'Warriors' prefer movies to combat

Regarding your report on the box office bonanza born from the wallets of young "manly" men hungry for the bloodfest offered by "300," realize that those muscles being flexed are vicarious to a real warrior's world (Commentary: 'Manly' films flex muscle at box office, March 13).

These filmgoing guys are so "hardcore" that they collectively popped wallets for $70 million in seven days to watch the brutal stabbings, beheadings and up-close-in-your-face battles using hand-held weapons that, in spite of the effectiveness of modern weaponry, seem to be making a comeback in places like Iraq and Afghanistan ... where improvised weapons and trip-wire booby traps can still dispatch an enemy quite handily, and equally as bloody.

I find it interesting to learn that today's young men are so infatuated with combat. Although the history of the Spartans' stand at the pass of Thermopylae features the fierce fighting of a mere 300 warriors and a few other affiliates against an overwhelmingly larger force, it was the warrior spirit of the Spartans that infused them to hold the pass at all costs, including their lives. They did, strategically tipping the scales that eventually brought the downfall of the Persian Army's expansion into Europe.

Pretty heroic stuff indeed and certainly realistically depicted in the pages of artist Frank Miller's graphic novel of the same name that spawned the screenplay for the film. I'm really glad these guys find such heroics of protecting and defending the homeland to be worthy of note (and 12 bucks apiece). I'm puzzled, however, why these same guys aren't streaming to America's armed forces' recruiting offices to sign on the dotted line and grab a bit of the old heroism for themselves.

There's enough testosterone and adrenaline to go around in Iraq and Afghanistan, where things can "get real" pretty fast. Unfortunately, ballpark statistics reflecting voluntary service in today's Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard measure less than one-half of 1 percent of the nation's population.

The blood and guts glory of "300," brought to audiences in high-definition visuals with surround sound, will undoubtedly draw more would-be warriors to theaters; but will it inspire this demographic of young males to go where the action is, or merely leave them clenching and unclenching the major muscle group used while watching the film ... the Gluteus Maximus?

Jack Gordon
Sewickley

Not all 'Idols' created equal

Although I agree with Scott Mervis about the successful female "Idols" ('Idol' results: Here's who's up or down, March 15), I have to argue the fact that some of the others have not been given the proper promotion to both radio and the public.

Instead of focusing on "Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, RCA decided to hype Daughtry, who did not even place. Look at the size of his venues to see how confident RCA is or NOT.

Then, of course, look at what Clay Aiken was "mandated," his word, to do for his all-important sophomore CD. It seems RCA has lost its compass with this one. Clay, a multi-platinum proven seller, was all prepared with a CD of new music, and Clive Davis nixed it. Why? Clay and Taylor got no payola to the radio, but I know that is a dirty word.

The business itself seems very dirty to me. It released Daughtry's single weeks before his CD was released. It did nothing of the sort and did not back any singles of Taylor or Clay.

Finally, it would be nice to see an article that goes beneath the veneer, if you know what I mean.

Lee Stevens
Phoenix, Ariz.

Shame on Chris Rock and Patti Smith

	Seth Wenig/Associated Press Michael Stipe, left, of R.E.M. performs with fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Patti Smith during ceremonies last week. Click photo for larger image.

On Monday on "Larry King Live," Chris Rock made it very clear through his best Stepin Fetchit imitation that blacks are to be ridiculed and laughed at and not to be taken seriously. He made it very clear that he has every intention to continue to disrespect the memories of his ancestors by making a mockery of their bravery, stalwartness, courage and fortitude by taking the very word (the n-word) that was used to dehumanize them and embrace it shamelessly and immorally.

Unlike the past, it can no longer be acceptable for blacks the likes of a Chris Rock to carry out the will of racist groups such as the KKK, skinheads, etc., by casting aspersions upon the African-American community by continually implicating the community to a racist definition saturated with carnage, ignorance and degradation. Serving the KKK in a proxy role qualifies Chris Rock to hereby be placed on the United Voices for a Common Cause's Benedict Arnold Hall of Shame list. To learn more about the Benedict Arnold list please go to www.theunitedvoices.org.

Patti Smith, who most recently sang the "Rock 'n' Roll [N-word]" at the Rock Hall induction, commented that she sang the song to raise it to a mantel of honor.

It's far from being amusing that a descendant whose forefathers are responsible for the programming, conditioning and tyrannizing to implant into the hearts and minds of a people to relate to a word that's of a racist definition steeped in ignorance and degradation would have the audacity to suggest that this word deserves to be raised to a mantel of honor.

There is absolutely nothing honorable about the n-word. There are differences of opinions brewing within the black community about the use of this word, and the last thing that is needed is for a non-black to encourage use of this incorrigible word. Non-blacks need to just become spectators, sit back and watch to see which way the wind is going to blow or otherwise suffer the consequences of any fallout.

The badge of honor this word will never receive, and to make such a suggestion is an insult.

H. Lewis Smith
Author of "Bury That Sucka" Founder/CEO, United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc.

Heavy and 'Supernatural'

Although I enjoyed Rob Owen's jovial, laugh-riot review of the series TV Preview: 'Supernatural' tries to come out of the shadows (March 15), I wish he would have also noted what the fans see; that it is a show rife with despair, swirling in a world of post-modern horror, exemplified by endemic violence, increasing disorder, chaos, paranoia and nihilism that, by last season's end, had its lead characters outright suicidal.

The show navigates the emotional landscape of a fractured family in crisis after the gruesome death of their mother, and brothers who deal with familial obligations pitted against individual choices, fraternal loyalty vs. personal fulfillment and grief when it turns into all-consuming aggression.

In short, this is serious grown-up stuff and he would have noticed this by watching more than one episode that included the actress from his favorite series, "Battlestar Galactica." Also, Jeffrey Dean Morgan from "Grey's Anatomy" as Papa Winchester will return in this season's later episodes. He's not actually completely dead!

Joann Masi
Carnegie

Don't bother kids with pledge breaks

I understand the necessity of pledging, but I resent the pledge breaks during children's programming on WQED, especially when they instruct the children to bring adults into the room. Those children's programs are already sponsored by entities like Chuck E. Cheese, Eat'n Park, YoBaby yogurt, etc. My 2-year-old granddaughter can't understand why Clifford the Big Red Dog disappears for 15 minutes.

I appreciate the fine children's programming, but there must be another way to raise money instead of nagging. These spots make me much less likely to give.

Helen Neudorfer
Ross

So he says

RE: Accents (Some actors have knack for accents, others don't, March 18): ... and, who can forget Sean Connery, who is so bad at accents that he refuses to do them? He does everything with a Scottish brogue, including the Russian sub commander in "The Hunt for Red October," the Irish cop in "The Untouchables" and the U.S. Army colonel in "The Presidio." When you're Sean Connery, you can get away with it.

Dave James
Bridgeville