Letters

The

Russell Crowe is a strong person and a great actor because of his intensity and savant-like dedication to his characters [Nov. 10]. It was refreshing to read an article about him that wasn't sensationalized. The quirks of temperament in his personality are what you find in most people who are as dedicated to their work as he is. While I like finding out a little bit about the person behind the actor, I have to agree with his statement about his privacy that you quoted: "I'll make movies, and you go to the cinema. Why can't we just keep it at that?" What is this insatiable need that so many people have to live vicariously through movie stars' lives?
CYNTHIA WARREN
Walnut Creek, Calif.

LATEST COVER STORY Mind & Body Happiness Jan. 17, 2004 Past Issues Tsunami Jan. 10, 2004 ----------------- Person of the Year Jan. 3, 2004 ----------------- Secrets of the Nativity Dec. 13, 2004 ----------------- The Stealth Killer Dec. 6, 2004 ----------------- Coolest Inventions Nov. 29, 2004 ----------------- Battle for Fallujah Nov. 22, 2004 ----------------- Four More Years Nov. 15, 2004 ----------------- The Joy Of Sox Nov. 8, 2004 ----------------- The Morning After Nov. 1, 2004 ----------------- The God Gene Oct. 25, 2004 ----------------- The Vote Battle Oct. 18, 2004 ----------------- Visions of Tomorrow Oct. 11, 2004 ----------------- The Tragedy of Sudan Oct. 4, 2004 ----------------- CBS Controversy Sept. 27, 2004 ----------------- America's Border Sept. 20, 2004 ----------------- Struggle Within Islam Sept. 13, 2004 ----------------- World of George Bush Sept. 6, 2004 -----------------   SPECIAL REPORTS  Coolest Video Games 2004  Coolest Inventions  Wireless Society  Cool Tech 2004 PHOTOS AND GRAPHICS  At The Epicenter  Paths to Pleasure  Quotes of the Week  This Week's Gadget  Cartoons of the Week More graphics >> More photos >> MORE STORIES Advisor: Rove Warrior The Bushes: Family Dynasty Klein: Benneton Ad Presidency More Stories >> CNN.com: Latest News

Crowe is an athletic reincarnation of the great Richard Burton, except that Crowe doesn't have to get drunk to behave obnoxiously. Nonetheless, he is today (as Burton once was) the finest actor on the planet.
ANTHONY F. PROVENZANO
Bronxville, N.Y.

Crowe didn't just take Hollywood by storm; he took it by tornado, hurricane and tsunami. After reading Josh Tyrangiel's fine cover story, I admire Crowe even more than before.
EVAN DALE SANTOS
Adelanto, Calif.

Crowe will eventually be seen as the pre-eminent actor of his era — surpassing Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Sean Penn and the rest. With Crowe you see a conflicted cop, a sensitive gay plumber, a fragile genius; with others, you see an actor playing a role. I respect Crowe's tenacity in staying true to himself. Because he won't play the fame game, he has been assigned a persona: arrogant bad boy. Your story unfairly perpetuated that image, leaving out instances of Crowe's generosity, loyalty and zest for life. Crowe is rugged, rebellious and tender. His complexity makes his roles mesmerizing and accessible to all.
RHONDA PETERSON
New York City

Tyrangiel included Hanks among the actors "condemned to deliver endless variations on the same performance." He is forgetting Road to Perdition, The Green Mile and Cast Away, all starring Hanks and all with very diverse characters and plot lines.
FRANCES MOORE
Gresham, Ore.

I am aggrieved by TIME's choice of cover story. Why feature a self-absorbed actor for an issue chock-full of stories about real heroes who have given so much for liberty and the sake of their fellow man? I hope our culture has the maturity to recognize the difference between those who are rewarded for how well they pretend and those who give everything with no thought of recognition. The fire fighters in California and the recovering wounded from Iraq deserved to be on your cover.
MURRAY HILLS
Auckland, New Zealand

Your reporting that Crowe "is frequently perceived as one of the world's biggest jerks" was uncalled for. Most people believe that an actor owes the public nothing more than good performances, and Crowe always delivers them. Because he is world famous, has won an Oscar for Best Actor and is earning megabucks, must he suffer fools like gossip columnists? Give him a break already; he's a great actor and deserves to be his own person, not the person journalists believe he should be. He's only human and has his faults, just like all the rest of us.
JAN M. BARBARITA
Novato, Calif.

Beyond the Ambushes

Thank you for the informative article on the average Iraqi citizen's new life after Saddam, "Where Things Stand" [Nov. 10]. Much news reporting makes it appear as if the whole country is hostile. It was interesting to learn that most attacks against our soldiers are occurring in the Sunni triangle — which lost the most jobs, money and prestige after the regime fell. Please continue to inform us about the life of average Iraqis throughout their country.
AIMEE DEVEREUX
Chicago

At last, news about Iraq and not just about bombings and ambushes! Your story suggested a different, perhaps more optimistic picture of daily life in Iraq since the regime change. Hope breeds optimism, and optimism breeds success. Long live hope in Iraq!
DOUG HAWKINS
Lethbridge, Alta.

The chart "Iraq: A Status Report" outlined changes in Iraqis' lives since the fall of Saddam. It included the economy, education, utilities and security but left out the most dramatic change in Iraqi life: free speech. In the months since Saddam's regime fell, many newspapers (free of state control) have sprung up, access to international media has exploded and people can protest without fear of government reprisal.
ROB LAWLER
Brewster, N.Y.

Tending to the Fallen

Your story about the hundreds of U.S. soldiers wounded in Iraq was heartrending [Nov. 10]. It is important for us to know the full cost of this war. The Pentagon's willingness to acknowledge only the deaths (and an occasional injury that happens during a fatal attack) amounts to a cover-up.
HETHIE PARMESANO
Beverly Hills, Calif.

Soldiers wounded in Iraq are being returned to the U.S. under cover of darkness and getting little media attention. Would it take the death or maiming of a family member of someone in the Administration to change that? From their privileged positions, our government officials seem to believe that the youth of America is disposable as long as that youth is far removed from them. No wonder returning soldiers continue to support Bush. If they believed they were nothing but pawns in his game, they would have to add broken hearts and spirits to their list of injuries.
PAM MCADOO
Truckee, Calif.