Letters

The ridiculous letting-off-steam rant (because the election didn’t
go L.A. Weekly’s way) in the Filtered section, “A
Message From the Arrogant Liberal Elite” [November 12–18], uses a variation
of the word fuck 25 times and 15 variations of dick, ass
and shit. The article has only 574 words and uses 40 nasty words.

Some of the reasons why politically correct liberals lost the
election: The people who voted against them don’t like to use foul words much,
especially around children. Also, their version of morals includes marriage
between opposite sexes, and they think that people in the crowded cities of
the blue states spend too much time fucking each other in the ass.

—Kim Lee
Los Angeles

COVER UP

It seems fellow Australian Tony Jones has bought into the simple-minded
argument that “left wing” equals bad and “right wing” equals
good [Letters to the Editor, “Under
Cover,” November 12–18]. Mr. Jones is probably a member of the Australian
Liberal Party (read: conservative) and hasn’t recognized in his provincial worldview
that nonviolent dissent in all its forms is one of the cornerstones of a healthy
democracy. He stupidly equates being liberal with having no values and drinking
lattes, but I suspect he finds L.A. Weekly a guilty pleasure — a place
where he can get a dose of the sex and violence he apparently desperately craves
and doesn’t get in the right-wing Rupert Murdoch–dominated landscape of Australian
media. Be assured, not all Australians are this narrow-minded.

—Craig Johnston
Santa Monica (via Melbourne, Australia)

MARGINS OF ERROR

Joshuah Bearman’s article “Demon
Democrats” [November 12–18] tries to demonize the far-far-right 10
percent that voted for Bush for the first time this election. But my question
to him is: Who is more hypocritical, the far-right 10 percent that believe in
and voted for Bush, or the far-far-left 10 percent that didn’t believe in Kerry
but voted for him simply because they hated Bush?

—Marc Schlenker
Rosamond

It is a sign that something is terribly wrong — and terribly Orwellian
— when a Republican moderate is figuratively crucified for refusing to bow to
the extremist wing of his party. 9/11 clearly illustrated the danger of religiously
motivated political extremism. I would like to thank Senator Arlen Specter for
his strength and integrity in openly challenging the right wing’s supposed mandate
to control what happens in my own uterus.

—Mary T. Shaw
Norristown, Pennsylvania

FAMILY FIRST

I can’t imagine holding up against just one of the Aguilars’ ordeals,
let alone all of them! One would think that the authorities would do everything
possible to help this family succeed, rather than devoting valuable resources
toward trying to destroy it. That this couple survives despite so much adversity
and police scrutiny is nothing short of a miracle, and is a testament to true
family values. Those quick to judge should consider that.

—Sandra Herwerth
Los Angeles

BLINDED BY THE RAY

Kim Morgan’s uninformed review (to say that a biopic should not
be like a biopic is the height of arrogance and ignorance) completely misses
the rich intelligence and insight of Ray [“The
Genius, Almost Live,” October 29–November 4], a movie that more than
pays tribute to the musician’s genius while also comprehending the demons that
fueled his art and nearly destroyed him. The cinematic dexterity and thematic
grasp of Taylor Hackford’s direction fulfills the dramatic impact of Ray’s struggle
to conquer and control his demons. Ray is an instant classic of humanist
cinema that will be loved and remembered long after such dumb-ass reviews are
forgotten.

—Dale Winogura
Los Angeles

LIP SYNCHING

My husband and I were lucky enough to be in a nearly sold-out
audience at the Complex for one of ventriloquist David Strassman’s performances,
and we both wonder what show reviewer Tom Provenzano saw [Calendar, November
5–11].

It seems to me that Mr. Provenzano is contemptuous of ventriloquism
as an art form; nothing Mr. Strassman could have done would have pleased him.
The only adjective in his piece that is relevant is describing Strassman as
“valiant.” He should have added “creative,” “talented”
and “funny.” He is a performer with impeccable timing, and we found
his delivery polished and his material delightful.

We were not alone, either. The rest of the audience laughed heartily
and often. Strassman was rewarded with long and enthusiastic applause at the
conclusion of his show.

—Marty Perry
Oxnard

FLOWN THE COOP

In addition to exposing the dangers of H5N1 in understandable
language, Margaret Wertheim’s excellent piece, “The
Terrorists Within” [Quark Soup, November 12–18], should encourage thought
about the consequences of a vegetarian lifestyle — large flocks of poultry that
become, in essence, petri dishes are no longer required. Well done!

—Antonio San Marco
Los Angeles

GREEN(E) PARTY

Sustainability is something we are passionate about, and Robert
Greene’s outstanding piece on the issue [“Environmental
Ecstasy,” September 24–30] may have helped some more people to think
about their own lifestyle and what they can do to make small changes toward
a sustainable future.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Santa Monica Sustainable
City Plan, over 3,000 people participated in 15 events, and the Weekly’s
coverage was invaluable in bringing such a successful week to our community.

—Andrew Basmajian, Dean Kubani, Sharon Norwood, Michelle Pettit
Environmental Programs Division, Santa Monica

CORRECTION

In the film review of Bright Leaves [Calendar, November
12–18], the star of the film Bright Leaf was misidentified. Gary Cooper
played the role.

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