Asks the Californian Asks the Californian How can ...
How can you print such rubbish? Have you no shame?
Richard Marpet, Studio City, CA
Lectured by L.A.
"Ask anyone who's lived in a communist country, and he'll tell you: Modern America is deja vu all over again." Well, that was a fascinating statement from Mr. Taibbi ("Cage Match," 5/7). Fascinating enough that I sent the article to family and friends, who like myself, were from communist countries. Mr. Taibbi would be glad to know that we came to a unanimous consensus, which is:
1) Mr. Taibbi hasn't lived in a Communist country.
2) Mr. Taibbi is an idiot.
More like a "useful idiot," if Mr. Taibbi understands the Leninist reference.
Martin Kunert, Los Angeles
War Is Peace, AOL Cares?
Thank you, o free press, for your review ("Books," 5/7) of the new edition of Orwell's 1984. What startles me is not simply the parallel between Orwell's fable and our current reality, but the unabashed nature of it. The day of the biggest planned antiwar protest in world history-as the terrorist alert level was not coincidentally being raised and duct tape recommended-AOL's news page (flashed to 35 million people checking their email) was dominated not by a discussion of the impending war or the protests against it, but by a picture of George W. Bush. He was wearing his commander-in-chief vest and staring with a smile into the vague distance. There was no news article to go with it. The mind-bending caption read: "Big Brother Standing Guard." I wrote to AOL to ask if they were being ironic, cynical or just stupid, but I received no answer.
Ari Gold, Manhattan
The DNC/SS/USSR Axis
Matt Taibbi: Left-wing fascists who would enslave us all in their utopian world order of dictators and DNC overseers would be proud of your attempted destruction of the freedoms we have so dearly paid for with our blood ("Cage Match," 5/7).
Left-wing hatemongers and elitist do-gooders use every method to destroy the good that is done by the United States. There has never been a power in recorded history that has done such good throughout the world. Of course, your undying loyalty to the purveyors of National Socialism and their minions the Communists would have one believe that the utopia forecast in their lies is obtainable. If you lived in one of the "socialist" countries, your freedom of speech would be on the decline as is the case in the EU and other so-called "enlightened" societies. Our country is the beacon by which the individual on this earth can see freedom and not bondage. La libertà non è gratis.
Charles Nelson, Titusville, FL
Toronto, Eh?
Matt has got to get a grip ("Cage Match," 5/7). If he hates it here so much, I'll pack his bags for him and he can go somewhere blessedly banal and socialistic-say Canada. Probably a good fit for him.
Janice Larson, Lynnwood, WA
See the World
I was appalled reading Matt Taibbi's asinine comparison of the U.S. to the U.S.S.R. ("Cage Match," 5/7). On the basis of what? U.S. military pride. He doesn't have to enjoy these spectacles, but to invoke the Soviet military is an insult to anyone who has ever lived there. I grew up when things began to change in terms of freedom of speech (the media is still under lock and key), but one thing never changed. Everyone I knew was horrified about the prospect of going into the military, especially Jews. They would often come out maimed.
I trust the American military. Maybe Matt Taibbi thinks a military is unnecessary-he should travel the world. If he wants unbridled military atrocities, let him visit Chechnya. If a cheerful display of patriotism alone merits a comparison between the U.S. and U.S.S.R., we have cheapened what it means to make real distinctions between governments and militaries.
Irina Fayerberg, Forest Hills, NY
A Mustachioed Man
I got a good laugh reading Matt Taibbi's column about Thomas Friedman ("Cage Match," 5/14). But don't you think it's a pity that a columnist is going after another columnist on style and mixed metaphors? I mean, Friedman writes almost daily on big issues, and despite the detailed analysis, his points are generally clear. If he had written, for instance, that "I can't figure out how this guy feels about the war or some issue," he would have made a much more compelling point rather than just a funny article.
I sense from Taibbi's writing that his passion for public issues overrides his interest in the grand comedy of human existence. And he apparently has a rather vindictive feeling toward Friedman, which I imagine is a general feeling toward the Times. In my opinion, vindictiveness is a great source of inspiration and energy, but ultimately it tells us more about the vindictive person than the target of his anger.
Joe Lamport, Manhattan
Reacharounds for Shut-ins
Jim Knipfel and Thomas Pynchon: This letter is to congratulate your entrance into the Mutual Admiration Society. Many authors have pat each other's backs on book covers before, but few have gone as far as to do so in the same issue of a weekly. See ("Slackjaw," 5/7) endnote and ("Books," 5/7) column. Kudos!
Tom Patterson, Queens
Barely Feeble
What is it with you guys and Maxim? Maxim is a silly magazine, granted, but Christ, you guys seem obsessed with it, when what it really deserves is contempt ("Daily Billboard," 5/6). What will your next target be, Barely Legal?
Attacks on the Village Voice and the New York Times, powerful ideologically driven institutions, are fun and interesting; attacks on a magazine consisting of anti-France jokes and pictures of tv actresses in bras are a waste of time. Aim higher, Captain Ahab.
Mitchell Glodek, Manhattan
Russ Is Right!
At last Russ Smith and I agree about something. His suggestion that Joe Conason should replace Alan Colmes is a good one (MUGGER,"5/7). Conason is a tough, well-informed partisan who would be a good match for Sean Hannity. Remember that it was Hannity who selected Colmes as his sparring partner so he could have a wimp to push around. Also Colmes does not regard himself as a partisan Democrat. When he had a radio program on WEVD, I would call him and tell him that he was not sufficiently partisan. In response he said that he did not regard himself as a partisan Democrat. And after the 2000 selection when I called and said that I prayed for the destruction of the Bush administration-he hung up on me and said I was unpatriotic.
Ideally, I would like to be paired with Hannity, but since that is unlikely, Conason would be a great second choice.
Reba Shimansky, Brooklyn
You Ex-Gayphobe
Mike Signorile: Your article ("The Gist," 4/30) did not mention that the same groups that berate others for discriminating against gays themselves actively discriminate-against ex-gays. Each year, thousands of men and women with same-sex attractions make the personal decision to leave homosexuality. However, some refuse to respect that choice. As a result, ex-gays are subject to an increasingly hostile environment where we are reviled simply because we dare to exist.
For example, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Educational Network widely distributed a school booklet labeling ex-gay participation in public schools as "harassment." The gay Human Rights Campaign publicly demanded that a contributor (AOL's Mrs. Steve Case) reconsider her sizeable donation to a children's school merely because it had indirect ties to an ex-gay ministry. The list is endless, because every day brings new hostile acts against the ex-gay community.
The harassment of ex-gays by gays themselves is a sad end to the long struggle for tolerance by the gay community. That ex-gays are now oppressed by the same people who until recently were victimized themselves demonstrates how far the gay rights movement has come. We now need to face the other side of sexual orientation-intolerance of ex-gays. Please remember that former homosexuals are also worthy of respect.
Mike Signorile: Great article-can't wait for your next "surreal week" ("The Gist," 5/14). There's good news in Pennsylvania, except that white moderates (legislators and lapdogs) are already out to kill it. The Victory in Progress flyer summarizes the results of a now seven-year PLGTF-convened effort to amend, significantly, PA's "Human Relations Act" (not "rights" lest we get the wrong idea), and the post-secondary "Fair" Education Opportunities Act framed around a 50s "access" model. One very small step. Good luck to you. Thanks for your articles.
Rita Addessa, Executive Director, PLGTF-PA Lesbian and Gay Task Force, Philadelphia
Yes, Yes, Y'all
Y'all are making a big mistake to minimize the impact of Sharpton, and to a lesser extent Mosley-Braun. Blacks are not enamored with the choices we have this time around. None of the other members of the Democrat Nine have any civil rights credentials to speak of. Gephardt-who is the closest-is a union man, not a civil rights warrior.
If Sharpton gets the Sister Souljah treatment I guarantee you there will be a backlash. There may not be an uptick in the number of people who vote for Bush, but I guarantee there will be a dropoff in the number of people who vote, period. And with Jews liking what Bush is doing in the Middle East and with women liking what he is doing to protect them, the Democrats cannot win if any of their most loyal group stays home.
Frankly I don't see Bush losing the election regardless of what the Democrats do. However, I see the Democratic party losing big downstream if they "rebuke" Sharpton. Blacks are tired of being taken for granted and having their candidates used as punching bags. At the end of the day our choices will be a white male Republican and a white male Democrat espousing Republican dogma. In other words, twiddle-dee and twiddle-dumb. I don't see blacks breaking down any doors to vote for either person.
Lames Junior, Houston
Childish Behavior
Mike Signorile: Rick Santorum is indeed a fundie jackass who should be challenged, but not on the subject of his dead child ("The Gist," 4/30). Having been delivered, the baby was no longer a fetus, that being merely a term for a fully formed but still developing baby in utero. I don't see why this would be any different than having a viewing of any other dead family member in one's own home-unless, like Barbara Bush, one doesn't want to disturb one's beautiful mind by confronting the reality of human mortality. The baby was wanted and loved, his existence acknowledged and honored by his family. Why is that perverted and weird?
Julie Ortmeier, Jacksonville, FL
Scraping Fetus
It seems incorrect to define a 20-week gestation as a fetus. I will go back and refresh my memory, but I thought that was the whole debate. I thought the anti-abortion people were trying through every means to have the fetus declared a baby so that they could then bring murder or manslaughter against the mother, doctors, father, priest, journalist or man/woman on the street. A red flag keeps going up for me though. Seeing it in the same article as Santorum ("The Gist," 4/30) really bothers me. When I was working on my Master's, the attempts were mostly modification of State constitutions. Sure bears looking into.
Ann Cummins, Wichita, KS
But Ratings Are Up. Way Up.
When is the left going to get tired of this rant ("Cage Match," 5/14)? When will people like Matt Taibbi finally realize they have been so profoundly wrong? And where did this journalist learn to write?
Bill Modica, Florence, NJ
You Go, Clyde
I'm shocked! Seth Farber attacks MUGGER and New York Press ("The Mail," 4/30) for morphing from a left-wing, libertarian into a neo-conservative, Bush/Rumsfeld loving, right-wing alternative newspaper. Leave MUGGER alone! I know MUGGER (he couldn't pick me out in a crowd of two) and he's one of the nicest reactionary war hawks you'll ever meet.
Oh, how naive is Farber. There comes a time in every man's life when he must make the tough decisions-then sell out. Has Farber failed to grasp the deeper meaning of Thomas Wolfe's "You can't go home again?" When seen clear, MUGGER has had a Bushian-Rumsfeldian satori. To wit: the brave, heroic, "America First"-carrier-landing, new world order is here. And the regurgitated, rambunctious ranting of a disgruntled utopian, left-winger like Farber is no virtue.
Clyde Dinkins, Irvington, NJ
Idiot Proof
Obviously Mr. Taibbi is either a sloppy journalist lying about watching the president's speech, or he is still hallucinating. The president was clearly in a suit and tie during his speech, not "dressed in full military regalia" as Mr. Taibbi claims ("Cage Match," 5/7). True, he wore a flight suit for the trip over to the carrier (as did the secret service agent who accompanied him, required for anyone who flies in a military jet of that sort), but that was shed after it was no longer needed, long before his speech. You need to either get this man a better editor, or medical help. I suggest both. Here's a link to a picture to prove it.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/030502/168/3ybnq.html
Jim Reese, Valrico, Fl
Deport Taibbi
Another ignorant, stupid, demented buffoon falls into the liberal trap ("Cage Match," 5/7). The meaningless hogwash you spit out undermines whatever message you are trying to convey. You are better off writing comedy than editorializing about material you obviously have no knowledge of. The irony about your article is that it was people like you who so ardently defended the Soviet Union during its tyrannical rule-and people like you who will always blame America first. Please do us all a favor and move to Pyongyang or Havana. I'm sure their leaders will do you proud!
Juan Carlos Barraza, Miami, FL
Top Fun
I just read the article by Michelangelo Signorile about the Air Force cadets ("The Gist," 5/7). He made many great points in the article. I agree with him 100 percent. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to reading more of him.
Kevin O'Neill, Southbury, CT
The Babylon Beast
Matt Taibbi: You have thrown the stone from inside the proverbial glass house ("Cage Match," 5/7). I know how intellectual all New Yorkers are. I marvel at the wonderful insight and creativity all that activity and smog brings to one's brain in the higher realm of Literati's Valhalla on the Hudson. You, the writer, have become the same drunken slob collapsed in an underground subway station as you describe the ruler of the country.
In real Soviet times you, who speak so frankly on the topic there, would have been the neighbor who disappeared two days before. "It" came from you and the Press and it's all around you. You do say correctly, "This whole thing, all around us, is a package deal. From war all the way back to Friends, already in progress. A monster that mighty doesn't need a führer."
It took but a few clicks from your article to see the Press display of adverts for adult services and debauchery in an article regarding the piece on "King John" (5/7). Surely your heart, as one so sensitive, grieves at the indelicate unions spoken of there. The beast has swallowed you also, Matt. You have become its spice and substance. Come out of Babylon, Matt, and look from a distance, then describe the place where you live as free.
Mac White, Dallas
Good One
Regarding Matt Taibbi's column ("Cage Match," 5/7). One word: Bullshit.
Gregory Taggart, Orem, UT
Better Watch Your Wife, Tim
It's weird stuff like this Matt Taibbi screed ("Cage Match," 5/7) that is going to cause us Democrats to lose the next presidential election. Can we stop with the conspiracy tripe, please? This article is so over-the-top.
As bad as the Bush administration is, answer for me this basic question: Where is the NKVD or-God, forbid!-the KGB knocking down Matt's door in the middle of the night after he wrote and published this ridiculous piece? Answer: It's in his head.
When I show this stuff to my union colleagues (I am a public school teacher), they lap up every word. When I show this same article to my next-door neighbor, who is not political, he laughs and seriously thinks that the guy who wrote this is on meds and needs therapy. It's guys like my next-door neighbor who are driving this country's agenda; they think the left is, at best, anti-American or, at worst, completely deranged and out of touch with the mainstream.
Please, keep it up! Like the so-called "scandal" with the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, we Democrats are looking stupid, petulant and immature. My wife thought Bush looked kind of sexy. Kind of sexy!? Holy cow! Women in the country are thinking he's a stud, and we on the left are comparing Bush to a Soviet GULAG administrator! Talk about disconnect!
Could we please start focusing on our strengths, the substantive issues such as the tax cuts hurting education and the poor, please, just once? Could we not let our hatred and paranoia show through, please? We look ridiculous!
Tim O'Flaherty, Worcester, MA
Ba-da-bump
Matt Taibbi's poor Hunter Thompson imitation ("Cage Match," 5/7) only reminds us that the left has not changed its sneering, one-note anti-Americanism for 35 years and has now officially entered geezer-dom. If Thompson is no longer funny, Taibbi is like the warm-up act at an AARP breakfast. The problem is their message-now establishment and pounded out daily by the old biddies running the New York Times-offers little more than anger and pessimism. They're reminiscent of much of the Goldwater faithful circa 1964-blue-haired, decrepit, stuck with old slogans and unable or unwilling to grasp social progress or the changing world around them.
Yeah it's true that it's fashionable among the ancient left and the marching Euro-swill (who apparently haven't the slightest understanding of their own history) to "compare the Bush administration to the Nazis," as Taibbi asserts. But since he believes that this view has merit-at least on a "superficial" level-maybe he should change the name of his column from "Cage Match" to "Standing in Line Without a Ticket."
William B. Huber, Manhattan
King Bill
Mike Signorile: Thanks for a very funny column. You should think about doing stand-up comedy. You could have included a comment about how Bill Bennett ("The Gist," 5/14) decided that it would be awkward for him to continue being a chainsmoker once he took over as drug czar. He allegedly gave it up when he was coronated. (That is how one becomes a czar, isn't it?)
Charles W. Gossett, San Dimas, CA
Life Saver
Mike Signorile: Columns such as yours, which I access on the internet every morning, save my life ("The Gist," 5/14). Truly. The depth of the depression that has set in as many of us helplessly watch the decay of rationality in this country is startling. We feel this more starkly, now that there are no more protests and antiwar marches and candlelight vigils to give us the tiniest hope for sanity. Thank you for showing your readers the absolute hypocrisy and ugliness of the 'moralists' among us. My morning is now bearable.
Regina Avraham, Brooklyn
Fatah Phooey
Good grief. Don't tell me this claptrap passes for journalism in New York these days. I honestly thought that the Grey Lady had a lock on ridiculous efforts in journalism, but Mr. Taibbi makes Nicholas Kristoff and Maureen Dowd look like real writers. I would suggest an assignment embedding him with a Palestinian fatah group. He could be the guy with the vest. It would make much better reading.
Mike Becker, Scottsdale, AZ