Films up for election

The article by John Hayes on election films (A selection of top election films: These movies pump up the political drama) misses the boat on two important films, which proves Mr. Hayes to be a myopic cynic who apparently feels that most of the good "election films" were made within the past 20 (or fewer) years.

	Sarah Demmie Todd Where were the women, such as Hilary Swank in "Iron Jawed Angels," in the list of election movies? Click photo for larger image.

He forgets the outstanding drama "Wilson" (1945), which chronicled the political career of an educator-turned-politician and had a slew of Oscar nominations. Mr. Hayes also overlooks the great "Sunrise at Campobello" (1960), the story of how Franklin Delano Roosevelt rose above polio and re-entered the political arena.

I taught courses on film history and suggest that Mr. Hayes needs more knowledge about this subject before he writes such short-sighted, "Best-10" drivel.

Walter E. Scheid, Ph.D.
Professor emeritus, Westminster College

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What about the women?

Before Tuesday's elections, southwestern Pennsylvania had no women representatives in the State House. This has changed.

Interestingly, John Hayes' selection of top election films did not include one woman as a voter, candidate or elected official. To accurately depict the political arena today, we suggest a few additions to his list. We recommend "Iron Jawed Angels" with Hilary Swank and Anjelica Huston; "The Contender," starring Joan Allen as a vice presidential hopeful; "Air Force One," with Glenn Close as vice president; and "Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed" with Shirley Chisholm as herself.

Pennsylvania still has a long way to go to achieve equity in the political arena -- let's work to get women off the silver screen and into elected office.

Allyson Lowe, Kristin DeLuca and Sara Grove
PA Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy, Chatham College

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Fur is nauseating

When I received the November edition of Seen and saw the front cover of a model wearing a fur coat with snakeskin trim and a somewhat hairless looking pale horse, I was hoping that you would be promoting faux fur.

This was not the case. I couldn't believe that you were dedicating a cover and cover story promoting wearing real fur and leather. I actually get nauseated seeing real fur, and I'm just an everyday shmo.

I have seen photos showing how fur is harvested. Animals are usually anally electrocuted with a prod so as not to mess up the fur. I have also seen film whereby it is not uncommon for animals to be skinned alive and then thrown in bloody piles still moving. What is beautiful about this? The models should be shown wearing the bloody bodies wrapped around them. I'm not so sure they would be smiling.

Shame on you for bringing this story and photos into homes that love all animals and have great compassion for them. Just another disgusting thing to pass on to our children. I am sending your magazine to PETA, and let's see what it says. Promote this: Real Fur Is Dead ... And this is why ...

Marge Kasper
Homestead

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Munch goes too far

As a patron of More Restaurant, I feel the need to respond to Munch's latest column, "Munch goes to More" (Munch goes to More).

As Munch dined with his/her grandparents at More, that would make him/her about my age -- late 20s to early 30s. I have to say that I have never been more embarrassed by someone in my generation. Munch's total disrespect for the aging population of Pittsburgh is clearly evident in this article, referring to them as "Jurassic" and insinuating that they do not know good food.

I take great comfort in the fact that these "loyal" patrons frequent More. They clearly have the ability to dine many other places in Pittsburgh, but choose More -- and I sincerely doubt that it is because of the conversations regarding wheelchairs and cardiologists that Munch implies is the only talk at the restaurant.

Some of Munch's criticisms regarding the food just go to show how little he/she knows about fine food. If Munch had done any type of research, he/she would know that for the amount and quality of food you receive at More, its prices are extremely reasonable. Maybe Munch should stick with reviewing bars and holes-in-the wall -- that way he/she can be sure to receive a frozen, deep-fried meal that costs $9.99.

My company (where the average age is 28) happened to just enjoy a fabulous lunch for more than 50 people at More. I know that many of my friends and I will continue to dine at More -- keep up the excellent work!

Dani Folino
Oakmont

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Proper applause

Last Thursday I had the privilege of attending a wonderful "Putnam County Spelling Bee" at Heinz Hall. The show was very entertaining, and the cast had the crowd laughing until the very end. Even the mayor became part of the show as a guest speller, and a good guest speller at that.

What really bothered me about the performance was how people started to get up and leave before and during the applause for the cast. These people practice tirelessly and put on a great show so that they can be disrespected by not getting the applause and attentiveness that they deserve. One of the actors was trying to talk to the audience about donations for a charity, and people were talking among each other and heading to the doors.

Is it really going to kill you to stay an extra five minutes? The problem is that everyone is rushing to get back to their cars so they can rush out of the city as fast as they rushed in. I understand that people have jobs, kids and various other reasons that they need to get home, but please make these actors feel welcome in our city. Put yourself in their place and think about how it feels to give everything you have at a performance just to have people walk out when it is time for your kudos.

Kurt Lesker
Downtown Pittsburgh

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Sousa's Alchemy

We are writing to applaud your recent coverage of the innovative cooking techniques that Chef Kevin Sousa and his staff at Bigelow Grille are bringing to Pittsburgh (Chef Kevin Sousa's kitchen is filled with tools, ingredients suitable for a science experiment).

The week before Elizabeth Downer's review and interview appeared, Kevin and his colleagues graciously provided City Theatre with an opportunity to host an Alchemy dinner at the Bigelow Grille to benefit City Theatre. The event raised nearly $2,000 for the theater and provided our supporters with an opportunity to enjoy the culinary equivalent of the fresh new work that City Theatre champions.

Kevin's phenomenal approach to cooking, the variety of wines that are thoughtfully paired with groups of courses and the grace and charm of waiter Jim Young make the Alchemy dinner entertaining and unforgettable. Sousa's Alchemy dinner ought to become a "first-day attraction" for foodies everywhere.

Tracy Brigden
Artistic director, City Theatre
Greg Quinlan
Managing director, City Theatre

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Keep WGBN

Comcast recently dropped WBGN-TV (the little station that could) from the 140,000 homes that they acquired from Adelphia Cable earlier this year. This action was taken even though WBGN had an agreement with Adelphia to carry WBGN until Dec. 31, 2008.

In my opinion, this was a major breach of trust by Comcast. Comcast, a publicly regulated utility, arbitrarily canceled a service-commitment to its customers. WBGN-TV is a low-power station that usually cannot be received by antennae, and is not on a lot of dish networks. Therefore, cable is the only way that this station can reach many homes.

WBGN is needed: it provides badly needed local programming, especially "The It's Alive Show!"

Comcast should reconsider its decision to drop WBGN from the former Adelphia customers it acquired.

Richard Graham
Brighton Heights

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Creative call

A few weeks ago I read a letter criticizing one of our local arts organizations for an unfortunate marketing campaign. In contrast, today I would like to applaud one of our small arts organizations in favor of a creative outreach effort -- the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh.

Leveraging on the election season's continual bombardment of political messages randomly left on voicemails and answering machines, yesterday I received a witty message from an Opera Theater performer claiming, "I'm not Bill Clinton or Laura Bush. I'm Carmen Jones, honey!" The message, albeit brief, was a delightful break from political campaign ads and offered both an imaginative and playful tease of what's to come when the company's production of "Carmen Jones" is performed at the Byham this weekend.

I'm pleased to say that my interest was successfully piqued and funny bone tickled!

Well done, Opera Theater.

Annette Romain
Regent Square