Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor (January 06, 2006)

'Brokeback Mountain' review was coy

Editor:

Reading all the great reviews about "Brokeback Mountain" compelled me to see the movie myself. Then I read Jeanne Aufmuth's review and compared it to my experience.

Her choice of "provocative intimacy" to describe what happened between them seems rather coy. Why not say it like it is: These two cowboys had sex with each other and in a way that most people don't. Everybody knows that's what the buzz is all about. I thought it was rather shocking -- and rather unrealistic for a first sexual contact between two guys who came to enjoy each other's company in stunning Wyoming vistas.

If Aufmuth finds "gay Western" offensive, then other equivalent tags such as "macho movie" and "chick flick" should be in short supply. There's just no other way to fairly tag this movie other than "gay Western." It's set in Wyoming with cowboys who ride horses a lot and drive sheep in the high country and have sex and kiss each other. What should one call it -- a "Leave It To Beaver" flick?

Sure there is "nuanced sentiment" and "genuine affection" which is very enjoyable to experience. But "eloquent bond" does not fairly describe the often violent and convulsive behavior that seems rooted in the abysmal father experiences they share with each other. On the whole, I found it to be a skillfully produced movie that strains too much to layer in the lifestyle-du-jour.

Allen Price

Velarde Street

Even make-believe gunplay is offensive

Editor:

In a recent ad from Lucile Packard Children's Hospital advocating a healthy lifestyle for children, there's a photo of a child holding his hand to look like a gun, and the caption reads, "Drop that remote. Back away from the burger."

Personally, I don't consider guns to be part of a healthy lifestyle for a child. Truth be told, I would rather see a child sitting on a couch watching TV and eating burgers and chips than playing with guns.

Frankly, I find it surprising that the Voice would accept an ad like this.

Ronnie Falcao

Vincent Drive

Closing subacute care unit is an outrage

Editor:

I am a registered nurse and I have worked at El Camino Hospital for almost five years. I am outraged that El Camino Hospital has decided to shut down its subacute care unit.

Our patients have very serious medical conditions. Most are in a permanent vegetative state with feeding tubes. They require round-the-clock professional care.

In the Bay Area, there are very few facilities that offer subacute care. I am deeply concerned about what will happen to our patients. Will they have the same standard of high quality care at another facility?

As a public hospital, El Camino should strive to protect its most vulnerable patients. They should not be forced to leave.

This month, workers and patients' families will ask El Camino Hospital's elected board to rescind hospital management's decision. The board should do the right thing and protect the interests of our patients.

Paul Estrada

San Marcos Court, San Jose

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