An Introduction to Patricia Neill

In the fall of 1996, someone sent me a fragment of an electronic magazine. I'd never heard of the publication and had no idea who produced it. I began scanning it. It was okay, but I was busy and read it with only half my attention. Then mid-way through, I got zapped to total alertness by one of the most witty, saucy, sharp, unusual pieces of political writing I'd ever encountered on the Internet.

It was called "They Say, I Say: Terrorism Debate," and it was written by a stranger named Patricia Neill. I can hardly describe the instantaneous effect Patty's writing had on me, except to compare it with my first hit of LSD back in the 60s. It was a mind-opener.

It took me three months to find out who Patricia Neill was and what else she'd written. But once I "met" her via e-mail, and later by phone, I discovered she's as bright and sassy in reality as she is in her writing.

If you already know Patty's work, I hope you'll enjoy having (nearly) all of it collected in one place. If you're new to Patty's writings, hang on to your hat and enjoy the ride. This lady takes her fun seriously and makes serious matters fun.

Patty keeps promising to send a biographical essay, "Otter Technology," to insert in this spot. But she's been pretty busy lately. All I can say is, just about anything Patty writes is worth the wait.

--Claire