<VV> Re: April Fools Issue

[John Bailey]

Tim:

I just received my April issue today and was somewhat surprised by the 
material continued inside.  The bar car looks almost credible as I happen to 
know the burning man festival is full of unusual people, events and things 
(but welding to only one side of a differential?).  I have serious doubts 
about the existence of the electric Rampside, and the advice contained 
within Tech topics (4 cylinder Corvairs).   I can understand having an 
article or two of an April Fools nature, but not a layout that throws into 
doubt the credibility of the entire issue.  The president's column 
specifically states "...some content is practical and some is just practical 
jokes"  It costs a heck of a lot of money, time and effort to publish and 
distribute the Communiqué and I do not wish to receive a jokebook every 
April.  Fun is great, but first and foremost an organization's magazine 
should provide members with relevant and useful information.  Last year's 
April issue was fine and I almost was taken in by the famous crate motor 
column - that was a super piece of fun writing.  At the same time however, 
I was fairly confident about the validity of the other articles in  the 
April 2006 issue.

John B.
'61 700 sedan 80 HP PG

> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2007 16:14:23 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Tim Verthein <minoxphotographer at yahoo.com>
> Subject: <VV> April Fools Issue
> To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
> Message-ID: <107433.36003.qm at web31014.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> OK, last year I thought it was kinda cute. And believe me, I do have
> quite a sense of humor, but this year the whole "April Fool" thing in
> the Communique is just plain irritating.  I think perhaps just
> discounting the entire issue may be the way to go. I actually feel
> kinda gyped.  I at least hope the candidates blurbs are accurate. I
> mean, really now...mixed in with real things..and "joke things" we have
> an electric truck, a Corvair powered bar, spoof Techlines, which
> includes on the same page news of a horrible member auto accident
> tragedy. Maybe I'm just grumpy today, but the April Fool thing is
> really starting to rub me the wrong way.  I'm surprised there wasn't a
> ballot for Jester. Maybe I'll write in Charlie McCarthy and send my
> ballot in.  At least when a major newspaper includes a spoof story,
> they spill it in the end and not put "It's up to you to decide" because
> in which case I'd be inclined to believe ANY amazing story is a spoof.
>
> "Grumpy" Tim in Bovey
>