Here's something for everyone to participate in (unless you're one of the judges or work for one of the sponsors): A Mark Twain Essay Contest on American Politics and Government is being held as a prelude to Mark Twain Days in Hartford, Connecticut, August 16-18, 1996. The contest is open to all (e-mail entries acceptable) and is being sponsored by the Mark Twain Memorial; The Hartford Courant's Sunday Magazine, "Northeast"; and WFSB-TV, Channel 3 in Hartford. The contest home page at http://www.courant.com/special/twain/index.htm also includes Twain's essay, "A Presidential Candidate," and other information about Twain's political writings and Mark Twain Days. Complete information about the contest and an entry form are available at the contest home page. Though Twainisms are discouraged, just think what you could do with "Rep. Gingrich's Soliloquy," Pat Buchanan's "Private History of a Campaign that Failed" or "A Defence of President Clinton" (you pick what environment and training made him do)? Jim Zwick [log in to unmask] http://web.syr.edu/~fjzwick/