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From Nov 29, 1996 to Mar 28, 1997, visitors to Bagism had the opportunity to write a letter to Yoko Ono asking that she reconsider the decision by her laywers to shut down my former John Lennon site. The first three pages of these letters were mailed to Yoko Ono but I never received a reply.
Go to Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
(please note that new letters are no longer being accepted)Dec 2, 1996
Michelle Angell (the wrestling dog) (mangel@televar.com) from Moses Lake Washingon USA
Comments: Yoko I just want to say that Sam's webpage was a great place for John Lennon and Beatle's fan to talk and get to know each other. I wasn't even alive when John died (I'm 14) and this was a great place to get to know more about him and everything he did for the people in the world. It would be much appreciated if you would let Sam, and all of us, have the page back.
Dec 2, 1996
Dave Carpenter (d-carpenter@onu.edu) from Wakeman, Ohio
Comments: Dear Ms. Ono, I was only 3 when John was murdered. However, after my high school graduation 18 months ago, I started listening to the Beatles and then to John's solo work. This page helped me to learn more about John's life and work. I think that Sam was doing a great public service, for he could reach those of us who just started listening to the albums, as well as remind the ones who lived through the 60's and 70's. Please help Sam keep his John Lennon Page running, so it can continue to educate the public about the life and legacy of your late husband.
Dec 2, 1996
Gretchen Miller (gretch@poboxes.com)
Comments: Dear Yoko...Sam's page kept what John and you started going. Love, peace, and togetherness in this time of hate, war, and loneliness. People could get together and make new friends, talk about how much they loved you and your husband, and just tell someone they loved them. I don't understand how this page would hurt anyone, especially you and what you stand for. Please, don't take this away from us.
Dec 2, 1996
Mean Mr. Mustard (Imagine71@aol.com) from Citizen of the World
Comments: My dearest Yoko, I sincerely trust that from the pain of this latest loss, something even better will come! God bless you and your family.
Dec 2, 1996
Christian J. Van Antwerpen (cvanantw@nwciowa.edu) from Orange City, Iowa
Comments: Dear Yoko, I am a Beatle fan and a John Lennon fan. I am one who apreciates the work that he did, and the legacy he left behind. His music reflected a form of excellence that no musical artist of the 20th century or beyond will ever match. The computer work of Sam Choukri brought that legacy to life by bringing John Lennon fans from all over the world to a single location in the vast cyber world. He reminded us that as lovers of music we should unite and discuss our views of one of the most influential and philosophical musical poets ever. I plead to you to take note of the work Sam did.
Dec 2, 1996
Kirsten St. Clair (Lenny) *AGAIN* (tmclib@azstarnet.com) from Tucson, AZ, The Ol' USofA (the heart of Johnny)
Comments: Hi Yoko its me again. Yes I wrote before but thought I could put more of a word or 2 again. This site was great like I said before. Well you know how John used to talk about 'total communication' well if that, peace and love were to come true... Heres the perfect spot! I think of it as art and I think you should too. On the live chat it was total communication. We talked to eachother about peace, love, John Lennon, and any other topic that came along to mind. And in all that we didn't talk about looks, our race, or anything to do with that. It was like the Bag One, it was perfect! I don't know if you were apart of this or not, but I hope not. Out of all the people I would hope not you! And if you wanna send a message of LOVE through phone I would suggest calling Sam. I bet he hurts to have spent so much time making this Website that is not making a cent. Just like giving good to charity, like fruit baskets or something. If you read this please remember we all want love and peace and there is one the greatest places to have it is here where we call HOME.
Dec 3, 1996
Leonid (ens@infoteck.skyman.ru) from Ekaterinburg, RUSSIA
Comments: Dear Yoko ! I understand that you have receive so much letters from Sam's friends. These people are not only John Lennon Fans. We all want to keep our free desire to connect with each other. John Lennon and You always said about The FREE. Please, make something for re-birthing of our favourite WEB-site. From some Russian Fans, Leonid Backsanov (leobaxs)
Dec 3, 1996
Laurin Lester (mlester@intersurf.com) from New Iberia, Louisiana USA
Comments: Dear Mrs. Ono Lennon, Your late husband once sang "All You Need is Love." Sam's web site was created only out of love for you and John. It was a beautiful tribute to his songs, ideas, and artwork. Please allow the site to be re-established so that others can learn about John's life and gifts to the world. Sam loves John, and because of Sam'e efforts to preserve Lennon's gifts, I do too. "All We Need is Love." Thank you.
Dec 3, 1996
Glade Hoffman (glade@zapcom.net) from Lucerne, CA USA
Comments: Yoko, Sam's "John Lennon" Site brought much honor to the memory of you husband. I was very impressed by his profession presentation. He compiled a lot of information about John and he did not charge for that information unlike your lawyers are charging you for hassling Sam. I really wish you would reconsider the grief that has been brought on Sam and his server and allow him to continue to give John's fans an ongoing opportunity to view the things of John. If there are graphics that you feel you would not like to see on this page then let him have the opportunity to remove them. What is the point of all this? The lawyers are ruining the internet much like they have ruined the courts. Thank you, Glade Hoffman
Dec 3, 1996
Andrew Gladwin (agladwin@solo.pipex.co.za) from Cape Town , South Africa
Comments: Dear Yoko,I thank you and John for standing up for peace and real love. I do not believe the decision of the lawyers to request parts of Sam's site to be closed was in the spirit of what you have stood for and I hope that this decision can be reversed, as this website has done a lot for peace and love worldwide , Regards,Andrew
Dec 3, 1996
Kristen (yted@shore.net)
Comments: Yoko Sam's page was a wonderful tribute to John. It was a place for us fans to go and see pictures, look at albums, and listen to music or watch movies about John. We all loved it. It recently got recognition in one of my Beatles magazines as being the best John Lennon website on-line. They said it was wonderfully set up and was a wonderful tribute to John. It was a perfect website. We all wish that it could come bach because we all miss it very much.
Dec 3, 1996
Jason, aka (thebeatles@hotmail.com) from IL, USA
Comments: Dear Mrs. Ono-Lennon, I certainly hope that you did not have anything to do with the removal of Sam Choukri's Web page. It's kind of funny because I am not angry. I just can't believe that it was removed the way it was. If Sam was making a lot of money off of your late husband, then there might have been cause for action. I first got on the web page a long, long time ago. I discovered the web chat and it was really great. There are so many people that love your husband and love the Beatles. We were all able to share information and declare our love for the music and the talented people that made it. It's a shame that it was taken away from us and I am sure that I speak for all when I beg you to please allow Sam to reclaim his web site. Thank you for your time. Peace, love, and happiness to all!
Dec 3, 1996
Jill (abucker@cougarnet.byu.edu) from Salt Lake City, Utah
Comments: Dear Yoko: I saw you and John on the Mike Douglas show last night calling people up to tell them "I Love You" so the message would be spread around the world. I don't know a quicker or better way to accomplish this goal than Sam's website. Maybe you could collaborate with him to immortalize John's message of love to thousands more. Then we'd know for sure that you weren't putting us on and that you were serious about this endeavor.
Dec 3, 1996
Sarah Latowicz (rafi@melb.alexia.net.au)
Comments: Dear Yoko, I'm a 14 year old girl, who lives in Australia. I love the Beatles, especially John, and it makes me sad to see that 'Sam Choukri's John Lennon' site is no longer in existence. The web site was a medium by which people could get to see and hear John. If anything, it made me buy more of John's music and artwork. Living in Australia, it would have been impossible to have access to most of the things that were on the site. I am also too young to have ever possibly met him, and the web site helps me with that. Through the web site, people around the globe can meet and talk, and if we all get to know each other, peace and love around the world can be acheived. Your husband was a wonderful man, whom we all love, and it's only fair that you share him with the rest of the world. Love + peace always, Sarah.
Dec 3, 1996
Sarah Elizabeth Papesh (sep0@ms1.allencol.edu)
Comments: Dear Yoko, I am a relatively young fan (18), but I'm old enough to know a good thing when I see one. I love the Beatles, I hardly listen to any other music. I know every word to every song that has been recorded and introduced to the public by the Beatles. I am also familiar with most of John's individual work. I know I never had the privilige to meet John, but I think that he would have wanted fans of all ages to have a place to "Come Together" as one. I regret not being able to live in that time, I would have loved it. It sure was better than the music now. Thank God for CDs, although they can't hold a candle to old vinyl. John believed in peace, love and all of that other happy stuff, as I'm sure you already know. He was and always will be an inspiration to me, and to fellow Lennon/Beatles fans. Please consider leaving the webpage as it was, honoring a great musician, composer and role model. I'm sorry he was taken away from you, from all of us... thank you for your time and genorosity.
Dec 3, 1996
Misty (lavignen@erols.com)
Comments: Dear Yoko, I was recently sadened by the fact that the John Lennon web site had been shut down. This site was great, it aloud all lennon fans to explore his art work and photographs!! Two days ago I went to your showing of his Bag 1 art work in Baltimore Maryland (it was a great show) and it reminded me of this web site!! People that couldn't go to a showing could see the same things here on the web if they couldn't make to a showing. The chat room was also great it made it possible to talk to many people at one time. We all enjoyed discussions at Mr. Lennon's life and his work! If you please can save the site I ask you to do so!!It gave us a chance to be apart of something that was important to us. Even now my generation that was not a live when he was alive love him. Please, this was the place we would go all the time to be apart of his work!!Thank you for listening! Misty Lavigne
Dec 3, 1996
Michael Greig (greigs@ibm.net) from Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Comments: Dear Mrs. Yoko Ono, I don't want to pester you, but I want to say that my dad who is also a John Lennon fan explained about the copyright problems you may expeirence if you let Sam keep hi site going. If that is the case. Could you e-mail Sam and let him know about it? He may not know. Sincerely Michael Greig.
Dec 3, 1996
Ted Greenwald
Comments: Dear Yoko * * * To those voices expressing distress at the loss of an inspiring source of information about the work of your late husband, I add mine. * * * I also wish to state that any concept of "intellectual property" ownership that makes it illegal for those whose _own_ intellects are stimulated to share, recontextualize, and build upon said property does more harm than good to the community at large. * * * As artists, you and John encouraged people to use their imagination to the highest degree of which they were capable as individuals. Now your attorneys have asserted the right to control the exercise of imagination, even down to writing the name "John Lennon" in public. Isn't this contrary to what you and John have stood for? * * * What's more, it won't work. People will share the energy they've gained through John's work in whatever forms are available to them, legal or not. You're simply throwing roadblocks in their way. * * * The only people who will benefit from the current situation are your lawyers. The only ones who will be harmed are those who love John and his work. * * * For the sake of the world community, please work for liberalization of intellectual property laws. I hope some day you'll join us... * * * Respectfully, Ted
Dec 3, 1996
Zara (niftyzara@ibm.net)
Comments: Dear Yoko Sam's website was the best site on the web. I would visit it every day. I talked to countless people through his web-board and web-chat. I was crushed when I found out the site was shut down. I mean, this site was a site to honor Mr. Lennon and it's a shame that *you* had to end that. --Zara
Dec 3, 1996
Jessie Long from Mortlach, SK, Canada
Comments: Dear Yoko, I am 13 years old. I wasn't around for what seems to have been the best years for everyone, the 60's or 70's. I wish I was. My parents are big Beatle fans. I was so sad to hear that Sam's web page was gone. It showed what a great person your husband was, and always will be. This webpage was a great, probably the greatest tribute to John Lennon there could ever be. It gave people a chance to know more about John and the Beatles, and you. Please let him have his webpage back, everyone would truely be thankful to you. I wish I could have known him, you are so lucky. Love, Jessie PS... Have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Dec 3, 1996
Jake W. Lasota (Bpowell@comland.com) from Austin, Tx
Comments: Imagine theres no lawyers, Its not to hard to do, No need to take the web page, and all of the love too. Dear Yoko, I doubt that your lawyers have even bother you with this web page and this is most likely the first you have heard about it. I understand there job is to protect your interests, but if anything this web page will help your interest. After visiting this NON PROFIT web site, the several thousand people that come here will most likely go out and buy books and music of John and share in his beautiful life. So please have your lawyers get of sams back. you may say im a dreamer, but im not the only one. I hope some day youll join us, and the web will be as one ;).
Dec 3, 1996
Linda (acarman@cswnet.com) from USA
Comments: Dear Yoko: First of all I'm 13 years old and had no idea who the the Beatles really were,let alone John Lennon, until last spring. I bought an Anthology and really got into them, and soon after I was looking for "Beatle sites" when I found Sam's. Sam's site had so much info, I learned so much about who John really was and what he worked for and accomplished in his short life. Best of all I could talk to people who witnessed John's, yours, and all the other Beatles' accomplishments and work. Because of Sam's dedicated work to his site I could listen to Interviews of John that really gave me a personal look at him; pictures that showed his many sides and moods; and songs that I never realized he sung. If it wasn't for this I'd never have gotten to know all the things I did. Even though I'll never know him or even see him I can help bring him to next generations and help his memory live on. I know you won't have the time to read all these posts but at least you'll hopefully reconsider your previous decisicion. I know some of these posts just sound like obsessed fans writing to you in hopes of this page's fate but they're all from people who like you (but not as deeply as you) loved John. Thank you so much.
Dec 3, 1996
Hal (halfischer@hotmail.com) from Missouri
Comments: Dear Yoko, Sam Chorki's John Lennon Web Page united thousands of John Lennon fans world wide. We had a chance to talk to share our feeling and most of all our love for John. It wasn't just about John. It was about peace and love. It was about everything that John stood for and everything he did. I could communicate with each other and it became a regualar hangout on the internet for me for a while. It is not fair the the university of missouri (where my dad works, no less!) took this page off. This page brought out the best ineveryone, just like your husband brought out the best in everyone. When i heard that this page had been shut down. i almost cried. this page means more than words can tell, more than my low articulation can even come close to descrbing.
Dec 3, 1996
Janis (glass_onion@hotmail.com) from Wisconsin, USA
Comments: Dear Yoko, What can I say that hasn't already been said? The John Lennon Web Chat was a home, a refuge for many of us to come to when ever we needed help, or just felt like chating. You could go to the chat, and ask people for some advice or help, and they would try to help, unlike any other chat. Sam wasn't doing anything wrong! His page was like celebrating the life of a great man. Now that it's gone, I haven't been able to chat with the many friends that I had made. True friends, that share same problems, and have same interests. At my school, there are few Lennon/Beatle Fans. The chat was really the only place I could go and communicate, with people who knew John more than a Beatle, but as a person, and they can really understand his music, and poetry. So please, help out Sam, and help out all the people, who would like to come together, and celebrate, the life, of my hero, John Lennon. Thank You, Janis
Dec 4, 1996
Philip Guillet (pguillet@goucher.edu) from Baltimore, MD, USA
Comments: I am the greatest Lennon fan known to man, and that Lennon page was just about the best I've found. I find it an abomination that it was shut down. Yoko, if you are reading this, the please reactivate that web page, PLEASE! Thank you!! PEACE, REAL LOVE, And HAPPINESS
Dec 4, 1996
andrea (andrea@sunsite.unc.edu) from Houston, TX, USA
Comments: Dear Yoko, Please reconsider forcing Sam's tribute off the Web. It was beautifully done, with lots and lots of heart. He wasn't making a penny from it, and all of his visitors left the site with a sense of the peace and the love that you and John always fought for and represented better than anyone. Very sincerely, andrea
Dec 4, 1996
Ben (barker@cygnus.uwa.edu.au) from Perth, Australia
Comments: As far as John was concerned, all you needed was Love of all people and things. Now it seems, things are nothing but purely a business in this regard. Yoko, *you* have the power to stop this page going under for good. Please don't forget about what you used to (& hopefully still do) stand for... don't let everything turn into a pointless 'business' excercise, which is what it seems to be heading to. :(
Dec 4, 1996
gary moore (gsm@citrus.infi.net) from homosassa, florida, citrus
Comments: Dear Yoko, I am 40 years old and lived through the entire birth of the Beatles from inception to the sad break-up. I have all those wonderful memories of John and "The Boys" that will never be taken away. The people who visited Sam's Web page, in tribute to your wonderful husband are normally younger kids ages 12 to 19. They were not lucky enough to experience first hand what I and you did with the Beatles but yet they come and they want to learn. Sam's web site was one of the best site's I have ever been to and not only could the younger generation learn about John and the Beatles but they also were given the ability to interactivly chat with people like myself who wants to see John and the Beatles live on. These young impressional people are in fact the only one's left to carry on the legacy, why stop them?
Dec 4, 1996
David Bater (drb929@mail.usask.ca) from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Comments: Dear Yoko, I was very disappointed when I found out that Sam's John Lennon page was shut down. I've only been on the Net for a few months now, but in that time I've been searching for a good John Lennon page. Sam's was by far the best. His page was a great tribute to your late husband. Please, reconsider letting Sam have his page back again. This war could be over, if you want it. P.S.- Is it possible to get an autographed picture of yourself and/or John? If you could do that, I would appreciate it very much. Mail the picture to: David Bater 1240 Temperance St. Saskatoon, Sask., Canada S7N 0P1
Dec 4, 1996
Alyssa Lose (crybabycry@the-beatles.com) from Lindenwold, NJ, USA
Comments: Dear Mrs. Lennon, I am a 14 year old girl, and a great fan of The Beatles and especially of John's. Sam's page has taught me alot about John and his life, and in a way keeping his spirit alive for future generations like myself. I would probaly never enjoyed John's music and art as much as I did if it wasn't for this page. I'm asking you to please reconsider shutting this page down. If it is shut down for good, I know that alot of other people will never know of John's message of Love and Peace. If you read this message please take it into consideration.
Dec 4, 1996
Evan J. Dukofsky (Evangelos@mindspring.com) from Bronx, NY, 10463
Comments: Dear Yoko, I may be young, and people seem not to care what I think, but I remember growing up as a a child with John Lennon. The man, not the myth. I remember seeing exhibits of his artwork, him being highly respected by my parents, him being a influential part of life. I foud Sam Choukouri's [sp] web page an fantastic tribute to John Lennon. Legal restrictions beside, it was a testament to the power of John Lennon. It was informative, intresting, and was one of the most highly regarded web pages in the world. Please let him bring back some or all of that page, for all of John's fans, including myself. I thank you, Evan J. Dukofsky
Dec 4, 1996
Robert J. Tuffley (597784@ic.fullcoll.edu) from Fullerton, Ca, USA
Comments: Dear Yoko, I am a big fan of the Beatles and John, however, being only 19, I was unable to enjoy them when he was alive as much as I do now. I also don't know as much about them as I'd like to. Please allow the site to be re-opened, so that I can learn about how things were, and experience it as much as others can. Thank you for your consideration, and your time. --Robert J. Tuffley
Dec 4, 1996
Debera A. Neil (debbie_neil@earthlink.net) from Silver Spring, Maryland
Comments: I've heard that your lawyers and yourself have been shutting down John Lennon sites on the Web. I don't understand the reason for this. You must know just how much he is still Loved! People still want to feel close to him and the web is one way of being able to do this. If it's a matter of copywritten materials, why not just let the "offenders" know which materials need to be removed from their sites? From what I understand, George, Paul, and Ringo don't seem to have a problem with their fans creating web pages on them. I don't see why there should be a problem for John fans to access information about the man they Loved as well. I'd Truly hate to see the Lennon web sites removed. Many of my friends are True John fans and are very upset by this latest news. Please, Please reconsider?? There must be another way this can be done without depriving his fans of easy access information... I'm sure there is :o) Sincerely, Debera A. Neil
Dec 4, 1996
Barry Kidwell (cbkid@worldreach.net) from Hampton, VA, USA
Comments: Dear Yoko, On behalf of Sam and the thousands of dedicated fans that have visited his John Lennon Web site, I ask that you reconsider your recent actions taken that have taken away the only memorial to John that most of us will ever have the opportunity to visit. Sam allows us to see so many aspects of this wonderful man including his musical and artistic talents and even his sense of humor. It's such a shame that the "protectors" of John's estate find it necessary to promote his memory by stepping on the very people that made it all possible for him - his fans. Instead of ripping off John (or his estate or you), Sam has been running the best known John Lennon publicity site on the Web. It is, or was, a vitual on-line catalog for the estate. There’s nothing for sale there (no greed, but a sudden relentless hunger in us all). Sam showed us the glory of John’s works and then pointed us to the estate sanctioned sites where they could be purchased. The artwork and pictures on the site were a great pleasure to so many of John’s fans. They were not used to bypasss commercial resources, but were the perfect guideposts for the estate. A free link from the fan to the source of the goods. Oh, wise "protectors" of John’s estate, wake up! It’s not so very hard to tell friend from foe. Sam, and the thousands that visit his site, are your friends. Peace. Barry Kidwell, Hampton, VA.
Dec 4, 1996
Walter Wilde (gripweed@earthlink.net) from San Rafael CA USA
Comments: Dear Mrs. johnandyoko, I would like you to know that the RMB forum, and Sam Choukri's Web Chat forum, feel a deep kinship with you and John. Sam's web page, we all feel, helps to continually propound and rejuvenate the message of peace that you and John made so tangible throughout the world. John might now be intangible in the *real* world, but with web pages and information so readily available over the internet, John's spirit remains strong and will continue to grow with a new generation of fans. I feel this to be true as others whom have disscoursed here so elequently and earnestly. We need you Yoko, the way John needed you--the way we needed him, i.e. with US forward into an uncertain future. It may be *risky* but John never seemed to mind that in life. Please help Mr. Choukri regain his website completely...we believe in you and John. This act of kindness will not go unobserved I can assure you. Just one more thing...JOHNANDYOKO WILL NEVER DIE.
Dec 4, 1996
Lennon Loren from Houston, TX
Comments: Dear Yoko, It saddened me when I found out that Sam's page had been shut down. The page was a beautiful tribute to John, it spread the message that you and he professed, the message of love and peace. I hope that the shut down of his page will be reversed. Thank you for all that you and he did for this world! ~*Love and Peace*~ Lennon
Dec 4, 1996
John Buffam (johnb@magi.com) from Canada
Comments: Dear Yoko, I felt really sad when we heard about Sam's site being closed down. No one was making money of John's name or likeness, it was simply a tribute for him from a caring fan and lots of visitors. So often, we hear all the negative side, while the site your lawyers shut down was completely positive about John, and You. I hope you will correct the actions of your lawyer John
Dec 5, 1996
David Robinson (djmrob@essex.ac.uk) from Colchester, Essex, U.K.
Comments: Dear Yoko, I realise there are many other letters coming to you about Sam's website and I don't want to duplicate what others have said, so just let me add that this site was one of the best around, and was always a pleasure and delight to use. Sam's obvious skill, combined with his love of your late husband's work and ideals, mean that _very_ few other people are so qualified to do such a good job. You may know that there are hundreds of sites on the internet about John and the Beatles, and even (especially!) the commercial ones don't communicate what the fans want to hear and feel about John as well as Sam's site did. I am assuming that you yourself had no knowledge of Sam's site before your lawyers took action, so I hope that you will instruct them to work out the obvious copyright implications with Sam, and allow him to re-publish his site. I think you yourself would be pleased at what you could once again experience there. Thank-you.
Dec 5, 1996
Mik (mdemeter@students.uwf.edu) from Pensacola, FL , US of A
Comments: Dear Mrs. Ono- Lennon, I had not been on Sam Chourki's page for long, but I found it very informative and well produced. Sam put a great deal of energy, time and love into creating a place that people all over the world could meet and interact in a forum devoted to peace and love. As far as many of us using the page are concerned, we know of no commercial abuse taking place. Sam's actions were done with good intention. Sam's page has allowed me to meet many wonderful people, when here at college I am often looked down upon and seen as naive for believing in many of the same ideas you and John did. It was wonderful for me to be able to express myself and not have to fear judgement. I hope that you will reconsider the action taken by your lawyers and have another look at Sam's page. I am quite sure that he will be willing to do what he can to have it reopened and restored to the glory that your late husband deserves. Thank you for your time and take care.
Dec 5, 1996
Sarah (d-max@chatt.mindspring.com) from US of A
Comments: Dear Mrs. Ono-Lennon-- I was sad to read that Sam's webpage on John Lennon was shut down because of legal hassles. He worked long and hard for a place where John Lennon and Beatles fans could meet and read about thier great accomplishments. It was not a page for anyone's personal profit nor for anyone to make money off of-- it was a place to promote peace, understanding, and best of all great music and art to all people everywhere. We need more pages like this! Please, don't let your lawyers shut it and others like it down! Peace and luv =^_^=
Dec 5, 1996
John Hopkin (johnh@techlink.net) from Bootle, Liverpool, U.K.
Comments: I'll bet May Pang wouldn't have had the site removed!
Dec 5, 1996
Dawn from USA
Comments: Dear Yoko: Before sending my thoughts "across the universe," I took the time to read those of the others who were saddened by the loss of Sam's web site. What I found most moving were the thoughts expressed by so many children and young adults who are just now discovering the music of John and the other Beatles, both as a group and as individual artists. There is now a second and even a third generation to whom this music has meaning and who has learned about it at least in part because of Sam's loving tribute. Having worked in both the library and computer fields, I fully understand the need for copyright laws. I also understand that the Internet is still new territory in regards to the application of these laws. I do not think that Sam was in any way trying to circumvent these laws. His entire site was done in a very respectful way. I hope that you will take the time to become personally involved with this situation and perhaps assist Sam in being able to "officially" continue his tribute to John. --D
Dec 5, 1996
jackie murray (jmurray@toto.pitton.com) from Pittsburg, Ks USA
Comments: Dear Ms. Lennon, I really enjoyed the John Lennon Chat site, as it was one of very few places i know where people responded to each other in a peaceful caring and considerate manner. I hope you will have the chance to see what a lovely place it can be, again. I am 49 years old and still try to IMAGINE. Peace.
Dec 5, 1996
Christen (earlr@cwws.com) from Stockton,California
Comments: Dear Yoko, I'm only 12 years old and I have LOVED the Beatles since I was 4. Every night I would come on the site and see and learn many things.I met 9 people who I became great,great friends with. Now I have no idea where they are and I miss them a lot:( Please reconsider the situation. So many things I learned there are all gone.
Dec 5, 1996
Dwayne Hoover (orion501@sgi.net)
Comments: Isn't it enough that you sold his art to American Express ? Please,leave us fans in peace.
Dec 6, 1996
Mikko Kangasjärvi (mike@sci.fi) from Tampere, FINLAND
Comments: Dear Yoko, I was really sad when I saw Sam's excellent web site closed down. The sadder I got when I heard it was done by you and your lawyers. All the time I try to think, you can't even have seen the site ??? The web site was made with all respect and love towards John and you. If the Beatles music can be heard in TV commercials watched by billions of people so why can't we fans have our own forum where we could meet and see how talented and beautiful artist John was. All images and sounds on the internet can be copied by zillions of people. In that case I think all web sites should be shut down... I assume you won't lose your royalties that way.... Mike
Dec 6, 1996
leah segal (llleah@hotmail.com) from rome,georgia,usa
Comments: dear yoko, i'm only 18 but i'm sure that if john was still alive that he would be honored by sam's room not offended. in my mind there is nothing wrong with sharing paintings and photos of john. i think that you and your lawyers should be honored that we as a generation are still listening to and loving john. we are all spread out now that sam does not have a room. it is tough for us to talk to each other. things tend to die out when people stop talking about them. i hope you will take that into consideration. leah segal
Dec 6, 1996
Concerned Person
Comments: **************************************************************I Am QUITE PISSED THAT YOU AND YOUR LAWYERS HAD TO RUIN SUCH A GREAT THING! MAYBE YOU SHOULD THINK AND RESEARCH BEFORE YOU DESTROY!!!!*************************************************** **************************************************************
Dec 6, 1996
Luis Raúl Domínguez Blanco (ex297706@exatec.chi.itesm.mx) from MEXICO
Comments: I've just seen Sammy's comments about the last shut down of his home page. Some people like to see some situation as an oportunity or oportunism, to make money. We all fans, need to continue remembering John's precense. Share us what Sammy tried to transmmit to all the world. No one better than a University can make that job. Regards, The world.
Dec 6, 1996
Susan Juliano (sjuliano@gte.net) from Erie, PA USA
Comments: Dear Yoko-- First of all, I'd like you to know that I've always admired and respected you, your work, and your work and life with John. So much of what you seemed to be about involved love, peace, freedom, beauty, knowledge, and openly sharing. That's why I was particularly dismayed to learn that attorneys working on your behalf have issued cease and desist orders that resulted in the removal of Sam Choukri's John Lennon web page from the internet. I understand the need to protect copyrights and trademarks and the need to preserve assets, but I honestly don't feel there was any infringement of your rights going on there. If I view or download anything from any website, I only do so as a means of deciding whether I want to purchase the genuine article. It seems no more a violation than listening to a CD at a music store's listening booth before I buy it. Lyrics are reprinted on album packages all the time, but that doesn't prevent me from buying sheet music as well as the album. And a genuine reproduction of a piece of art I really like is certainly more desirable than any computer reproduction, but how will I know I want it until I see it? I could have a disk drive full of lyrics and pictures, but you will not have lost one penny, nor will Sam have gained one penny, from those facsimiles. Sam's site, and others like it, are tributes in honor of a man we all loved. They function as gathering places where people who share a love for John can learn things they didn't know, meet new people, sample a bit of his work, and keep his memory alive. If these sites are all shut down, as they would have to be if John's name and image are trademarked, we will each be alone in our loss and the world will be a poorer place for not being able to discover him anew. The internet is the one place where information on any subject can be found within moments. A huge resource, and a huge joyful tribute to John's memory, will be lost. I urge you to please reconsider what is happening here. I honestly believe your attorneys are taking a very big step very far over the edge. They aren't protecting; they're destroying. And they're making a lot of John's fans feel very much alone and unloved. --with all respect, Sue Juliano
Dec 6, 1996
Andrew Quadri (andrewericquadri@hotmail.com) from San Leandro, CA, USA
Comments: Dear Yoko, I am just another one of the many teenage Beatles fans who have written to you. My message is pretty much the same, that I think your husband was a great artist, musician, thinker and person. Anyone as talented as him deserves a place to have people get to know about him. This site was information, not a place for profit and I'm sure that you don't need any more money for obvious reasons such as having a gazillionaire for a husband. Peace is all we ask for, so please let Sam run his site in peace. Happy Christmas.
Dec 6, 1996
Amy Collinge from Boise, Idaho, United States
Comments: Dear Yoko, John Lennon was one of the greatest men to intoxicate our humble universe. If only I had been awarded the chance to meet him. I am relatively young, but age is not of the essence. Sam's page was one of the most wonderful archives I had ever found. Not only did it honor and tribute John Lennon, but it helped to share him with those of us who were so unfortunate as to have missed coexistence with him. Coming to Sam's page and looking at the beautiful pictures and listening to the beautiful music left me with the ecstasy John would've strived to find. If you did not appreciate some things that Sam used, PLEASE remove them and let him put the rest back on. The day John was taken from us the world fell in a state of darkness, as well you know. Please don't let this happen again. Sam's page was a beam of sunlight. Now I feel the warmth is fading. Memories and photos are wonderful, but Sam's page was so much more. I love you. Love, Amy Collinge
Dec 6, 1996
Maxwell Williams (mac64@flash.net) from San Antonio, Texas, USA
Comments: Dear Mrs. Lennon, your husband and yourself have meant a great deal to a great many people. Sam's page was only spreading the word of John and yourself (which is something I'm sure everybody who has written tries to do themselves)! We greatly miss your husband and all that he stood for, but through this page, many might learn of his work, and find peace within himself and help spread the word. Thank you for reading this. "Merry Xmas!!!" Love, Maxwell
Dec 6, 1996
Robert MIms (cliffhange@independence.net) from Ridgway, CO USA
Comments: YOKO, This site is what I cazll the tribute site, it basically is a twenty-four hour tribute to John Lennon( THe greatest rocker of all time), in short I feel it unfair that you shut down the site.
Dec 6, 1996
Eileen Hampton (wascogal@cris.com) from Bakersfield, CA 93313-4333
Comments: You have a reputation (from the media) and the persona you exude ON the media, of being a cold, calculating Bitch. By your actions of sueing Sam, you are only verifying this image. Whether you like it or not, you do NOT own John Lennon, or his memory. You need to lighten up, Yoko. Get off the dollar sign, and show the humanity that John stood for. All you're doing is boogering up his name. And I'd hate to tell you what you're doing to YOUR name. Quite sincerely, Eileen
Dec 6, 1996
Ginger Sling (75224.1451@compuserve.com) from Western 'burbs of Chicago
Comments: Dear Yoko, Please reconsider. We all luv John and the music and legend he left behind. I'm not trying to force you to do something you don't feel right, but please put in consideration his millions of fans and your fans too (including myself). Give Sam a chance! :o* A Loving Fan, Marian (Ginger Sling)
Dec 6, 1996
Martha (dianese@epix.net) from Pa, USA
Comments: Dear Yoko, I've always believed that you loved John with all of your heart. I've also believed that John was sincere about wanting peace and love for the world... Here we were, fans of John's...loving, sharing, honoring John the only way we knew how...striving for peace... Sam was NOT using John's image or anything on his site for personal or financial gain...just to honor John... We are deeply hurt by the action taken by your attorneys... We are deeply hurt by the closing of our site...a site where friends met and shared their love for John and one another. We were LIVING John's dream... I'd love to believe that you did not know about this action to close down Sam's site.... If you DID know, I feel betrayed. Please reconsider.... Hey, I know you don't owe US anything, but John's memory must mean more to you than silly copywrites, no??? Also, I think that John would have liked our site... Ah, well,....another bubble burst. Peace and Love, "Martha"
Dec 6, 1996
Arthur (aboffa@sj.znet.com) from usa
Comments: I was in New York the night John Lennon was shot, and as usual heard many sirens. But then I heard a sound of sirens that I thought were different from the rest and I thought to myself something was wrong. After I returned home I heard that John Lennon was shot and had died. I never knew the man but will will always remember him. I hope the remaining Beatles will also support your cause to keep Johns name going as also theirs. It is a shame that anyone would want to hold back the history John, Paul, George, and Ringo have made....
Dec 6, 1996
Reefer (reefer@herald.infi.net) from Miami,Fl.
Comments: Dear Yoko, "i gOT a feeling a felling deep inside oh yeah". I feel you should feel proud that people still care and want to know more about John a great rock legand that will never be forgotten. 15 years have passed and yet still we can't forgget our "John". Not only the people that have lived to see john and "The Beatles" throgh his glory years but is also the new Generation of John Lennon fans, like me I'm 15 years old. Sam's "John Lennon homepage" was an example of how much people cared and wanted to know about John Lennon. Thank You Reefer#9
Dec 7, 1996
DALE BUTLER (SMullaly@Lonet.Ca) from Canada, London, Ontario
Comments: Yoko, I understand that you may not want us to remember John the way that he deserves to be remembered. After all, he was the only one to sell records in the family. He probably dove in front of the bullet to get away from you! The only reason you ever sold any records is becuase John was on them. So now you take away this web site, and for what. You cant perform music, and probably can't even operate a computer, so why does this site bother you????? Maybe you feel that we are getting too much free information that you would rather sell us? You already have all of John's money, plus the pocket change from yours.
Dec 7, 1996
Pavel Langhammer (intespra@mbox.vol.cz) from Prague, Czech Republic
Comments: PLEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEASE, give Sam Choukri's John Lennon Web Page a chance!
Dec 7, 1996
TheSongster (straw@generation.net) from Montréal, Québec, Canada
Comments: Dear Yoko, I'm 19 years old and i'm a big fan of your husband. The John Lennon webpage and his chat permitted to all fans around the world to exchange their feelings and their kwoledge about John and his work in the society and of course, in the music world. It was the better site about him. It was a free, original and peaceful site just like he was. Badly, this site has gone as John...Please don't let the page dying by this way! It was our family and in sametime the new generation voice about John...It's seems to be a money business that have make the end of the page...but remember that money business and John don't go well together! I don't appreciate you as well as maybe i should (i'm maybe jealous about all the time you have spend with John "I was only 3 years old at the end of his life") but i'm sure your strong and nice as much as we need to make the next JohnLennon page unforgettable and FREE! make it for him and for this 8 december memory... Thanks. Nancy alias TheSongster
Dec 7, 1996
Sarah Iverson (cusei@bgu.edu) from Charleston, IL USA
Comments: Dear Yoko, I am writing to express my opinion about the Lennon site. If you ever actually get to reading all of these, i will be impressed. We all have so much to do, and I understand if you would rather stay away from these issues. The only thing that concern me is giving all control up to the layers. I would only hope that you can see the intentions of the site, and respond. Respectfully, Sarah
Dec 7, 1996
Erin J. (Lovely Rita) (jaco0313@tc.umn.edu) from Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Comments: Dear Yoko, I am not submitting my comments as a judgement to you as a person as an artist. I'd just like to comment on this action of your lawyers. I am aware of copywright laws, but if copywrights were strictly adhered to, this world would have no means to share ideas. Sam never used this site for making money for himself. If any money was made, it was for the lithographs sold or John's albums. I would have never had gotten ANY of John's solo albums had I not heard about them on this site. Hearing from other fans that I am not alone in my age group in liking the Beatles and that John's solo work was worth my time led me to the purchase of his work. My misconceptions of your husband's solo talent were wiped out when I heard his music. He was very talented. I am a younger fan and in my 20 years of life, I haven't had a chance to be part of the 60's. Your husband was a very talented man. I would have never had known this if I never found Sam's site. If the point is to have the world know the John Lennon existed, Sam's site succeeded for me and for many other young fans. If you (probably mostly your lawyers) can't let Sam have a site, it will be a tragedy because John might end up being forgotten by younger generations. That forgetting by the world is a tradgedy that is just as bad as his murder. Please let Sam have his site and if it isn't legal, let him know how it can be legal. Give peace a chance, Happy Christmas, Erin J (Lovely Rita).
Dec 7, 1996
Kim
Comments: Why order the site to be taken down? How is it hurting you - or John's memory?
Dec 7, 1996
Charles (Talk2Mi99@AOL.com)
Comments: Dear Yoko Ono, Can you think of any place on the entire planet without a single word of hate spoken? A place without war, grief, or anger at anyone who is different? There was such a place... once. I Couldn't believe all of the information about John packed into one place. There was so much music, and so many projects going on constantly. What I can not understand is why you or your lawyers would ever want to hurt someone who loved your husband so much. Why take away something from someone who never hurt you, who only wanted to show the world a person who wanted to help so much named John Lennon? It makes no sense at all. Signed, Charles. PS. War WAS over, if only for one brief amount of time.
Dec 7, 1996
Kelly Davis (kdavis5183@aol.com)
Comments: Dear Ms. Ono Sam's web site was a beautiful tribute to your late husband. You and any one associated with John would have been proud of this site. This site was created solely out of love for John. It was a beautiful tribute to his songs, ideas, and artwork. Please re-consider the shutting down of this site.
Dec 7, 1996
Sarah Stewart (Kite) (btgstewa@mailbox.uq.oz.au) from Australia
Comments: Yoko, My message here, although spoken with different words, and formed with different sentences, is exactly the same simple message as everyone else. We all just need to know one thing, WHY? I find it hard to believe that you have ever been to Sam's site, I can't comprehend that anyone who's ever been there would consider closing such a site down. I think you need to understand what this site meant to thousands of us, most of all Sam. I don't think anyone could have put more work into a site like that, i don't think anyone could have given quite so much. And it meant the world to all of us. It brought us together, it's as simple as that. Please reconsider... Love Sarah
Dec 7, 1996
Sara Weisbrod (Weisbrods@UWSTOUT.edu) from Menomonie, Wisconsin, USA
Comments: Dear Yoko, Hello Yoko, my name is Sara and I really need your help. If you could help me that would be really excellent. You see, I am doing a report on John for my Freshman English class about him and about his murder and how it affected the world. I am inter- viewing my mother about it and am trying to get as much information as possible. If you could contribute something I would be a very happy person. Please consider this. It does not have to be any thing personal..Just some stuff that would help me to do well on this assignment. Thank you so much for your time. Just E mail me at the above address. Get back to me either way so that I know if I can expect anything or not. Thank you again for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Sara
Dec 7, 1996
Naoto Ito (naoto@vampire.co.uk) from UK and Tokyo
Comments: Yoko-san, Kare ga commercial mokutekide John no web page o koukai shite inainonara kamawanainodeha naidesyouka? Geijutus wa hito o kyousei shiteha ikemasen. (Message in Japanese)
Dec 7, 1996
12 Year Old Girl from Ontario
Comments: Ms Lennon I am very dissapointed in you. I know the love you and John shared was very special so you must know that of course John wanted to share a message of love, peace and freedom globally. These John Lennon internet sights help to keep spreading the important message he wanted the world to get. John would have wanted these sights open to proclaim freedom love and peace. Now one he loved and trusted to keep his plea alive is trying to close off the connections. Does this honestly seem right to you? Keep Imagining-Keep john alive don1t let him die and slip away. If you cut John1s love off from the world what had started in the sixties will die too. Make sure people of the future will know his name and know his heart. Please Reconsider. Imagine Always. Sadly and dissapointedly Yours
Dec 7, 1996
liz kassim (liz@webminster.com) from westminster. md usa
Comments: dear yoko, i was so saddened to hear of the closing of Sam's site. We all love john and you, yoko. please reconsider your decision about the site. i hop you can contact sam soon. we are all very confused about this suit. yoko, you and john were all about feedom of expression. the two of you were a beautiful vehicle for love and ideas. sam is just trying to do the same thing with the site. you have the power to keep john's message and music alive.
Dec 7, 1996
John Hopkin Part2 (johnh@techlink.net) from Bootle, Liverpool, U.K.
Comments: And another thing you might consider, Yoko, is that, because of the actions of yer liars, not a misspelling, everytime an old clip is shown of you "calling the world to say 'I love you', you look more and more like a fool as your true persona is made known. I submit to this site, one of my compostions, a poem by the name of "The Ballad Of Ol' Ted". Feel free to steal it and profit by it. May Pang laughs at you. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ahem.... The Ballad of Ol’ Ted by John Hopkin Ol' Ted was in a quandary, see, he know not what to do. He look inside his closet and could only see one shoe. "No shoes I understand, but just one shoe? It cannot be!" "Unless I send the other one to fetch me morning tea." "What can I do with just one shoe? What shall I, will I, do?" He pick it up and took it, and together to the zoo. "The other shoe, I must admit, it know not what it missing!" And then, just then, a silly sight, two aminals a-kissing! And when he'd done with laughter, up a stranger come and said, "How much for that old battered shoe, it must be MINE, Ol' Ted!" "The shoe it not for sale, you see, for then I be without." "TWO-HUNDRED! NOT A PENNY MORE!" "A penny more!" Ted shout. Now when he'd gotten home without a shoe to call his own... When suddenly appear to be a ringing on the phone. "Who can it be a-calling me so early in the night?" It catch him in the unexpected, giving him a fright! It woke him in a startle, and a startled sight he be... In his tremble, he resemble, Old Man Grimble by the sea. "Whatever shall I say to him, what can I, will I, do?" But him turn out not to be him, but be the other shoe! Me go away and coming home and look at what me find!" Me tongue a-wag in disbelief, you sell me other kind!" Ol' Ted was full of sorrow, and a grieving, greedy, guilt. The other shoe perceive this so he play it to the hilt. So now Ol' Ted, the shoeless one, be shoeless nevermore. A Hundred pair of shoe a come a piling through the door....the end.
Dec 7, 1996
Sergio Marroquin (Cpat@tikal.net.gt) from Guatemala, City, Guatemala, Central America.
Comments: Dear Yoko: I always admire John and I will. His my favorite human being. Imagine no possesion. Imagine the we can have the opportunity to share, the songs, the lyrics, the photos, etc thay John gave to us. Please, Yoko, let Johns fans all over the world to enjoy everything than John loved to do. Thank you.
Dec 7, 1996
Breenia (rbg@shore.net) from Nashua, NH USA
Comments: Dear Yoko, Sam's John Lennon Webpage gave fans from all around the world a chance to learn more about John and to speak their mind on the chat page. Please let Sam have his page back thank you peace and love -Shannon
Dec 7, 1996
Matthew Bishop (mattbishop@revolutionist.com) from Midwest City, Oklahoma USA
Comments: Oh Yoko! You would have let Nike use Revolution for it's shoe commercials because someone said that you "Wanted John' music to be remembered and not locked up". Well, John had a lot of other items than music people would enjoy. Sam Chourki has opened a new era of peace and love by showing a true great man of our time.
Dec 7, 1996
Joseph Vargas from Santa Barbara, CA USA
Comments: Dear Ms. Ono: This letter is to get a few things off my chest. First of all, I blame you for the breakup of the Beatles. If it wasn't for you, who knows, the Beatles might still be creating incredible music. I hate you! I honestly mean that. I am a freshman at the University of California at Santa Barbara and I have been doing a tremendous amount of research on the Beatles and I sincerely believe that you are the primary cause for the separation of the Fab Four. I can understand your reasoning for not allowing Sam Choukri to continue his tribute to my idol, Mr. John Lennon: you are a greedy bitch! I may not sound like an educated university student at the moment, but I am finally unleashing all my anger and hatred towards you. I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt when I originally heard of your schemes, but I reached the realization that you are a bad person; you just intervened and changed Rock and Roll by destroying the single greatest contribution anyone has ever donated to the world, the Beatles. By destroying Sam Choukri's web page, you are not allowing what you and John were big activists on: giving peace a chance. I feel it was solely in your best interest that you had his page removed, and by doing so, you are not allowing the public to view this man's homage to a great man. I strongly suggest you to consent to the continuation of Sam Choukri's method of keeping John's spirit alive
Dec 7, 1996
l dyer from CANADA
Comments: Two Words "COLD TURKEY"
Dec 7, 1996
Sonny Lions (sunlion@cinci.net) from Cincinnati OH USA
Comments: I came here seeking some truth and beauty... and something to dream and imagine... and found legalisms and all that stuff... you know some day things will be different when I paint my masterpiece... sun
Dec 7, 1996
Craig Holbrook from Naples, Florida, USA
Comments: Dear Mrs. Lennon: I think you should hire Mr.Chourki as director of marketing for the estate of John Lennon, as he, though indirectly, has created extreme interest in John's music, art and writings. Thousands of people, including myself, have purchased many items of Mr. Lennon's work. Many of the materials I have purchased I would never have known about, were it not for the web site. This includes your work as well. From a business stand point, I feel the loss of the site will have an adverse effect on sales. To me, the closing of this site is akin to removing the words on a tombstone. I am asking you to please reconsider this decision and reopen the web site. Sincerely, Your fan.
Dec 7, 1996
Joan Lennon-Torpey (tjt82590@voicenet.com) from Philadelphia, Penna. USA
Comments: Dear Yoko, John Lennon belongs to all the world. His songs, "Imagine", "Give Peace a Chance", and "All You Need is Love" exemplify John as an ambassador of good will. Sam established this website as a loving tribute to John. You should be very proud and complimented that vast numbers of people hold John in such high regard. In all honesty, Yoko, I know John wouldn't have approved of this legal action. Yoko, I implore you, relent and call off your lawyers and allow Sam to reestablish his website. We love John Lennon and this legal action hurts not only Sam but all of us who deeply miss John. " Imagine all the people sharing all the world". John lived this message and this wonderful web site which we shared brought us closer together and helped us cope with the great loss we still feel with John's passing. This website was a great comfort to us as well as a magnificent, loving tribute to our John. I've admired John Lennon for over 32 years. Again, I beseech you to allow Sam to restore the website. Do this not only for us but more importantly for John. Peace. Cheers. Mrs. Joan Lennon-Torpey
Dec 7, 1996
Andrew Croft (Andrew_Croft@magic.ca) from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Comments: Dear Yoko, Sixteen years ago we all lost John. A little piece in all of us loyal fans died that day. I know, I was 16 and had just begun to understand, it was wonderful. Then truly sad. Now, on the anniversary of his leaving us, we are truly saddened yet once again because our favourite meeting place has been destroyed. It hurt us very much the first time, it doesn't need to be so sad again. Please embrace the idea of total people communication as John would have embraced it... I just saw The Bed-In on MuchMusic. Your message was to reach the world and get the message out. We can all share the idea of peace and love, let it happen man, it can be wonderful. All we are saying... is give Sam a chance... Love, Andrew
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