Why must we "keep an open mind"?

Rap isn't anything new, not in 2005. Why are we not allowed to form an opinion about something based on what we already know. Must we each be like the government and set up our own blue ribbon extended study panel before we are allowed to discriminate between what we enjoy and what we don't?

If Rap is really that great and I miss it because my "mind is closed", what the hell is it to you? It's my loss. If anything, it's your gain because old farts like us won't drive up the price of live performances by buying up all the good seats at ridiculously inflated prices (tried buying Paul Simon or Paul McCartney tickets lately?).

I'll admit I don't know everything about rap. I don't know everything about George Bush or Tony Blair either, but I've heard enough of all three to know what I think of them.

Like the optimistic little girl confronted with the huge pile of horse manure, there may indeed be a pony in there somewhere, but I'll be damned if I'm going to spend much of my remaining free time exploring either situation.

I hope you enjoy riding your horse. Please don't be offended if some of us would rather walk.