The editor of Fantasy & Science Fiction is pushing a campaign to get the USPS to put Isaac Asimov on a stamp as part of their Literary Arts series. I think it’s a great idea. (Oddly, though he’s got another magazine named after him, Asimov was intimately tied to F&SF, having written a regular column for them for about thirty years, even after Asimov’s started.)
Of course, then the Republicans will want Heinlein on a stamp, too, but Ayn Rand’s already in the series and that’s quite enough from that side.
8 responses so far ↓
andrew // March 10, 2004 at 10:38 pm
Can we get Ronald Reagan a literary arts series stamp?
Gary Farber // March 10, 2004 at 11:16 pm
Bit slow there, Mac; I blogged this back on the 6th. Thanks for your attempted tip, of course.
I’d be delighted to have Heinlein after Asimov. And a whole series of sf/fantasy stamps.
Reagan, of course, has to wait another ten and a half years, or whatever, since it’s illegal to have a stamp for anyone not dead ten years. Which means also waiting for Arthur C. Clarke, which I personally vastly prefer to do.
I find the idea of rating sf authors, for purpose of stamphood, by their political opinions, something between annoying and silly, however. Particularly given changes over a lifetime. Heinlein ran for Congress on the Upton Sinclair EPIC ticket. His latest/first novel is a paen to Social Credit theory. He was a nudist and for sexual freedom. I am unaware this is mainstream Republican theory, or reasons why we should rate sf authors for their political opinions before honoring them. Should we also have no stamps for Republican doctors, explorers, or other non-political professions? Should Republicans veto an Asimov stamp because he was “too liberal”?
Mac Thomason // March 11, 2004 at 7:27 am
I know; I was just being silly. I do that sometimes. How did I miss you blogging this?
Chris // March 11, 2004 at 9:50 am
I kind of wish I could hear Heinlein’s views on the modern-day Republican Party. He was a Goldwater Republican, but he dearly hated religious fundamentalists. It would be very interesting to see what statements he’d issue on Gay Marriage or cutting Veteran’s Benefits or cuddling up to St. Roy.
Mac Thomason // March 11, 2004 at 10:32 am
St. Roy makes a very fine Nehemiah Scudder, don’t you think? And I know RAH would have hated the DMA.
Matt // March 11, 2004 at 2:25 pm
Congress has not cut veterans benefits, they have actually gone way up since honor and decency were restored to the White House.
Linkmeister // March 11, 2004 at 2:28 pm
Personally I’d say Fred Phelps (is that right? The loony anti-abortion guy) would better suit the Scudder role.
I wonder if the mutual fund company knew about Nehemiah Scudder when it chose its name?
Gary Farber // March 12, 2004 at 5:16 pm
Sorry, Mac. I seem to have been in a cranky mood the other night (partially worry), and your seeming suggestion that we should veto honoring great writers because of their political opinions severely rubbed me the wrong way; I apologize for being so prickly.