When Clooney Came to Dinner

Thank you, Joel Stein, for the wonderful story about George Clooney's visit [March 3]. You totally confirmed for me what I had thought was true: Clooney is just a cool, down-to-earth dude you would love to have a beer with. If there were more people like Clooney in Hollywood (people who don't mind laughing at themselves rather than who are dying for attention), young actors wouldn't be living such chaotic lives. Next time you have Clooney over for dinner, let me know — I'll bring the wine!
Marc Falco, NORRISTOWN, PA., U.S.

I have been in love with Clooney since I first saw him on ER. How can I get him to come to my house and check my carbon monoxide alarm?
Nancy Harris, NEW YORK CITY

Last year I was having dinner with friends at a restaurant when Clooney walked in with a small party and took a table in the corner near the door. On my way out I paused for a moment, caught his eye, told him I hoped he would win the Oscar and then moved toward the exit. What happened next surprised my friends, who had urged me not to invade his privacy. Clooney called me back to his table, stuck out his hand and asked my name. Then he said he greatly appreciated my coming over. He really is as Stein portrayed him.
Bob Wechsler, NEW YORK CITY

In trying to get at the heart of what makes Clooney so engaging, you might have mentioned his family's origins. Although he grew up in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, he is through and through a Kentucky gentleman. Johnny Depp and Hunter S. Thompson are some others who might strike you as celebrities, but to us they are native sons. Kentuckians by and large try never to get above their raisin' by forgetting where they come from. And they can turn on the charm and charisma at will. We tend to have never met a stranger, and once we're a friend, we're always a friend.
Brad Noel, LEXINGTON, KY., U.S.

Clooney is apparently a rich, famous, handsome guy who is dedicated to his craft, doesn't take himself too seriously and makes those around him who aren't quite so rich, famous or handsome feel good. Wow! In this age of self-centered, ego-driven tabloid stars, it's nice to know there's someone out there to whom Paul Newman can hand the torch.
Kevin Statham, SANGER, CALIF., U.S.

The Power of Communication
Tim Padgett's article "Cuba's Chance" made it abundantly clear that both Cuba and the U.S. have the opportunity to terminate 46 years of trade embargo and name-calling [March 3]. The people of Cuba deserve economic reform and the quality-of-life improvements that will come with it. Cuban Americans should also have the chance to return to the country of their birth whenever they so choose. U.S. leaders should stop shooting from the lip and open a dialogue with Raúl Castro to accelerate a needed change of course for Cuba. If the U.S. can trade with China, Saudi Arabia and other nations that do not exactly embrace democratic principles, then there is absolutely no reason it cannot do so with our neighbor a mere 90 miles [150 km] away.
J. Patrick Grimes, CAMBRIDGE, MASS., U.S.

Dictatorships require isolation if they hope to survive freedom's onslaught. Fidel Castro's five decades in power were less the product of brilliance and charisma than the result of the U.S.-enforced isolation. Uncle Sam's embargo provided Castro with the shield he needed to survive the demise of the communist bloc. The embargo denied Castro nothing he couldn't buy elsewhere, while his totalitarian communist system has destroyed entrepreneurial initiative, squandered wealth on weapons and brought abject poverty to the Cuban populace.
Tony Gonzalez, WEEKI WACHEE, FLA., U.S.

A Good Heart or a Good Angle?
Bob Geldof's piece about President George W. Bush's impact on Africa revealed that my heroes can be fallible [March 3]. I would have expected a more nuanced perspective from Geldof, a man who has worked so hard on the African continent. Sure, the Bush Administration has poured millions of dollars into Africa, and that's certainly laudable. However, it sounds naive of Geldof to attribute this to Bush's desire to live up to the American ideal of "the Good, the Fair and the Just." Though Geldof pointed out that China and India are aggressively investing in that continent, he didn't make the connection that U.S. aid to Africa is also a self-interested investment. Geldof disappoints with his simplistic view of Bush's agenda in Africa.
Mitra K. Shavarini, LEXINGTON, MASS., U.S.