Don't blame the video games

In response to "Critics Take Aim at Video Games" by Janice Crompton (Feb. 4), Miami lawyer Jack Thompson is a moron and should be treated as such by general society.

He believes not only that there is a "direct correlation between playing violent video games and instances of violence in teenage boys," but seemingly also that there hasn't been violence before video games and metal music were created.

Mr. Thompson needs to wake up and realize that violence has always been around us as part of general society. What games did the ancient Romans enjoy? I'll give you a hint: It starts with "brutal" and usually ended with "death or dismemberment." This wasn't simulated violence; it was real. And people cheered for it.

What about the advent of television in the 1940s and '50s? Many members of the baby-boomer generation have fond memories of watching Westerns and cops-and-robbers television shows as children. Shoot-outs, kidnapping, death, all were typical fare for these shows.

Yes, none of it was terribly graphic, especially by today's standards, with shows like "CSI" and "Law & Order." But how is it that these shows escape blame now, and violent video games are expected to shoulder the weight of a violent America?

I'm much more apt to blame loose parenting skills on the increase of violence and lack of respect for people. If violent video games are part of the equation, bad parenting skills and violent video games have to go hand in hand.

If parents monitored what their children played and watched and told them it was bad or flat-out censored it, it wouldn't be a problem.

This isn't coming from a woman in her 40s or 50s, this is coming from a high school student. I've played violent video games and watched graphic television and movies, and I don't have any problems, because I had a good foundation. Tell Mr. Thompson to start a parenting center and get out of video game's hair.

Ashley Butela
Reserve

---

The case of applause

Andrew Druckenbrod's article on applause at concerts ("Pause for applause," Feb. 4) was very interesting and a welcome bit of historical perspective. My only feeling about applause between movements is that I'd hate for it to become obligatory. There are times when I'm grateful for that little bit of silence. But there is something wonderful about those moments when the audience just can't help itself and has to show its pleasure.

Steven Schwartz
New York

---

Woodson's fine work

I enjoyed Bob Hoover's Q&A article on Jacqueline Woodson (Feb. 6). As a poet student at the National Book Foundation Summer Writing Camps (2000, 2001), I was privileged to be in Jackie's workshops -- what a great teacher!

She is inspiring, critical in the most positive sense of the word, and a caring friend. She taught us much about writing, living and being alive.

Although Jackie's books/stories are addressed to young readers, they are as revealing and moving to adults. Even this old lady finds new perspective in her work.

She, Cornelius Eady, Meg Kearney and other writers were gifts to us new writers. As a now-published poet and active member of the Pittsburgh poetry community, I count Jackie among my great blessings Thanks for your column.

She writes the stories that were not available to her when she was growing up. And now a new generation -- of all colors -- has access to that experience. We should all be grateful for she limns it so well.

Lois I. Greenberg
Mt. Lebanon

---

Plus and proud

I read Sharon Eberson's article "Awardees give full-figured women reasons to rejoice" (Jan. 30) with a big smile on my face.

	Chris Pizzello, Associated Press Jennifer Hudson, nominated for best supporting actress for "Dreamgirls," arrives for the 26th annual Oscar nominees luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif., this week. She is among the women of "real" size strolling the red carpets during this awards season. Click photo for larger image.

I'm a writer, a full-figured woman and the author of "Down That Aisle in Style! A Wedding Guide for Full Figured Women." I am a member of several online plus-size communities, and I have never been happier with the Hollywood awards season so far.

To see actresses who look more like the average woman (size 12, 14, 16 and up) walk the red carpet and then proudly accept their awards is a breath of fresh air.

Like many young women, I spent a great deal of my time focusing on my less-than-perfect body, particularly my weight. I had always been the big girl, a moniker I tried my best to shake off. Diets, gyms and the like were the hallmark of my younger years. Even after reaching the point of getting married, I wasn't happy with myself, and my marriage ended. By that time, though, I was the mother of twin baby boys.

As a single parent I knew life would be hard, but when I was diagnosed with cancer at 23, life as I knew it changed. I learned the hard way and while I wouldn't wish the harsh taskmaster of illness on my enemies, it does have a way of putting things into perspective. For the first time in my life I wasn't worried about my weight. I had great things to concern myself with ... staying alive.

I remember going to treatments and watching the couple who were there together with one as patient and the other as supporter and caregiver. I would see a husband look at his wife wrenching over the excruciating nausea, and he'd gently rub her back. I could see that to him she was his darling sweetheart; he didn't see her illness.

Another man, when his wife began to lose her hair, shaved his hair off so she wouldn't feel any less feminine. That is when I found the true definition of love.

Real love doesn't say you have to be a certain size in order to revel in it. Real love is what makes you look at another person and see past the outside into the heart.

I decided to take my love of weddings and the years of experience I have as a wedding planner to help women feel better in their own skin during their red carpet moment. So to now see women like Chandra Wilson, Jennifer Hudson and America Ferrera strutting the red carpet, curves, arms, thighs and all, proves the point that not only can you have curves, you look good strutting them down the red carpet.

For Wilson to mention "these arms" is a reference every woman can relate to. The fact is no body is perfect -- we have flaws and imperfections, but they are the very things that test what kind of person we are, especially when we rise above it.

I wrote my book so women would know they're beautiful and beauty comes in many different shapes, sizes and colors. We have to embrace what God has bestowed upon us and, if when you are lucky enough to find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, enjoy it and let it wrap you up in its warmth. As for those who aren't getting married, they should pursue their dreams, whatever they are, and not let body image hold them back.

I've been cancer-free for 12 years. I've also lived with multiple sclerosis for the past 11 years, and the one thing I've realized is only I can set the definition of me, no one else. I think it's wonderful to see real women do the same thing in Hollywood.

Thanks for writing such a great article!

Chamein Canton
Amityville, N.Y.

---

Munch's hang-up

Munch's article about Cafe des Amis in Sewickley (Feb. 1) was very inappropriate. Maybe Munch is out of place as a food writer since Munch prefers to write about the social climate of local communities. The Pittsburgh area has many affluent areas whose citizens buy your newspaper. Don't allow Munch to transfer Munch's own narrow-minded hang-ups to your readers.

Carole Yates
Sewickley