The Reader’s Page : More Best and Worst

Ten lashes of a croupier stick for Christopher Reynolds’ bad-mouthing of Las Vegas (“The Perpetual Tourist,” Jan. 1). Obviously he has never been farther than a Strip hotel, or he would have found out that Las Vegas has as much cultural and intellectual activity as any city its size.

We have a fine ballet company, a symphony orchestra, a top-rated university and at least three excellent little-theater groups. Even the road show companies that come through Las Vegas are first rate and have gone on to Los Angeles.

As for restaurants, Reynolds has never visited Hugo’s Cellar in the Four Queens, the Cathay House, Al Dente at Bally’s or the Stage Deli at Caesars. If he had, he would not talk about “bad restaurants.”

As for Las Vegas “greed,” it’s not Las Vegas that’s greedy, but the Californians who come here with greed in mind. Anyone who lives here has an entirely different picture of the city.

RAY KOVITZ

Las Vegas

According to Christopher Reynolds, Paris is one of his favorite cities while the greedy and soulless city of Las Vegas is the worst. I assume that Mr. Reynolds regards Paris as lacking in greed and full of soul.

A one-week stay at most major Las Vegas hotels plus one week’s worth of food and one major show would be less expensive than the equivalent for one day in Paris. So much for greed. To ascribe a city as soulless means that it is lacking in nobility and in spirit. I fail to see the nobleness of Parisians in their gouging and in their generally obnoxious behavior toward American tourists.

Spirit encompasses liveliness, enthusiasm, cheerfulness and friendliness--none of which is lacking in Las Vegas. My intention is not to defend Las Vegas per se, but to defend any part of America from a blind aristocratic put-down in comparison to Paris.

MORT ALAN

Canyon Country