LETTERS

The following arrived in response to last week's cover story, a profile of Jeff Beacher by Richard Abowitz:

The short answer to the rhetorical question "Is Jeff Beacher the new Mr. Vegas?" is no. The better question that would have been posed is, "Is Beacher a prime example of the new Vegas?" Jeff Beacher appears to be many things—a master of hype and schmooze, a relentless and fearless self-promoter and do-er (as opposed to a dreamer). All admirable qualities. The problem is that he isn't funny, creative or innovative—but really, what does that matter since everyone appears to love him? Granted, that's a subjective analysis, but Abowitz chooses not to go too deep into the world of objectivity. I've seen the Beacher show twice—once out of curiosity, once to see Arte Lange. It was like being in the audience of a horrible pilot episode for a show destined for Spike TV. The admitted enthusiasm of the crowd was clearly the result of constant (and I mean constant) prompting and shilling and the level of the actual comedy was pure middling. (Almost exclusively caa-caa-poo-poo and pee-pee jokes with a smattering of gay-bash). And yes, there was a feeble bombast of midgets, freaks and hotties—but then what party isn't complete without those elements? Now I'm no prude (heck, I sought out Lange, whom I love!), but this was just pathetic. The fact that so-called celebrities (or better titled celebre-tauntes) show up to promote their own worth on the hip meter is of no moment. These mutual succubi have no import on me—but they do on the new Vegas. The new Vegas shuts down for Paris, Tara, Nick Lachey? I haven't figured out why that is, but the fact that Beacher can steadily bring all these noveau "A-listers" together under a circus tent of mediocrity certainly warrants a cover story—you just did the wrong cover story.

Editor's note:
Or maybe you just read the wrong cover story.

I enjoyed reading Stacy J. Willis' story on flooding in Mesquite (February 17). One important correction, please. I did not call the City of Mesquite or FEMA "fools." I may have said they made some foolish decisions.

Just thought I'd let you know that some information in your recent article entitled "Bargain City" was incorrect. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure where this came from. I am the general manager at Tropicana Cinemas, and first off, I'd like to say thank you for the inclusion in your article. We have had numerous questions and complaints arising from this as to the playing of our Rocky Horror Picture Show and also our movie-line number. The Rocky Horror Picture Show plays EVERY Saturday at midnight, and not just on the second and fourth. Also, our correct phone number is 450-3737. The one listed is from the previous theater, four years ago.

Not complaining, just thought you might like to know. Thank you once again.

The world's political and financial elite, including former President Bill Clinton, Microsoft's Bill Gates, French President Jacques Chiraq and South African President Thabo Mbeki assembled in Davos, Switzerland, for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in January 2005.

Microsoft founder and the world's richest man, Bill Gates, announced during an interview at the WEF that he was betting against the dollar, saying, "The ol' dollar, it's gonna go down." Recently Gates received permission from the People's Republic of China to purchase a large amount of Chinese currency and bonds. Gates jubilantly described his new business partner as "phenomenal" and "a brand new form of capitalism." Gates' new form of capitalism is correctly known as communism.

I now have mixed emotions, whenever I turn on my computer and see the Microsoft logo flash on the screen.

The following recently arrived for our lovelorn dating columnist:

I just had to write about your last column ("Where Is He? She's Exhausted") because I have "written" those same words in my head lately. (And no, I am not hearing voices.) But this Valentine's Day was so beaten into me by the media, you would have thought it was a national holiday and I was forced to work! I am a 53-year-old male, smart, attractive, in good shape, educated and have a great job. But, like you, the harder I try to find my person, the more frustrating it gets. I even got a reading from Mystic Mona, who said I had to quit looking so my person would appear (I hate hearing that!). The good news is, this person is supposed to appear around April, but I don't know if I can hang on that long (or if it will really happen). So the search continues, although I am not really having any fun. Like you, I have certain standards but would not consider myself extremely picky. Not unreasonable, huh?

Unlike a lot of other guys who are probably hitting on you, I am out of your age category, but wish I was 10 years younger. You seem like a terrific catch. Good luck, Sonja. I wish you the best, and keep writing. You have a real talent that makes my week!

I think you are roung about this movie raice your voice is one of the best movies for kids right now and I love Hilary Duff, and she has done a good job at 17, there is not a lot of girls at 17 who can do what she did. and I happy for her.

I was doing some research for a university project when I ran across one of your archived stories. In it, proposed bills were categorized as "good" or "bad." I was appalled at the classless, insensitive comment that I discovered in the response to Sen. Wiener's proposed bill to raise anorexia awareness: "And here we thought the Karen Carpenter story was enough to scare the skinny into eating a damn ham sandwhich."

You cannot be serious. What kind of so-called "journalist" could even fathom to write such a statement? Anorexia is a mental disease. That's like saying schizophrenics should just stop hearing voices. Anorexics are not "skinny" people who won't eat "a damn ham sandwich" (by the way, notice that this "journalist" even misspelled the word "sandwich" in the article ... gee, that just adds to his credibility). Most anorexics have been through traumatic life experiences such as rape, physical abuse, etc. Their eating disorders aren't about the food—they simply act out using food as an outlet, just as alcoholics use alcohol to escape their problems.

Yes, I realize this article was from 2000. But to me, it doesn't matter. I am an advocate of eating disorder awareness, and it sickens me when I see such careless, thoughtless comments presented by someone who clearly has no knowledge of the topic.

I don't expect a response to this letter, mainly because I don't think anyone will have the moral integrity to respond. Frankly, it is not important to me whether I am answered or not. I am a firm believer in standing up for what you believe in, and I am not about to keep my mouth shut.

Las Vegas Weekly published a series of photos on February 17, 2005, in its Vegas Scene, which also depicted Miller Brewing Company products and logos. Las Vegas Weekly was solely responsible for the content of the page and the photos therein. Neither Miller nor its distributor, Bonanza Beverage Company, had prior knowledge of or gave prior approval for this photo to appear in association with its products and logos. We respect Miller's integrity and respect its commitment to responsible advertising and marketing of its products only to legal drinking-age consumers.