We wrote a reply for Sarah Lomax, who is supposed to be a Bragg fan-- an indignant letter with a couple of Bragg lyric references

From: Sarah Lomax

To: Britton Van Horn; billy-bragg@things.org

Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 11:36 AM

Subject: Re: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha...hey!!!

I can't believe the crassness that it took for you to include Dan Adler in your correspondence making fun of him and the lack of tact that it took to clog my mailbox with your crap. I have no interest in what you think of Dan - I know him and you don't. Regardless of his politics, Dan is the sweetest, most considerate guy that I've ever met; he's a far cry better than arrogant losers who not only think themselves superior to a man that they've never met, but need to flaunt their alleged loftiness in front of him.

Dan embodies many of the things that I think would make this world a better > place-he's considerate and very considerate of others' welfare. You two, however, seem a little too interested in crushing the spirit of those who disagree with you; more Joseph Stalin than "Socialism of the heart."

If I thought that you were typical of Billy's fans, I'd never even admit that I've heard of him.

"You are judged by your actions

And not by your pretensions"

The original correspondent replied, again courteous but dancing around the allegations of arrogance in forcing their unflattering conversation upon other people instead of addressing the offending parties directly.

From : Britton VanHorn

To : Sarah Lomax

Subject Re: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha...hey!!!

Date : Wed, 23 Feb 2000 12:23:52 -0500

I don't find it hard to believe that Dan is a "sweet" and "considerate" guy. Lots of people with whom I disagree are. At least he cares about these things, and, as his response shows, he's not some helpless "babe in the woods" in need of kid-glove treatment. That is one reason, my own smart-ass comments aside, I included the link to his site. That way, anyone interested would have access to something besides second-hand accounts from an admittedly biased source. By the way, your mail refers to "you two." Did some one else send a personal message I'm not aware of? Did they go even farther over the line than you believe I have? Again, thanks for your message. I'm always glad to see some one who feels wronged (even by me) fight back.

--Britton in Baltimore, USA

"Not all of it is positive, but that's what makes the world go round."