Readers were sympathetic toward the teenage Price brothers (PEOPLE, Nov. 25), whose parents were killed in the crash of TWA Flight 800, but had nothing nice to say about the people in Andrews, Texas, responsible for dropping Callie Smartt, who has cerebral palsy, from the high school cheer-leading squad. Nor were their hearts overflowing with goodwill toward corporate reorganizer Chainsaw Al Dunlap, whose weapon of choice is the pink slip.

TWA FLIGHT 800 ORPHANS
I lost my father at 14 and my mother a year later. I still miss them every day, but I thank them for teaching me love, strength and the joy of laughter. Clearly the Prices also gave their sons an appreciation for life, and they will learn to survive on their own terms with the tools they were given.
JULIE KIEFER DONLON
Sausalito, Calif.

The Price brothers suffered a horrible, tragic loss. But I am amazed that PEOPLE would publish an address for an educational fund set up for them. This family is obviously well-off. What about the other 11 orphans from the crash?
HEATHER SYKES, Hollidaysburg, Penn.

Donations can be sent to United Way/TWA Family Member Fund, 99 Park Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016—ED.

CALLIE SMARTT
As the sister of a physically challenged person, I can attest to the inner strength such people possess. A wheelchair doesn't diminish the passion of the person who uses it. Cheerleaders should serve as leaders in their schools. Shame on them and double shame on the adults who allowed this situation.
DARLENE FUCHS-LYONS
Glenn Dale, Md.

We grew up in Andrews, and there is one thing that hasn't changed in the 10 years since we've been away: You'd best not be "different" in Andrews. The Andrews school board had a perfect opportunity to show character, inclusiveness and compassion, and they failed miserably.
MICKEY AND JERA CHANEY
Webster, Texas

Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, little has changed. Five years ago, when my son who has cerebral palsy wanted to be a Cub Scout, I was told he could join only if I came to every meeting because it wasn't a babysitting service. It's really a shame that the "novelty" of Callie wore off so quickly for these girls. People with disabilities have hopes, dreams and aspirations for their futures too. Stop putting obstacles in their paths.
BARBARA GIER, Inverness, Ill.

AL DUNLAP
I was a loyal Scott Paper employee for 12 years. It was a great feeling to get up and go to work because there was a sense of pride in representing the company. Then I was one of 11,200 people fired by Al Dunlap. The only advice I can give future short-term employees of an Al Dunlap company is to polish your résumé and buy as much stock as you can, because unfortunately this machete-wielding man will sleep well tonight while you and I will be worrying how to pay the mortgage.
BRADLEY K. STORCK, Perry Hall, Md.

Chainsaw Al's wife, Judy, said, "When Al has a challenge, it makes him younger. He loves it." Such vitality is reminiscent of Count Dracula's. He too thrived on the blood of innocent people.
JIM CASA, Mount Holly, N.J.

He fired 11,200 employees—some of whom probably lost their homes—and this man is a hero on Wall Street, with a $100 million payoff in salary and stock. Al, forget the millions and try having a conscience.
LYNN HAGERTY, Milwaukee

STALKERAZZI
My hat goes off to George Clooney and the other stars who have taken on the punks who call themselves professional photographers. I have always hated these idiots who stalk the stars, then have the audacity to take legal action when a star lashes out.
SCOTT SCHULTE, Milford, Conn.

My heart just bleeds for these stars pounced on by the stalkerazzi. If they don't like the attention, then they can resign and find regular jobs like the rest of us.
REBECCA D. ULMER, Waterloo, Ont.

PICKS & PANS
Barbra Streisand (The Mirror Has Two Faces) can act, direct and produce, and is adored by her fans. Tell me what Leah Rozen has done in her life that makes her such an expert critic? How many Tony, Emmy, Grammy and Academy Awards has she won? How many movies has she acted in, produced or directed? Is she a psychologist? A psychiatrist? What???
NANCY A. YACKLE, Omaha

None of the above. But she sees a lot of movies.—ED.

More From This Article

Correction
In our Nov. 25 issue, we misidentified long-distance runner Ellen Hart Peña and actress Crystal Bernard in a Picks & Pans photograph. Peña is on the left, Bernard on the right.