really beyond our imagination to conceive of a couple wanting to share their home because they recognize a real state of crisis? As an argument, this fails. It made me wonder if this was a short story: a college student trying to write a balanced essay on adoption but sliding, however sympathetically, into self report. –Diane
- Carl Barks: Conversations
- You know, I had absolutely NO idea who Carl Barks was... but after reading this and purchasing several of Ault’s books... I’m just thrilled. Thank you so much! Great work. It’s always nice to have the walls of one’s world pushed out a little bit. —A
- America's Secret Crime Against the Family
- The recent article America's Secret Crime Against the Family is the most accurate and honest piece on adoption I have thus far read. My gratitude for your courage to print this is fully extended.
- MALUNGU: The African Origin of the American Melungeons
- I was just introduced to your website by a friend and just read the Jul/Aug 2001 article, "Munlungu: The African Origin of the American Melungeons." Although I'm a Caucasian, I feel every American of every race should read this interesting and most informative article about our mixed races of: Caucasion, African, and Native American and their history from 1618 to the 1700s. Why wasn't this taught in our history classes? Why haven't we heard more about it in our free society?
I'm looking forward to visting your wonderful "web-magzine" again. Keep up the good work. Kudos to you! —Carolyn Bingler McLaughlin
- Two Poems
- I sat down this morning to read the new issue and almost blew coffee out of my nose when I read John Reinhard's poems . . .especially the one w/ Dave the cantaloupe. His son should get together with my youngest, who recently posed for photographs with his "pet grapefruit."
- A Choice of Both
- McGowin seems more a surrealist than anything, if one must label someone's work at all, in his early stories in your magazine and even in his Benny Poda Trilogy, which went out of its way to parody seemingly ever writer of the past four centuries, and ironically landed him comparisons with Bukowski for his parodies of said, or Henry Miller, for same. He's probably a much better writer than either, certainly the former. When not winking at the reader with literary allusions, which grows a bit tiresome, he's at his best—like this story, which is short and could easily be overlooked. To me, it's like Cortazar—quick, bizarre, condensed. Also like Cortazar, this story's undercurrents are much more disturbing than anything in PODA. With not a single obscene word, or a word too much, this story is so good in its focus on the individual AND society—not the individual AND the individual.~JN
- A Choice of Both
- I really liked the Kevin McGowin piece. —Lily
- Various
- I really enjoyed Tom's "A Puerto Rican Retro-Perspective" and its accompanying photographs. They reminded me of my family's yearly pilgrimage to Mexico City, which began for me when I was 2 years old. I will not lie and say that my brother and I were well-behaved children, but we always came home a little more grown up and with new experiences. The families Tom describes seem unappreciative of the places they visit. Sad indeed.
Equally as enjoyable was C.E. Chaffin's "View from the Left Coast" because I spent time in San Miguel in 1997, and his descriptions bring back fond memories of that wonderful little town of cobblestone streets and Gabriel Figueroa skies.
I loved the poetry of Chelle Miko, and of course, Julie's "Surprises."
Eclectica is a joy to read!
—Beatriz Cedillo
- Puerto Rican Retro-Spective by Tom Dooley
- I just *had* to write and thank you for that marvelous rant regarding American children, or more importantly, American "parents." Of course, for me, you were preaching to the choir since I've been involved with young children (and teens) for years. I used to teach h.s. English and have directed early childhood programs as well. Just as an illustration of how absolutely on the money you are and how often my husband and I *go off* on this particular subject, I will offer one example (there are thousands, as you well know). Recently, when I was teaching my Pre-I gymnastics class (children 3-3/12 years), one of my little ones did not follow the safety rules and so I did not stamp her feet. I use stamps as a reward for good behavior, or withhold them when necessary, to be more precise :-) The child was very upset , which is always promising because it's much more difficult to deatl with a typically spoiled child who could care less. Generally, if I refuse a stamp, the child will be rewarded with a lollipop by the parent to *offset* the shock of that event. I do spend tons of time prepping to earn this *caring* aspect. (i.e. "Let's put on our best listening ears so I can give you a stamp!" etc.) Anyway, the child cried a bit so "Mom" rushed into the gym.
Mom: "Oh my! She's so upset! She's crying!"
Me: "Oh, that's a good sign. It means she cares and will try to do better."
Mom: "What can I do so she'll get her stamps?"
ME: "I'm sorry, Mom, but you don't earn the stamps. Your daughter does. I set very clear expectations for behavior in my class. When she decides it's important to cooperate, she will earn her stamps."
The next week, the child had her best listening ears on. I realize this is a mild example of stupid-parent-tricks but I swear, you wrote an essay that states exactly how I feel most of the time on this subject.
We live in a society that is ruining its children because people are not willing to do the work of parenting them, period. Everything is entertainment to people, and they honestly believe their job is to 1. entertain their children and 2. be entertained by them. No wonder we live in a world perpetuated by self-involved people: they were raised to believe that is the norm!
Take Care and keep up the good work—your journal ROCKS.
—Chelle
- Kansas by Drew McNaughton
- Drew McNaughton is awesome. Loved his story "Kansas". — Bea
- America's Secret Crime Against the Family by Jess DelBalzo
- It was absolutely wonderful to read such honest words about adoption.
Kudos to Ms. DelBalzo for writing this article and kudos to Eclectica
for publishing it—not only able to recognize the validity of
challenging this sacred cow, but to do so from within the most adoption
crazed nation in the world.
Though Nazi Germany was probably the first country to promote infant
adoption, America has most certainly been the most successful, serving
as first a model and then a customer for other nations in this cruel
exploitation of young mothers and their babies. America has long held
a bad reputation for carrying off the babies of young mothers in such
countries as Ireland and Australia. Today as more and more evidence (For example, the findings of this review of several studies: "A grief
reaction unique to the relinquishing mother was identified. Although
this reaction consists of features characteristic of the normal grief
reaction, these features persist and often lead to chronic, unresolved
grief. CONCLUSIONS: The relinquishing mother is at risk for long-term
physical, psychologic, and social repercussions. Although interventions
have been proposed, little is known about their effectiveness in
preventing or alleviating these repercussions." Journal of Obstetric,
Gynecological and Neonatal Nursing, 1999 Jul-Aug; 28(4):395-400
Postadoptive reactions of the ...mother: a review) points to manmade adoptions as faulty substitutes for naturally
occurring families and while other countries begin to acknowledge the
harm of infant adoption practices, America steps up it's efforts to
benefit from the misery of it's own citizens by devising new methods
for and spending more money on separating mothers from their babies
I'm eager for more people to stand up and admit that the emperor is, in
fact, naked.
—Kay Russell
- America's Secret Crime Against the Family by Jess DelBalzo
- Excellent article. It was sent to me by a friend. I am a birthmother have been for 39 years. It spoke to me as if I was saying it myself. It is
something I would give as reading material if I wanted someone to know what
it feels like to be a birthmother in this society. All prospective Adoptive
couples should be demanded to read it before a decision is made. I realize
some are so caught up in their own pain that they would not be reached
anyway. But maybe it would come back to them someday and help an adoptee in
need of reconnection.
Anyone working to change laws in their state should use this as a
reference. I don't know who the author is but God Bless. Yours in
Adoption reform, Judy
- America's Secret Crime Against the Family by Jess DelBalzo
-
Thank you SO MUCH for printing the truth about adoption via Jess
DelBalzo's article. I would have read her article with interest five
years ago, but after my reunion with my own natural family, I realize
that my passion about adoption and its harm matches or exceeds Ms.
DelBalzo's. My research into the adoption industry has taught me that
Ms. DelBalzo is quite honest in her reporting. I will no longer
tolerate calling adopters "parents" and I will teach my son and
soon-to-be-born child that pretending to be parents through adoption is
wrong. Thank you again for allowing the truth to be spoken. Ms.
DelBalzo should receive an award for this honest and well-written
report. — Tricia Shore, Natural Mother and Reunited Adoptee
Founder
- America's Secret Crime Against the Family by Jess DelBalzo
- I'm horrified by this one-sided report by someone who calls themselves a 'family preservationalist.' In my husband's family (four sisters and six brothers among his mother and father) eight of them adopted children in addition to having their own, and those children, in turn, have adopted children of their own. I'm not sure how many that makes total because I'm not sure who is adopted and who isn't. No one paid a fortune for any child or went abroad, there are no more problems than in any other families I've known (and I've been a teacher for thirty years). Birth parents who have been sought have been welcomed into the family.
My aunt and uncle adopted two daughters in Alaska, both have been in touch with their relatives and one married into her tribe, has adopted a son of her own. My son's best friend is one of two adopted brothers, he has unsuccessfully sought his birth family and he remains close to his adopted family. Shall I mention the natural mother here who put her infant in a microwave? The parents who had their kids sleeping chained up and working the farm? There are horror stories on all sides. Balance, not screaming. Leave that to CNN and FOX news. — shann palmer
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