Homosexuality Embiggens Us All; MUGGER Saw All; Something About Repsher and the "Daily Billboard"; Porny Parrot Heads' More...
Although I hope the DC snipers are not homosexual?I'd like to think homosexuality ennobles, and forbids indiscriminate murder? it might be salutary if the stereotype of feckless effeminacy were shattered and heterosexuals' views of us were tinged with a little bit of fear.
(By the way, do we yet know if the snipers were/are members of the NRA? Has anyone dared to ask? They did use weapons openly in Tacoma and weren't arrested and jailed.)
L. Craig Schoonmaker, Newark
Party On
MUGGER: Congratulations on pegging Tuesday's election. In the post-vote banalysis on cable tv, everyone overlooks the obvious reason why Democrats lost: Bill Clinton. The polls had Jeb and McBride tied when Bill and Dubya squared off in Florida. No contest. The party lost the moral high ground when it looked the other way on the suborning of perjury. In the 1990s, it was anything goes. Now, that we've come to earth and learned that the Dow Jones Industrial Average matters about as much as the windchill factor in June, character counts. Democrats are slow learners; in the Senate, 23 of them could not give Bush the support that Syria gave him. Bob Byrd is a statesman, just like Quisling.
Don Surber, Poca, WV
What's the Frequency, Mark?
Ouch, William Repsher. Ad creative directors ("Daily Billboard," 11/6). What's your next target?the Death Star? Russ Smith may sign your checks, but your money comes from me: speaking of which, do you need a few bucks to get you through the holidays? Kidding. Here's a title for a possible future column: Repsher the Rapier, whadda ya think? It's yours, baby. New York Press could use a campaign, too. New York Press: Weekly Wrinkles. Wait. New York Press: Forward. Wait. New York Press: Ironclad Something Something. Sorry, I have to get back to making baskets of money for shooting Nerf® basketball. Loved the Winona Ryder room visual, though ("Daily Billboard," 11/7).
Mark Duffy, Manhattan
Ugly Attitude
I have not read your website lately as I've been very busy with work. Recently, I read an item from George Tabb where he calls Midwesterners fat and ugly ("Daily Billboard," 10/31). Living in Detroit, all I can say is, if Tabb ever brings his talentless band out this-a-way ever again, we'll show him fat and ugly. His face?after we get through with it. Better yet, just tell Georgie Boy to look down in his women's stretch jeans... Now, that is fat and ugly!
Lianne Worth, Detroit
Quit Varying Matt's Diet
MUGGER: I am a loyal reader of your weekly media primer. In fact, MUGGER (along with Mr. Wiggles) is the sole reason I look forward to reading the Press once a week. I especially enjoy your analyses of various other writers' work, as I usually don't have time to read as many columnists as you do. Hence, my disappointment when you devoted several inches of space to picking apart a poorly written article some unknown hack posted on "AlterNet," basically a blog for leftist writers trying to become relevant (11/6). I'd much prefer you stick to lambasting the idiots in The New York Times, Washington Post, etc, as they might actually have some effect on public thinking, as opposed to giving no-name writers the undeserved attention they desperately want.
Matt Molnar, Queens Village, NY
Checked Out Those Ads, Huh
Christopher Caldwell: I may not know much about Bill "Bake" McBride, gubernatorial candidate in Florida, but I do know a little about Jimmy Buffett ("Hill of Beans," 10/30). And if you are going to insult someone, please correctly identify who you are insulting. We are Parrot Heads, not "Buffetteers." Many of his songs contain five, or even six, different chords, and as for "seventh-grade-talent-show lyrical sophistication," please explain how he is one of only five authors to have the distinction of being on The New York Times bestseller list in both fiction and nonfiction. As a longtime member of the Metro Parrot Head Club, yes, we do like to party, but it's not without purpose. We have an Adopt A Beach in Sea Bright, NJ, and an Adopt-A-Highway, Rte. 114, in Southampton, NY. (We are a model organization in the eyes of the NYS DOT.) We are also involved with WalkAmerica for the March of Dimes and the Memory Walk to benefit Alzheimer's research. We have collected coats and canned goods for the poor. At our annual "Frosted Parrot Head Party" last February, we collected hundreds of children's books for Little Flower Children Services in Wading River, NY. And in the 10 years that the club has been in existence, we have raised thousands of dollars for countless other charities.
Not bad for people who wear "the trustworthy badge of moron status." But what really bothers me is that you equate us with rapists. That anyone in our group would assault a girl "passed out in the third-floor bedroom where the coats are piled" is an insult to any fan of any music genre. That is the most moronic thing that I have ever read. Maybe when you grow up you can write for a real newspaper, not one subsidized by 20 pages of phone sex ads.
Paul Schneller, Lynbrook, NY
Mike Signorile: Did you actually read what Jonah Goldberg said or did someone tell you ("The Gist," 11/6)? You paint with a fairly broad brush for a guy with your name.
Bob Fletcher, Austin, TX
Puzzling
Mike Signorile: Your delight in labeling Jonah Goldberg a homophobe is an arrogant attempt to portray yourself as some kind of righteous crusader exposing bigotry in the darkest corners of the globe. What is so wrong about speculating as to the relationship between these two terrorist wannabes? God forbid someone takes puzzle pieces and tries to put them together. You are a crybaby, plain and simple. Your feelings must be hurt, judging by the tone of your column. Let me explain something to you: Jonah's column wasn't an attempt to frame nancy boys as one and the same with religious extremists or militant blacks; he was merely pointing out the oddity of the relationship, which could reasonably be assumed to be less than a mentor-apprentice-type situation. "Son, I'm going to pass the family sniping business on to you! It's been a long time coming!!" Grow up; start thinking with your brain and not your holier-than-thou bleeding heart, jackass. Do me a favor and don't write back.
Teague Hughes, Springfield, VA
Despite this, he recoils at the idea that his neighborhood could become another Williamsburg. He talks about the real estate industry as though this is the first instance of brokers inventing neighborhood names to foment gentrification and sell overpriced properties to match. It's unclear what he would prefer; he says "this area still sucks" but the prospect of it improving paralyzes him. I guess what he really wants is a neighborhood full of old, black men who will make him feel better when his card gets rejected at the supermarket.
Chris Glazier, Brooklyn
They All Bat Lefthanded
MUGGER: Living in the Bay Area, the Giants losing, for me, was a welcome relief for many reasons, and particularly two words: Ralph Barbieri. Mr. B. is one of the most smug commentators in sports talk radio (and an unabashed vegetarian, animal-rights liberal), and to have his beloved hometown Giants lose was wonderful. This SF Bay Area needs some serious humility, and after losing the Olympic bid (even after doing a nice job on the homeless sweep), maybe they'll get some. Way to go, Angels!
Gordon Smith, Pleasanton, CA
Chesley R. Johnson, Tuscaloosa, AL
Michelangelo Signorile replies: Actually, I never compared Falwell to Osama. It was someone on your team who did that, the Washington Times editorial page editor Tony Blankley.
Yeah, Paul
Paul Graham ("The Mail," 11/6), in thanking you for publishing Thomas Olson's letter ("The Mail," 10/30) refuting Stephanie Gutmann's article ("New York City," 10/23), urged you to stop publishing her "devious propaganda."
And whereas I classify her writings similarly, I disagree wholeheartedly that you should stop publishing them. Everybody should be able to voice their views, whether I agree with them or not. I would instead ask you to continue to print the opposing views, whether in the form of letters or articles, that respond to the horseshit she quite often writes.
But no voices should be silenced, and censorship of critical or unpleasant views should never be suggested, or embraced, Paul.
Justin Gauvin, Manhattan
Blecchh
Mike Signorile: Very much enjoyed your latest column. In particular, I loved your comments about "Ann and Andy" ("The Gist," 11/6). I have a visual of exactly how unattractive the morphed "It" would be!
Mike West, Hollywood, CA
Dolt Nation
Mike Signorile: Great commentary. I especially liked your insight about morphing! Ann Coulter and Andrew Sullivan are perfect examples of the dumbing down of America, as if Bush wasn't enough evidence.
Alfred M. Roach, Manhattan
Hearty Hars
There's only one kind of rightie, the kind that thinks changing your mind is a sign of weakness. This is why I read Hitchens regularly, and you guys when I need a cheap laugh. Fun for all ages.
Peter Smith, St. Petersburg FL
Read His Lips
Mike Signorile: "Screwed up Gulf War veteran," huh. I get it. It's the military's fault. Let's blame it on the military. And, Islam is a peace-loving religion. And, Bill Clinton really did not have sex with "that woman, Ms. Lewinsky." And the Earth is flat. And Elvis really is alive. Okay, the last one might be true.
Paul Chaney, Tupelo, MS
It Would Appear So
So is this all it takes to sweep an election?a promise of tax cuts, little plastic American flags to wave and a shooting war? You offer these bourgeois pigs a tax cut and they'll come oinking to the trough? I'll grant you that the Democrats have become so centrist that it probably makes little difference who wins, but they are at least a little less overtly out to make war on the poor. I'm strictly an FDR New Dealer in my tastes?not a 60s radical sympathizer by any means, but I am appalled at the degradation in American life. Up here in Massachusetts, uber-scion Mitt Romney won the governor's race with promises of tax cuts?an absurd policy to "jump start" an economy in recession, especially in a region that has never competed on costs! Now we're off to a war that is abstract and painless as far as the public consciousness is concerned?we're all brave warriors at 3000 miles when there's no draft, aren't we? Is the left so cowardly that they won't attack Bush?
Stephen Brown, Wilmington, MA
Wise Up
I find Michelangelo Signorile to be absolutely repugnant. His column is filled with petty hate and bashing of people he disagrees with. It is amazing how people on the hard left tell us that we must be tolerant of all people, yet Michelangelo Signorile is bashing conservatives. You on the left had better learn that this trick you keep playing with diversity will not work much longer. Just witness what happened on Nov. 5th. You lost bigtime.
Gary T. Wise, Ellicott City, MD
Did Somebody Say Sammy?
Please, please, please George Steinbrenner! Trade Jorge Posada to the Cubs for Sammy Sosa! That bulked-up strikeout artist will fit right into the Bombers lineup and just couldn't the Cubs use a real catcher! And then I wake up.
Fred Butzen, Deerfield, IL
The Anti-Draft-Dodger
MUGGER: I hoped that Howell Raines and company at The New York Times would at least rethink and maybe tone down their monotonous screed against the Bush administration after the Democrats got waxed in the midterm elections. But judging from Paul Krugman's 11/8/02 op-ed piece, apparently not.
Krugman states, "And anyone who criticizes the administration, even on purely domestic issues, will be accused of lacking patriotism. After all, that strategy worked even against Senator Max Cleland, a genuine war hero who lost three limbs in his country's service." What was used against Cleland was the fact that he supported holding up the homeland security bill unless it required union workers. I never heard or read anyone questioning his patriotism. And what does the fact that Cleland is a "triple-amputee war hero" have to do with anything? Cleland's war record and his service to his country are truly admirable, but does that automatically make his position on issues correct?
Even more astonishing is the following statement from the same column, "Democrats should complain as loudly about the real conservative bias of the media as the Republicans complain about its entirely mythical liberal bias..." Krugman not only denies a liberal bias in the media, he claims there is a conservative bias. "Entirely mythical," what utter nonsense from arguably the most biased Times writer. I was laughing so hard I almost couldn't finish the column.
MUGGER, please continue to take on fools like Krugman. We need voices like yours out there.
Steve Hume, Canton, MI
Deep Breath, Ruth
MUGGER: Nothing can make me happier than to see the Democrats nosedive. If ever there was a model of a bad example it is the Democrats. You just watch them whine and moan that "it just wasn't fair." They will call the "Rev. Jesse Jackson" out to cajole his troops saying "they was cheated again." They have to drag two old geezers out of nursing homes to replace a crook and a dead guy. Then to top it off they celebrate at the dead guy's memorial and boo the Republicans who want to pay their respects. Slick Willie and his Hildebeast show up and they think the whole thing is about them!! Bill smiles and says thank you, thank you, while his lovely wife about breaks her neck looking for the cameras. What a big fat joke! A despicable group of sobs if there ever was one.
Ruth Lindemann,
Colorado Springs, CO
Picture This
I recently read Alexander Cockburn's weekly column ("Wild Justice," 10/23) where he completely misses the point of the NYC protest of the Shirley Q. show. I was at the protest rally for the Shirley Q. Liquor Show at the View Bar. We were not there to shut down the show. The NYPD shut down the bar after issuing summonses as a part of the "quality of life" campaign. Those having objections with the bar being shut down should take this up with NYPD.
The issue over here is racist, sexist, misogynist representation of African-American women. Most importantly racism, sexism, classism within the LGBTQ community. While Shirley Q. has freedom of speech, we were exercising our freedom of speech to communicate to Shirley Q. and the LGBTQ community that notions of comedy and entertainment that use racist/sexist/classist stereotypes is unacceptable. Laughing at Shirley Q.'s character reduces the reality of systematic oppression that several women of color face in this country. It almost borders on rewriting the racist history of "minstrel shows" in this country. It is important to let everyone know that queer people of color, immigrant queers of color, women of color and trans-folks have for a long time lived on the fringes of the mainstream U.S. society and the white-dominated queer community and that we shall not remain on the fringes anymore, and images that make a mockery out of our oppression, out of our lives, are unacceptable. It is sad that Alexander Cockburn completely missed the point of the protest.
Debanuj DasGupta, South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association, Manhattan