Words for Eszterhas

Absolutely nothing about the O.J. Simpson trial has generated enough interest in me to get involved until I read David Kronke’s article about Laura Hart McKinny (“Is McKinny Following Right Script?,” Calendar, Sept. 8).

I think it is unfair and highly judgmental for Ron Shelton and Joe Eszterhas--two rich, white, male writers who are succeeding in the rich, white male-dominated entertainment industry--to chastise and second-guess a struggling female writer and mother who was simply trying to write a script.

Eszterhas says that “what McKinny discovered had a greater societal significance than any script she could write.” Does he remember “All the President’s Men” or “The Killing Fields”? Who knows what McKinny could have come up with that might have changed the way police treat anyone unlike themselves.

Perhaps what Eszterhas means is that what McKinny discovered had a greater significance than any script that he could write.

ROBERTA DENT

Los Angeles

I was amused by Joe Eszterhas’ observation that Laura Hart McKinny has “flunked” her “moral crucible” test. The same man who gave us such high-minded, uplifting testimonials to beauty and spiritual love as “Sliver,” “Basic Instinct” and “Showgirls” accuses McKinny of shirking her “civic responsibility, in terms of the common good.” Say it ain’t so, Joe. When did you make the transition to comedy writing? BILL FRENCH

Studio City