"Redneck" Raines Ain't Kidding; a Butte Boy Praises Leslie; Heimlich Raises Journalism Bar; a Lone Voice Speaks Up for White; Signorile's International Fan Base; More

MUGGER: That Howell Raines has slanted the Times to the left is no surprise; but what I have not seen commented on is the way in which the paper day by day seems to become less sophisticated, for want of a better word. It is just more and more tone-deaf in its style, and lacking in a New York feel. Now, I attribute this to the fact that Raines is by his own admission a "redneck," and, indeed, he appears to be one of that species some refer to as self-loathing rednecks, crude and uncultured while aspiring to be seen as anything but. This certainly pops out of his autobiographical volume, Fly-fishing through the Mid-Life Crisis, which is a decent book on fly-fishing, but which I would also recommend to anyone wishing an insight into Raines' thinking. I am not sure it is what he intended to say in that book, but what comes across most clearly is his ashamedness at his poor Southern upbringing, and his utter lack of self-knowledge or care for others. That may make for an interesting writer, but sure seems like hell in an editor. David Powell, Washington, DC

Butte Boy

RE David Leslie's "Leap of Faith" (8/21). As a Butte resident now living in New York, it was funny. David pegged much of the city the way it is. I think he was being kind. The city looks beautiful at night; then they turn the lights on. I also recollected the old Butte?full of vinegar and mayhem. Now it is merely a shell of itself, lauding the Wal-Marts and fast-food places just to exist. It is so empty now.

Thank gosh the college stayed there. I bet he never saw so many old cars in his life.

Last time I saw Evel Knievel, two years ago, he was barely living by being a doorman at the local golf course. It was nice to see he's working his way back.

Ben Ryan, Manhattan

Apple of Adam's Eye

As one of the owners of Hope & Anchor Diner I am, of course, quite overwhelmed at how much Adam Heimlich appreciated our restaurant ("Food," 8/21). We took great risks opening in Red Hook. So besides being ever so grateful for the coverage, what I find most satisfying is that Heimlich got it. We are proud to be the cause for such a wonderful piece of journalism, and only hope that we can continue to live up to those standards.

Gary Rego, Brooklyn

Lone Wolf

I would like to express my gratitude for the thoughtful reviews, week after week, by Armond White. It seems that each week I come away with some new particular insight into the multiple dimensions of human expression and our society in general. White clearly cares about his craft and the medium of popular art he critiques. I don't always agree with every single point, but at least there is real substance and original thought in each piece. One need only compare the Village Voice's review of Minority Report with White's review to see the difference between meaningful criticism and an off-the-cuff, fickle response. Movies do not reside in a vacuum. Everything has a moral commitment (or lack thereof).

As a musician and composer, I also enjoy the occasional parallel references to music, and only wish that there were music critics who could equally reach his level of exposition. Is it simply a matter of fact that most, if not all, music critics are beholden to big media, I wonder? Are there any music critics who White could recommend? I've also been searching for his past articles in archive form. If there isn't any such thing, it would be nice to see a compilation of these published into book form.

Mitchell Renner, Astoria

Great White Nod

MIKE SIGNORILE: Enjoyed your column. You have a knack for making the obtrusive very obvious! I also think that your viewpoint is one shared by many, many Canadians?both liberal and conservative. Thanks for reminding me that all members of the U.S. press corps are not the same.

Bruce Bishop, Toronto

Tacky?That's a Good One

Having just read one of your feature writers' remembrance of "the graciousness of the victorious Germans" ("Top Drawer," 8/21), I wonder when you will start spelling his name correctly. "Tacky" seems more appropriate. I guess his quisling family was treated differently from those who continued to resist the Nazi occupation even when "out of ammo after two weeks." By the way?what happened to any Jews in his uncle's unit after they turned in their weapons?

Barry Jay Warsch, Cooper City, FL

In Combat Slippers

MUGGER: After reading your past articles I see that you are a staunch proponent of military action (by U.S. armed forces) against Iraq for the purposes of deposing Mr. Hussein. I have only one question for you: In this biblical showdown pitting ultimate good versus ultimate evil, when can we expect your enlistment to lead the charge into Baghdad?

G. Vourvoulias, New Orleans

The Things People Worry About

"Ruinous Passions" ("Old Smoke," 8/21) is further testament that William Bryk deserves a Pulitzer?which probably means he'll never get one, as they tend to go to unworthy recipients. However, Bryk's misspelling of the word "bumf" (in his reference to "the natural bumpf of 20th-century dictatorships") indicates that he doesn't know the origin of this pungent word.

The term "bumf" (without a P) originated in 19th-century England, when purpose-made toilet paper did not yet exist and people had to improvise with other materials. "Bumf" was (and is) short for "bum fodder" (a phrase that contains no letter P). The word is still used in Britain in its original sense: literally to mean toilet paper, or figuratively to mean anything completely worthless for any purpose except to wipe your shitty arse.

Fergus Gwynplaine MacIntyre, Glasgow, Scotland

Yeah, Waksal's a Friggin' Saint

RE Taki's 8/14 column. Not to defend insider trading, but honestly, Taki, Sam Waksal is trying to cure cancer, not cook his books like Enron did. Why not ask yourself why Ken Lay (ex-CEO of Enron) wasn't arrested in his home at 6:30 a.m. and led away in handcuffs as was Waksal? Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Enron was George W. Bush's number-one campaign contributor? Maybe Paul Krugman had his dates off a bit, but President Bush and Vice President Cheney have a lot of questions to answer about Harken and Halliburton accounting practices, respectively. We patiently await the answers, which will be highly informative, if not indictable. While you are at it, please ask why George W. Bush declines to answer certain questions about his business dealings with the brother of Osama bin Laden, as well as his additional relationships with Saudi oil men and associates of bin Laden.

Actually, never mind. I guess if you despise John Lennon and his lasting message of peace on Earth so much that you feel you must assassinate his character in your editorial column more than 20 years after his tragic murder, then you are a small-minded, ignorant and spiteful person.

Kevin O' Driscoll, North Caldwell, NJ Can't Hear It Enough

Mike Signorile: I'm just goin' to have to quit writing the same note to you each week?maybe an e-mail rubber stamp. Nevertheless, what a great job! You have a way of catching them coming from where they are going.

Earl Rose, Palm Springs, CA

He Sure As Hell Ain't Irish

Armond White, in his review of XXX ("Film," 8/14), writes: "XXX advertises its alpha-male hero as 'A New Breed of Secret Agent,' it refers to star Vin Diesel's biracial identity... XXX's director Rob Cohen... wants only to exploit audiences' ethnic consciousness." Who the hell even knew Vin Diesel was biracial? He looks like any other big, white fratboy. And with that cockamamie name, I just assumed his parents were Dutch.

Matthew Holm, Queens

Or the Dog Shit

RE the Mayor's proposal to protect restaurant and bar employees ("Daily Billboard," 8/13). Some smokers have complained recently, wondering what was next: "smokeasies"? May I be so bold to suggest, not illegal "smoke houses" but legalized ones? We have laws restricting public consumption of alcohol to licensed establishments. Cigar smokers have realized that even cigarette smokers prefer they partake in "cigar bars." Now might be the time for public smoking to be limited to smokers' bars. Serve food and drink, even coffee, but license the right to allow smoking in those places.

Those seeking employment will know in advance what dangers they are getting into, as does a police officer, or a sandhog or a window washer. Those jobs are not for everyone.

People want to smoke, why not provide places for them to do it? The large majority of us who do not want to smoke will be spared, smokers will be happier and both types of establishments could thrive in the city.

And without smokers on the city streets and in the parks, perhaps we might actually be able to smell the occasional flower?

Paul Sheridan, Brooklyn

How About "Informed Assumption"? For a long time I've been reading Armond White and trying to give him the benefit of the doubt?trying to assume that his constant attacks on other critics for praising films he deems tripe stem from genuine, if often eccentric, enthusiasm rather than raging egotism. Then I came to the following sentence in last week's review ("Film," 8/21): "It's a bad joke of contemporary film hype that a lame movie-within-a-movie like Full Frontal has been taken seriously in the same century as In Praise Of Love."

I haven't seen the film, and so have no opinion on it myself; the only Soderbergh film I've ever seen was Out of Sight, which I liked okay. But on the meta-critic site rottentomatoes.com, only 38 percent of the film critics it compiles (and only 25 percent of the "Cream of the Crop" reviewers) gave Full Frontal a positive review, and the quotes the site pulls from those show that few are taking the film particularly seriously ("An entertaining, often amusing exercise made to look more artistic and intellectual than it really is"; "For every inspired bit of absurdity, there's a lame piece of improvisational noodling"; "See this movie for its humor and talented cast and you won't be disappointed"). The site's "Consensus" review, where it tries to boil all the reviews down into one sentence, reads, "A confusing movie made worse by the poor camera work." My question: Does Armond White actually read any other critics, or does he just a priori assume they're all much, much dumber than he is?

Jesse Fuchs, Manhattan

He Was Hotboxing

MUGGER must have smoked way too much pot in high school, for it has affected his brain (8/14). Back in 1972, George McGovern (past and present darling of the left) supported the idea of a 100 percent tax on inheritances over $100,000. Indeed, it was in the Democratic Party's platform that year. To me, the taxation sounds a lot like communism.

Gary Schwartz, Fort Lee, NJ

One Way of Looking at It

Taki: I woke up to the sound of a band of homies marching through the main street in Bushwick (8/21). Is there a nicer sound to wake up to when getting high in the hood? I don't think so. It was a lovely day, the Swiss double cheeseburgers a dollar each, the mountains of abandoned refrigerators glistening in the sun, the air fetid and cloroxed, a few Eurotrash tourists asking what getting capped in the ass means.

Nothing special, just the day the ho's are brought down from their cribs and slapped. MUGGER up in his room working on wall-sized mural of Ariel Sharon's greatest massacres. The Athens Souvlaki League meeting to decide who shaves who. Just a typical day in the life of Taki.

Larry Deyab, Brooklyn, NY

Mr. Smithers Writes In

As a former longtime employee of ImClone Systems, I take personal umbrage at Taki's comment that former ImClone CEO Sam Waksal "didn't mind giving false hopes to cancer sufferers as long as his rotten company's stock went up" ("Top Drawer," 8/14). ImClone was started on a shoestring budget in 1984 by Dr. Waksal, his brother Harlan and ImClone general counsel John Landes. I joined in 1987, when the company had 18 employees and less than a full floor of space; when I left five years later, it had more than 100 employees, three full floors and a manufacturing facility in New Jersey. During and since that time, ImClone has been involved in serious high-tech research and development on potential modalities for AIDS, cancer and hepatitis. From the get-go, its scientific staff has been topnotch, and has included respected experts in the AIDS and cancer fields. Its administrative staff has also been topnotch; as assistant to Mr. Landes, I worked closely with everyone on the staff, and all of them were skilled professionals with positive attitudes. Indeed, Sam (we never called him anything else) and Harlan were exceptional at keeping morale high, and their employees happy.

As Mr. Landes' assistant, I was "point man" for many of the public offering documents when ImClone filed their IPO in 1991. At no time after the offering did I, or anyone I know or spoke to at the company, feel that the company was doing anything differently in order to manipulate its stock price: as with any stock, the price went up and down depending on market vagaries, what the company was working on at a particular point and how advanced or promising that work was. Indeed, it is important to note the difference between ImClone and Sam and all of the other companies and CEOs in the news. Unlike Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, Adelphia, Dynergy, etc. and their CEOs, no one is accusing either Sam or ImClone of questionable accounting practices, corporate mismanagement or malfeasance, or doing anything that affected the livelihoods of ImClone's employees.

If Taki has a personal problem with Sam, he has every right to speak his mind. However, since he clearly knows absolutely nothing about ImClone, his snide comments are both inappropriate and unprofessional. Or perhaps he just likes the taste of shoe-leather.

Ian Alterman, Manhattan

Nothing Wrong with Simple

MUGGER: Sometimes the mists of nostalgia that fill our eyes blind us to the cold facts. McGovern always was a fool (8/14). Yes, he was a war hero and again, yes, he did rise against the corruption of the Democratic Party. But at the same time, he was entertaining representatives of the North Vietnamese government in his office, along with Chinese and North Koreans. He was supported by these people, and he cherished many of their views about how society should be operated. In short, he indeed was, and probably remains at the very least, a socialist. How do I know all this? I was a very involved antiwar activist myself. I was in his office in 1971, and again in 1972. I got quite chummy with people close to him, staffers and other activists. Unlike him, however, I was never a socialist. I know what socialism is: I grew up in England, so it's no idyllic theory to me, it's a hard and cold reality. I fought against the war for the most basic of reasons: it is wrong for old men to enrich themselves by filling body bags with 18-year-olds. Perhaps a little simplistic, but everything I learned at that time bolstered that view.

Frank Champagne, Birch Bay, WA

Feel Better?

What happened? Michelangelo Signorile seemed to be the resident guru on homosexual affairs. I'd see his heading and happily skip forward. Attracted by the sketch of the White House in his recent column ("The Gist," 8/14), I found his foray into the national political scene full of innuendo with no substance. Signorile, if you have any evidence regarding Bush/Cheney with Halliburton or Harken, say it?instead of trying to incite other unhappy leftists to create or stumble upon the real facts.

Saying that the media is soft on Bush/Cheney is shameful. What you are doing is simply a reverse Ann Coulter. You are too late and a copycat. In your column, you also refer to the Lewinsky outrage as a "nothing scandal." And you feel that the reason they treat the incumbents mildly is that the media has some sort of guilt for "damaging our political system" during the Monica embarrassment. Give us a break! Fodder like that for the press comes along about as often as a Bubba. They thrived on it?would do so, again?regardless of party affiliation.

Another ha-ha of yours is when you stated that if Bush/Cheney were Democrats there'd be an "investigation" and "congressional hearings." Over what? Well, for one grope in the dark, you chastise because Osama bin Laden has not been found. It's a big world out there, Signorile. You should see some of it and take a vacation.

I'll give you a "nothing scandal" in which the vultures fed on a Republican: Watergate. It was and is to me nothing more serious than Givenchy spying on Yves St. Laurent. In flaunting your revolutionary spirit, you condemn Cheney for not making more public appearances. Would you be accessible if everywhere you speak there is a paid rabble chanting in the back of the auditorium? Democrats are rarely original?like you. They let the Republicans do the voluminous work on the budget?change a couple of points?then say, here's our budget.

Frank Freda, Manhattan

Think Twice

MUGGER: So you think the situation in the Middle East can't get any worse (8/21)? Try these possible, perhaps even likely scenarios, once we invade:

1. Hand-to-hand fighting between U.S. forces and Iraqi soldiers and civilians in major cities and towns, causing thousands of casualties on both sides. Unlike Desert Storm, this will be an urban affair, not a desert one. The dead, wounded and captured will not be just the "enemy." If you think the Iraqis will all lie down once their country is invaded, you're having Bush-like fantasies. Even Hitler found willing soldiers to defend Berlin in the last days of WWII. No country accepts invasion and the deposition of its leader lightly. The populace will rally around Saddam, despite Bush's nonsense that, since Saddam's a tyrant, we'll be welcomed as liberators.

2. Saddam finds a little nuclear material and manages to lob just one small, dirty bomb at our troops, or, worse, at Israel. The only thing holding the latter back from destroying Baghdad is the presence of American troops in the vicinity. What their response will be, in lieu of leveling Baghdad, I don't know. Do you?

3. We succeed in defeating Iraq quickly, causing Iran to "come to its aid" (as a pretext for grabbing as much territory as it can). They fought a war not too long ago, remember?

4. The Kurds declare an independent state in northern Iraq. Turkey's not overjoyed about this, as it fears that its own Kurdish minority will try to join the new Kurdish state. Turkey tells the U.S. to cease using its air bases there and stop overflights. The Turks decide to teach the Kurds a final lesson by destroying the new Kurdish state in Iraq. And we do what?

5. The defeated, partially dismembered Iraq becomes a ward of the U.S., until we leave. Then it all starts all over again. Just think of Iran after they finally deposed the Shah and got even with us for the "regime change" we practiced there in the 50s. I don't know whether there is a truly honest case for "pre-emption" in Iraq. I do know that, unless there's an immediate threat of attack, you've got to think about the "day after" and the decades to follow. We spent too much time making enemies out of people in the name of "anticommunism." We should learn something from that fiasco.

Arthur D. Aptowtiz, Staten Island

Poor Baby

Bravo to Taki! I don't agree with him on some things, but our freedom of speech to criticize minorities has been taken away from us.

John T. Lynch, North White Plains, NY

Rummy II

MUGGER: I've been reading your stuff religiously as usual but this one was one of the best. You drew it all together very directly?easily readable, and understandable. Reducing multitudes of information and misinformation to a level as you described is an unusual talent probably drawn from natural gifts and a lot of hard work over the years. You remind me of Rumsfeld. Your tendencies and communication results are unusually similar. Keep 'em coming.

Gerson Stearns, Fort Worth, TX

The Gstaad Office

Taki got me reading more of your paper's editorials. Specifically, starting with that piece where he got the princess. As I was reading his escapades with her, the word bozoic (adj., of or pertaining to Bozo) kept reverberating in my head. Though when I was done, and after reading his last few tomes, I realized Taki ain't no uppity clown. Taki is the Man! That mundane political claptrap of the rest of you guys? God Zeus! I just haven't the time. We need more brand-spankin' new industries in our present economy, and people like Taki are just the type to give the kick-in-the-pants to those who may be more inclined to read, and believe the "woe is me" doom and gloom, or "You suck!/No, YOU! Suck" crowd. You guys are starting to read just like the Village Voice lately?except for Taki. When Taki devotes an entire column to some sports drivel, I'll write him a warning. He's losing his mind in that office there. Taki could rule! Maybe someday? A small, weekly free newspaper downtown. Let's hope.

Name Withheld, Manhattan

Poll Opposites

MUGGER: The New York Times and their ongoing war against the war is beyond dispute. Their selective reading of the Kissinger op-ed piece is debatable at the least, dishonest at the worst. But your penultimate paragraph contains a little selective reading that would make Howell proud (8/21). Yes, 69 percent of Americans favor military action against Saddam to force him from power. However, if you ask?and they did?those same Americans if they are willing to accept heavy casualties as a result, the numbers flip, with a similar majority in the negative. Talk the talk, fine. Now walk the walk. Cheers.

Harley Peyton, Los Angeles

Russ Smith replies: Harley can walk the walk all the way to Barbra Streisand's Malibu home. As a dedicated liberal, I'm surprised he's not more poll-conscious, understanding that the one cited in my column was conducted by The Washington Post, the most recent on the subject. When other polls are released, we'll see what the results are.

Bubbaling Over with Joy

MUGGER: As a longtime reader of everything you write, I cannot tell you how happy I am at your bravery and honesty in taking on the old gray lady and the dreaded Howell Raines. This person is so biased in all he prints, and that bias has reached the point that he is not truthful or fit to bring the news to the public. Thank you for taking on this Bill Clinton of the press.

Virginia Weicheld, Collegeville, PA

Aim Higher

Michelangelo Signorile: Thank you so much for "Up from the Underground" ("The Gist," 8/14)! I knew after the 2000 election was handed to Bush that it would be tough to read the newspapers or watch the news for the next four years. And all of my worst fears have been realized, with both the press and the Democratic Party wimping out beyond belief.

The only suggestion I have for you is: go more directly and thoroughly at Bush, not just Cheney. It's not just Harken. What about the Texas Rangers? Where else has Bush gotten his money from and why have these people given it to him? His credentials as a businessperson are so modest, this is just influence-peddling. Why should he be given a pass on this? Why can't we get the straight story on his history of drug and alcohol abuse?

Thank you again?even if I wish you weren't such a lonely voice on this subject!

Robert Paster, Boston

Hail to the Hale Chief

MUGGER: What a profound debunking you provide of the vile publication The New Yuck Times (8/21), whose sycophants still abound because of gross ideological bias and, worse, because they lack sufficient "gravitas" to know what else to do.

As for our President, isn't the courage to exercise well considered leadership toward what he believes is right, and in the best interests of our nation, a beautiful thing to see! What is even more astounding is that despite the best efforts of the left, and the prevailing New York Times-led scurrilous media, the American people "still get it," and respond accordingly to his moral rectitude and beliefs! Thanks again.

Jerry Dunn, Greenville, SC

Gray, Haggard Lady

RE "Howell Raines' Meltdown." I loved this article! Thank you so much for this royal take-down of The New York Times and Howell Raines. Aren't they just the pits? I had the pleasure of watching Krauthammer on Fox News giving his cogent argument along with a relentless list of Times lies. Go, MUGGER!

Martha Copenhaver, Tryon, NC

Not to Worry

MUGGER: Nice piece! No one, recently, has accused The New York Times of telling the truth. Their front page is full of "news" articles that should be identified as either op-ed or news analysis. The difference between op-ed and news analysis disappears because any bylined story only gives half of the "analysis" (the NYT official point of view) and leaves out the other side altogether (or misstates it, as in the Henry Kissinger case).

I am happy to see more and more responsible journalists shedding some light on The New York Times. Keep it up!

Stuart Dew, Wellington, FL

Not Likely

MUGGER: Wouldn't it be wonderful if a first-rate historian wrote a complete, in-depth (maybe in six volumes) history of The New York Times? Of course such a book (or books) would leave us all furious, but I personally would preorder 10 copies. I would so love to read that history. Do you know someone you could beg to get started on it?

Peggy Whitcomb, Salem, OR

Bravo to Everyone

Bravo to Taki for his "Heroes & Villains" ("Top Drawer," 8/21). Bravo to you for bringing us Taki.

Jamie Kelso, Santa Monica, CA

New Readers in Beantown

MUGGER: Yesterday I was in Beantown for a conference and picked up a copy of New York Press before boarding Amtrak. After the conference I was at Boston Common and saw a vendor wagon selling "gourmet hotdogs." A contradiction in terms? Anyway, I bought one and asked where the nearest pub was. She directed me to a pretty nice place and afterward I went back to her to say thanks and get another dog. While she was putting it together I heard a rally for the despicable Sen. (and hopefully never president) John Kerry and said I hear enough about him on NY radio. Then I quickly added, "But to each his own," as she was likely a Democrat. She then said something in agreement with my original statement and said she and her father were Republicans even though they live in the Bay State. I immediately gave her a copy of your paper and mentioned how most columnists are on the right (correct) side of the issues. Hopefully I made some new readers for you!

Frank Higbie, Bound Brook, NJ

You Say Tomato

MUGGER: In your column of 8/21, "Raines Melts Down," you fail to acknowledge that other forces may be at work when we see the nation's leading paper take questionable angles on international affairs. Perhaps they are aware that many people around the world look to the Times for a picture of what's going on in the U.S.; maybe they want to present us as smarter or more informed than we really are. I myself find the paper oppressively "conservative" (I always liked that misnomer) and can hardly believe the audacity when I read the capitalist propaganda put forth on its pages.

Please stop advocating action against Iraq; Arab leaders have warned us clearly about the possible consequences of such action, and I for one think we should start listening to what them crazy sumbitches say. "Hear me now and believe me later..."

Ryan Murtha, Manhattan

Oh Go Read the Voice I must register my displeasure with Jim Knipfel regarding his oh so clever attack on little Lizzie Grubman ("Daily Billboard," 8/19). First, wasn't this traffic incident at night? It's very, very dark in the country at night. Second, she's what, maybe five feet tall? I bet her tiny legs could barely reach the pedals of that uncontrollable SUV. Anybody check for wood blocks attached to the peddles? Third, was her long hair tied in a ponytail that night, or hanging loose? I think maybe her hair was in her eyes as she backed up that big powerful machine in pitch-black conditions. Leave her alone. Also, please let Tony Millionaire know we have noticed him taking yet another August off with this whole "spackling the monkey's ass" non-joke. Mark Duffy, Manhattan

Those Lousy Dugout Seats

MUGGER: I'm amazed at the misinformation concerning George W. Bush and his role with the Texas Rangers. I see that some Mariners fan last week chastised Taki about getting facts wrong ("The Mail," 8/21), when it's the reader who was wrong.

First, Longview didn't build the Rangers a stadium, Arlington did (Longview is 150 miles to the east). Second, Arlington citizens were not "blackmailed" into it. In truth, we decided it ourselves by voting to raise our city sales tax one half of a percentage point to fund the stadium; the measure passed by a 3-1 margin. (It was a good decision, too; the stadium was paid off in half the projected time, and the tax hike was rescinded.) Third, the ballpark was not built on a lot of eminent domain land. It was built at the opposite end of the existing parking lot for the old Arlington Stadium, which the city already owned. Relatively little land had to be acquired for the new stadium, because it was built on the same chunk of real estate as the old one. Fourth, Bush was not the primary mover and shaker on the ballpark deal anyway. Then Mayor Richard Greene and former Rangers president Tom Schieffer (now ambassador to Australia, and the little brother of CBS's Bob Schieffer) were.

By the way, as a baseball fan, MUGGER can appreciate this: When Bush was the managing general partner, he never sequestered himself up in the luxury boxes as most owners do. At every game, he could be found in his seat behind the dugout, and fans routinely approached him to make suggestions, complain about the team or just talk baseball. And the literati wonder why he's so popular with the masses.

Rod Nunley, Arlington, TX

Texas Beleaguered

MUGGER: Thanks for the great column on the ideologues running and working at The New York Times (8/21). I am constantly amazed at the brazen misrepresentations of the liberal media, and more especially The New York Times. Dr. Kissinger's rebuttal of the Times' blatant misstatement of his position concerning the threat Iraq poses to not only America, but to the civilized world, was a black eye for Howell Raines and crew. I simply cannot understand how the American public reveres The New York Times as a bastion of truth, and the newspaper of record. In my humble opinion, The New York Times is neither.

The arrogance of Tom Friedman, Frank Rich and Maureen Dowd further degrades that newspaper's credibility as an authoritative voice of what Americans think. Every time I look at a column by any of the abovementioned three, the best I can hope for is a laugh. A laugh celebrating the collective mentality of the elitist intelligentsia who think they know what is best for America. Not only what is best, but what is acceptable within the bounds of their elitist myopia. Granted, Friedman, Rich and Dowd don't fool all of the people all of the time. It is incredible that they fool anyone at anytime.

Finally, I wish I had something clever, funny or informative to impart on the impending threat of a strike by the MLB Players Association. All I can say is, don't do it guys. Don't underestimate how fed up I am, and how fed up millions more like me must be with this extortion rap. If there is a strike, and no World Series this year, the empty ballparks next year will serve to remind the players of their incredible poor judgment. They better be watching late-night reruns of Monty Hall, and learning how to play Let's Make A Deal, instead of crying about how terrible it would be to have something akin to a salary cap.

Tracy Meadows, Brenham, TX

Search Us

MUGGER: A rarity, but I disagree with you on this one about the profiling. The Constitution protects us against unreasonable search and seizure. It is very unreasonable to search my lily-white personage, whilst allowing the swarthy terry-clothed ones aboard without being searched. If profiling is a fear, then search all or search none.

Ken Phillips Jr., Loveland, OH

Ad Nausea

It's great to have Christopher Caldwell back with the paper. His piece on the Smash Mouth song ("Hill of Beans," 8/7) being used for an ad that turns the meaning of the lyrics on its head got me thinking about other similar examples. Unfortunately, there are plenty, and they come from bands that wouldn't seem to need the cash as much as Smash Mouth probably did.

"Rocket Man," Elton John's loveliest song, was the soundtrack for a phone company commercial showing people, continents apart, drawing near through the power of cellular technology while gazing at the same stars. Very nice. Except that "Rocket Man" is about the loneliness and isolation that technology has brought to human lives.

I can't remember the product, but "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones was used once in a commercial. This is probably the most ironic of them all, because the subject of "Satisfaction" is the endless, empty desire that advertising creates in people. What did they call it in sociology class? Rising expectation, and declining "Satisfaction." (And one recent poll named this the top rock song of all time. Is it possible that no one paid attention to the lyrics of the top rock song of all time, to the degree that it could be used in an ad that entirely perverts the song's meaning? Apparently so.)

"Bargain," the great rock love song by the Who, is currently being used in a car commercial. I suppose the line, "I call that a bargain/the best I ever had," was just too irresistible for some ad agency dimwit. Thirty years ago it was a song about passionate love. Now it's a song about an SUV. Some progress.

Actually, Pete Townshend and the Who are the worst offenders. "Baba O'Riley" and snippets of "Won't Get Fooled Again" are also being featured in commercials. Seems they won't rest until every song from Who's Next is moving merchandise. Don't be surprised to hear "Behind Blue Eyes" in a spot for contact lenses.

Jim Watkins, Manhattan