Letters

Cinema House Censorship
I register my opinion about the regretful decision that AMC Houston will no longer provide a valuable service.

I refer to the Houston Press newspaper, which I looked forward to picking up each week at one of three AMC movie theaters I regularly attend (Studio 30, Westchase 5, Town & Country 10).

Theater management says some publication content may have "offended" some moviegoer parents who feared for the innocence of their children. As a parent, I understand diligence in raising wholesome kids. Conversely, a parent must teach children to leave alone what the parent determines not to be in the child's best interest. It is not the duty of anyone to determine what shall be removed, when others rely on it.

It is not up to a theater chain to either censor or sanction any publication. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are guaranteed under our American system of life.

I do not agree with some advertising and/or editorial content of the Houston Press. But, I do uphold the right to publish and the right to read for the moviegoing public.

The food coupons, movie listings/summaries, restaurant listings, community activities, calendar of events, classified section (buy/sell) and much more within the pages of the Press far outweigh petty concerns by anyone regarding the gay/lesbian and alternative lifestyle portions of the paper. Frankly, I do not support "third-sex" agendas. I do support freedom of the press and the right for everyone to choose what he/she will be able to pick up and read at his/her discretion.

My household regularly utilizes the Houston Press for (sell/buy) classified ads. There is no charge for this service, and we have gotten response for our efforts.

To deny placement of the Houston Press within AMC Theaters is a disservice to AMC customers. I have no connection with the paper, and nothing to gain sending this letter -- other than possible reinstatement of the publication at those theaters.

Rea Roy Stoltz
Houston

Verdict In on Tim
Congrats! You've really captured both the tempo as well as the meaning of the trial and the resultant attitude of the jury ["Going Through These Things Twice," by Tim Fleck, June 4].

Tony Attanasio
via Internet

Editor's note: Tony Attanasio is the father of Mike Attanasio, the lead federal prosecutor in the case.

June Gloom
It is next to impossible to go a whole week without "The Insider," but I'll do my best to make it.

Bill Buie
via Internet

Motherly Help
I feel sick. Once again, another court has not allowed a mother to defend her child ["Little Girl Lost," by Brian Wallstin, May 21]. The child is really lost now, having had her picture put all over town. I know from a very factual basis this will not do her or her "court case" any good. And anyone who knows the long-term effect of this situation can tell you she will never relate again like a child her age should.

As for Ms. Phrogge Simons, I have known of her for years. Where do you go when you have no money and have no one who understands? You find "Phrogge." Ms. Simons has no money, no interest in breaking the law and nothing to gain by going to jail for a child. Sometimes, one has to take action.

Everyone inside this matter has taken the up-front and public stance that this little girl needs professional help, except the father. Why? Ms. Simons is not the answer, she just does what she thinks is best. When a child is at risk, sometimes you have to say, "I will help." Channel 11 is to be commended and not sued.

Good luck to Brittany; there are more of us than there are of them!
Melinda Honerkamp
via Internet

Spoil My Climaxes, Will You!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of Peter Rainer's Truman Show review ["Tube Message," June 4] until he, only to make an empty, unnecessary point, gave away key elements of the recently released Bulworth and 1976's Network. I am 27 years old and have not seen either film, but I have read several of Mr. Rainer's reviews. It is odd (but somewhat expected of him) that he would choose the only American film in recent memory that he actually enjoyed watching to give his readers another reason to believe that he doesn't bring popcorn to the movies, just an extra large bucket of bitterness.

Greg Wilson
via Internet

Blue over the Agave
Eric Lawlor's restaurant review (or was it restaurant slam?) of The Blue Agave ["Testosterone Mex," May 21] seems to me to have been written to impress us with his clever use of words rather than to give us an accurate picture of the restaurant and its food. When will you people at the Houston Press stop writing to glorify yourselves and start writing to provide information?

Carol Martin
via Internet

Let Our Lawlor Go
After reading Eric Lawlor's most recent Cafe review on The Blue Agave, I am reminded of that old adage: "Those who can, do; those who can't, coach." When applied to Mr. Lawlor (whom I recall the Press touting as having a background in culinary schooling), the adage might be rephrased to, "those who can, cook and run restaurants; those who can't, review the restaurants of those who can."