The American Spectator

/p> p> I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Stein’s article. Nevertheless, I wonder if it might be appropriate and effective to follow up with an article about those Hollywood celebrities who have placed themselves in danger by visiting and/or entertaining our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is my belief that a fair amount of this goes on while the media gives them little attention. br> — Bill Marquardt br> Scottsdale, Arizona /p> p> Sir, thanks for those words of acknowledgement! br> — Joe /p>

Your opinion was reprinted this Sunday in The Arizona Republic. I’ve watched you on Charles Osgood’s CBS Sunday Morning and have never known which side of the fence you’re on: now I know. You’re shocked at the “stars’” lack of empathy for the troops in Iraq?

p>What have you been drinking or smoking? For 50 percent of us (and you may include Hollywood, and you must know since you live with the stars), GW is not our President, the crumby war is his, and lastly the troops are his since they are entirely volunteered! Mr. Stein, you should remember that my generation gave up nearly 60,000 men and women for Mr. Johnson’s war largely because we HAD to be there. It was the law! And because of that fact, we drove that Texan from the White House through our protests and the media. Be assured sir, it would be the same for GW if the aforementioned recipe were the same. Like Bill Maher has said: “If you want to ‘support our troops,’ well then go over there and support them!” Hollywood is pure American culture and nothing more. Your serious labels for them won’t work. The only thing lacking is the star quality acting that we had in the classic era. As I have read your rants, thanks for listening to mine. br> — Tom Portel br> Phoenix, Arizona