New York Press encourages correspondence. Letters must address past articles ...
rk Press encourages correspondence. Letters must address past articles in New York Press. Please include name, address and daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Send all correspondence to:
With regard to your piece on a biography of some druggie named Keith, be advised that my father never lived in Sweden and always paid his taxes ("Books," 3/31).
Dmitri Nabokov, Montreux, Switzerland
WE KNEW IT!
In response to Michelangelo Signorile's March 30 column about me: It's time you all knew the truth ("Chase Out the Fundies," 3/31). I am part of a vast right-wing-Christian-fundamentalist-Illuminati-fascist-Halliburton conspiracy to infiltrate secular newsrooms and publish extremist propaganda under the guise of objective news. For 12 years, I've labored in secrecy at the Los Angeles Times, under the code name "Roy Rivenburg." Unfortunately, my cover has been blown.
As columnist Michelangelo Signorile and a handful of obscure bloggers have revealed, I recently managed to sneak a blatantly biased story about gay marriage into the L.A. Times. It was a daring operation. First, I had to get several top editors to think the story idea was theirs and choose me to write it. Next, after taking dictation from my Christian Conspiracy handlers, I got the final draft approved by a phalanx of liberal Democrat editors and copy editors. My secret? Mass hypnosis, of course. Reader reaction to such a slanted screed on a hot-button topic was swift. A torrent of two phone calls overwhelmed!
Our mailroom was buried with four, possibly five, letters and emails. Bloggers on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate praised the article.
Okay, so maybe Operation Ix-Nay on the Ay-Gays wasn't my finest work as a covert Vatican operative (I'm Catholic) at the L.A. Times. But there's more. In 1997, I wrote an expose of the public-relations war over partial-birth abortion that earned me a scathing letter from Helen Alvare of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Other religion-related pieces I've done here have been scolded by William Donohue of the Catholic League and denounced from the pulpit by Chuck Smith, the fundamentalist pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, to name a few. So, as you can see, I'm doing a great job of what Signorile calls "aiding and abetting the hidden Christian right agenda."
Roy Rivenburg, Los Angeles Times
WE LET GOD SORT 'EM OUT
New York Press' scattershot aim continues with its bulls-eye skewerings of Abe Foxman, James Dolan, Howard Stern, Jeffrey Sachs, Eva Moskowitz, the horseshit AirTrain boondoggle and its general suspicion of conventional wisdom ("50 Most Loathsome New Yorkers," 3/31). Even with the gibbering one-note Russ Smith, you've got a pretty fair batting average.
Still, it frustrates with easy and inconsequential rips on "hipster" targets like some sideman from the Strokes and his lady, Drew Barrymore. (For making out in public they trump Randi Weingarten, Daniel Doctoroff or PBA gasbag Pat Lynch?) Add in Sofia Coppola and Strand lumpen, and it all recalls editor-in-chief Jeff Koyen's cool but hyperventilating fanzine Crank.
Jeff, I love New York Press for its gleefully nasty assassinations of menaces like Bruce Ratner and willingness to run unsexy but well-argued cover stories like Aaron Naparstek's recent DOT piece. I get lost when New York Press becomes defensive about people perceived as more suave than you or your writers (e.g. Sonic Youth, every non-Polish person in Williamsburg under 30, Janeane Garofalo and Moby every other page). It's not that those people aren't above criticism. I get the impression you think they're universally lauded hipster sacred cows, but that's lazy. It makes you seem like ineffectual vengeful nerds overjoyed at the chance to finally (finally!) strike back for imagined slights. Hate but elevate. Kill but less overkill.
Paul Sommerstein, Manhattan
WE FEAR CHANGE
As an online reader and disperser of your articles, I delighted in your logo/motif on your previous web page. Now it looks much too clinical. Yuck! So please, use the top with the old yellow/whatever background and motif, which gave it some panache.
P.S. Matt Taibbi: Your article "Extreme Fascist Makeover" (10/15/03) was such a painful/insightful/screamingly funny piece. Thanks so much.
Shanti Renfrew, Cambridge, MA
DOWN AND LAYOUT
The latest issue of your newspaper is an absolute mess (3/31)! The layout is confusing and annoying. What the hell were you thinking?
Barry S. Levy, Manhattan
YES, THAT PROVES EVERYTHING
I wasn't completely sure of your political predilections until I reached the very end of your list ("50 Most Loathsome," 3/31). Surprise! You selected a Republican as the most loathsome person in New York City. Not just any Republican, mind you, but a man who most think is honest and willing to do the right thing without consulting a focus group. Seeing as how Bonnie and Clod Clinton failed to make your completely unbiased list, I am surprised that your offering didn't make the New York Times op-ed page.
Robert Grant, Shepherdstown, WV
ALMOND JOYA
I like the new design-sharp and easy to read. But how about changing (or at least adjusting) some of those restaurant reviews along with the look? Joya's been your "favorite Brooklyn restaurant right now" since two designs ago, which was at least 18 months or so ago ("Restaurant Guide," 3/31).
Mitchell Scherr, Brooklyn
MAYBE NEXT YEAR
I am outraged. How could the insufferable Jerry Nadler not make the list ("50 Most Loathsome," 3/31)? What a bloviating hypocrite. I watch ole Jerry moaning about every oppressed group in the world, except one. Yup: The Palestinians. When it comes to them, Jerry has a blindspot. He supports Israeli checkpoints, the wall, targeted assassinations, the 37-year occupation. And with zest. The only member of our delegation in Congress who is worse is Hillary, but she's Hillary. What do you expect?
No, it's Jerry who makes me sick. The only reason he is indifferent to the suffering of Palestinian kids (who live in conditions akin to sub-Saharan Africa, according to USAID) is that he is Jewish. And, for Jerry, ethnic solidarity trumps human rights.
So here's my idea. I know that Jerry will never speak out against Palestinian suffering because he feels no empathy for Arabs. But he can shut up about gays, African-Americans, the working poor, Third Worlders of all stripes and all the other people he expresses solidarity with. Until he can express sympathy for people his own (and my own) people are hurting, he should shut up about all the rest.
Jerry is like a German leftist who loves all oppressed peoples but can't stomach the Jews! He's a chauvinist and a bigot and he should not be representing the West Side of Manhattan.
Fat or less fat, he is the most obnoxious New Yorker. Shame on you for not giving Jerry his due.
Al Horowitz, Manhattan
ANTON LAVEY
Is there anyone that you don't think is a slime, a dirtbag, a hypocrite or a loser? I would like to see a column of those you admire. Tease me. Just give me a name or two.
Bette Schaffel, Miami
BRING IT ON, SKIP
Boy, what a bunch a mooks. I read that article and thought, "New York ain't what it used to be!" ("50 Most Loathsome," 3/31) What's the matter with you guys, can't you do better than that for loathsome? And what's with that drawing of John Lennon labeled "Howard Stern"?
Don't make me come over there!
Skip Press, Burbank, CA
GODDAUGHTER
Two things regarding your 50 Most Loathsome New Yorkers list (3/31):
1) Finally I find someone who agrees with me about Sofia Coppola, #50 on the list. Instead of winning screenwriting awards for a boring movie with practically no (or no smart) dialogue, Lost in Translation should be put into daddy's grape vat and stomped on.
2) Maybe you should take all those whiney bitches who complain that New York Press are haters, and make them #50 on next year's list. What's New York without a little attitude?
Keep up the good work.
Marc Rampulla, Manhattan
#3, 2003
Where the hell is Michael Moore on that list ("50 Most Loathsome," 3/31)?
Jon Davison, Sheridan, Indiana
#15, 2003
Even Yankee fans admit that George Steinbrenner is one of the worst things to happen to the human race.
Phil Pearson, Ridgewood, NJ
HEX IN THE CITY
I have got to tell you, I have never in my life read anything so accurate as your description of Sarah Jessica Parker ("50 Most Loathsome," 3/31). I could never figure out why my mother, girlfriends, female friends, etc. would always go on about how beautiful she was, while I thought she was a horse-faced, harlequin-dressed harpy with heat-damaged hair. Heck, I've yet to hear a guy say anything kinder than that about her. Hitting the nail on the head is one thing; you guys gave it a Mr. Miyagi one-shot power slam. The rest of the list was also brilliant (kudos for not giving into Giuliani just because he positioned himself as "Mr. 9/11"), but Number 13 will stick with me until the end of my days.
Nathan Hall, Philadelphia
IN LIKE FLINT
Great interview with Flint Butera, but I would really be interested in reading a more in-depth article ("Flint Butera," 3/31). Please consider this-he seems to have a refreshing "out of the art world" view on his role as an artist and the making of his art.
Joan Lee Stassi, Manhattan
THAT'S NOT VERY NICE
Very fine list indeed ("50 Most Loathsome," 3/31). Being a Bostonian, can I nominate five? No Yankees either. Just these five jerks 1) Uber-bigot Charles Barron; 2) Tom Coughlin; 3) Robert Christgau; 4) Michael Moore and 5) Katie Couric.
All of the above are noisy, vomit-inducing fools whom I wish would be stricken with flesh-eating viruses.
Danny Kelly, Boston
MISSION ABORTED
You seem to have missed the point about the Justice Department's request for medical records of women who have had late-term abortions (MUGGER, 3/24). (Warning: reading the L.A. Times can be hazardous to your mental health.)
1. Abortion advocates have challenged the federal ban on partial-birth abortions, claiming that it is indefensible because there is no provision for exceptions for the health of the mother. (Ignoring the fact that the American Medical Association, that running-dog apologist for the anti-abortion camp, has officially stated that there is no possible circumstance in which the procedure known as partial-birth abortion can be justified on the basis of protecting the health of the mother. Sticking a sharp instrument into the occupied birth canal to puncture the baby's skull is actually more dangerous to the mother than just pulling the baby out.)
2. The Justice Department said, "Prove that an exception for the health of the mother is necessary."
3. The abortion advocates said, "We don't have to! We're doctors, and you're not, and you can't make us."
4. The Justice Department said, "No, but the judge can." And the judge did. These medical records will have all identifying information removed, so that they will be simply data points. This is the same procedure that is always used when medical records of someone other than the plaintiff or defendant are used in court.
5. The abortion advocates (including the L.A. Times) then cried, "Invasion of privacy by the Nazis in the Bush administration!" This last is a cynical attempt to change the subject, since they don't have a legal leg to stand on.
Doug McKelvy, Barnhart, MO
EXTRA CHEESE
About Russ Smith's McDonald's piece ("Angels on MLB's Shoulder," 3/31), I used to go to India from time to time. Young girls, age unknown but the size of six-year-olds, would come up to me with a baby on their hips and beg for money for food. I would tell them, "Sorry no, don't you know that the food you buy may have fat in it?"
So she would move her emaciated little body on to someone else and I would feel like crying.
Maybe these trial lawyers should go over and walk along the quay on the waterfront in Bombay. They could see how lucky we are that food is so cheap and plentiful in this country. However, I guess their 40-60 percent of this endeavor would not be worth their while.
Stacey Rowe Barber, Macclenny, FL
YELLOWSTONE PERIL
In 1991, while waiting for my then fiance's job at the University of Montana to conclude, I filled my time taking geology classes. David Alt, of the Roadside Guide to Geology of (name a state) loved to regal us of stories of and related to geology. He told of writing an article for a Montana magazine years past where he mentioned the Yellowstone caldera and said West Yellowstone was in peril ("Thar She Blows," 3/31). Sensing the damage this could do to the summer trade there, the Chamber of Commerce called a professor at Montana State in Bozeman who replied, "Hell lady, if Yellowstone blows, there won't even be a Bozeman." Dave Alt finished with a guffaw and the comment that he is the only one "censured by the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce."
Chuck LeBer, Port Angeles, WA
YOU WANNA ORGANIZE IT?
Good job on the 50 Most Loathsome list (3/31). You should run a new list each month.
Baxter Smith, Baltimore