Letters, calls and the roar of the crowd:
David Callahan, Baltimore: As an actor and former newspaper reporter, I was disappointed with Roger Simon's hackneyed argument against the National Endowment for the Arts.
The television is always there for those who desire codified and "sound-bited" coverage of the NEA.
I have trusted newspapers for a more thought-provoking and unbiased analysis and was therefore wearied to see the tired "crucifix in urine" photograph resurrected as the linchpin argument against NEA funding.
This photograph was not a unique malicious act of sacrilege, but rather, part of an entire exhibit of photographs using fluids such as breast milk and blood which were to engage the viewer on a visceral level.
COMMENT: I'm not surprised that the best you could say about that piece of "art" was that it was meant to "engage the viewer on a visceral level."
What if I whacked you across your silly head with a two-by-four and then socked you in the gut, Dave?
That would certainly "engage" you on a "visceral" level, wouldn't it?
But would it be art?
Would it be worthy of tax dollars?
Wait a second.
It occurs to me that all I have to do is submit an application to the NEA calling knocking people on the head with two-by-fours and socking them in the gut "performance" art and I could get a grant of several thousand dollars.
And you know what? The NEA is sounding better and better to me every day!
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Becky Lamb, Brunswick, Ga.: I was dusting a shelf the other day and came across your first book. I stopped cleaning and sat down and started reading it again. I read the column about how nothing works.
You can't be old enough to remember when things worked. I'm 60 and that was the very dim past like the early Forties.
I believe the advent of plastic was the beginning of the fall of civilization as we know it.
Plastic has some very fine qualities. But it also has a very short life expectancy; it discolors, and it's not all that attractive.
The most important flaw is that its availability will come to a
screeching halt when we have drained the planet of its oil supply.
There will be no one left who remembers craftsmanship, beauty and quality workmanship.
Man will go back to living in caves and eating with his fingers.
However, this is not all bad. It might even be a blessing.
I moved from Maryland several years ago. I do not mind chipping ice off my windshield or water pollution (we have plenty here) or humidity (we have twice as much here.)
I do miss The Baltimore Sun.
COMMENT: Of course you do! Everybody who moves away does! That's why most people never leave!
L And remember, The Baltimore Sun is 100 percent plastic-free.
Except for the columnists.
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C. Volenti, Upper Falls: I read your column on Senator Helms. You conclude he should "plead insanity."
Who gave you the authority to pontificate on things you know nothing about?
The military as a whole despise and dislike Clinton for the inferior human being he is, was and will be on the basis of his ineptitude, immorality and despicability.
He is a liar, cheat, and amoral person bereft of virtues that the fTC military can respect. Or anyone with virtue can respect.
You give yourself airs.
You are not very talented, nor nice.
You may impress the dregs of Baltimore, but you can't fool those who think.
COMMENT: To tell you the truth, the dregs don't seem that impressed with me either.
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Henry Andrion, Sykesville: I enjoyed reading your column on why you believe Senator (Jesse) Helms should be tried for treason.
Can I assume that using the same logic in regards to the actions of Jane Fonda during the Viet Nam conflict you believe she also should have been tried for treason?
COMMENT: I believe anybody who would marry Ted Turner should be tried for something.