Fans, Ex-Fans Advise About Put-Downs, Lightening Up

Ms Klein,

I thought your column on Vic Damone and Diahann Carroll was, to say the least, quite insulting to the singers. . . . You don’t care for Damone and Carroll? So why did you go to their concert? Or did you attend? If you did go, why did you wait so long to drool your bile because they did appear?

I know the Damone-Carroll type of singing is no longer popular. But at least they do not scream at the audience through monstrous amplification systems. They do not hop around the stage as if they had a bucketful of fire ants in their jeans. They do not wear too-tight torn and worn clothing. And they do not do obscene dance steps in the manner of today’s “great singers.” Is that what put you off?

Because they do not do all those things does not mean they are incapable of giving a good performance, one that many people can and do enjoy. Your remark about Carroll’s low-cut gown was in very bad taste--something one would expect from a redneck chauvinist male pig--and not from an Orange County sophisticate like you.

Your columns are usually good reading. This column, however, was mean-spirited and small-minded. I am sorry for that.

From an Ex-Klein Fan,

Walt Osenbaugh

Santa Ana

Dear Mr. Osenbaugh,

It’s always nice to hear from fans, ex or not. But who says the Damone-Carroll type of singing is no longer popular? Certainly not the Orange County Performing Arts Center! Unfortunately, as I said in the column to which you refer, I was unable to attend the Vic Damone performance, so I won’t be able to directly respond to your inquiry about my drooling bile. I do appreciate your concern, however.

As to your other question, I think I like door No. 1 best: the bucketful of fire ants in the jeans. Oh, and you are right indeed about the remark concerning Miss Carroll’s low-cut gown. An Orange County sophisticate would never say such a thing. Mr. Damone said it. So noted the reviews.

Dear Dianne,

What is that beautiful baby girl’s name? This is that 85-year-old woman who got two census notices. (The fat one!) Though I’ve been around the world several times, I do not know where La Habra is! Where you saw Christmas lights in February. At night when I cannot sleep--have a radio going--always on KABC. Last week someone called Ira Fistel, told him he just put up his Christmas lights to welcome the troops back from the war. He encouraged everyone to do it. So maybe that solves the mystery. I’m so very glad to have you and your column in The Times again. God bless you and your lovely family.

Jo Brett

Huntington Beach

Dear Jo,

No need to remind me who you are. You are indeed unforgettable. As to La Habra, my research tells me that you are not alone. Even residents of lovely La Habra are at times disoriented. My theory: it could be all those Christmas lights. Then again, you may be on to something with Ira. As I’ve found out (see below) Americans can be ferociously proud of their unique ways of expressing patriotism.

And thank you for your good wishes for me and my family. (The beautiful baby is Hannah). I would enclose a picture (as you did to verify your considerable gardening talent) but the editor balked at my suggestion of a special press run to accommodate a full-color photo of her.

Attention Dianne Klein:

After reading “Retailers Are Making a Wartime Killing--in Bad Taste,” I have one piece of advice for Ms. Klein: Lighten up!

Personally, I think it’s great to see so many people wearing shirts and other items to express their support for our troops. I see absolutely nothing wrong with showing our love for our country, patriotism, and support for Desert Storm in this way. I don’t see it as a fun or trendy thing to do.

I have to wonder if the immense support for Desert Storm isn’t really what is at the bottom of Klein’s gripe. Like most liberals with the “peace at any price” mentality, she is probably under the mistaken illusion that this war isn’t necessary and she probably doesn’t like to see the strong support for our efforts to liberate Kuwait.

I wonder why Ms. Klein didn’t complain about the electronic media’s commercialization of the war--complete with dramatic music and special graphics. I find that very distasteful! And that brings me to my final point: Ms. Klein’s profession, i.e.: the news media (the vast majority don’t qualify as journalists) and specifically her employer, i.e.: The Times, is not exactly hurting from coverage of this war, so I find her cynicism of retailers just a bit hypocritical.

Sincerely,

Brenda Hester

Garden Grove

Attention Brenda Hester:

Thank you for your advice to lighten up! I think I will. Hahahahahahaha.

There. I feel much better.

Dear Ms. Klein:

Well, here is another “Boy, I never thought I’d be writing to you” letter! I have just finished reading your Sunday, Feb. 24, 1991, column on the casualties of kindergarten-too-early traumas. This has quickly become a pet peeve of mine.

When our second son, Brett, was born (July 10, 1985--a LATE BIRTHDAY), the last thing on our minds was the dilemma of whether or not we should hold him back from the legal starting time of kindergarten. As he entered preschool, I became more and more aware of THE READINESS TESTING, and as you, at first found it somewhat amusing. My lightheartedness was soon replaced with a seriousness I really didn’t want to own.

Against my better judgment, Brett was tested and to my horror-of-horrors, his preschool recommended that he be held out for another year. . . . Give me a break; he was legally of age and seemed ripe to be exposed to a structured environment.

Anyway, Brett is in kindergarten and is doing fine. His teacher doesn’t see any “red flags” to indicate otherwise. As for those OLDER KIDS, Brett appears to be right “up there” with them!

I know this seems very mundane in light of our world situation at this time, BUT this kindergarten “stuff” really sets me off. I appreciate you bringing this to the public’s attention in your lighthearted manner--maybe I have taken it much too seriously. Then again, maybe not!

Sincerely,

Becky J. Boucher

Costa Mesa

Dear Ms. Boucher:

I can appreciate your concern about suddenly finding yourself writing to me. Many otherwise upstanding citizens have expressed similar worries. My suggestion: STOP blaming yourself. You have done nothing wrong!

OK. As to the rest of your letter, it may or may not be of comfort to know that several other mothers have written me to vent their frustrations with an educational system they believe discriminates against so-called late birthdays in general and boys in particular. Your letter was by far the shortest.

Who knows if you are taking this too seriously? Just remember: WHATEVER YOU DECIDE WILL AFFECT YOUR SON FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE!

Sorry, Becky. I realize you may be a reader who could interpret such flippancy as being in poor taste. Maybe the aforementioned Brenda Hester’s advice to lighten up is taking its toll.

Or, then again, maybe it all started with Vic Damone. . .