REAGAN EFFECT
As Sam Elliot and Joan Allen create astounding characters in a beautifully directed film, your reviewer writes it up with zero effect [Movies, June 8: "Nice Try, Magellan"].
Could the reviewer by any chance be of the Reagan generation? I've noticed that these folks don't seem to get the back-to-the land ethos of the '60s. They get itchy around the issue of nodough, feeling that it represents failure, and therefore it's to be suppressed before it gets to their own closets. Could this materialism- anxiety have shut off the writer's emotions?
Maybe I'm wrong on that. But can someone please explain to me how "nothing much happens" in this film? Certainly some of the audience and I in attendance at one matinee laughed and wept and discussed it enthusiastically on the sidewalk afterwards, except for two acquaintances I ran into, who are definitely Reagan babies. They were unimpressed.
As I said, just a hunch. It could have been Elliot's portrayal of depression that did it (although the funny daughter character was great counterpoint to his mood).
John DentonSanta Fe
SPIRITUAL SKATING
Your column in the Reporter [
, June 8] was very disturbing to me. It seems like you skated around the question, and you advance a mode of thinking that makes it easy for people to absolve themselves of their own personal responsibility in (this) life. I understand that you have great faith in reincarnation. But it is faith, not fact. I also understand that faith is a great way to comfort someone who is grieving and troubled. But such comfort should not come at the expense of learning how to take responsibility for one's actions. Because if it does, the writer will be dealing with similar issues in the future.
I was reminded of the emptyheaded slogan spouted by a certain type of trustafarian hippie: "It's all good." Or of an evangelical apocalyptic Christian: "The Rapture and baby Jesus's coming!!! I can pour my used oil down the drain 'cuz the world's ending soon enough." And all of the sudden failing to take precautions that could have spared someone's life is immaterial, because that person's "time had come."
To me spirituality should be about deepening connections to yourself, to others and the universe, not absolving ourselves of blame for avoidable accidents.
Brian HarrisSanta Fe
BOZO WORDS
At the risk of sounding ornery, I must say that several obnoxious words need to be expunged from the English language. These words have crept into our daily speech like poisonous insects that need to see the underside of our shoes quickly and without remorse.
The first bozo word is "kudos." Kudos may be something you get in Chinese martial arts class, but no one else should get them.
"Segue" is another vomitus word that the Homeland Security guys should attack without mercy. "Segue" is the kind of word that makes you instinctively want to bitch-slap the speaker who has uttered it.
The bizarre words "vet," "vetted" or "vetting" somehow weaseled their way into common usage a year ago and I am blaming Donald Rumsfeld. Only an evil war criminal like him could worm an ugly word like that into common parlance. Unless you are trying to save kittens or puppies, do not use the word "vet."
Mark R LeeLamy, NM
HEALTHY TASK
Senate President Pro-Tem Ben Altamirano should be highly commended for his sponsorship of the ground-breaking Nutrition Council Bill that seeks to establish effective consumer protection in New Mexico [Outtakes, March 30: "Winners and Losers"]. Sen. Altamirano has placed a mirror up to America's growing health care crisis and revealed the causes, the consequences and provided a first step in taking back the health of New Mexicans. Other states will certainly follow suit. Federal agencies tasked with human health protection have failed to do their jobs, resulting in serious loss of credibility for the FDA, CDC and USDA. As a medical librarian trained in toxicological research at the National Library of Medicine, I have seen an exponential rise in multiple chemical sensitivities of patients and a plethora of adverse drug interactions.
Karen UlehlaTucson, AZ The Reporter welcomes original, signed letters to the editor. Letters (no more than 200 words) should refer to specific articles in the Reporter. They may be edited for clarity and space. Include address and phone number for verification purposes; these will not be published. Mail to Letters, Santa Fe Reporter, PO Box 2306, Santa Fe NM 87504, deliver to 132 E. Marcy St., fax to 505-988-5348 or e-mail (editor@sfreporter.com) .
