Screaming at Sam

Writers Patrick Goldstein and Lawrence Christon did an intelligent job of capturing Sam Kinison, a high-decibel hemorrhoid who claims he is an Archie Bunker for our times.

The difference is that Archie Bunker’s ignorance was always balanced by others who corrected his bigotry. Somehow I don’t remember Archie ever doing a snide vocal imitation of a person dying of AIDS. For those of us who have watched people die of cancer, AIDS or any disease, this Kinison routine is particularly obscene and mean. So sue me--I’m not heavy-metal hip enough to be on the cutting edge of comedy.

What the Calendar articles never truly addressed is the responsibility of a Warner Bros. (who released Kinison’s album) in the aftershocks of his message, which encourages violence toward women and gays.

It’s also interesting how Kinison paves the way for people like black comedian Damon Wayans, who does a routine that applauds gay-bashing (he has already been picketed in New York City).

Why is it that gays are suddenly the last respectable form of bigotry? Would any other minority allow comedians to get away with it?

Just asking.

RICHARD ROTHENSTEIN

Los Angeles