Letters

WRITE & WRONG

I just received a copy of your article [“Ms. Write & Mr. Wrong” by Marlise Kast, February] about a friend of mine, and I’m deeply disappointed to see the complete lack of integrity you demonstrate by allowing a so-called journalist to use your magazine as a forum for her own self-serving purposes at the cruel expense of another person’s life. Kast has dredged up something nearly a decade old——which even then was painfully misrepresented in the media——and has attempted to breathe life into her own agenda by once again morphing the truth.

Rick Rockwell was simply a guy who made a very poor and costly decision to participate in an event that seemingly had the whole world watching——and one that could have had any number of different outcomes. Just like all of us who have done some pretty stupid things, he paid more dearly than many of us for a bad move. But I will tell you right now that he is not at all the guy Marlise Kast is trying to make him out to be——and he never was. He’s a really decent man who’s intelligent, compassionate and, most of all, genuine. He’s also a guy who’s moved on from this experience and learned a great deal from it.

Why on Earth would you choose to publish such rubbish, reopening an old wound and disrupting the life of someone who’s done nothing to ignite chaos in your own? I’m saddened mostly that your decision reflects the continuing narcissistic prostitution of the media instead of contributing to the better good of humanity.

Kast’s acerbic and cruel sarcasm is not at all about Rick Rockwell the real person. For whatever reason in the big picture, and certainly without intention, he became the poster boy——an iconic voodoo doll of sorts——for every disconcerted woman looking for love within range of prime-time media (and likely including Ms. Kast). He became the fall guy for every ass---- man who had nothing more to give than a poorly played game of ego-induced and in-authentic seduction. The irony is that it’s those very men and women who have created the kind of frustration being taken out on the Millionaire Man (not Rick Rockwell, my friend). The delusional expectations of entitlement (and disingenuous orchestration to achieve them) have become the dance of dating dissatisfaction. If they blame everything on the opposite sex in general, then their own sense of inadequacy and lack of self-worth becomes apparent. But having someone in particular they can all redirect the focus toward——a shared dumping ground——they all collectively find comfort in condescending cowardice.

The author’s attempt to make herself look like some eloquent and witty talent is very transparent. But honestly, it takes nothing but poor self-esteem to be facetious at another’s expense. Unfortunately for her, karma’s a bitch.

JOANN DUTTON
PALM DESERT

WRONG OR RIGHT?

There is a difference between right and wrong. In your article by Marlise Kast about her “date” with Rick Rockwell, you were right. Eight years ago, I watched the reality-TV show Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? when Rock well married Darva Conger. People will remember him for his fame on the show and the effect it had on dooming his marriage from the start.

The real Mr. Wrong, as your article makes clear——and everyone knows——is silly Rick Rockwell.

JOHN HUERTA
WARREN, ARKANSAS

A WORK OF ARTS

Thank you for the excellent article and photos [“Liberty and the Pursuit of Arts” by Marcia Manna, February]. It was beautifully written, the photographs [by Ramona d’Viola] were stunning, and the layout [by Laurie Miller] was eye-catching and creative.

I have already received wonderful feedback from many people. You did a beautiful job of capturing our “gift to the community.”

Thank you again.

ALAN ZITER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NTC FOUNDATION

THAT SINKING FEELING

I am a longtime subscriber, through an annual gift subscription. Two articles in the March 2008 issue contain items that, in my opinion, are inconsistent with reality. The Business column [“Bursting at the Piers” by Rich Acello] mentions boarding some 2,000 passengers (totaling some 150 tons, at an average weight of 150 pounds) on a ship displacing some 88 tons. Obviously, this would be a very short cruise, directly to the bottom of whatever body of water the ship was floating in at time of embarkation.

In the air-charter Travels story [“Style My Ride” by Jenna Jay], the pictured airplane is described in both pictures as a King Air C90 jet operated by Schubach Aviation. However, the exterior shot shows both propellers. Airplanes with propellers are not jets. They are referred to as prop jets when a jet turbine, as opposed to a reciprocating gasoline engine, is used to spin the propeller and are shown as such on the Schubach Web site. The site devotes a separate section to jets.

WILLIAM SCHEMPERS JR.
SAN DIEGO

Maybe we’re both right, since the C90s are “prop jets.” As for the sinking cruise ship, you were right; we were wrong. The displacement is 88,500 tons——more than enough to keep her afloat.——EDITOR

A BOLT FROM KANSAS

I am absolutely, 100 percent a die-hard Chargers fan, and I can’t imagine my Chargers leaving your beautiful city [“Bring in the Bottled Lightning” by Jamie Reno, March].

I was born in La Mesa and have been a Chargers fan since 1979. I travel to San Diego once a year to go to a home game and spend thousands of dollars in, and around, the San Diego area doing so.

I know I’m only one man, not living in your beautiful city, but I have so much anxiety about the Chargers leaving that I wanted to get the word out to all that we need to fight for our Bolts and not let the idle San Diego government be the downfall of our team!

AARON WRIGHT
MULVANE, KANSAS

TO YOUR HEALTH

My sincere appreciation to your team for including me in your January issue as one of San Diego’s “50 People To Watch” in 2008. It was an honor to be included with so many extraordinary people.

Firestorm 2007 truly tested our operations, and now it has initiated the re-launch of our services in the community. For San Diego to know that we have a 24/7, free and confidential place for them to turn to for their own personal health or family crisis is our number-one goal for 2008. Your recognition of me and Call 2-1-1 San Diego in your magazine has greatly elevated our mission and presence in the community.

JOHN OHANIAN
CEO, 2-1-1 SAN DIEGO

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