Letters to Calendar

Admiration for Louganis

When Greg Louganis competed in the the Olympics, I could not wait to see him in competition [“A Springboard and a Platform,” Aug. 2]. He was one of the most gifted athletes I had ever seen compete. His diving was so beautiful to watch and beyond perfection. I was so proud he was representing my country.

I am not gay, and learning he was gay and HIV did not affect my deep respect for him. I’m grateful he is alive and has the opportunity to share his story of overcoming adversity and the obstacles he has endured in his life. Thank you to Chery Furjanic and the producers for making the HBO documentary “Back on Board.” May it open the minds and hearts of those resistant to the LGBT community and those living with HIV. May this encourage all of our young athletes to pursue their dreams and never give up no matter what.

Sara Jeane

Studio City

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You need a reason to go

Having been to convention centers in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Anaheim and then here, I have to think there’s no reason to be around the L.A. Convention center unless I’m attending a particular event [“Screaming Its Conventional Thinking,” Aug. 2]. The others all have other reasons to be there. Why should I be at the L.A. Convention Center site?

Whatever is done needs to have some reason to bring people over and not just go to a ballgame or concert.

Steve Graber

Claremont

A lesson from ancient Greeks?

The J. Paul Getty Museum exhibition “The Paradox of Power” was excellent [“Burnished Treasures,” July 26]. As I looked at some of the bronzes, I noticed a small bronze of a Greek lawmaker who was in the buff. I laughed. Maybe we should imitate the ancient Greeks. It would make our lawmakers a little more humble. Stan Gordon

Canoga Park

Jon Stewart’s departure

The realization that we are about to witness the end of an unequaled period in television and, yes, journalism history is distressing. Whatever “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart decides to do with the rest of his career, I feel like our lives will never be the same.

He was the hilarious, incredibly intelligent voice of sanity in a world that often seems like it is coming apart at the seams. I’m glad for him — he has more than earned the time away — but I wonder how we will all be able to get along without his nightly gift of catharsis, education and exhilaration.

Tony Reed

West Hills

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FOR THE RECORD:
Movies channel: In the Aug. 9 Calendar section, a reader’s letter about Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz included an error in the headline and text. The channel’s shortened name is TCM, not TMC.
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A question for TMC’s host

I very much liked Susan King’s piece on [Turner Classic Movies host] Ben Mankiewicz [“Living Screen Legacy,” Aug. 2]. I was disappointed, however, that she did not answer a question I’ve had for some time. How come Mankiewicz, the grandson and grand-nephew of great screenwriters, has not been able to talk TMC into running film series on screenwriters, the way it runs run them on stars, directors and genres?

Maybe he could do a Sunday afternoon series not only on his famous relatives but on a lot of other great screenwriters like Anita Loos, Jules Furthman, Casey Robinson, Ben Hecht, Nunnally Johnson, and on and on.

Tom Stempel

Los Angeles

Stempel is the author of, among other books, “FrameWork: A History of Screenwriting in the American Film.”

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Coates’ new book and race

I am dismayed by the letter last week criticizing Ta-Nehisi Coates’ book. Has the letter writer read it? How does one become more well-informed if he prejudges its content? With subject matter so pertinent to recent events, “Between the World And Me” is destined to be a classic.

Kay Casserly

Huntington Beach

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I agree with letter writer Scott Paterson that all this talk about race is boring and divisive. But, Mr. Paterson, man, until you walk in a black man’s shoes, you shouldn’t criticize.

Ray Sherman

Duarte