MAIL BONDING

Letters

Take Cover

I understand half of the March issue's circulation had Andie MacDowell on the cover; I, however, was in the unlucky half with Bill Clinton's cover picture. I would have strongly preferred the cover with Andie MacDowell. My reasons are twofold: (1) Ms. MacDowell is vastly more attractive, and (2) we have no reason to believe she is a pathological liar. Incidentally, has anyone with the Andie MacDowell cover complained about not having Bill Clinton's mug?

JULIE V. CARR New York, New York

After it was reported that the March issue of Vanity Fair would have two covers— one with Bill Clinton for the East Coast and Arkansas, and the other with Andie MacDowell for everyplace else—I wrote you a complaining letter. Then my March issue arrived in my mailbox with a beautiful black-and-white photo of President Clinton on its cover. Never mind.

LINDA O'NEILL San Diego, California

Brunch Crunch

As a longtime Clinton admirer, supporter, and fan I would be proud to be identified as the owner of the inn "where the Clintons used to brunch on weekends,'' if only it were true ["The New Guard,'' photographed by Annie Leibovitz, March]. But since Bill and Hillary ate with us one time each, I'm not comfortable with the habitualness Vanity Fair's designation implies. Naturally, I'd like to think that were we and our inn closer than a four-hour drive from the Clintons' former home in Little Rock their breakfasting with us would have been habitual, but we weren't and it wasn't. This is a small point that probably makes no difference to anyone in the universe besides me, but I'm reluctant to inflate my FOB-ness beyond what it was and is—though, believe me, I'd be the first to brag on it if I could do so honestly.

CRESCENT DRAGONWAGON Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Funny Face

"Who is this wild, rail-thin, almost absurdly angled woman, all mouth and legs and missing eyebrows? William Norwich identifies Kristen McMenamy, the model of the moment... ' ' In her interview with Mr. Norwich ["Oooh—That Look!" March], Ms. McMenamy accused Gianni Versace models of being4 'stuck together with tons of makeup and boobs and big hair. ' ' Who is Kristen McMenamy? Well, if memory serves me correctly, in September of 1989 I assisted Wilfredo Rosado, who was the fashion editor of a now defunct magazine, on a shoot. The unknown Kristen had pounds of long, lovely locks, full breasts, and a face applied by a makeup artist. Hmm...from anonymous Barbie doll to androgynous, insecure eunuch in a couple of years.

Let me tell you, Kristen McMenamy is certainly one thing—intelligent. She has succeeded in manipulating top fashionmagazine editors, haute couture designers, fashion photographers, and gossip columnists in both Europe and the Americas into christening her the flavor of the month.

FREDDY MONTES Brooklyn, New York

Pretty in Pink

Sorry, but from the photo of J. Edgar Hoover with lover Clyde Tolson ["Hidden Hoover," by Anthony Summers, March], Hoover's shoes alone would have pegged him as a queen!

ANTHONY BARATTA VICTOR MAZZA New York, New York

Anthony Summers doesn't make nearly enough of the American press's bootlicking affair with J. Edgar Hoover. Over the years the now thoroughly discredited G-man was beyond criticism in the vast majority of newspapers. In 19621 declared, before an audience of prominent West Coast Democrats, that Hoover's vaporings about the so-called Communist menace were "sententious poppycock." I also pointed out that he wasn't much good as the nation's number-one spyswatter.

These sentiments were almost universally denounced by the press. Several hundred editorials and columns cried out against such blasphemy and asked my employer to fire me. I was told by the newspaper in Seattle, where my speech was given, that I was no longer welcome in that city.

By the time of this incident, Hoover's sordid doings were pretty well known in journalistic circles, as Summers indicates. But the press consistently failed to print stories that would have exposed his true character, whether from cowardice or sycophancy it is hard to tell. The result is a shameful chapter in American journalism. The press could now begin to make up for its unworthy behavior by joining in a campaign to remove Hoover's name from the F.B.I. building in Washington. Summers' article could serve as major evidence in support of such an effort.

w. H. FERRY Scarsdale, New York

Super Man

I read, with great interest, your profile of Vernon Jordan ["Clinton's Mr. Inside," by Marjorie Williams, March]. Your article seemed unfair as it highlighted Mr. Jordan's interest in big money (as a super-lawyer-lobbyist) rather than his commitment to a better world.

I saw a different side of Vernon Jordan earlier this year. A former employee of Mr. Jordan's, who resides in Greenburgh, had personal problems with the town. As town supervisor, I received a note from Mr. Jordan expressing the hope that I would assist the family in working out their problems. Mr. Jordan gave me his direct telephone number and really was interested in helping. The former employee, who was a lower-level aide, told me that he has stayed in touch with Mr. Jordan on a regular basis since they stopped working together and that they are great friends.

It felt good to speak to an individual who genuinely cares about people. Unlike politicians who use people to get ahead, Vernon Jordan is willing to help people he no longer needs. Of how many politicians can one say the same?

PAUL FEINER Greenburgh, New York

Mary Jordan of Atlanta was an exquisite caterer, and unlike my friend Windsor Jordan, I would have loved to carry her chicken-salad sandwiches in my lunchbox at least three times a week. I knew her well, rode in her emerald-green Cadillac de Ville sedan to all kinds of political functions, and spent time in her home in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward surrounded by pictures of Warren, Vernon junior, and Windsor. Her birthday was just another day to her, but I remember trying to keep it when I lived there.

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Mary was a power in the Old Fourth Ward. I know—she backed me when I ran in the Georgia House District 28 election back in 1978. I miss her. If Vernon can develop 10 percent of her acumen for business and politics, he will serve all of humanity well.

DR. CAREY WYNN II Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Risky Business

As is his wont, my strictly commercially oriented and self-appointed biographer, Bryan Burrough, has managed to slam me once again in his recent piece, "Barbarians in Retreat" [March].

While I had nothing to do with the RJR Nabisco deal, Burrough manages to tag me, falsely, with responsibility for the alleged smearing of Edmond Safra by the American Express Company. For the record, I did no such thing, nor did I authorize such action, nor in fact do I know whether the American Express Company did so.

The article has Jim Robinson denying all knowledge of the subject, and Peter Cohen believing that the Robinsons have a vendetta against him because he believes he knows of Robinson's alleged true involvement in the Safra affair. Well, let the two of them fight it out; I've gone on to more peaceful and socially useful pursuits.

HARRY L. FREEMAN Chevy Chase, Maryland

Red-eve Flight

This letter is in response to your article "Cuba Libre" [by Luisita Lopez Torregrosa, March]. As a Cuban-American it was interesting for me to read your piece on Major Orestes Lorenzo Perez. Although it is undeniable the major risked his life to rescue his family in Cuba, he is no hero in my book. It is ironic that the major started questioning Communism during his last years in the Cuban air force. As you probably know, the situation in Cuba (economically and socially) has deteriorated the last few years, and salaries and privileges in the military have dwindled even for a major in the air force. The article is not a story about seeking freedom; it is a story about a guy who wanted better conditions for his family, whether they were provided by the Cuban or the American government.

JOSIi A. BLANCO Charlotte, North Carolina

Blood Feud

I greatly admired T. D. Allman's story on the ghastly and tragic events that have tom Yugoslavia to bits ["Serbia's Blood War," March]. Historical tragedies do indeed repeat themselves, not as farce, but as gruesome and degraded spectacle.

Did I detect within the article the suggestion that our American reporter simply cannot be made to understand the "logic" of Serbian politics because.. .well, because he is an American and can so clearly see the insanity of racial genocide—being from a country which unflinchingly confronts its own heart of darkness?

America, in its role of "policeman of the world," is just like the cop who, after a day of busting the criminals and restoring the peace, goes home and beats his wife and ignores his children.

TED MONIAK Chicago, Illinois

And Another Thing...

Having just completed Christopher Hitchens's article "The Tribes of Walter Mosley" [February], I, as a Lubavitcher, feel I must comment.

Lubavitchers do not believe that "all Gentiles and most Jews are beyond the pale." To us, all Jews (those either bom of a Jewish mother or who have converted according to Jewish law) are equal—they are simply Jews. As well, there have been many occasions when Gentiles have written to the Lubavitcher rebbe for a blessing and received a response.

And, by the way, there are many families in Crown Heights and elsewhere who are, like Mosley, both black and Jewish, and are full participants in the community.

TOVA SIEGEL Los Angeles, California

Letters to the editor should be sent with the ivriter's name, address, and daytime phone number to: The Editor, Vanity Fair, 350 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017. The letters chosen for publication may be edited for length and clarity.