The movie "Tropic Thunder" and the review of the movie by Barry Paris (Aug. 13) are unfortunate. His quote: "In a godsend of unexpected publicity, no fewer than 22 disability groups have called for a boycott of 'Tropic Thunder' for its grotesque sendup of hokey films about the disabled and use of the word 'retard.' "

Shows just how exploitative the movie studios and their marketing departments have become. Judging by his review, movie critics are complicit in furthering the intolerance as well. Humor at the expense of those with disabilities, however the humor is intended, is not justifiable because it is the "funniest film of the summer so far."

In full disclosure, I am the father of a child with a disability and I find the premise of this movie disgusting. I don't care how satirical the studio claims it to be. Substitute a racial epithet using the "n-word" in place of the "r-word" and see how funny mainstream America would find this movie. The same outrage and protections should be afforded to the human rights of those with disabilities, just as they would be if the tag line of the movie was racially motivated and not directed at people with disabilities.

I would like to see the Post-Gazette and Barry Paris support the boycott of this movie and request a public apology and denouncement of this type of exploitative humor by DreamWorks, Ben Stiller, et al., instead of furthering a hateful agenda in the pursuit of shallow humor and box office dollars.

Joe McGuigan
Aspinwall

I must respond to the Aug. 7 Weekend Feedback letter concerning Fred Honsberger. I hope he never returns. Neither he nor his employer have any credibility. For years he has criticized bus drivers, turnpike workers and liquor store employees, among others. Tough talk from an individual who would have trouble climbing two steps to board a bus, let alone spend an eight-hour day laying asphalt. He tells everyone to "man up," while he works two hours a day and has the studio moved to his house. Why does KDKA pamper him? Chris Moore could fill the time slot and even drive himself to work.

If Fred is so smart, he should have realized years ago that overindulging at the dinner table will take its toll.

Oh, by the way, Fred, Port Authority is hiring. You can work several hours in the morning, go home and take a nap, and return for the afternoon shift.

Gary Neidhardt
McCandless

This letter is in response to letters sent by Joseph Landolina and Chad Huber (Weekend Feedback, Aug.14) about the New American Music Union festival held at SouthSide Works Aug. 8-9. Both letters criticize Scott Mervis on his review of Bob Dylan's portion of the show. If Mr. Landolina was at the show on Saturday night, he would understand what Mr. Mervis was talking about when he suggested Dylan's set would have been better in the afternoon. While I agree that Dylan and his band sounded great, they were blown off the stage by the Raconteurs and Gnarls Barkley.

I understand that Dylan is not a greatest-hits act, but the crowd was so energized by the earlier acts that he needed to play more of the music that they were familiar with in order to keep them interested. If he didn't want to play the music that made him a hall of famer, he shouldn't have had the headlining spot, because people expect certain things from festival headliners.

I don't care what songs Dylan chooses to play at his shows. But he lost an opportunity to reach out to a younger audience by playing songs that they might have heard before, which may have encouraged them to look deeper into his catalog at his newer music.

Matthew Laser
Erie

Can the PG ever find a person who can accurately review a concert? The answer appears to be no. First it gives us Ed Masley, and now we are asked to endure Adam Page's reviews ("Music Review: Judas Priest still packs punch with post-40 fans," Aug. 18). Mr. Page appears more concerned with the aesthetics, look of the crowd and attempting to be witty than the actual music.

Instead of discussing how great Chuck Billy of Testament sounded, after recovering from cancer, and how timeless the voices of Rob Halford and Ronnie James Dio were, we were subjected to how moms and dads in the crowd dressed and how Halford tried to stomp around the stage like an old man sending soup back at a deli.

Hey, Adam, this is a rock concert, not an event for the Seen column. By the way, "Seinfeld" called, they want their joke back.

Brian Mauro
Plum

I was very distressed to hear that WPTT-AM is removing Lynn Cullen's radio talk show from the airwaves ("Format change will take Cullen off WPTT," Aug. 19).

I have been a longtime listener, and Lynn was a breath of fresh air. Whether I agreed with her or not on certain issues, she always gave my brain some exercise. And I feel there is a real need for people to get this kind of mental stimulation every day. We certainly don't get it on regular TV or radio shows and some of the cable shows are not even worth watching. Her recent interview with Vincent Bugliosi is one of my favorites.

Lynn was so professional -- she asked pertinent questions, listened attentively and responded intelligently. This is what a good interviewer does! Unfortunately, we see it rarely these days. We will miss you terribly, Lynn. The wasteland that is talk radio in 2008 just became a lot bleaker.

Mari Totin
Bloomfield