Your article, though, made everyone look like a loser.
You forget to mention that Ted has since created a company that does over $1 million in sales and employs numerous people. Ted also has gone out of his way to help others. He even gave two women, after they had only worked with him a week, money for a down payment on an apartment.
As for Mike, he would do anything to help anyone out. Maybe having it all and then losing it creates better people. Success is a lousy teacher; we learn more from our mistakes and failures. Nick has since gone on to write books and will appeal his conviction and become a lawyer. George should be granted an appeal. Mike is working on a new hot-dog business, and I am sure Farrah has grown up herself.
Rick Nowak
Chippewa Lake
Nippling, a noble tradition: Great article. A small correction, though: "Nippling," as you call it, was done as long ago as the early 1930s by Jean Harlow to make her boobs more interesting in the slinky clothes she wore.
Oh, and she refused to wear bras, which really made the censors crazy.
Jeff Gill
Columbus
Squawkin' Up the Crowes
Straight from the Bible Belt: Just wanted you to know that this "sober" person has been a Black Crowes fan since they first appeared on MTV back in 1990, and I'm sure I'm not the only one ["Flying High Again," June 29]. They have always gotten a lot of radio play here in the Bible Belt. I've gone to their concerts every time they've played here -- six or seven times, clean and sober -- and their most recent tour is just plain good old rock and roll. They are a great live band.
Be careful when making sweeping generalizations, and don't assume you have to be a stoner to enjoy the Crowes.
Linda Emmett
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Get Their Drift
It's their story, and they're sticking to it: In regard to your statement "fresh on the heels of their successful Swift Boat smear campaign against John Kerry" [First Punch, August 3]: SwiftVets is not a political group. We are Vietnam veterans. We were successful because we told the truth. Ask John Kerry about his "Christmas in Cambodia"; he now admits that he wasn't there.
No one has successfully challenged our facts, yet the media continues to smear Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
Tom Wright
Savannah, Georgia
Jazzed on Januzzi
Drunk drivers deserve what they get: I read with some fascination your article on the way Judge Januzzi handles his DUI cases ["Justice, Januzzi-Style," August 3]. After spending years in the trauma bay and realizing that 90 percent of people involved in car crashes have a high alcohol level or are on drugs, I think Januzzi is a very lenient man.
I see a lot of innocent people whose lives have either been cut short or changed forever by a drunken driver. I am so amazed at how lightly society takes this. I tell my friends and family over and over again that if they ever drink and drive and get into an accident, they should expect no pity or support from me. In fact, I wish Januzzi would try them.
Valentine Nfonsam, M.D.
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland
Peace for Brains
Good luck with that: Dennis Kucinich never claimed to be the hunk of the century [First Punch, August 3]. He doesn't have the swagger of a Bush or the sneer of a Cheney to attract women, but he does have a brain.
This country has at least four military academies and not one peace academy, as proposed by Kucinich. History will show that the power of reasoning, negotiating, and compromise will carry us much further toward a peaceful world than any weapon.
Make fun of Dennis' marriageability if you will, but woe the day we disregard his call for reason as an alternative to war.
Maureen Cerny
Seven Hills
Neat Trick
It's legal -- just not available: Thank you for Rebecca Meiser's article about emergency contraception -- aka the morning-after pill ["Bitter Pill," July 13]. She keenly describes two significant misconceptions that make access difficult. One, it is not an abortion pill -- widely believed, thanks to much misinformation. Emergency contraception will not end or endanger an established pregnancy. That's why taking it ASAP is critical.
Two, most people who believe in preventing unintended pregnancies and compassionate care for traumatized rape victims assume that, because it is legal, it is available. Many have no idea of the outrageous, brazen behavior that is occurring in hospitals and pharmacies across the country.
This article zeroes in on what is happening right here in Ohio and is a wake-up call for everyone. Thanks for contributing to a genuine culture of kindness and compassion.
Cheryl Cross
Sandusky
