A Charismatic Businessman With a Catchy Workout Plan?

Someone should tell Billy Blanks’ kid that her father is simply a charismatic man with business savvy who just happened to develop a kick-ass way to work out (“Elvis Has Just Entered the Building,” by Dave Gardetta, Aug. 15). I was floored to read 25-year-old Shellie’s comment: “I truly believe in my heart that God has a path for him, and that path is on the level of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s.”

Is she just incredibly arrogant, or is her God really that petty? One has to wonder where she gets her spiritual inspiration from, a Bible or the Calendar section.

Kim Oja

Yorba Linda

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The Blanks story was an incredible puff piece, another example of the magazine’s idolization of celebrities. It was as if the article had been written by Blanks’ publicist. None of his background was provided--nothing about his upbringing, schooling, occupational history or his life’s turning points. None of his critics were interviewed.

Elvis certainly is not my hero, but then Blanks is definitely no Elvis.

Calvin Naito

Los Angeles

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As a group exercise teacher and personal trainer, I can tell you that “sitting like a prophet” preaching God has no place in an exercise class. Blanks should stick to talking about the Latisumus dorsai and leave the “spirituality,” as he calls it, to the clergymen.

Jessica Sackman

Los Angeles