Leonardo ... Beethoven ... Hemingway ... Bell ... Norman ...

Wait, what? So unless you're a great artist, you're not allowed to express an opinion on art?

Artists, even great ones, don't do what they do just for the benefit of other artists. They create what they create for the appreciation of everyone. That means that, yes, everyone is a critic.

Or wait, no, you're right, I see it now. In fact, you're so right, you yourself don't deserve to say anything — only when you run a site as popular as Salon may you legitimately write in response to letters to the editor. Until then, you are undeserving and should meekly submit to whatever consensus of critical opinion is presented to you for your consumption.

What a great idea! It sure beats the (really, honestly, minimal) exertion required to point out the drooling inanity of an unsubstantiated drive-by criticism like the original one from moodyriver.

And I thought my Poem "Dyed Blonds, Dye!" was Bad!

P. (Salon?) S.: If my Pain Medicine lets me, I'll try to remember to add that to my JimRinX segment, for those self-depricating Dyed Blondes out there who I'm just sure are 'Dying' to read it!

I like it.

you can make those criticisms.

When your symphonies get performed by the London Phil, like Beethoven's, you can make those criticisms.

When you write novels like Hemingway, you can make those criticisms.

When you can play the violin like Joshua Bell or sing like Jessie Norman, you can make those criticisms.

I'm an artist and occasional cartoonist, and I'd actually suggest looking over the body of Lay's work. All in all, it's pretty good.

One afternoon, I was sitting around with a friend and reading some graphic novels and comic strips. I was complaining how puerile, shallow and vapid a particular comic artist's work appeared to me.

My friend glanced up at me and said, "You know what? When you're getting published, like [Cartoonist's name deleted], then you can make those criticisms. Until then, shut the hell up."

Maybe not ALL beauty queens are narcissistic chowder-heads, but remember in school how the pretty girls (and handsome guys) got preferential treatment and acted like royalty in spite of lower grades?

A pleasant fantasy. Thank you.

Weak...really weak. Is this the best Salon can do?

heh! this made me smile. Priceless.