September React

React L E T T E R S O N T H E J U LY I S S U E

Pride of Place Debbie Tenzer’s benevolence movement is a great idea (“Best Acts of Kindness”). The list of good deeds you provide is just what I’ve been looking for. I’ve wanted to contribute to wounded soldiers or sick kids in some way for a long time but didn’t have the time or know-how. Now that you’ve provided me with the addresses, I’ll start doing what I should have done a long time ago.

P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y A D A M TA Y L O R

David Lawler, Santa Maria, California

Thank you for profiling Leilani Münter, a vegetarian race-car driver who buys an acre of rain forest to offset the fuel she uses in each race (“Best Green Speed Demon”). Her efforts to give back to the environment make a huge difference. I hope people will emulate her actions. Joan Ozelis Calpin, Middletown, Delaware

All parents should learn from the example set by Don, Barb, and Beth Catlin (“Best Birthday Wisher”). Don and Barb have accepted their daughter for the person she is—a loving and caring autistic savant. We should follow their lead: love our children’s individuality and allow them to express themselves rather than conform to society’s expectations.

H op e Sick muel l er, Stuttgart, Germany

My autistic son, Charlie, would love to send Beth a birthday card this year. Could you give us her address? She is an inspiration to my son and me. J. H., via Internet Editors’ note: Beth’s birthday is September 22. Send mail to: Beth Catlin, S. Wilson Pollock Center for Indus-

We Want to Hear from You! If we publish your letter—whether it’s to comment on our content, sing our praises, or take us to task—you’ll receive a free Reader’s Digest book or CD, courtesy of our Books and Music division. Send your submissions to [email protected]. readersdigest.com 0/09

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If the Name Fits Over the years, I’ve met several people with interesting names (“You Named Your Kid What?!”). A gentle-

man named Mr. Grumbles did his best to live down his name. Others made apt career choices: a cardiologist named Heartwell, an anesthesiologist named Gassmann, and a general practitioner named Payne.

READER RATINGS We polled readers of our humor newsletter and website, asking them to decide:

Which is funnier? (Their picks are in bold.)

Will Ferrell ↔ Adam Sandler

Charlie Chaplin ↔ Groucho Marx Tina Fey ↔ Amy Poehler

Archie Bunker ↔ Hawkeye Pierce

Stephen Colbert ↔ Jon Stewart

P. G. Wodehouse ↔ S. J. Perelman 30 Rock ↔ The Office

Lisa Lampanelli ↔ Wanda Sykes

Jay Leno ↔ David Letterman

A platypus ↔ A three-toed sloth

Richard Pryor ↔ George Carlin

Slip on a banana peel ↔ Walk into a pole Chris Rock ↔ Bill Maher

Laurel & Hardy ↔ Abbott & Costello The Onion ↔ Mad Magazine

Frank Mil lward, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Morals, work ethic, personality, and kindness make an individual—not a weird name, a strange spelling of a common name, or total square inches of tattoos. Scott Anthony , Colorado Springs, Colorado

War Dads My husband took an “early out” bonus from the Air Force in the ’90s to stay home and support my career (“Home Duty”). Unlike Clinton Collins, he did not have any support system—a dependent husband at that time was an anomaly. However, Collins will find (as my husband did) that the bond he develops with his children will be strong and will stay that way. M.Sgt. Anna Williamson, USAF (ret.), Lewisville, Texas

Family Guy ↔ The Simpsons

Knock-knock jokes ↔ Lightbulb jokes

Rodney Dangerfield ↔ Steven Wright

Words with a p ↔ Words with a k

Duck Soup ↔ A Night at the Opera

Larry the Cable Guy ↔ Ron White 10

I joined the Army as a nurse in 1968, anticipating that I would go to Vietnam. The following year, I married a man who would become a Special Forces officer and spend three tours in Vietnam. I was readersdigest.com 9/09

( F E Y ) M A R Y E L L E N M AT T H E W S / N B C ; ( S T E W A R T ) P E T E R K R A M E R / A P I M A G E S ; ( F A M I LY G U Y ) P H O T O F E S T D I G I TA L L I B R A R Y

trial Training, 262 Silver Spring Road, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17050.

released from active duty for four years and gave birth to two children. When I returned to active duty, my husband was released. He became Mr. Mom while I worked, went to graduate school, and rose to the rank of colonel. I retired in 2003 with almost 35 years of service. During that time, he gave up a number of promising careers to raise our children. This year, we celebrate our 40th anniversary. I cannot begin to explain how proud I Col . Susa n R. Fox, am of him. Army nurse (ret.), San Antonio, Texas

Picky, Picky The Ask Laskas advice in “Life’s Little Etiquette Conundrums” about picky eaters is off base. She lumps gluten-free eaters into the same category as zero-carbers and low-fatters. This is a great disservice. Most people who are on a gluten-free diet have medical reasons. For example, my children have celiac disease, a digestive disorder that causes an autoimmune reaction to gluten. There is a big difference between avoiding foods because you’re picky (which I admit I am) and avoiding them out of necessity.

Back Talk Our “50 Secrets Your Dentist Will Never Tell You” prompted dentists and patients around the country to respond. Here’s more of what they’re not saying but want you to know. Parents always tell me how proud they are because their two-and-a-half-year-old brushes his own teeth. To expect kids to be able to brush their own teeth, which requires an awful lot of manual dexterity, is Alan H. Golden, DDS, just unrealistic. Quantico, Virginia

If your teeth don’t hurt and aren’t loose, and if your gums don’t bleed, get another opinion if you’re told you need thousands of dollars of periodontal treatment. You might be getting ripped off. Darrell Rogg, Salina, Kansas American dentistry has become so expensive, I’m going to Costa Rica, where the dentistry includes a vacation. Gordon Cheyne, Tavares, Florida

Patients need to understand that their insurance is a contract between them and the insurance company. Your dentist has no control over what is covered. Check with your dentist about your needs before signing up for dental insurance. Brandi Seckinger, registered dental assistant, Nashville, Tennessee

The patient, not the dentist, is the primary care provider of his mouth. B enedict D. Thompson, DDS, Walkersville, Maryland

Lisa Gol d stein, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Jeanne Marie Laskas writes: I’m sorry if I appear to be dissing children with celiac disease or any other medical condition. (I did suggest that everyone make sure “no one

is allergic to anything.”) My answer was about picky eaters and fad dieters. I would hope that a guest with celiac disease would communicate her medical and dietary needs to the hostess. ■ 11