Disappointed with the Reader as a whole

Overtly Belittling

Walter Mencken’s July 17, 2015 article regarding Del Mar’s opening day is sexist and degrading to women, with no purpose but to objectify and criticize those featured in the photograph.

While the objectification of women is all too normal in today’s society, I find the criteria Mr. Mencken used for his overtly belittling and disgusting article particularly disturbing. The women featured in the photo are described with the language one would only use to describe the horses racing. I understand that the pageantry is simply part of the Del Mar Races, but when an article solely objectifies women and contains absolutely no substance I believe a line is severely crossed.

San Diego is a progressive community and the San Diego Reader is an asset to the people of San Diego. To say the least, I am strongly disappointed and insulted by this article, and the Reader as a whole. I hope you will take the appropriate action by removing this piece and reprimanding Mr. Mencken accordingly.

• Emily Hearton
• Chula Vista

Move ASAP? Love to!

This is in reply to Don Glessing’s letter titled “Move ASAP,” from the July 17 issue.

I know, Mr. Glessing, the truth hurts, doesn’t it? But the truth shall set you free. And the truth is, San Diego is a sunshine and lollipop backwater.

No, Mr. Glessing, I wasn’t bored in Chicago, New York, or San Francisco. But then, they are real cities, with great amenities, unlike this sad burg. No, let me take that back. San Diego has football, fire pits, and fish tacos. So, all is not lost.

As for your juvenile term, “asshole,” as long as you are living here, there will always be one in San Diego.

• Rico G.
• via voicemail

Never Be the Same

Great article in April 23 issue (“You Love Me Now, but Will You When I’m Four?”).

I still can’t write very well. Pair of pits who attacked me were not taken out of state as Animal Control had [led] me to believe. They are now in L.A.! I’m going after the property owner who knew of ongoing repeated problems. Animal Control nice, but enabling to property owner who rents to endless persons on probation, drug dealers, etc.

I’m 71. Will never be the same again.

• S.H.
• via snail mail

The Right to Write

I see you’ve received more letters from former inhabitants of psychiatric wards defending pit bulls. I have to make a snap diagnosis. Obviously, these persons need help.

If a citizen goes around, waving a revolver in public, we would immediately take action to stop him or commit him. In the case of pit bull owners, we allow them to write letters to the Reader praising pit bulls. And sometimes turning their dogs loose on passersby.

• Name Withheld
• via voicemail

One Critic’s Pick

A “critic’s pick” rating from one David Dixon (who?) can’t carry nearly the same weight as the same rating from your esteemed theatre critic, Jeff Smith. So, please give the rookie theater reviewer(s) another rating scale to use.

I’m a Jeff Smith review-trusting reader only.

• Name withheld
• via snail mail