Penn and the Sword

Sean Penn, like Bruce Springsteen, is a brilliant artist with human dimensions who sees the possibilities of a better world and has the courage to drive toward it with everything in him (“New Directions for Sean Penn,” by Kristine McKenna, Aug. 18).

He gives hope to everyone trying to get through these Badlands to someplace where it is not a sin to feel compassion, desire and love. Let others count their dollars and toys and reflections. Penn seems to count on something more.

Best of luck to him and his kind.

RICHARD SASSIN

Santa Monica