Letters to the Editor

I Like to Watch American idle: If you can't live a life of leisure, at least you can watch one on TV, from "Big Brother" to "The Real Housewives of New York City." By Heather Havrilesky [2008-03-23]

• good lord

  tomreedtoon:

  "There were even touches of heartbreaking humanity, like the street hooker showing up for free medical care from a bus, who was encouraged to sing a brief refrain from Phantom of the Opera. She once had dreams of being a singer, before she became a repository for the disgusting fantasies of worthless men."

  I'm not surprised that tomreedtoon would generalize about an entire cross-section of people (men who have sex with prostitutes, in this instance) without offering anything to back it up. I am somewhat surprised, however, by this:

  "Moment of genuine self-disclosure, instead of the

  Havrilesky kind; when I discovered my older brother patronized prostitutes, I broke off relations with him and his family as much as possible. I knew he was a thief, liar and cheat, but this "victimless crime" made him a supporter of human slavery, which was unforgiveable. His funeral was three weeks ago. I didn't go. I might never go to see his grave."

  I cannot imagine how tomreedtoon's brother could've become so obviously troubled (and, might I conjecture, lonely?) with a figure of such empathy and familial support at his side. A chicken-or-egg question of sorts: was tomreedtoon's brother "worthless", as he seems to describe virtually all johns who visit prostitutes, BECAUSE he solicited sex from hookers, or did he seek out prostitutes because he had ALREADY been made to feel worthless?

  -- spiegel
  [Read spiegel's other letters]
  Permalink Flag Saturday, March 22, 2008 10:22 PM
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel