• September 13, 1999
• Vol. 52
• No. 10

Mailbag

Princess Diana
No matter how flawed the late Princess of Wales proved to be, she will always be No. 1 in many of our hearts. The Diana We Never Knew is, in fact, the Diana who endeared herself to us. I reserved Sally Bedell Smith's book at my local library and I'm looking forward to reading it.
Abigail Ormsby, Seattle

Sally Bedell Smith's suggestion that Diana suffered from borderline personality disorder, based on a media analysis of her behavior and the opinion of psychiatrists who never examined Diana, is highly irresponsible. The princess was a beautiful young mother who suffered an emotionally deprived childhood, a failed marriage and a tragic, youthful death. It is past time to let her rest in peace.
Lenore Clapham, Minneapolis

After reading Smith's account of Diana's last years, I am convinced that Diana's greatest failing was to surround herself with too many "confidants" and not enough true friends.
Linda Fynes, Halifax, N.S.

PEOPLE has generally proved itself to be a classy and tasteful magazine. However, I was very disappointed to find Diana on the cover yet again. Her legacy will live on in the many lives she made better and through her sons William and Harry. It is unnecessary and in bad taste to continue exploiting this woman.
Jennifer Myers, Broken Arrow, Okla.

Boy, it's a shame you're not privy to Diana's afterlife. If you were, you could pursue her into infinity!
Shelly Avery, Albuquerque

Those who loved Diana need no more explanations. Those who didn't won't be moved. It's time for Diana to be retired as everyone's cash cow!
Estrelda Thomas, Fontana, Calif.

I am always glad for another glimpse of Diana's beautiful face, but there will be a lot of letters from readers who are tired of her being on the cover again. Here's my complaint: I'm tired of reading those letters.
Jesse Capp, San Francisco

Some readers prefer to see Diana portrayed only in a saintly light. This kind of article, however, with its insight into her emotional problems, makes her personal and public achievements even more remarkable and admirable.
Gianna Wichelow, Toronto

I hope your article on Diana's struggle with borderline personality disorder will heighten the public's awareness of an emotional illness that brings suffering to an estimated one in 10 women and about a third as many men. BPD can be treated with psychotherapy and medications, and recovery is possible.
Dr. Richard Moskovitz, Ocala, Fla.

I want to thank you for bringing borderline personality disorder to my attention. I was diagnosed with this illness more than 15 years ago. I have had a hard time understanding my emotions and the complexity of the disorder. I now know treatment is necessary and I'm willing to do something about it.
Joanne Klein, St. Louis

If you dig deep enough, you can find dirt. We don't want to hear it, and I hope no one buys Sally Bedell Smith's book.
Gayle Morrisey, Swampscott, Mass.

Justin Hammerbeck
I was sickened by your article on Justin Hammerbeck's experience at the running of the bulls in Pamplona. He states, "You should do the things that make you feel alive." Unfortunately, the bull whose head will adorn his wall is not feeling alive. Bullfighting—the torture of an animal before a cheering crowd—is animal cruelty in its most despicable form.
Karen Whittaker, Marshfield, Mass.

The only thing more ignorant than taunting a 2,000-pound bull is hanging its severed head on your wall. Mr. Hammerbeck may think being gored in the posterior constitutes an adventure, but I do not. I'm rooting for the bull next year!
Ken Brog, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Let's see...drinking, gambling, staying up all night, then trying to touch the horns of a 2,000-pound bull. After it gores you, you pay $2,000 for its head and plan to do it all over again. "Superpowerful and invincible"? More like superstupid and irrational!
Jerri Doud, Galeton, Pa.

Being a Hemingway fan, I've always seen the romantic side of running with the bulls. Justin Hammerbeck makes me want to hurry and do all the things I've wanted to do but put off. Way to go!
Helen Hoffman, Westland, Mich.

Becky Ripley
Reading about Becky Ripley, I saw two familiar faces—my fertility doctors! Dr. Arthur Wisot and Dr. Gabriel Garzo helped me conceive after years of trying. Hats off to them for their work and for bringing my 4-year-old son to me.
Courtney Balen, Manhattan Beach, Calif.

What a precious gift Beth Yates has given her sister. I can only pray that someone might do the same for me.
Anne Maloney, Westcliffe, Colo.

After years of trying, Becky Ripley succeeds in giving birth to a son, and her sister Beth delivers the twin. Now Becky is "juggling work with the demands of the twins." Why go through all that if you don't want to stay home and raise the children?
Pat Trapasso, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas

Woodstock
Your story about Nicholas and Bobbi Ercoline, who shared the warmth of an old blanket, made this old hippie really smile. I wore out my Woodstock record album years ago, but learning that those two are together, married and still in love proves the Woodstock magic is still out there!
Jody Long, Winnebago, Ill.

Mailbag
I don't understand the negative comments about Raquel Welch. She has a tremendous body for a woman her age. Obviously she also has great inner strength and a high level of self-confidence to wear such a beautiful dress on her wedding day. Maybe those who made the comments need to take a lesson or two from this beautiful, sexy woman.
Cory Gerein, Kelowna, B.C.

I have one word for the five females who wrote in reply to your photos of Raquel Welch's wedding dress—jealousy.
Margo McLeod, Oakville, Ont.

Peggy Claude-Pierre
If you had been where we were, as the parents of a daughter with an eating disorder, it would be difficult to accept the accusations aimed at the Montreux Clinic. Our daughter read Peggy Claude-Pierre's book and said, "This is what I've been trying to tell everyone since second grade." We finally understood what was going on in her head. Precious time is being wasted investigating Montreux when not a moment should be lost expanding this program, which is different and brings results. Medical professionals are clueless as to how to reverse eating disorders. Our daughter's treatment at Montreux was the answer to our prayers. Controversial? Not to us.
Dina Broadbent, Rock Hill, S.C.

Suffering from anorexia, I spent a year at the Montreux Clinic. Though untrained in the traditional sense, the caseworkers there showed warmth and kindness that did more to help me than any hospital-trained doctors. Never did I see David Bruce or any patient physically mistreated, but I was asked to leave because, I believe, my progress was too slow. It did seem that Peggy Claude-Pierre was caught up in her book contracts, interviews, etc. But I think she has a gift when it comes to understanding and treating eating disorders. It's too bad her messianic complex and inability to follow licensing rules may prevent her from using that gift.
Dr. Cynthia Kaufman, Doylestown, Pa.

Lenny Bruce
Even though Lenny Bruce could not save his own life, he did help to save mine. When my depression was at its worst, I would listen to his albums for inspiration. Lenny's humor and honesty and respect enabled me to face the world and get through the day.
Jacqueline Adamson, Rockville, Md.