Count me as someone who doesn't believe any of the rumors of rape or kidneys until proven otherwise. But on ethics, I'd side more with Nicole than Christian. We had this argument a year or two ago on Postal Blowfish. It's one thing if someone is generally an unmitigated asshole, like Lou Reed or Bob Dylan, but whose work is good enough to respect. But if someone is shown guilty of major felonies with no extenuating circumstances, I would have to say that my respect for them as artists would automatically go down. Example -- can't take gangsta hip-hop artists seriously who go around shooting themselves and others. Christian may give examples of dissolute 19th century French poets etc., but I'd respond that being a shitty human being automatically makes you a less effective and less honest artist. Loring Wirbel Monument, Colo. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
