Freedom applies to business too

Breaking news for Patrick Goldstein (“A Game of Politics Played on ‘9/11,’ ” May 11): The freedom he praises in his closing remarks also applies to business. Big business, small business -- they all have the freedom to choose what it is they sell to the public -- subject, of course, to law and the vagaries of company ownership. This freedom can be used for good or evil, but it’s certainly a lot better setup than, say, the Soviet Union, where you were told what to sell, how much of it to sell and how much to sell it for.

Disney chief Michael Eisner is free to sell whatever he wants, whether he’s seen it first hand or not. He’s free to reject Michael Moore’s movie, just as he’s free to reject my screenplay (if it’s ever finished). And Miramax was free to choose their own material when they were an independent company. Now that they are owned by Disney (their choice), they play by the owner’s rules.

Anne Kemp Hummel

Northridge

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It took Patrick Goldstein all of one paragraph to display why The Times has fallen out of control. I realize you guys are very liberal; I’ve come to expect that. But with this statement about Michael Eisner, “Next to certain members of the Bush administration, it’s hard to think of anyone who’s made more bad decisions and alienated more people without getting the boot,” the Village Voice shows more journalistic nonpartisanship.

Unfortunately, I’m only left with reading the Sports and Food sections to avoid these ridiculous political tie-ins that have fallen from the opinion page to the front page to now the Calendar section, of all places.

Be warned: The day I read that either “This recipe should bring smiles to your children’s faces, unlike Bush’s education plan!” or “The Angels beat the Mariners like Bush’s tax initiative beats down the poor!,” you will lose another subscriber.

Jay Lukes

Dana Point