PENN’S PRINCIPLE

I agree with Sean Penn’s principle that all valid criticisms must come from only those who would do the task better themselves (Calendar Letters, Nov. 23).

Leading the way, Mr. Penn will, I know, never claim malpractice against a surgeon unless he could have performed the operation more ably and he’ll never claim my writing contains major logical errors unless he could create a letter with even greater flaws.

Well, at least the surgeon is still safe. Perhaps the Penn is mightier with the sword.

JOE BARISON

Santa Monica