Hollywood Makeovers
For you to put Makeover Madness on your cover is absolutely appalling. There was a tragedy in Wyoming, where a young man died. That should have been the cover story—not some rich celebrities who change their appearance whenever the need strikes them.
Jessi Hill, Deseronto, Ont.
It's unfortunate that Linda Tripp is "trying to create an image of someone who belongs in Washington," because she's fooling herself if she thinks she's ever going to command respect from anyone after what she has done.
Sara Spence, Bartlett, Tenn.
I always thought the intention of a makeover is to look better. If so, then why does Madonna continue to look worse?
Tracy Praestholm, Plano, Texas
Matthew Shepard
The most horrifying photograph I have seen in a very long time shows a woman outside Matthew Shepard's funeral holding signs reading Fags Doom Nations and Matt in Hell. In this paradoxical moment she is herself a symbol of that which dooms nations—hatred that consumes the hearts of the people.
Meredith H. Jordan, Biddeford, Maine
What a picture—a woman standing at a funeral in front of mourning friends and loved ones holding signs declaring that the deceased is "in hell." What a stunning example of Christian love and sensitivity. Go back to Kansas and read your Bible a little more carefully, lady!
Angie Holmberg, Conroe, Texas
I am a Christian, and the God I know loves all people. God does not hate "fags." What He does hate is the evil that motivates such cruel acts as these.
Michelle Rudolph, San Jose, Calif.
If there is indeed a hell, the unidentified "Kansas woman" holding those hateful placards will surely be there—not Matthew Shepard.
Jane Richards, Norridge, Ill.
If anyone doubted there could ever be a Holocaust in this country, the picture of the woman from Kansas should remove any doubt. To see a human being so consumed by hate is terrifying.
Charles Wilson, Fullerton, Calif.
It doesn't matter if Matthew Shepard was gay, straight or zigzagged, he was a human being who died without reason. The monsters who showed up at his funeral to speak their antigay opinions while friends and family mourned should be ashamed.
Georgina Bristow, Long Grove, Ill.
I am still amazed that people hate me and other gay people for something we did not choose to be. If anyone thinks I chose to be gay and put up with the crap I have endured since childhood, they are sadly mistaken. Living in fear of not being accepted, much less the fear of physical harm, has done damage to many gay people, including me. I grieve for ignorant people who think gays deserve to be killed. May God bless us all.
Robert S. Jenkins, M.D.
Newport Beach, Calif.
Mary Letourneau & Vili Fualaau
I cannot believe this sick woman and her so-called "boyfriend" have written a book about their affair! I certainly hope that if any money is made off this trash, it will go directly to Ms. Letourneau's children—all of them!
Amy Heidt, Casper, Wyo.
While I understand how Vili Fualaau felt (I have a teenage son with overactive hormones), the difference here is that this woman was an adult and his teacher. She knew better, even if he didn't; "being unable to resist" is no excuse to take advantage of a child. This woman is a human wrecking ball.
Diane E. Dobbs, Las Vegas
I feel much compassion for Mary Letourneau and Vili Fualaau. The couple truly seem to love each other. I think this case is being blown out of proportion, and once again the people benefiting from this are the lawyers. Mary's only crime is that she used her heart rather than her head.
G. Ely, Santa Fe
Susan Booth
I don't think an hour has passed since I read it that my thoughts haven't turned to your article about Susan Booth and her efforts to help abandoned Romanian children. It is unbelievable that these children must grow up without love or hope, much less a warm meal and a place to sleep. Please let me know where I can send my donations to support this worthy cause.
Laura DeTomaso, St. Paul
Having a 2-year-old and a 6-month-old, I was so emotionally drained while reading of the plight of the children that Susan Booth and Archway are trying to save. I would love to help in any way that I can. Please let me know what is needed most—used clothes, food, money—and where to send it.
Lori Borges, New York City
Monetary donations and requests for information should be sent to: Archway, P.O. Box 26162, Allingtown Branch, 75 Farwell St., West Haven, Conn., 06516-9998. Clothing donations should be mailed to Archway, 242 West Walk, West Haven, Conn., 06516.—ED.
The world certainly has become a sad place when both parents and government forsake tiny children and cast them out onto the streets to die. If I could, I would adopt every single one of those children, and I am ashamed that more isn't being done by our country to alleviate this problem.
Christine Peaslee, Springfield, Mass.
Those reading about street children in Romania might want to consider another way to help them—adoption. A little over a year ago my husband and I adopted a 5-year-old Gypsy boy from Romania. While there is a critical shortage of Caucasian infants available for adoption in the United States, there is no shortage of adoptable infants and older children in Romania. Although it's true that international adoptions are not risk-free, adopting a child from an orphanage can be a wonderful experience for a family and can keep another child from ending up on the streets. Our son, who couldn't even speak English a year ago, scored two goals for his soccer team a week ago. He is a major light in our family.
Jane Corn, Indianapolis
Waris Dirie
Waris Dirie is to be applauded for coming forward with her story about female genital mutilation. It is an inhumane custom that should have ended generations ago. It is so hard to believe that women would perpetuate such a practice after experiencing it themselves. The leaders of those countries should hang their heads in shame—and the rest of the world should censure those countries in ways that will make them change.
Jo Wagner, Milwaukee
I was amazed by Waris Dirie's courage to run away from the arranged marriage and to make it to where she is today. Her continued fight against female circumcision is inspirational.
Christiane B. Hoffman, New York City
Cleveland Amory
I received The Cat Who Came for Christmas one year at Christmas as a gift. The next year a stray cat showed up at Christmas. I named him "Cleveland" after Mr. Amory. He was the most gentle, affectionate cat one could hope to have. I was devastated when he died two years ago. I hope my Cleveland was there to meet Mr. Amory in heaven.
Sharon Richardson, Lynn Haven, Fla.
Dr. Mridula Prasad
To all those who opposed Dr. Mridula Prasad's home for patients stricken with multiple sclerosis, please keep in mind that these people are stricken with this disease in the prime of their lives. Without a home like this they may be forced to spend the next 40 or more years in a nursing facility. Dr. Prasad's option provides them with comfort and stability in a young life filled with struggles. Having a father who has battled MS for 15 years, it gives me hope that people are recognizing and caring for people afflicted with this disease. Let's not try to shut her down but see what we can do to further her wonderful cause.
Amy Misal, Chambersburg, Pa.
The National MS Society is extraordinarily pleased that PEOPLE has brought national recognition to Dr. Mridula Prasad and is proud to have played a role in that effort. Providing assisted-living options for patients should not have to be the domain of an attending physician. We need to have assisted-living options easier to secure. If we did, there would be fewer cries for assisted-dying options. Dr. Prasad also won the hearts of our nearly 700,000 members who voted to establish the Making a Difference award in her honor that was presented to her recently.
Michael J. Dugan, president and CEO National Multiple Sclerosis Society
New York City
Mailbag
I am writing concerning a letter in which a reader asked about a sixth toe on Rebecca Romijn-Stamos's foot. As a podiatrist and foot surgeon I was intrigued, and upon inspection of the photograph in question, I realized Ms. Romijn-Stamos does not have six toes. She has a common structural abnormality known as Tailor's bunion or bunionette—a bony prominence near the base of the small toe. The most common causes are poor shoe gear (pointed toes or high heels) or heredity. They can be treated conservatively with wider shoes or pads but often require surgical correction. I hope I have cleared up any confusion.
Frank H. Russo, D.P.M., Wheaton, Ill.
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