Pigeons And Politics Don't Mix

by Gonzalo Banuelos of Austin, Texas

I am a member of a few pigeon e-mail lists that many of you may be familiar with. In fact, one the most popular lists is frequently the source of many pages of the content of this bulletin. I became a member of these lists to soak in the accumulated knowledge of the many contributors and to allow me the opportunity to add my own “pearls” whenever I find that I can say something meaningful. Typically, these e-mails focus on any number of issues surrounding our hobby, from how to train kits to just plain showing off the fruits of our genetic tinkering. I have read many interesting threads over the years and can honestly say that my enjoyment in reading them almost, but not quite, redeems the flip side of the e-mail lists: the ease with which political views are expressed, be it eloquently or tersely, on matters completely unrelated to the hobby. more...

The Replacements

by Gonzalo Banuelos of Austin, Texas

As I stood around at the annual Texas Performing Roller Association picnic, I took a quick visual poll of the people present. This was my first year in attendance since I had not been in Texas for very long. I only saw a couple of familiar faces; Carlos Easley and Eldon Cheney. As I scanned the remainder of the assorted faces, from every corner of this "Whole Other Country", I saw only weathered and rugged roller men, some were bearded, some not. Some were sporting last football season's weight, some working on their baseball season's. All were genuine, good-hearted folk with lots to tell. more...