What Is So Rare as a Fan of Armond White? Signorile's On-Target Re: Sniper; Rejoice! MUGGER Was Right!; Marry Me, Lane Lipton; More...

As always, Armond White has provided another bracingly provocative and interesting review, this time of De Palma's marvelously inventive and deconstructive Femme Fatale ("Film," 11/13). I am quite a White admirer but I am puzzled by his brusque dismissal of Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity, which remains one of the most hauntingly difficult and resonant films made in the United States. I would argue that De Palma extends rather than trashes Wilder's points about gender and sexuality and male performance anxiety in that film. I agree with White, though, that Femme Fatale is one of the most remarkable deconstructions of the "male gaze" in cinema?and his line, "De Palma makes you think with your eyes," is superb: classic White.

David Greven, Boston

Alimony'll Do That

Michelangelo Signorile: I just wanted to say thank you for highlighting the interview with Mildred Muhammad ("The Gist," 11/13). With the far-right wing harping on both the Islamic angle and the possibility of a sexual angle, it is good to see someone quoting the person who likely knows best about what the sniper suspect was thinking. I have no idea if Muhammad is correct in her assessment?it seems like a pretty elaborate plot?but it certainly seems reasonable that her ex-husband was trying at least to terrify her, and threw in a few million other people at the same time. Whatever the case, her interview demonstrated how John Muhammad actually does fit the basic profile of a serial/spree killer, and not an Al Qaeda-like terrorist?the failed marriages, the kidnap attempts, the controlling behavior, the threats against the ex-wives, all show a man whose world was unraveling around him.

Bill Tulloch, Silver Spring, MD

Give Him Libertarians

Mike Signorile: Do you realize that in your own way you're as obnoxious as the Gary Bauers and Pat Robertsons of the world? Your hysterical reaction to the Republican victory suggests that you live in a time warp that mirrors in some ways the ones in which the religious right live. You both live in a world in which the culture wars are the only thing that matters, when in fact the culture wars are mostly over. The wave of the future lies with libertarians like Andrew Sullivan, not humorless lefties like you.

Harold Nikiforakis, Carteret, NJ

Thanks, Patty

MUGGER: Oh, for Pete's sake. The judge's name is Priscilla Owens (11/13). You have no idea how silly it is that people can't differentiate between the names Patricia and Priscilla.

Priscilla Bird, Everett, WA

The editors reply: Ms. Bird is correct, the judge's name is Priscilla, not Patricia. And by the way, it's Owen, not Owens. New York Press regrets the error.

I Pull Our Aid Nigh

Re Tim Hall's "Artistic License" ("Daily Billboard," 11/11). Actually, "Rudolph Giuliani" is not an anagram for "Robin Pogrebin." "Bone-borin' prig," however, is.

Michael Bird, Bronx

Triangulatin'

MUGGER: Hillary has to run in '04 (11/13). Rudy runs for her Senate seat in '06 and beats the pantsuit off her and then she has no base from which to run in '08. Just an educated guess, but I think Rudy is itching for a rematch. Then he runs on Bush's lame-duck coattails in '08. The guy I worry about is McCain. What if he changes parties in January and then runs as a Democrat against Bush in '04. Now that would be a rematch.

Pete Wright, Dallas

Oh Happy Day

We conservative, right-wing fightin' fundy Christian-types are feeling pretty smug these days. (I would say "proud" but that's a sin.) It looks like clear sailing ahead for the religious right on issues like abortion and such. Maybe just about everything. And it gets better. Nancy Pelosi, a liberal from San Francisco no less, as leader of the Democrats. When will they ever learn? There is even talk of some of the more conservative Democrats changing parties. Do tell! The pendulum will swing back the other way in due time. It always does. For now, we conservatives will enjoy whatever favor we can curry on Capitol Hill.

Paul Chaney, Tupelo, MS

"Food," by Lane Schwartz?

It seems that all I ever meet these days are women who "don't eat seafood," "don't eat dairy," "don't eat white chocolate," "don't drink coffee" ("Food," 11/13). Tell Lane Lipton I'll marry her!

Lloyd Schwartz, Brooklyn

Good One, Mrs. Funkhouser

Mike Signorile: I could take this particular column so many different ways ("The Gist," 11/6). I had to read it twice, just to get the "gist" of it!

You know, I bet that when this sniper first started his violent rampage, the entire Islamic community was praying that he wouldn't be Islamic. They've had enough problems with racial profiling as it is. I mean, every time you turn on the news, some Islamic person, or someone who appears to be Islamic, has been arrested for something, usually related to terrorism.

I agree with you, these persons are nothing more than a couple of attention-seeking thugs who got addicted to the thrill of being on tv. Am I saying it's the media's fault? No. We have the right to know when some maniac is out there on the loose.

As far as you receiving e-mails from all the NRA people, well, it's a touchy subject. Sort of like abortion. If you talk about it, no matter what you say there's going to be another opinion. But like my mother says, opinions are like armpits. Everyone has a couple, and most of them stink!!

Anyways, I enjoy your column very much. You've got a different, but refreshingly witty view of things. Have a great day. By the way, I bought your book while I was in Dallas. I haven't gotten a chance to read it, but I am looking forward to it.

Kevin Funkhouser, Roland, OK

Don't Ask

Mike Signorile: Enjoy all of your articles. Just wanted to mention, in case you missed it, Judy Woodruff, CNN's "Baby Jane," was wearing a bright red suit last Tuesday ("The Gist," 11/13)?election night coverage, and of course, she was also grinning from ear to ear. One consolation, I'm Polish and red's our color, so I'll just pretend they are all honoring my heritage. Jeesh, how desperate can we liberals get?

Marlene Wagner, Monee, IL

Shirley You Jest

Michelangelo Signorile: You are right on. I noticed all the red also, but the media all love Bush and the Repugs ("The Gist," 11/13). I have gotten so I can hardly watch news anymore, have to read it on the Web. The piece on gays was also right on (11/6). Anything that happens now is blamed on gays for some reason. Next will be women's rights.

Shirley Daguerre, Los Banos, CA

He Fails To Communicate MUGGER: A few points of disagreement I have with your thoughts on McAuliffe et al. (11/13): I see Harold Ford as a run-of-the-mill self-serving opportunistic pol. I shudder to think he could be nominated for the presidency. Articulate? He can't seem to stop talking. His cataloguing of what he can do for voters puts one on sensory overload. The Democrats are not ready to dump Bill Clinton yet. It will take at least one more election cycle before an enema will take an effect. If the Clintons do ditch McAuliffe, you will see a new bestseller coming from McAuliffe and the name won't be Joined at the Heart. Many writers in the last few days seem to have avuncular advice (not to be confused with carbuncular advice, although there was some of that out there too) for George Bush. Bush is Cool Hand Luke and doesn't need it. Now that that's off my chest, let me tell you I do enjoy your writing. I am a fan.

Liz Caldwell, Westlake Village, CA

Dodo

MUGGER: Good article, but who cares about the Yanks staging a comeback (11/6)? Baseball is no longer America's pastime; it is irrelevant. And if the stupid owners, stupider players and stupidest union officials had not backed away from the strike, professional baseball (an oxymoron) would have become extinct. It may anyhow, at some future time.

Don Atkinson, Irving, TX

Tri-Cities Gloat

If the Democrats will only keep Terry McAuliffe, I would be pleased almost as much as I am that Nancy Pelosi is the new minority leader. For people who don't belong to the NRA, it is amazing how people can shoot themselves in the foot when said foot is in their mouths, but the Democrats managed to do it. Outsmarted by stupid George W. Bush. Who would have thought it? I did.

Donald W. Bales, Kingsport, TN

Tracy's All Revved Up

MUGGER: With the announcement of the selection of Boston as the site of the 2004 Democratic Convention, and the election of Nancy Pelosi as the House Minority Leader, I can only surmise that the Democratic Party will use the "NASCAR" strategy for the coming couple of years. In other words, they will be driving hard and turning left. The drivers in this race should provide us with some spectacular wrecks in the weeks and months to come as we go into the 2004 election cycle. You can't make this stuff up, because the truth is stranger than fiction. Start your engines, please!

Tracy Meadows, Brenham, TX

Our Friends to the North

Michelangelo Signorile: How dreary your article is ("The Gist," 11/13). And I agree with your pessimism?short-term, anyway. My partner and I look south in bewilderment at what is taking place in the United States. I can only suggest that, perhaps, you can spend some time looking elsewhere to places where gays and lesbians are making real advances. Such as you did when you spoke about New Zealand (6/12).

Here in Quebec, after 17 years of sharing a home and bed, my partner and I have just celebrated our civil union at the Montreal "Palais de justice" before a celebrant judge in the company of close family. I am proud that our civil union law gives us all the same rights as civil marriage?bar none. I am glad to have my certificate that proves that in the eyes of our state, we are united under the law with exactly the same rights and obligations as a married couple. I am happy that if I go to France (where we go often), Germany or most countries in the EU, our certificate will probably be honored?and respected. And I am particularly moved that the great majority of people in Quebec?people on the street whom one meets every day?think civil union is a good thing whose time has come. And I am defiant, for if anyone, anywhere claims that our couple is illegitimate, or even immoral, I can respond that my government of Quebec and my people of Quebec believe otherwise.

It is sad that the United States, after showing so much to the world post-1945, seems to be slipping into a kind of neopuritanism that is increasingly at odds with what is happening elsewhere in the Western world. What can I say to you?move to another country? I wouldn't wish such an undesired change on anyone. But the cultural wars you experience are really an American phenomenon that finds little parallel elsewhere in the Western world. For whatever reason, you Americans at the beginning of this century are in the throes of an undeclared civil war. I can only wish you courage.

John Waller, Montreal

Lying?About Sex

MUGGER: Lest we forget, Bill Clinton was not videotaped with Monica going down on him as he discussed foreign policy with a congressman and stained the Oval Office carpet. He was videotaped, under oath, in the presence of the trial judge, committing perjury, obstructing justice and suborning perjury! It wasn't about sex! It was about crimes that no ordinary citizen can commit and have overlooked. Moreover, Clinton was found guilty by that judge and punished (even if it was just a love tap). I'm not disagreeing with your commentary, but I don't think we ought to let the facts be obscured by all those who hope our memories will be short.

G.B. Hall, Montgomery, AL

NAMBLA or NRA?

Mike Signorile: Thanks for taking on the sniper homo angle ("The Gist," 11/6). I did not know that "they" or some of "they" had already started the drumbeat. I knew it was out there, as it always is. I felt the same sort of chill when I saw those arm-around photos, knowing in a heartbeat the haters would grab onto it. It even has one of those man/boy things going, if you wanna see it that way. Actually, you rang the bells when they started talking about the Roman Catholic pedophilia thing being about gay priests. I heard that awful guy on the Imus show doing that one morning. Bernard McGuirk or something. Couldn't believe it and there it was. It is too bad we have to point with alarm but the battle ain't over and to give them any ground on any point would be a step backward to the gay?red-baiting?days. I lived that once. Not again please. We have come too far. So anyway, thanks. I am grateful that you are on the watch. When they play the gay card we can just hit it hard and pick it up and put it in our own hand where it belongs.

Earl Rose, Palm Springs, CA

Republicans Hate Pussy

MUGGER: Your election predictions proved (thankfully) to be extremely accurate. It's too bad the power of pussy proved too much for the guy from Arkansas (Hutchinson?). The Republicans would've had still another Senate seat if not for that Clintonesque trait.

What they do with Congress now will be interesting. There's still too many moderates in my party to suit me and I'm not expecting the vigorous action on illegal immigration that we need to come out of the Republican-dominated Congress anytime soon.

I'd say the recent NJ Senate election proves once and for all the NJ is truly dominated by brain-dead Democrats. Despite what some say on tv/radio the NJ Supreme Court has always been liberal-dominated. A Republican governor nominated many on that court, but you have to consider that witless Whitman was as socially liberal as any Democrat. We are truly without hope in NJ!

Regardless of some people's letters I enjoy the excursion to the world of baseball. Heck, can't talk politics all the time!

Frank Higbie, Bridgewater, NJ

GOP Balances Budget on Clinton's Watch

I would like to help the media get something straight. There seems to be some question as to why the voters turned out the way they did, and the reasons behind their voting strategy. I would ask that you open your unbiased minds, and listen to the people. Americans just want to live in peace and freedom without having to be told how to do this. The Democratic Party of FDR and JFK was a strong party that stood for American principles and values. Can this be said of the Democratic Party of today? The American voter apparently does not think so. In 1994, the voter asked the Republican Party to fiscally fix the mess the Clinton tax hike was causing. The result, a balanced budget and a surplus. This was turned around by the economic downturn of 2000, Sept. 11, corporate fraud coming to a head after eight years of deceit, and the return of spend, spend, spend policies of the newly Democrat-controlled Senate starting in early 2001. The people of America saw the backroom tactics to keep power in New Jersey and Minnesota, and the obstructionist policies of the Democratically controlled Senate as detrimental to a secure homeland. This, mixed with the knowledge of why the economy was/is in disarray, stopped the Democratic Party from following the normal course of history from recovering power in the legislative branches. Soul-searching does good for the id. I just hope the Democratic Party of Jefferson, FDR and JFK is not lost in the aftermath of this past election and replaced with the democratic party of Hillary Clinton, Maxine Waters, Nancy Pelosi, Gray Davis and Al Sharpton.

Greg Vandergriff, Lubbock, TX

Do Iraqis Count As Human Life?

Mike Signorile: Well, I just read your screed ("The Gist," 11/13). I have to say, you seem to have a difficult time following a coherent thread of logic. But mostly, I'm amazed at how much you manage to write based on very loose inferences on your part. Since when is wearing red a Republican thing? A couple of well-known liberals wear red and from this you infer a right-wing celebration? But the best part for me is your implicit rejection of morality and your embrace of evil. You are allying yourself with the party of baby-killing and sexual perversion. I read Jonah Goldberg's blog ("The Gist," 11/6), and I read your paraphrase of his blog, and you have completely misrepresented what he said. I guess you thought you were being clever. Since Goldberg linked to your blog so that people could read your words for themselves, I think it was duplicitous of you to write that he somehow "got caught red-handed" doing anything. I assure you, having read your blog earlier, you did not "catch" him doing anything. Your analysis was flawed. (Perhaps your liberal education spent too much time on faux "critical-thinking" skills and not enough on actual thinking.)

When I was younger I always wondered what would posses the leaders of communist countries to be the way they were. Under what moral scheme can you feel good about murdering 20 million people, and how can decent people feel good about supporting the people who do such things? In their reflexive anti-Americanism, how could the leaders of China, Russia and NOW really believe that the taking of human life was something to support? How can anyone get behind sexual perversion? Why wouldn't they and others want to be on the morally correct side of things? Isn't that easier, and wouldn't you sleep better at night knowing that you weren't supporting thugs or advocating the killing of children?

Well, that was a big question for me when I was younger. I've since grown to realize that many people simply can't tell good from evil, and for reasons I'll never understand choose to embrace what's wrong. These morally challenged people seem to be attracted predominantly to leftist political causes, perhaps because in the absence of judgment their own evil is unremarkable. I hope you're enjoying yourself, and perhaps you actually believe that you are advocating for good.

But for goodness' sake, please take some classes at your local university in logic, because your grasp of cause-and-effect seems a little loose.

Mark T. Gibson, Rockvale, TN