Letters to the Editor in Response to the Double Issue of June 13 & 20, 2011

‘Mormons Rock!’

Your cover’s unstated derision of Mitt Romney was evident. Portraying him as a Mormon evangelist instead of a prominent presidential candidate who happens to be a Mormon was uncalled for. Instead of informing readers about a strong presidential contender, you chose to go the cheap route unworthy of journalism. The articles inside the magazine talk about the good things successful Mormons are doing, but the cover image was an undignified slam.

Jennifer Rova

Hayden Lake, Idaho

In very small type on the inside of your magazine you explain how for your cover image you digitally grafted Mitt Romney’s head onto a cast member from The Book of Mormon musical on Broadway. I am by no means a Romney fan, but what you have done is transform a serious, credible presidential candidate into something he is not—a musical-comedy performer. He deserves—and your readers deserve—a much higher standard of journalism.

Davis Young

Solon, Ohio

I don’t know why some people have gotten riled up over your cover of Mitt Romney. It is creative, and frankly hilarious. Truly a brilliant move.

Katie Rouleau

Clifton, Virginia

Your article says Mormons “vote Republican in overwhelming numbers.” While this may be true for the United States, this political preference does not reflect churchwide Mormon values. Americans are less than half the 14 million Mormons in the world. It’s puzzling for many of us outside the U.S. that American Mormons would support the GOP with its tax breaks for the rich and opposition to national health insurance. I hope that in the future more of our U.S. brothers and sisters will abandon those who promote selfish individualism and decide to follow more closely the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Ken Kyle

Lethbridge, Canada

Years ago the town in which I was living suffered a flood that not only washed through houses, but destroyed an abandoned graveyard. The citizens were confronted with rooms covered with mud and corpses. Who showed up to help? Not the city, state, or feds, but the Mormons. They arrived with shovels, rubber boots, and food. There was no talk of religion, just hardworking people helping neighbors. When they had done all that they could, they said goodbye and left. With a tradition like that, it must make one proud to be a Mormon.

Ernst Ellersieck

Santa Barbara, California

I don’t deny that the Mormon church has many admirable practices, but let’s see some balance. In Mormon hierarchy, a woman can’t hold the priesthood, but her 12-year-old son can. And although polygamy was forbidden by the church more than 100 years ago, it’s still winked at in two heavily Mormon states, Utah and Arizona. How about delving a little bit deeper into why it is that Mormonism is considered an “outsider faith”?

Jeanne S. Lewis

Fairfax, Virginia

What exactly is the point of this article? That people should fear politicians like Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman, and Harry Reid because they are Mormons who try to blend in with the mainstream? That we should not judge individuals by the content of their character because of the peculiar history of their church? That negative religious stereotypes are more relevant than issues like the economy?

Doug King

Oak Hills, California

‘Hotel Confidential’

As a business traveler, I was led to expect shocking information by the claims in your huge headline. But 3 percent of men making a pass at hotel staff or less than 1 percent attempting contact during a massage does not justify your claim that “many married men expect sex along with their room service.” These misleading “survey” results don’t even warrant an article.

David Stone

Chicago, Illinois

This sentence is infuriating: “All of which has left business travelers a bit skittish as they try to figure out what constitutes acceptable behavior.” Really? How about this: don’t attack and sexually assault the maid. And grown men need to be specifically told not to open their door when they’re nude? Seriously? Grow up, guys.

Amber Fraley

Lawrence, Kansas

‘The 10 Most Important Artists of Today’

Just when I thought I was getting daring in my art tastes, I felt a strange reaction to Blake Gopnik’s list. None of his choices tugged at me to look more than once. Art has to capture you in space and time. Shock and provocation makes for an intriguing experience, but it can also wear you out. Good art has layers you discover only after multiple viewings, not just a solitary all-out assault on your senses. Maybe living art is still evolving to this higher form.

Jack Syage

Huntington Beach, California

This list seems heavy on artists who practice video and interactive forms, and light on more traditional media. How could you leave out painter John Currin or photographer Cindy Sherman?

Abigail Kurtz Migala

Spring Valley, California

I was horrified to see Damien Hirst on your list of the world’s most important artists. How could you consider anyone who would use cut-up animals and dead flies as art supplies? He must be a very sick man, as is the person who paid for his diamond-studded skull. I hope your next feature on artists will have truly talented artists who create art that appeals to the masses.

Donna Snow

Olympia, Washington