Letters for January 10, 2002

Boring in on Strouse: I can't take it any longer. Why do you waste my time with your sniveling, piffling, ridiculous Undercurrents offerings? After each and every column I find myself asking myself, "...And?" If you are attempting to demonstrate to the world that the column's author is a peevish boor who sees scandal and wrongdoing in everyone from security guards to handymen (December 27), you are succeeding heartily. If, on the other hand, you are attempting to shed some light on the workings of Broward County to those unlucky enough to come across your column on their way to the postings for sluts in the back, then you are nothing short of an astonishing failure. I find [Sun-Sentinel columnist] Rekha Basu more insightful than Mr. Strouse, and that is saying something, because the woman oozes saccharine from her pores. At least she has the courage to sign her name to her squibs. Who exactly is "telling" Strouse this tripe anyway?

Albert Lagenfeld
Tamarac

Micky and Wayne, take this! I feel that I must comment on an item that appeared in Undercurrents in the December 13 issue of New Times: "The Two-Arena Circus." The real problem here is not who's getting more three-point shots than whom or even who's getting a bigger salary than whom; rather, it's the same old, same old irksome slogan: Socialism for the Rich!

We are told that we should all work hard, pay taxes, and be thankful for the pittance we receive. Now we know where the taxes we pay on the pittance we earn go: to the rich dudes so that we may, for example, help cheer the idiotic team that plays ice hockey in an arena in the Everglades! Yes, that's right, Mr. Al. E. Gator, in an arena near you!

So, let's remember the rule: Capitalism, Si; Socialism, No! ...except for the rich! Hey, gang, remember, it's only the taxpayers' money, and there's plenty more where that came from!

Fred Bluestone
Pembroke Pines

A Sucker to eModel: My name is Ireene Mendoza, and I have just read your article "Hustling for Models" (Wyatt Olson, September 6). I found it quite shocking and informative. On a Friday night, my husband and I decided to go to the mall. As I was browsing, a voice called out to me and said, "How tall are you?"

I said, "Excuse me?" I was then handed an eModel business card and invited to an interviewing session. So I went. I was given a tour of the Website and more. We listened to the song "I'm Too Sexy" and of course watched a movie (Big Daddy.) My second interview was exactly as described in your article. Question after question, then the call to Orlando for final consent. I "barely qualified." Wow! I couldn't believe it. I quickly dished out my $495 and received my password to the Website. My picture is posted, but will it take me anywhere? I'm not sure. They whipped up fantasies, and now I'm the sucker in the end. At least, I'll always be a model with my husband.

Thank you for the article. I wish I had found it earlier.

Ireene Marie Mendoza
Los Angeles, CA