Warren Beatty

Re “Beatty’s Real-Life Doom Wish,” Commentary, Aug. 26: Sometimes I wonder, does anyone take James Pinkerton seriously? Particularly amusing was his comment about “Bulworth” being a box-office bomb. Many, many great films have been, but in this case the why is obvious. The film ripped everyone. Republicans, Democrats and the tobacco, oil, insurance and entertainment industries could not escape the caustic and sarcastic wit of Beatty’s timely film. Who’s left? Only a few true capitalists.

Pinkerton seemingly doesn’t know that our free-enterprise system was built by small businesses, inventors, investors and laborers who wanted a better life for their family and communities. That concept has been destroyed by a combination of Pinkerton and his nutty right-wing friends, their all-caring limousine-liberal opponents and corporate America. Either Pinkerton makes the assumption that all Americans are stupid or he is simply too naive to understand the difference between capitalism and corporate socialism.

DAVID LAMB

Burbank

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Clyde Barrow for president? Sounds better than what we’ve got.

FRANCESCA GARD

Long Beach

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With the notable wave of political pros and consultants on the television and in the newspaper universally dismissing a possible presidential bid by actor Warren Beatty, I can only draw the conclusion that the campaign to take the wind out of the sails of Beatty’s bid before the sails are even raised must be a well-organized effort by establishment forces concerned that there is a sizable chunk of the population that abhors the corporate takeover of the Democratic Party.

BRUCE CAMPBELL

Los Angeles