If you believe that the mob scene you placed on the front page of the Mirror is what “Democracy looks like,” then God help us all. It looks more like something you see in the streets of Beirut. If that bunch of misguided misfits think that removing all our troops from the Middle East will produce peace in the region, they are dumber than they look. I suggest these brainless MoveOn.org robots protest to the terrorists and radical Islamists who perpetrate this violence.
Don Wagner, Santa Monica, CA
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It is disturbing to see Isaiah Washington painted as an abusive, insensitive, ill-tempered man. Let’s face it; we’ve all had our bad moments. We all have unexamined issues that surface under tension. But we can usually patch things up with time and use it for an occasion for growth and self-reflection.
Raising a family while on a set often 6am-2am, mindful of their concerns, may make one off-balance when tensions rise at work, especially while engulfed in the character of an emotionally rigid man like Dr. Burke.
But Isaiah is a fine actor; he is no Dr. Burke. Reserved, yes, but a socially conscious, loving and culturally aware family man. I am not a great fan of television. For me he is his son’s dad. Our sons share a friendship. I am a single mom and Isaiah has been a loving role model for my two sons. He is always warm, spirited and generous in all aspects, including love and quality time.
I am clueless as to what prompted the tension, but who is to say how innocent Mr. Knight is? Why couldn’t he handle his problem with his co-worker on location? Did he not seek to boost his own publicity at another’s expense?
It is easy to cast stones when someone is down and off balance, but Isaiah Washington is no Mel Gibson. He is not an aging frat boy party animal gone out of control. And though it is important for all of us to examine our human errors and correct them appropriately, I am also reminded of an ancient proverb. To paraphrase: Before you point to the speck in one man’s eye, look to the beam in your own eye.
Thoughtfully,
Ms. E. Pitchford, Santa Monica
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In her column on Isaiah Washington, Sasha Stone did a great job capturing the essence and nuance of the situation, the resulting damage of such language, and what will hopefully be a positive outcome. Thank you.
Damon Romine, Entertainment Media Director Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
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I feel compelled to write to the Mirror after reading Sasha Stone’s article “Glaad Handled,” (January 25-31, 2007 issue). Stone states, “If it’s not okay to use the ’n’ word since the O.J. Simpson trial…” I stopped reading the article at that point.
Apparently, an “r” is missing from the writer’s surname. That is, no real reporter/journalist in their right mind could possibly believe that usage of the “n” word as a derogatory term has only met resistance since 1996 or thereabouts.
In fact, Sasha Stone and the editorial staff of the Mirror owe their readers an apology for printing such ignorance.
Sincerely,
D.W. Nowels, Venice
Editor’s Note:
Ms. Stone by no means meant to imply the “n” word was ever acceptable. She did mean that since the O.J. trial a whole new generation of people has been made aware of the impact that word holds. She was making a point that the “f” word (a derogatory word for someone who is gay that Isaiah Washington used when referring to one of his co-workers) is as bad and unacceptable as the “n” word.
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While visiting Santa Monica last week, I had an interesting experience while trying to use a pay phone at the northwest corner of Lincoln and Santa Monica Boulevard. The automated operator required 50 cents for the first ten minutes of a local toll call, but after only three minutes it required an additional 20 cents, without telling how much time that would give me. The bandit telephone continued requiring another 20 cents every 30 seconds. When I called their service number, I was hung up on eight times in a row.
Craig Baker , Sylmar
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In response to Michael Rosenthal’s article on Coffee House “Rules,” I would like to help justify Groundworks Coffee no cell phone rule. As a cafe/coffee bar owner, it’s not just a matter of rudeness, it comes down to customer service. If someone is talking on their phone, they’re not giving us their full attention. Often that leads to order errors. We have had to remake countless drinks because cell phone talkers are never clear and detailed while juggling two conversations. Some orders might be as easy as “give me a double latte,” but, as we all know, other coffee orders can get more complex and that’s where mistakes happen. Help us do our jobs efficiently and we’ll get you on your way, favorite coffee in hand.
Jeffrey Stuppler, Santa Monica
