THE LATEST PUSTULE      So, it seems New York ...

USTULE So, it seems New York Press is determined to throw off the stigma of being a "left-leaning" alternative paper. Which is entirely fair. Except that they employ blowhards like Jonathan Leaf ["Choosing the Right College Guide," Jan. 11] to do their dirty work. To paraphrase Leaf's own introduction: There is a single, critical reason why Jonathan Leaf's imbecilic liberal smashing should not simply be laughed off as the product of an exhausted mind. It is not that he parades his ideological ranting in the camouflaged form of a book review; it is that the philosophical implications of his writing are as horrifyingly stupid as they are far-echoing.

In protesting the "liberalization" of academic institutions in America, Leaf presents a list of crimes. Unfortunately, he has such an inept mind that this presentation lumps genuine crimes (abetting and aiding terrorist organizations, covering up a rape, falsifying credentials) with political disagreement (Ward Churchill's comments concerning 9/11).

Let there be no mistake-these are things that belong in entirely separate categories. And the problem is that the latter category of offensive ideas is in fact the single defining characteristic of a democratic society as a whole, not to mention the world of democratic academics.

The democratic world doesn't exist. If you believe that it exists in borders, in taxes, in troops, you're fucked. Simply put, democracy is a willingness to allow others the freedom of their ideas, based on trust. The world as it exists today proves that any jackass with enough guns can levy taxes and build a palace. What sets the western world apart is the idea of restraint based on rationality.

From my vantage point in Canada, I hear a blathering, blanketing static of words concerning the "intent" of the American Constitution. Well, at the time that America was being founded, the prevailing idea was rationality-that putting forward wrong ideas strengthened the right ones through healthy debate.

Leaf is just the latest pustule in the decay of this American ideal. Not only are Churchill's comments not a crime, but they are in fact the breath of a healthy society. (In fact the "Eichmanns" comment is relatively accurate if you look at the methodology of American capitalism in the right way).

To lump them in with genuine crimes agaisnt the state, and demand retribution, is itself a crime against the fundamental idea of democracy. And the truly horrible part of his "review" is that he does it without even blinking, as if he is completely unaware of the imact of his writings. As if he had no real grasp of the implications of his own writing.

Alfonso X. Alfonse, Canada

Leaf did not present Churchill's comments as crimes of any sort, but rather as evidence that he is a jackass and a fraud, which seems to us self-evident. If you look at AXA's letter "in the right way," he seems to have become rather unhinged. -The Eds. Borough what?

As a person of the gentrifying age, I guess, who grew up in those other neighborhoods of Brooklyn, and who also watched Park Slope grow up, I love Jim Knipfel's article on Park Slope ["Park Slope," Jan. 18]. And I applaud his support of the neighborhood. I lived in Windsor Terrace for nine years, until leaving last July to go traveling. Park Slope can pat itself on the back for retaining the spine of a real Brooklyn neighborhood, complete with its "Hellos" from the drycleaner, the "Thank youuuuuu" from the Korean grocer, and the "Ciao bella, come have a drink" from the local Italian restaurateur.

Jim Knipfel for borough rep!

Ella Nemcow, via email

THE SPACE PIRATE COMETH

Wow. 150 years later, New York Press acknowledges the existence of Brooklyn. [The Brooklyn Issue, Jan. 18]. I don't know what's sadder, that NYP is five years behind even New York magazine in acknowledging the 4th largest city in America, or that your issue is full of stuff like, "this is the story of how, ten years ago, my 'cool' friend discovered Williamsburg five years after everyone else did!" No offense, but if I really want to know what the hot new neighborhood is in New York, I'll go to a hipper, more with-it source. Like Joe Franklin.

Mike Vago, via email

Given that Harry Siegel was born, raised and lives in Brooklyn, that Tim Marchman's family is from Brooklyn, and he moved there when he was 12, lives there now, and has lived there for almost the years in between, and that Jon Leaf-whose family is also from Brooklyn-has been living on and off on the planet since the early 1980s, we cordially invite young Vago, who no doubt parachuted in from the near abroad fairly recently (witness his inability to think about Brooklyn in any terms other than those of "hot" neighborhoods), and who seems not to have read the issue, to blow us. -The Eds. IS THAT YOU, RICK?

I read your article [Russ Smith, "Fairy Tales," Jan. 18] with great interest. First of all, when are you guys ever going to get it right?

You guys continue to mention Jayson Blair and Rick Bragg in the same breath, as if they are guilty of identical wrongdoing.

Now you drag Rick Bragg's name through the mud again, indicating that James Frey has "been outed as a fabricator on the order of, say, Jayson Blair, Rick Bragg and, according to left-wingers, Judith Miller."

Get your facts straight, Mr. Smith.

Judith Miller was a dupe of the right-wing neocons.

Blair was fired because he flat out lied about the facts of a story that he had written.

The jury is still out on Mr. Frey.

Rick Bragg is an outstanding writer, a Pulitzer Prize winner, highly respected among the most august literary circles in this country.

He resigned from (was not fired by) the New York Times because he was justifiably fed up with the Times' nitpicking double standards for its reporters. Please check your facts before you engage in that kind of reckless, mudslinging journalism.

By the way, Bob Herbert is, of course, absolutely correct. We do have a "lawbreaker in the White House," even if that is "beyond you," Mr. Smith.

Peter C. McVeigh, via email

WILY MEXICANS

I'm writing regarding Joshua M. Bernstein's story about drinking in Puerto Vallarta. ["Feeling Blue," Jan. 18] I found it refreshing that he avoided drinking in the cheesy, touristy spots like Senor Frogs.

It seemed he wanted a taste of the real Mexico. It was cool that he got to drink with working-class Mexicans without losing sight of the fact that those working class Mexicans were most likely set to kill his gringo self and steal his girlfriend. One can never be too careful with those wily Mexicans! Especially around white women!

AP Bradbury, Manhattan

UGLY AMERICAN Joshua Bernstein's article "Feeling Blue" is pitiful. It's too bad that he didn't find the opportunity (or the desire) to clear his drunken mind and visit the real Puerto Vallarta. The beauty can be seen in the jungle-mountains that tumble into the sea, the breaching of a humpback whale, the charming cobblestone streets, the friendliness of the local Mexicans, the richness of the food served at the local taco-stands, the outstanding sunsets that perform each evening out over the bay, the majestic cathedral that towers above the downtown, the strolling mariachi's singing their hearts out for a few pesos, plus a multitude of other satisfying sights that are available here in Puerto Vallarta. Yes, I live here. Full time. Fifteen years. The sights described by the author could have been in AnyTown, USA. Sounds to me like the stereotypical ugly American.

Pamela Thompson, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

MOTHERFUCKING YANKEES

You typical New Yorker - obsessed w/ JD's hair and Manny. [Susan Smpadian, The Mail, Jan. 11] That stupid woman who called him Manny Rodriquez? You are going to quote a no-brain like that?? She makes women discussing sports look bad. She can't even get the NAME right, but she is an authority on what is a proper uniform. I can only IMAGINE what drivel that article called "Thank God for the Boss" must've shoveled up off the barn floor. If I felt like puking this a.m., I might look for it - but I don't.

As for the socks - a lot of people really, really like the socks showing. Its sort of old school, but you mf Yankee fans wouldn't know that, because you just like to buy talent and stick it up the rest of the league's ass. You don't care if your players pump steroids, cheat on their wives, or anything as long as you win it all. Which you don't, because your team doesn't know how to buy a "team."

You can have your all-star 'team'. As usual, yankees suck.

"Kellmoon," via email