Let’s Hand It to Woody, He’s Got a Great Sense of Humor

A week ago, I came upon an article in the Calendar section by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez (“An Accidental Island Tour,” March 30). I planned to only skim the article, because the subject matter held little interest for me. To my surprise, Ms. Valdes-Rodriguez’s wickedly pointed description of her tour and taxi expedition through Havana with the actor Woody Harrelson, and her experiences with the Cuban people and press, not only engaged me fully, but left me absolutely in stitches.

When I picked up the paper this morning and saw the headline in the Counterpunch section, with Woody Harrelson’s name under it as the writer (“Suggesting an Open Heart,” April 5), a small voice inside of me said, “Uh-oh.” I have never been a fan of him, for a number of what I assumed were well-thought-out reasons. Let me be the first to say that I take it back. The humor and humility that clearly came through Mr. Harrelson’s reply, in what could have been just another nasty retort, was shockingly refreshing. Tell Mr. Harrelson, if he cares, that he’s gained a new fan.

Oh, and could you beg Ms. Valdes-Rodriguez to write all future reports on tedious upcoming nonevents? Please? I could use a laugh once in a while.

LISA BIALAC-JEHLE

Topanga

I have to give it to Woody. I was very angered by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez’s piece, in which she went out of her way to make fun of Woody Harrelson in an article that was ostensibly about the Music Bridges event in Cuba. Although I am not particularly a Woody Harrelson fan, he has certainly gone up a notch or two in my estimation, showing a sense of humor about himself, and the thick skin required to survive in this world. Thanks, Woody, for bringing a smile to my Monday.

TERRY SAUNDERS

Santa Monica

Dear Mr. Harrelson: I read both your article and that of Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez. Even though I agree that she failed to feel the warmth of the Cuban people, I believe you fail to recognize your ignorance and condescending attitude toward the Cuban people.

After my trip to Cuba I learned that they don’t know what they don’t have, and we don’t appreciate what we have. A child unaware of the existence of chocolate never misses it. How can she/he be unhappy about it?

I am glad, though not surprised, that your experience in Cuba was so enlightening about the Cuban people. You left Cuba “full of hope,” though not more than that of hundreds of thousands of Cubans who have left over the past 40 years. If you are willing to opine about U.S.-Cuban relations, please educate yourself on the truths and realities that go beyond your “jazzed” trip.

ARTURO BARQUET

Los Angeles

Woody Harrelson may be a slob, but he’s also a gentleman.

JOSEPHINE N. BAURAC

West Covina