Quotes of the Day

When Clooney Came to Dinner
Thank you, Joel Stein, for the wonderful story about George Clooney's visit [March 3]. You totally reaffirmed what I thought to be true: Clooney seems like 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 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, Pennsylvania

Last year I was having dinner with friends at a restaurant when Clooney walked in with a small party and took a table near the door. On my way out, I 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

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

Stein has described Clooney to A T: a truly decent guy who is not full of himself. A female colleague of mine was in Rome some three years ago and found herself caught in a downpour with her arms full of parcels and her umbrella blown out. Suddenly a man appeared from behind her and offered to share his umbrella. It was Clooney. He was by himself (no minders) and as soon as he heard her Australian accent, said how much he liked it Down Under. While he escorted her back to her hotel, she had quite a good conversation with him. She told us he was just a regular, really nice guy.
Sue Barrell,
Brisbane, Queensland

Stein's excellent article brought back memories of another down-to-earth movie star. In the '60s I attended a meeting with colleagues in Hollywood, and we were in the Ambassador Hotel the night Barbra Streisand had her opening at the Cocoanut Grove. After the show there were stars galore in a hospitality room. Two associates and I decided to crash the party, which was easy. To make a long story short, I spotted Henry Fonda all by himself and said, "Hello, Mr. Fonda." His first words were "Call me Hank." I mentioned I grew up in his home state of Nebraska, and we must have talked for 20 or 30 minutes. He said he hated those types of parties. He was a really nice guy, just like George.
Jim Christensen,
Santa Maria, California

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, California

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 open a dialogue with Raúl Castro to accelerate a 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, there is no reason it cannot do so with Cuba.
J. Patrick Grimes,
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Dictatorships need isolation if they hope to resist freedom's onslaught. Fidel Castro's five decades in power were less the product of brilliance and charisma than of 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, Florida

Not So Certain
Your story on China's pollution problems states: "Some estimate that China last year surpassed the U.S. as the largest producer of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming." China may well have surpassed the U.S., but it is far from proven that greenhouse gases cause global warming. Numerous eminent scientists dispute the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in this regard. Rather than side with the pundits of gloom about global warming, perhaps TIME could investigate and print the views of those who challenge their claims.
David Buckleigh,
Rotorua, New Zealand