TOC/MAIL 29 THIS WEEK: We did good by the AIDS babies, ...

THIS WEEK: We did good by the AIDS babies, looks like we're the bullies and word-geeks attack! PLUS: Apparently, Big Pun died fat.

GUINEA-PIG KIDS

Kudos for having the courage to print Liam Scheff's investigation into pediatric AIDS medical abuse ("Orphans on Trial," 7/14). People need to know about the medical and pharmaceutical tyranny that surrounds an HIV-positive label. The story itself is heart-wrenching. Hopefully it will inspire readers to look further into the whole HIV/AIDS-testing and -treatment issue. Countless are being mutilated or killed by these drugs. Lives are being shattered by a positive result on a nonspecific test. It is a story that needs to be told.

Your paper and Scheff deserve a standing ovation!

Richard Shea, Richmond

BIGLEY UPS TO SCHEFF

Best article I have seen on the horrors the medical community imposes on the poor, young and helpless (Liam Scheff, "Orphans on Trial," 7/14). Unfortunately, AIDS isn't the only disease they use as an excuse to cram babies full of drugs. I work for a naturopath and have seen several instances where Protective Services has taken children and forced them to take drugs even though they were doing fine, and I have seen many more where doctors have drugged, cut and burned without reason and caused horrible, irreversible damage and disfigurement.

Thank you for taking the time to really find out what's happening out there.

Tery Bigley, Culver, IN

DRUGGED TO DEATH

Lovely article ("Orphans on Trial," Liam Scheff, 7/14). I wonder why people are surprised that the doctors and nurses don't care about the health and well-being of drug-trial patients. Drug trials, and most Western medical practices, are not about health. They're about profit. And no drug company wants to manufacture a cure for anything—it's far more profitable to have repeat customers. Drug development is all about creating the patentable drug you can't live without.

If you did the Woodward Walk and followed the money, I'm sure you'd find that ICC is funded by the drug companies who supply them with their poisons. It's in the best interests of Nurse Ratchet to drug these kids; her salary depends upon it. If you dig even further, I'm sure you'll find that the city provides ICC with their lab rats and probably gets 60 percent right off the top of the drug-company grants. It's in the best interests of the city to supply these lab rats and allow this to happen because of political pressure from Washington. Drug-company lobbyists don't treat Hillary to lunch just to chit-chat about the weather.

I'm sure you won't get any sort of positive reaction from ACT UP or any other AIDS activists either. They want all AIDS drugs on the fast-track to FDA approval. AIDS lobbyists don't treat Hillary to lunch just to chit-chat about the weather. Freddy the Flaming Faggot wants to maintain his butt-fucking lifestyle, so he doesn't care if the discarded babies of crack addicts are dying for his sake at Mengele Laboratories.

It's an industry, and profit is the motive. Health and care have nothing to do with it. I'm hoping you'll follow the money and write an excellent follow-up article.

David Fry, Manhattan

AND THE SOUTH RISES UP

Joshua Cohen, you fucking Jew piece of shit ("Ernest Avants," 7/14)! Come South, you fucking prick, and see what you get, you fag piece of filth!

Sam Lyons, Commander, Seaboard Guards, Waynesville, Brantley Co., GA

SO YOU AGREE WITH HIM, BUT…?

Wow. Only two weeks after his condemnation of journalists (himself included) as craven, self-important, content monkeys ("Shoveling Coal for Satan," 6/30), Taibbi has the courage to further his point with a useless and obvious article on how politicians and American beer suck ("Kerry's Case of Beer," 7/14).

Well done, Matt. You've proven journalists to be desperate invertebrates by exposing political campaigns as shallow and pandering. And the beer companies? Sleazy, surprisingly. The one original thought in the article was the amusing observation that Anheuser-Busch's first response to Miller's campaign was to attack their patriotism. But then, that sort of observation is usually better left to Dave Barry.

To be honest, I agreed with and enjoyed reading the article. But I really expected something meaningful from you after your "Shoveling Coal" missive. I guess that's the problem with demanding more from your profession.

Zach Miller, Manhattan

THAT'S YOUR JOB?!?

The passing of the "Dignity in All Schools Act" (DASA) is more than what one of your writers called the "Big Sissy Cry Baby Snitch Act of 2004" (Page Two, "Bully to Them," 7/7). When people respond with their own name-calling of this act, I wonder why they promote the very behavior that we in the bully-prevention field are trying to diminish. Maybe it is time for people who don't get involved in the nuts and bolts of these issues to look at their own interests and get involved, rather than standing around being a bystander who does nothing but blame others.

Joel D. Haber, The Bully Coach, White Plains, NY

BATTLING KAEL'S GHOST

Seitz bites. I always knew he could be counted on for a tired, belated cliche, as when he called Mel Gibson's depiction of Jesus "an action-movie Christ" about three months after every other hack in the nation offered that particular witticism. Warmed-over mock wisdom appeared to be Seitz's specialty, one that could result in unexpectedly and unintentionally hilarious film-critic furbelows, like calling the director's cut of Alien a transcendent art experience. Such moments made Seitz a must-read for those interested in 21st-century Babbittry. But he exhausted my patience with this week's Anchorman review ("Polyester Pimp Daddy," 7/14). It was like that dismaying moment when the class clown goes too far and advances from dismissive, amusing tomfoolery to hate-filled aggression.

The target of his aggression, unfortunately, is the still-warm corpse of Pauline Kael. Seitz rages at critics who have adopted Kael's principles with apparent envy and barely concealed spite. Seitz also evinced these traits in his recent Spielberg cover story, which, in the guise of freshly analyzing Spielberg's appeal, belittled and trivialized his astonishing achievement in The Terminal, thereby setting the stage for a widespread critical non-response. By labeling Spielberg "America's Best Friend" (6/16), Seitz might as well have painted a bulls-eye on Spielberg's back for the benefit of the Fahrenheit 9/11 crowd. The fact that Spielberg's film is shot through with skepticism regarding American mythos matters not a whit to The Terminal's army of knee-jerk naysayers. They hear John Williams (except those charming Harry Potter scores!) and instinctively flee to the bosom of Michael Moore.

The success of lavishly praised films like Fahrenheit 9/11, Before Sunset and Spider-Man 2, though, doesn't provide critics with enough populist cred as far as Seitz is concerned. The fearsome specter of Kael still haunts today's critics, urging them to continue her dark mission of recognizing talent and artistry. In place of those qualities, Seitz advocates movies like Spider-Man 2 with "basic, powerful themes," i.e., banalities. Seitz has to crane his neck to see what's great about giants like Spielberg and De Palma, but Sam Raimi is all too happy to stoop to eye-level. And that pandering instinct (not populist, merely crowd-pleasing)—not artistry—is what Seitz ends up praising with p.c. proclamations like, "I wouldn't be surprised if critics missed [Anchorman's] serious theme: the destructiveness of male vanity and aggression."

In 2004, that's a serious theme? More like a political homily. And what makes male vanity and aggression more destructive than their female varieties, especially since Seitz notes that Anchorman's heroine is also vain and aggressive? Don't ask Seitz to answer these questions. His natural response to nuance—as found in Kael, the artists she admired and many of the writers she inspired—is to attempt a takedown. Unfortunately for him, he's chosen an opponent whose shadow obscures him; he's upstaged by a ghost.

Benjamin Kessler, Brooklyn

LEAD US, VIRGIL

Matt Zoller Seitz wrote a great review for Anchorman; I'm even interested in catching the movie (7/14). I'm surprised he doesn't mention Ferrell's turn in Fleming's Dick, close to the same movie time period, at least.

Armond is picking on King Arthur is—what? Easy picking? Fuqua, Bresson, Lang, Dreyer: One director doesn't belong—which one? What I don't understand is that obviously Fuqua isn't out to make a Lancelot of the Lake, so why compare? If anything, King Arthur needs only be weighed against Troy or Gladiator, or something along those lines. I still think King Arthur is crap, but saying it's not as good as a Bresson flick is basically saying...nothing.

Virgil Chong, Manhattan

BITCH

Just read Ken Mondschein's Holy Cross, Holy Grail review ("Books," 7/14). "Irregardless"? You actually published an editorial/commentary/story with the word "irregardless"?

Good luck on your PhD.

Kip E. Sundquist, Eagan, MN

AND MOAN

Ken Mondschein's Holy Blood, Holy Grail review ("Books," 7/14). Fifth paragraph. "Irregardless" is not a word.

Matt LaPrairie, Phoenix

AND BITCH

Starting the fifth full paragraph of Ken Mondschein's book review of Holy Blood, Holy Grail ("Books," 7/14), he uses the word "irregardless." "Irregardless of the fact that the Cathars and the Knights Templar were ostensibly on opposite sides…"

Not only is "irregardless" not a word, but the paragraph consists of one run-on sentence. Shame on him. Editorial should have caught it.

Barry Gandelman, Livingston, NJ

AND MOAN

Just read your review of Holy Blood, Holy Grail and the related commentary on The DaVinci Code (Ken Mondschein, "Books," 7/14). While the historical inaccuracies referred to were disturbing and cast doubt upon the skill of the authors, so too did a certain word choice by the journalist. "Irregardless" is not a word, regardless of what Ken Mondschein may think. Come on, let's get it together.

Jack Swift, Lawrence, KS

AND BITCH!

I enjoyed Ken Mondschein's review of the book, Holy Blood, Holy Grail ("Books," 7/14). The one distraction was the use of the word "irregardless" in paragraph five. As you are probably aware, it would be best to use either "irrespective" or "regardless." My mom used to slap my knuckles with a ruler when I would use "irregardless," as it is not a word.

Kevin Webb, Dallas

The editors reply: Not for the last time, we consult the good Merriam-Webster: "The most frequently repeated remark about it is that 'there is no such word.' There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose." The letter writers may not like it—and it may not be the most graceful of words—but Mondschein can hold his head high among the world's grammarians.

SICK BOY

I found what Dan Martino wrote about Fat Joe to be offensive and disrespectful ("Street Heat," 7/14): "Fat Joe can now eat himself to death knowing he has written the worst lyric in hiphop history."

"Eat himself to death"? Is this a sick joke referring to how Big Pun died? If so, then Martino is a tasteless, untalented writer. If not, then my mistake.

Hashim Warren, Harlem

AGREED AND AGREED

This is an outrage—pure and simple. I threw up in my mouth when my eyes caught the "Final Episode" sitting up on top of the New York Sports Express web page. What the fuck? This is some of the most insightful, funny and interesting sports journalism out there, and it's being brought to a screeching halt? As my Japanese friend Harumi would say, "What is reason?" How about an explanation from whatever prick made this decision? This is truly a sad day. Is the "corporate end of this operation" aware that there's a strong readership both near and far? I'm located in Denver. I've personally passed on the link to at least 30 friends around the country since October when I discovered this brilliant site. I'm sure they've probably done the same.

Please don't let this happen. New York Sports Express is a diamond in the rough. Keep it polished.

Matt Allinson, Denver, CO

TRUTH-TELLERS R US

"Orphans on Trial" by Liam Scheff is the most outstanding piece of truth in journalism on the issue of HIV and AIDS since this entire fraud was perpetrated on the people of the world over two decades ago (7/14).

We need more brave reporting on this subject. Many people are in fear of a deadly sexually transmittable virus due to the media's false reporting that there is such a thing in our midst. There is no such thing. I implore all your readers to find out a little about this subject for themselves, and I also implore New York Press to keep reporting the truth of the matter. Liam Scheff is a hero.

Kim Marie Bannon, Wichita, KS

OR…PIMPS AND HOS R US?

For several months I was under the impression that New York Press was no longer in the hands of right-wing extremists. Today I see how wrong I have been. I see a shameful attack against the venerable senator from Maryland, Barbara Mikulski, all nonsense originating in the mind of your writer Michelangelo Signorile, who admits he doesn't know what he is writing about, but goes on and on—just in case ("It's Outing Season," 7/7)!

Then another of your brains refers to a peace group as Stalinist (J.R. Taylor, "A.N.S.W.E.R. Me!"). Good grief, Charlie Brown, how far back can you go?

Then we reach the back pages, where you function as pimps, taking money from pitiful females who advertise as prostitutes. Shame on you.

Will you ever join the real world? Do you really earn more money in your world of fantasy?

Phillipa Harte, Brooklyn

DAMAGE, CONTROLLED

Donna Larsen, I loved your article ("Apply Fist Here," 6/30). I'm a male masochist, and I like it when a woman gives me a black eye. Not actually touching the eyeball, which can be dangerous, but leaving a purple circle around my cheek and eyebrow. With even my lids being purple. The way you get that is by taking an aspirin, waiting an hour for the blood to thin, then getting slapped a lot on the cheek and eyebrow. Or punched.

A lady named Gabrielle did that for me at one of the open-window peeps before Giuliani closed them all down. I was proud of the way she made me look, but she didn't want to see it. Also I wish she had put scratches on my cheek; nobody believed a woman gave me the black eye. I wanted her to show me off to her girlfriends and encourage them to laugh at how silly she made me look, how a woman got the better of a man, what a good job she did of humiliating me. I think it's as romantic as wearing her lipstick when she kisses me.

If you know of any woman who wants to "do" me right, please let me know. Also, if you want the eye to be bloodshot, I guess it's alright to be slapped on the eyeball two or three times. I've had that.

I'd love to compare masochistic notes with you. And I'll be glad to tell you about the Eulenspiegel society (tes.org). I was one of the earliest members. Do you have videos of you getting beaten? I'd like to watch you get beaten.

Hope you get your wish in a way that doesn't do any serious damage.

Name Withheld, Manhattan

YES, YESSSS…THE PLAN IS WORKING!

Now I know there's a direct link between hardcore nicotine addiction and acute paranoia (Page Two, "Kill 'Em All," 7/7)! Get this folks—there's a nefarious anti-smoker plot behind the introduction of self-extinguishing cigarettes designed to prevent accidental fires caused by smoldering butts! You see, it's all about getting smokers to light up more often, inducing more carcinogens into their lungs! According to your Captain Queeq, it's probably lobbyists representing the healthcare system or anti-smoker activists who conjured up this evil cabal! In his parallel universe, a steady supply of cancer victims satisfies the healthcare system's lust for more profits, and those vile anti-smoker activists simply want to see all smokers dead!

Such a laughable thesis will be a hard sell even for your hipster demographic, for whom smoking is a way of life—or is that way of death?

Gerard Rosenthal, Brooklyn

GUTEN RAG

I just read your cover story "Orphans on Trial" (Liam Scheff, 7/14). I covered the issue in part in one of my critical AIDS articles for the German weekly newspaper Freitag, so I am very familiar with the subject. This is why I can say for very good reasons: great piece, courageous journalism.

Torsten Engelbrecht, Hamburg, Germany

THE NAKED TRUTH

Richard Kostelanetz's article on New York City beaches ("The $2 Vacation," 7/7) refers to nudity tolerated at Riis Park, because it was part of the federal Gateway Recreation Area and not under the jurisdiction of the NYPD. He mentions this as an urban legend.

I am not an urban legend, and I did go there for several summers, by motorcycle from Manhattan. It was the closest place I could find for nude waterside summer fun, being a beach nudist in other parts of America. For a brief time there was also nude sunbathing on a pier at the Hudson River and about 66th St., also very gay, but not too gay for sun-worship junkies like me. Bad for Trump's upscale folks, though.

By the way, I am hetero, not very buff (more so then, but weren't we all?). I occasionally brought a lady friend with me, particularly one who had her own bike. It was way back, before diversity, when gays and straights could be on the same beach without feeling like it was an invasion of each other's space. But: even then, the nude beach was self-segregating.

The nude beach just past Jones Beach, near Fire Island, is likewise federal property.

One last thing: I like the cover. Can you send me a JPEG suitable for emailing a summer postcard from NYC to friends elsewhere? The New York Press website copy is too small to be visual when it is received.

Martin Heilweil, Manhattan

NYP ROCKS STEEL CITY!

The local newspapers in Pittsburgh would never print a story like this for any reason (Donna Larsen, "Apply Fist Here," 6/30). That is a shame. I really liked the story because it comes directly from the person, not what a writer thinks Donna feels or how she should feel. It's not candy-coated for the public. This person said what they wanted to say, and you let the readers make up their own minds. This subject is hard for the average public to swallow without thinking the person needs help. Not the type of help to stop before "George" goes too far, but mental help because people probably think,"That's sick!" Thanks for printing the article, and tell Donna good luck!

Emil Potersnak, Pittsburgh

THE VIENNESE ASSUAGE

I would like to congratulate New York Press and Liam Scheff for their courage to publish this important article ("Orphans on Trial," 7/14). Sadly enough, the history of medicine is full of errors and arrogance. For example, the bacteria that causes childbed fever and the subsequent death of women was frequently transmitted by the hands of doctors during a vaginal examination. Almost a hundred years ago, a doctor named Ignaz Semmelweis proved that washing hands prior to a vaginal examination could dramatically reduce childbed fever and save the life of the mother. But the notion that the hands of a doctor could possibly cause death was regarded as blasphemy. Consequently, Semmelweis was expelled from the hospital and also banned from the city. Only after his death did washing hands become a routine for doctors.

The current practice of newborns being treated with AZT and other highly toxic drugs has to be seen under the same perspective. How in the world is it possible that the weakest persons of our society are given the most toxic drugs we have? And all this is done under the claim to save lives? Never have fact and fiction been distorted to such an extent, since the days when bloodletting was practiced with the same claim and was vigorously defended by the medical establishment.

It is suggested that the current belief in the modern trinity of HIV, AIDS and the global pandemic is true because it is supported by the majority of scientists. However, history tells us that truth is not found by the majority vote, but by common sense and reasonable arguments. It is therefore hoped that toxic drugs like AZT, Nevirapine and other AIDS drugs are regarded as what they are—toxic—and therefore lead to death.

Please find an extensive analysis of the available data on so-called Mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) of HIV on the website: theperthgroup.com

Christian Fiala, MD, Vienna, Austria

HATE THE PLAYER, NOT THE FILM

I find it interesting that the most fervent critics of the movie Fahrenheit 9/11 seem more obsessed with attacking Michael Moore than in taking on the points he makes in his film (Armond White, "Film of the Fascist Liberal," 6/23).

Moore's film offers a dramatic and unapologetic critique of Bush and his administration. But the facts that serve as the basis for Moore's critique have yet to be disputed. In fact, most, if not all, of the claims he makes are well-known and part of the public record.

If people think the case Moore makes is flawed, then they should debate the merits of that case. The failure of many right-wing critics to do so makes me wonder if they're more interested in playing politics than engaging in a genuine debate about the issues the film raises.

Rosalie Acinapura, Manhattan