Letters for the week of Dec. 4
The entertainment section is the first thing I go for when I click on the MSN homepage. I do read the relevant articles that have to do with the economy, etc. However, when work is stressing me out, I love to unwind with a writer's comments on how skinny a celeb is or who flashed what to whom. Keep them coming! – Mindy, Gilbertsville, Pa.
What can I say? MSN is a mainstay for me. I would like to see more health issues. However, I totally love the pics of what the stars are wearing and the comments when they do it wrong. – Laura, Pikeville, Ky.
- Personally, my work day can be a bit stressful and I enjoy reading the celebrity stuff because it's a way to digress. As much as I am concerned about the world, sometimes you just have to run away from it all, and Hollywood is quite entertaining! – Michelle, Tampa, Fla.
I enjoy fluff. My day is full of reality, and to read how some Americans fly through their day without an ounce of reality is refreshing. They are outlandish, bizarre and a waste of space ... unless they are entertaining, which they are. These celebrities have brilliant publicists that make them household names! How else would we all know Paris as a Hilton instead of a city in France? Do my children idolize these people? Absolutely not. Do I? Depends on the kind of day I'm having! I like to keep up on current world affairs but there is only so much stress and destruction I can take. So I take my ounce of fluff each day and feel better about my reality. – Jean, Fort Wayne, Ind.
I love the celebrity fashion faux pas. Keep biting! – Julie, Indianapolis
Ugly uniforms forgotten
In your list of the ugliest uniforms of all time you failed to include a number of uniforms that are requisite … in this ignominious distinction. The diarrhea-brown Cavaliers of the late '70s, the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors pajama uniforms of the late '90s and early 2000s, the hideously mismatched and multicolored black-shirt, pinstriped-panted Diamondbacks' current away uniforms and the Burger King outfits of the Padres of the early '80s, to name a few, must at least be considered. It was also curious that the Denver Nuggets rainbow uniform made the cut, but the even more garishly innovative and, in fact, original, rainbow uniform of the Houston Astros did not. – Peter, BostonWhy not say 'Christmas'?
I would like to see the word "Christmas" used when referring to Christmas rather than using the word "holiday." If you want to do stories and run ads referring to other holidays, then do so. But stop lumping all holidays into one big blob as though late November through New Year's Day were just some generic season. It's ridiculous when I see a story or an ad using the colors red and green, holly, Christmas trees/lights/ornaments, Santa, stockings, reindeer, snowmen, etc. but the text refers to "holidays." – Todd, Riverside, Calif.I want to talk to the author
I oftentimes read the news articles and find that the writer is full of bunk, or I disagree and sometimes even agree. At any of these points, I have no clue or can't find where I can come back and tell this dude or dudette what is really going on. Having noted that many of the articles are slanted toward the East Coast thinking, I guess the West Coast sees things a bit different, perhaps because we are still in the Wild West. – Quinn, Bonney Lake, Wash.Pictures this
I have to share my frustration with the way you report your stories. You'll highlight the story, a reader selects the story and then ... no picture of what the story refers to. I don't get it! I've had to go to newspaper sites to get a picture of what your Web site is talking about. There seems to be plenty of space for the ad in the middle of the article, but a picture to accompany the story – nowhere to be seen. Could you please stop that? – Michele, San Diego
Back after these messages
Why do you put commercials on your videos? If I wanted to see commercials, I'd watch TV. At least give the option to stop them. I will not use your service until this changes. There are other options available that don't require me to watch what they want. Why would you go to all the trouble to keep spam away from your customers, then put it in the form of a commercial? Idiocy! – David, Lake Elsinore, Calif.
More post-Katrina coverage
I don't think very many people are aware that there are still many places in New Orleans and Mississippi that are inhabitable and that so many people are living in deplorable conditions here in this country. – Jesse, San Diego
We meant 9-1-1, not 9/11
Your home page element of Turkey Day 911 was in bad taste! You should be ashamed of yourselves, especially posting it a day before Thanksgiving! Shame on you for exploiting murder, war and that sad part of American history which has come to be known as 911. You sicken yourself and you give America and its citizens a bad name. – Ted, Woodland Hills, Calif.
Editor’s note: The writer was referring to the 9-1-1 emergency phone service, not Sept. 11. We will work harder to prevent possible misinterpretation.
I know, I know: It's bad for me
We all know that fast food is fattening. Give it a rest. Why don't you do some research instead on the high cost of healthy, natural, low-fat, low-sodium, low-sugar foods? – Katie, West, W.Va.
Thanks for this
I am impressed with MSN taking this step of inclusion. I hear many of my friends talk about feeling disenfranchised from the democratic process of sharing information and thoughtful discourse at a national level (who cares what I think?). This could be an incredible opportunity for MSN to take a leadership role in promoting and supporting what Americans are actually thinking and talking about. I would like to see interviews with the "people on the street." You might want to have a panel of volunteers feeding local stories to your site. I look forward to participating in this new venture. – Donna, Austin, Texas
Sticker price
You seem to feel it important to run consumer report articles. Some are great; some are based on ridiculous suppositions, such as the one on automobile depreciation. Who pays MSRP for a domestic car? Some people pay above MSRP for hybrids or other imports. The truth is many people can generally buy an American car for $3,000 to $5,000 below MSRP and only save $1,000 to $1,500 on an import. Why doesn't CU use real purchase prices and get an honest evaluation, which this article doesn't come close to resembling? Unlike many years ago when buying a Japanese car was a good deal and less expensive, domestic cars today are overall now a much better value for the money. – David, La Verne, Calif.
What's the big deal over Kramer?
I am appalled at the bad press that Kramer is getting for using the "N" word at a comedy club. I just finished watching Def Comedy Jam on HBO produced by Russell Simmons and every black comedian that appeared on that show used the "N" word and nobody raised an eyebrow. When are all the races going to realize that equal treatment for all and no special privileges for any is just that? – Mike, Brookhaven, Pa.