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POWERFUL PUFF PIECE
DEAR EDITOR:
Because every writer deserves a stroke now and then, kudos to Robert Lloyd for his story on the Powerpuff Girls [“Beyond Good and Evil,” November 24–30]. Not only did I go to my online dictionary to look up “Phylogeny recapitulates ontogeny” (thank you for teaching me something new), I also re-examined my understanding of supposedly Japanese animation. Realizing that this incredible cartoon was, in fact, an American creation helped me to appreciate my own culture while at the same time questioning (in a good way) my own appreciation of the Powerpuff Girls and why they appeal to me so much.
—Brett Van Benschoten
Los Angeles
DEAR EDITOR:
I am very satisfied with your cover story on the Powerpuff Girls! I am a huge fan of the show, and I was glad to see that you mentioned Pokey Oaks Fanfic Library in the article. I am KefkaFloyd, an author of stories and colorist of several comics over yonder, and Mr. McCracken (affectionately called Theman over the Net) has always given us a great show to watch and love.
I also found your take on Powerpuff merchandise a great one. I myself own only one piece of PpG merchandise (a Bubbles doll), but I think that the fans out there are more into making their own stuff — like my guitar, the Puffocaster (www.rpgdarkside.com/new-puffocast er.jpg) — and having PpG bumper stickers plastered on their cars. Bootlegging is the sincerest form of flattery, as Mr. Lloyd stated ever so tactfully.
Thank you for the very informative article, and keep Powerpuffin’!
—Daniel Vincent (a.k.a. KefkaFloyd)
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
DEAR EDITOR:
What the hell? Powder Puff Girls [sic] make the cover of L.A. Weekly? There’s a whole world of important issues out there, issues that sorely need attention because the mainstream media isn’t touching them, and I’m seeing the POWDER PUFF GIRLS? What is this? Nickelodeon magazine? USA Today? Just what exactly separates your publication from any of the other fluffy, consumer-oriented rags that are out there? You should be utterly embarrassed. But I suppose it’s only a matter of time before we start seeing Pokémon prominently featured on the cover. Or maybe it’ll be Ally McBeal. Or maybe you’d like to give us the latest scoop on Britney Spears? I just love consumer culture. After all, this is the 21st century. Who needs real news, anyway?
Way to go, L.A. Weekly.
—A. Milton
North Hollywood
TOO-WILLING SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF
DEAR EDITOR:
The article “Beyond the Verdict” [November 24–30] by Charles Rappleye was so full of assumptions that it qualifies as an editorial, not an article. Here is where we are in Los Angeles today: A lying, dope-dealing, crooked gangster with a badge called Rafael Perez is considered untruthful in his arrest reports, and upward of 70 gangsters are released from prison, many to become millionaires at taxpayer expense.
But when it comes to his accusations against police officers, dirtbag Perez is suddenly the pillar of trustworthiness. No benefit of the doubt for cops. No innocent-until-proven-guilty for cops in L.A. Who weeded out Perez, Durden and Mack? Not the local newspapers’ investigative reporters. Not the federal government. It was fellow LAPD cops that did it. Yet the whole of the LAPD is treated without respect and accused of being everything under the sun except the committed public servants that 99.9 percent of them are.
Well, in the end, the City of Angels will get the police department it surely deserves. Other police agencies, as we speak, are taking as many LAPD officers as they can process. They are buying Cadillacs for the price of Toyotas, and those communities will reap the rewards, because they know the caliber of training that LAPD officers receive.
Shame on L.A.
—Andre Belotto
Los Angeles
OUT FROM UNDER HIS HAT
DEAR EDITOR:
Just wanted you to know what a kick I got out of Brendan Bernhard’s interview with Thomas Frank [“Do Clothes Make the Man?,” November 24–30]. Kudos to Bernhard for doing exactly what he was piously instructed not to do — i.e., talk about Frank’s attire — and, furthermore, for making that disobedience the linchpin of a very enjoyable piece.
—Damien Weaver
Montague, Massachusetts â
HEAD TRIPE
DEAR EDITOR:
I was delighted by Manohla Dargis’ review of Charlie’s Angels [“Head Trips,” November 3–9]. I’m so sick of reviewers who preface their reviews by saying, “If you’re looking for mindless fun . . .” What if I’m not? Is that the only reason people go to the movies anymore? Sheesh!
—David A. MacNeil
Sydney, Nova Scotia
FRIENDTHEIR
DEAR EDITOR:
I had never heard of the band Enemymine, but after reading Andrew Lentz’s piece on them for Scoring the Clubs [November 24–30], I certainly am not likely to take his recommendation. Not that I expect the Weekly to be politically correct, but the initial reference to “their retarded name” in his review is not only offensive but ineffective — and reflects more on Lentz than it does on the band. Has his vocabulary as a writer been diminished to that of a “Valley girl” of the ’80s?
—Amy Hanreddy
North Hollywood
LANDMARK ROCKER
DEAR EDITOR:
How could you “also recommend” Frank Black’s gig at the Knitting Factory [Scoring the Clubs, November 24–30]? As if!
Like I “also recommend” the Lincoln Memorial the next time you’re in Washington, D.C.
—Andy Davenhall
Silver Lake
IN A NUTSHELL
DEAR EDITOR:
Steven Leigh Morris’ review of Closer [“Affairs of the Heartless,” November 17–23] contains an excellent one-sentence summary of that play: “Is the view that there’s little erotic mystique to nice men and needy women, and that we desire what we can’t have, supposed to pass for earth-shattering insight?” Although the perform ances were admirable, especially on the part of the men, I was left feeling flat and wondering why I had driven all the way from Orange County to see the play . . . Of course, sitting six feet away from Rebecca De Mornay does have its appeal!
—T. Marie
Newport Beach
CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED
DEAR EDITOR:
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed Keith Knight’s cartoon review of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. It was a great addition to that particular issue’s [October 20–26] cover package on black filmmakers, and made me want to run out and rent the video.
—Letitia Pepper
Riverside
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