The article "Ethics" in the September issue must be answered.

First, there is nothing really new in this ancient and honorable art form.  An old magician who claimed to hold the record as a performer (75 years), the late Jack Green, used to say, "Acts originate, monkeys imitate. "

I remember well how some of the old timers gave me tips when I was starting out, and I've always tried to pass them along.

Nobody should ever worry about someone else stealing a bit of business. Where did we get our ideas? A good performer is a credit to all of us in this profession.

I worry a darn sight more about some faker using false promotion than I'll ever worry about some guy that is going to get some ideas watching me perform.

Articles written in memory of Bobby May talk of great accomplishments in the juggling and entertainment field, but what he left us ­the living - was something greater.

The last convention he attended found him juggling and rather active for a man 70­plus years young. It made me think of other jugglers who have a penchant for juggling various hobbies, business interests and friends.

No wonder there's such an interest. The physical and visual impact of manipulating objects makes ordinary people feel they can manage order out of their chaotic lives.

The entire process of learning to juggle demands a gradual concentration of control of one, two and three objects - just as critical life situations demand singular attention. The sense of inspiration comes from gradual mastery of three and the awareness that there are people who have successfully handled many more. Whatever your age, the creativity and skill of Bobby and many other jugglers leaves you with a hope for your own endeavors.

My first thought is that juggling competitions should be divided into comedy and talent. My reason is that with the present system, a person can perform a great comedy routine and not get the technical points needed to score well. Another performer may go out and do many difficult tricks and get good technical scores, but not very good performance scores.

It seems to me in order to be competitive any more you must be able to juggle five clubs and have total control of a ball with your head or maybe juggle seven balls for three minutes.

I would also like to congratulate you on the Santa Barbara convention. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The only improvement I can see would be more public awareness of the convention and more trips to shopping centers, parades, going to parks. visiting hospitals, having a beach party, doing a public service such as cleaning up trash along a road or in a park.

I kind of feel like at the conventions you just go to the gym and juggle. I realize my ideas mean more work, but I also think they could make a better convention.