How so? I'm just going by the old standby that if two vowels are separated by only one consonant, then that usually means they have the long vowel sound. It doesn't work all the time, but is a general enough rule for everyday pronunciation.
I've never heard of any such 'standby'. However, I could concede that a long a is conceivable, in the vane of 'laser' or 'base' or 'wave' and similar. However, in all those cases, the 'e' is not made long. It is silent or short. I still go with Team Tassel, it makes more sense of the spelling given.
Also, I think you're mistaking us for the sandals and the ikkies, Indirik.
