What the Halftime Stunt Showed

Re “Tuned In, Turned Off and Put Out,” Feb. 3: Clearly the only thing real about this publicity stunt is that it reveals America’s instinct to blame the woman. Pop superstar Justin Timberlake, before an audience of who knows how many young men, ripped off a woman’s clothing to get at her body. Yet the focus of the media and the Federal Communications Commission is on the supposed horror of seeing the breast and not the horror of promoting sexual assault. The Times’ article focuses its language on the “exposure of Janet Jackson’s right breast,” “the breast-flashing episode” and “the peekaboo finale.” As if the breast exposed itself!

Super Bowl dads can sleep well knowing that CBS and Timberlake are teaching the boys of America how to really get what they want from a girl.

John Di Minico

Studio City

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What does it all mean? The Super Bowl showed the world vulgar and tasteless commercials, and the halftime show revealed a debauched culture celebrating its most tawdry elements. Add to that our present administration’s scare tactics and false patriotism used to take away our liberties and it is time to wake up.

We are where Germany was before World War II.

Jim Haddad

Yorba Linda

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Re “Halftime Was One Big Rip-Off,” Commentary, Feb. 3: Crispin Sartwell writes of the “elephantine emptiness of our culture,” the corruption and pointless spectacle of our “undeserved wealth” and what it does to people. I beg you, Mr. Sartwell, to consider this: It’s football! We are not talking about high art here; we are talking about the lowdown, dumb, escapist, violent culture of sports. And you want Billie Holiday, Hank Williams and Duke Ellington? You must be kidding.

The Super Bowl got what it warrants. Cheap antics, talentless showoffs and decadence. If you want truth, power and beauty, go to the opera or a museum.

Gail Burke

Studio City

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Jackson and Timberlake were wrong to end their song as they did. But it was just a tasteless gesture at the end of a silly song. It does not portend the end of civilization as we know it.

People are overreacting and loving it. They are using a tasteless gesture to further their own various agendas. Just step back, take a deep breath and get on with your life. The world will not end over one tasteless gesture.

Jim Goodenough

Canoga Park

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With regard to the Jackson incident, I think my 10-year-old son summed it up the best. He simply said, “If she wanted attention, why didn’t she just sing better?”

Susan Duenas

Thousand Oaks

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In light of the Jackson-Timberlake fiasco, I guess we can look forward to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at halftime next year.

Christine Sanchez

Los Angeles

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I am glad that FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell has ordered an investigation of the Super Bowl halftime show. While we’re at it, may I suggest an investigation of the role that nepotism played in his getting his current position?

Tom Ryan

Hermosa Beach