The Knight Called Nuch

It's been a few weeks, but some readers are still grousing about our May 10 cover, an homage to Monty Python featuring none other than city attorney Carmen Trutanich in the role of the Black Knight who, even after losing his limbs, insists he's suffered “but a flesh wound” (“Carmen Trutanich Is Not a Quitter,” by Gene Maddaus).

“I find the cover extremely violent and offensive,” Lola Terrell writes. “Don't we have enough physical violence surrounding us (and real trauma!) without resorting to making a point by creating such a horrific visual? I'm not a Trutanich fan, by the way. But this is just exploitative and in very poor taste. Shame on you for allowing this.“

Reader Gary Lee agrees. “I had just read an article in the Daily Breeze about a man in the hospital in Boston, both legs shorn and mangled by the marathon bombing, when I saw the graphic sketch on your May 10 cover depicting Trutanich dismembered. It was a shock, and struck me as horribly insensitive. I will be averting my eyes from now on when I pass newsstands that hold the Weekly to avoid further offensive and disgusting cover displays that turn a blind eye to national tragedy.”

Steve Sueoka offers a dissenting view. “That illustration is freakin' hilarious,” he writes. Well, at least someone thought so!

And About Those People …

Our most controversial issue, it isn't. But our annual People issue, published May 17, is a good way to honor the Angelenos we love — and this year, George Takei was one (“He Boldly Goes,” by Lina Lecaro). Writes dispatchngal45, “I love George Takei. We need to hear more about those who overcome adversity and become better, not bitter.” Adds digitalmeerkat, “George Takei is the reason the World Wide Web was invented. Well, George Takei and kittens, obviously.”

But some readers didn't approve of our cover girl Jessie Andrews, who became a porn star at 18 and, three years later, is launching businesses and working as a DJ (“Brand XXX,” by Jennifer Swann). “You know the economy is in the toilet when sex work becomes a modern success story and something to strive for,” Joel sniffs.

Lukedjlaw agrees. “There is nothing less interesting than a young porn star who has run the gonzo gamut, then semi-retired into lesbianism.”

Corrections

Our May 17 story about The Bling Ring (“The Perps Wore BCBGs”) contained several errors. For one thing, Alexis Neiers wore 4-inch Bebe heels, not BCBGs. Also, the gang stole a collection of watches and a handgun, not 40 Rolexes and a shotgun, and Courtney Ames did not participate in the burglary of Orlando Bloom's home. Also, Ana Cubas ran for Council District 9, not CD 14, as stated in our May 10 story “L.A.'s Machismo Kingmaking.” We regret the errors.

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