YOU COULD CUT ALL THE LOVE IN THIS ROOM WITH ...
You Go, Girl
Judy McGuire: I just finished reading your article ("Dategirl," 1/14) on the skanky bitch that ruined your dinner, and found it very entertaining.
I live in Minnesota and can't even imagine what the reaction to such behavior would be in a Midwestern restaurant. Stunned silence would be my best guess. I think eventually someone would say something about taking it outside. Midwesterners in general and Minnesotans in particular would never put on such a public spectacle, but it warms the heart to think that there are people out there who are annoying enough to throw caution to the wind. Keep up the good work, New Yorkers.
Michael Gehrt, St. Paul, MN
Arid, Extra Dry
I don't understand how Michael Manville ("Books," 1/14) could compare a section of America, by far the wealthiest country on earth, to an entire country. Yes, Nigeria has serious economic problems that it probably shouldn't have, but how is this comparison relevant? Wouldn't it have been better to compare it to one of the countries that is mentioned?
Matt DeMazza, Tarrytown, NY
Beer Goggling, Part One
To say that Lionel Beehner's article on the New York City Homebrewers Guild was inaccurate would be a polite understatement ("New York City," 1/14). To say it was a poorly written piece of fiction that fell short of character assassination would be more accurate. The NYCHG is not a bunch of rowdy drunks, as Beehner implies, but rather a group of people who would rather spend hours brewing a beer than minutes buying it at the local bodega. We take great pride in what we do.
Rather than concentrate on important factors like why we homebrew and what is involved, Beehner mentioned things like our weight, hair styles and drinking habits. The guild does not have any frat boys in its membership. We do not drink from steins at our meetings, but rather from six-ounce tasting glasses. We don't brew beer to get drunk; to suggest this is as ridiculous as suggesting that someone takes up cooking to get fat.
What I said concerning the neo-temperance "conspiracy" (Beehner's word, not mine) was directed to the recently passed kegging laws, not labeling laws. The NYCHG does not consist of drunken men and women who think that Bluto Blutarsky is their role model. We don't want these people as guild members. We are serious about our craft, which is more than Beehner can say about journalism.
Taibbi! Baby! Sweetheart! Those damn editors! How do you take it? Week after week, they edit out all analyses and facts from your columns, leaving only the clichés and vulgarities ("The Case for Fascism in America," 1/14). Case in point: Fascism, as I'm sure you know, is a political philosophy that calls for a leader with strong autocratic or dictatorial control and whose government exercises stringent socioeconomic controls, often with nationalistic or racist overtones. Your article, on the other hand, describes nothing of the sort. It apparently confuses fascism with a rapacious appetite for further wealth and other nations' resources. Greed may be immoral, but it's not synonymous with fascism. Same goes for large militaries, and even unjustified imprisonment. A democracy may sometimes act immorally, but by definition it's not fascist, as it reflects the will of the masses, not of an individual. Indeed, even the racism component of fascism is missing from your article-the "fascist" government you propose is not racist, but the opposite, as it would seek to expand the definition of "American" to include many different races and peoples.
But honey-don't you let it get to you; you make my week every week with your columns. And don't you worry about any "viciousness gap"-your viciousness could stand toe-to-toe with anything they got to offer.
Douglas Segal, Manhattan
911's No Joke
I'm copying and sharing your article by Alan Cabal out here in the heartland where there is a vague suspicion that something was funny about 9/11, but not enough facts are disseminated, and the anger is skillfully manipulated outward to foreigners rather than directed inward at our own ("Nine Hundred and Eleven Missing Pieces," 12/31).
I'm emailing Robert Lederman's article ("Rotation," 12/31) to my New York friends and fellow former New York City residents in order to outrage them enough about the privatization of NYC sidewalks. When freedom to dissent dies in NY, I have no hope for it anywhere else in this country. There won't be any challenges coming from my "red" part of the country (though I live in a "blue" village in that red land).
Cindy Wineburgh, Yellow Springs, OH
Snakes!
In regard to your review of the Indiana Jones boxset: You, my good man, are a fuckwit ("DVDs," 1/14). These three films are indeed classic in every aspect of the word. They pay tribute to the adventure serials of the 1940s and have given adventure a new face. But I'm sure that, through your watching of the special features, you already know this, so I'm not going to explain that. I'll simply tell you how much of a fuckwit you are.
If you took the time to pull your head out of your stuck-up, tasteless arse, you'd realize that these films are among the best films ever made. They may not be Russian or French or as boring as the shit films you would warm to, but they still represent classic pieces of cinema. You are probably one of those wankers who only likes a film if it's in a foreign language, and classics such as the Indiana Jones films are too much for your pea brain to handle, you pseudo-intellectual shit-head.
Adam Cleland, Sydney, Australia
The Wind Cries Mary
Thank you for your very strong column on Mary Cheney ("The Gist," 1/21). That womyn needs her head (or perhaps her bank account) examined for selling us out. I never understood why she worked for her dad, as I knew him to be a snake back in Sr. Shrub's time. I don't know if she'll see your column, but I hope that she does and that she has as at least second thoughts about her actions.
Mary Davidson, Demorest, GA
U.S. Uber Alles
Before fully embracing fascism, we need to recall that many fascists shipped out from Europe on their adventures as "baritones" and that those who were able to return to Europe returned as "mezzo-sopranos" ("The Case for Fascism in America," 1/14). The specter of having two or more competing fascist parties would disorient any voter and leave him/her at the mercy of dishonest and lying politicians. But then, mezzo-sopranos have been known to be quite impressionable.
Matt Taibbi's conclusions are, sad to say, correct. By making the world America, we would dispense with the Miss World Pageant and the USA Against the World Ice Skating Competition; no need for the World Idol concerts; the World Cup of Soccer will more likely be called the Soccer Cup of America. And to put it really where it counts the most-no more "Tours de France." Fascism, thy real name is Dem-o-Repub diversity. Bring it on!
Armand de Laurell, Little Rock
Beer Goggling, Part Two
I was initially glad to hear of the article in New York Press about the NYC Homebrewer's Guild, but the first sentence set a disappointing, derogatory tone and went downhill from there ("New York City," 1/14). The Guild is not about stag parties any more than it is about getting drunk. Many of the Guild members are family-oriented, as our annual summer picnic clearly shows to anyone who attends.
When I nervously walked into my first Guild meeting, I was immediately welcomed by members who were kind, friendly and honestly concerned with their craft. They encouraged me in my own specialty, which is mead brewing, and provided intelligent support, advice and criticism without any of the drunken lechery alluded to by the author's language. I've been around obnoxious people with frat-boy mentalities-these people are not like that. They are nice, friendly and rightfully proud of their ability to craft fine homebrew. Some of our members are downright brilliant in their ability to craft delicious things to drink. I won't drop names, but one of our former Guild presidents went on to become the brewmaster of one of our best-known local microbreweries. His finely crafted brews have won international attention and taken many prizes.
Eileen Coles, Glen Cove, NY
Dreamy Deanie
Great article by Matt Taibbi. I have seen Dean many times, and I have never seen him angry, just passionate ("Cage Match," 1/7). It is also my impression that he is really comfortable with people and fun to be around. Why don't some of the press break away from this and just speak the truth? The thing that bothers me is that we now have a president who has an IQ so low he ought to be riding the short bus, but he got a free ride from the media and is now the leader of the free world, while the only Democratic candidate that has a snowball's chance of beating him is pummeled to death by groundless opinions. It is very dangerous for our country for the press to be so arbitrary.
Julie Mealo, Ventnor, NJ
Go Get 'Em
Paul Krassner: I am with you all the way. I have some information that will stymie all the possible candidates and will join you so that Bush will never run again as a candidate for the next president ("Zen Bastard," 1/14). Our congressmen have been programmed to ignore any issues that the nation wants to discuss, thus making them not acceptable as candidates.
Mary L. Kish, Glen Mills, PA
Beer Goggling, Part Three
Your recent article on the New York City Homebrewers Guild presented an unfair and inaccurate picture of the homebrew "subculture" in New York City ("New York City," 1/14). Both NYCHG and the Malted Barley Appreciation Society have a diverse membership that includes a range of ages, genders and professions-far from the middle-aged frat boys the article characterized. Members include artists, parents, professionals and students all sharing an interest in homebrewing and supporting quality craft beer. Phil Clarke himself is more than a "beer enthusiast"; he is an example of someone who has turned a hobby and interest into a career. We should all be so genuinely dedicated to our work.
I would invite anyone who appreciates the art and science of brewing and was misled by the article's childish and irresponsible description of New York City's beer community to join us at next month's meeting. Those in search of the bachelor party described by the author will likely be disappointed.
Several recent items in New York Press have made invidious attacks upon ex-President Reagan's intelligence and competence. To anyone who has followed Ronald Reagan's career, it is obvious that he is just as intelligent, competent, coherent and on top of world and national events now as he ever was when he was in the White House.
John Boardman, Brooklyn
You're Welcome
Thanks for exposing that little right-wing propagandist, Matt Drudge, with his creepy Walter Winchell pose, along with schizoid Andrew Sullivan ("The Gist," 1/14).
Lance Laughlin, Independence, MO
Wind Beneath Chadwick's Wings
Tell Bush's GOP primary challenger John Buchanan he is already my hero ("Zen Bastard," 1/14). Tell him that there are Americans who love the truth. Tell him that it has been the longest three years of any presidency ever. I am a Democrat, but I will help as much as I can to get his words out there too. Truth matters.
K. Jordan Chadwick, Great Falls, VA
Beer Goggling, Part Three
I must take issue with Lionel Beehner's article, "Serious Brew" ("New York City," 1/14). Beehner entirely missed the mission of the New York City Homebrewers Guild (NYCHG): to encourage the homebrewing of beer. The NYCHG attracts speakers from around the country on a monthly basis to discuss the brewing and appreciation of homemade and craft-brewed beers. The NYCHG and similar homebrewing clubs around the country are leading indicators in the craft brewing industry-brewing techniques, styles and ingredients. The entire craft-brewing industry that currently exists was started by homebrewers.
Starting from not even having the name of the organization correct, Beehner appeared to have a predetermined goal of portraying a "grown-up" frat house, irrelevant of the facts.
From misrepresenting the six-ounce tasting cups used to taste beer made by our members as "steins" (and the connotation that carries) to falsely stating that Naegele entered to applause carrying a "vat of brew," Beehner just didn't care to learn about the NYCHG, its mission and its members. (Naegele was carrying a plastic box containing prizes for the NYCHG raffle.)
I believe if you do a survey of members' girths, you will find that they represent a normal range like the rest of the U.S. population-not all guys with "Little-League coach girths." If you speak to the three students that attended the November meeting, you will find that they are college students, not "frat boys."
Beehner continues his "fraternity" bias throughout his story, claiming Clarke's aging collection of beer and mead can "keep an entire frat house burping for a month" and then closing with a focus on "empties in tow, each member a bit drunker."
Perhaps Beehner missed the fact that Clarke works in the brewing industry, and that he brews Scotch ales and meads, both of which require very long aging periods (meads are usually aged for at least three years). But then again, perhaps he didn't care-frat parties are more interesting to him. Beehner might have mentioned that members take empties home because we clean and reuse them (not all beer bottles can be used by homebrewers). But then he never took the time to find out, or again, perhaps he didn't care. And for him to represent each member as being "drunker" is a callous disregard for the truth and irresponsible journalism. But it is in line with his predetermined goal.
Beehner has also allowed his journalism background to cloud his research skills-the Bavarian Reinheitsgebot was not aimed at protecting the consumer. The Reinheitsgebot protected the nobility from competition and set the stage for additional taxation. Journalism and marketing now "sell" it as a consumer protection law, and Beehner took that one hook, line and sinker.
All of this is compounded by the fact that resources were made available by the NYCHG. The writer could have easily asked questions, checked the accuracy of his statements and perhaps contributed a bit more to the diversity and culture of New York City. Instead he wanted to write a "fun frat boy article."
I personally worked with Beehner and offered the assistance of the NYCHG in writing his article-he was more interested in some arcane ATF discussing regarding the labeling of commercial beer and he even asked the NYCHG to provide him with information and sources regarding this labeling. I indicated that ATF is really not a concern of the NYCHG-we're concerned with brewing beer, not labeling it. (Homebrewers cannot legally sell their beer). Beehner expressed no interest in learning about homebrewing or the NYCHG outside of wishing to profile a member-and it appears that he did not learn anything from his time spent, outside of making a few visual observations on personal appearance and wall paint.
To cap it all off, someone called me to factcheck the article, mostly to verify spelling. But he did ask if my title was "grand poohbah." I replied that my title is "president," an elected office. He asked if I could be called "grand poohbah," and I told him no, my title is "president." New York Press decided to use "grand poohbah" anyway. One more example of the journalistic license taken to get Beehner's frat-house view across.
I'm sorry that the New York City Homebrewers Guild isn't the drunken bacchanal that Beehner was looking for. We are a diverse group of individuals who are serious about homebrewing and craft beer. For Beehner to have entirely missed that point is reprehensible, and perhaps New York Press needs to do a bit more factchecking before it misrepresents fact to the point of fiction.