There's a bear joke that goes, "Question: What's the difference between a redneck and a bear? Answer: A six-pack." That alone has a better grasp on the bear subgroup of the gay community than the one from last week's NY Press ("Disguises," June 21-27). "Trying not to look HIV emaciated?"? Lumberjackphilia predates HIV; just as show tune fans replaced opera fans, boyishness was replaced for some by...non-boyishness. In fact, bearishness is the original male style. I don't recognize any of the bears that the writer describes.
Dean Morris,
Manhattan
Get over it, Michelle is a star ("Is Michelle Wie Bad For Women's Golf?" June 21-27), and a wonderful demonstration of what is good and wholesome about the youth of America today. Do you remember what you were doing at 16? This young lady is handling all this attention in a professional, graceful way, and at the young age of 16, is living her dream-the hard way! Go write a negative article about someone who deserves it. Leave this wonderful talented girl alone. Remember Tiger coming out with the huge Nike contract? No wins on the tour, etc. Well, he proved that he was a star. Michelle is good for golf. We all love to experience the birth of a legend, and in this case, Michelle has come to life in a big way.
Henry Sullivan
Vernon, CT
Regarding Armond White's review of The Road To Guantanamo, ("On The Road," June 21-27), Orwell said all art is propaganda, but that doesn't mean art criticism has to be as well. White's piece on the film doesn't even deserve to be called a review. It's nothing but knee-jerk, apologist frenzy-enraged reactionism at a perceived insult to the fatherland. I thought he was just a contrarian, but this rabid treatment of Guantanamo shows him to be a rightwing hack. This in itself doesn't bother me. But what he shouldn't be doing is passing off his agenda as real film reviewing. You hate the message? Fine. Now what about the film? I suspect this film must be very effective, to have reduced you to a slavering beast the way it has.
Hollis Henry
Armond White's shamelessly partisan pan of The Road To Guantanamo might leave readers with the impression that The Tipton Three were found guilty of collaborating with the Taliban. The fact is that these three British citizens were held for two years at Guantanamo Bay, tortured and finally released without charge. The Pentagon clearly didn't have enough evidence to prosecute them at a military tribunal. Do us all a favor, Mr. White: Stick to your ass-kissing reviews of DePalma and Spielberg. But, if you want to be a shill for the police state, there might be an opening in the White House Press Office.
Matt Cornell
West Hollywood, CA