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"The terror consigliere" [Sept. 11] painted a fascinating portrait of Fran Townsend as the President's tough-talking adviser on homeland security who takes no prisoners. But equally or perhaps more telling was the stunning photograph that accompanied the text. It called into question Townsend's common sense. What other woman in any Administration would pose for a photo as she emphasized her competency and conservatism in the White House while looking as though she were dressed for a night of revelry at an expensive watering hole? The skirt, well above the knees, and the array of expensive jewelry demonstrate an appalling lack of sensitivity to daytime business mores and intelligent political public relations.
Wes Pedersen
Chevy Chase, Maryland, U.S.
Maybe that glamour shot of Townsend was intended to convey her ability to "get a leg up" on the enemy. But could Townsend defend our turf from terrorists in those stiletto heels? I don't think so.
Kathy Saville
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Minding Her Manners
In her review of the Tuscan hotel L'Andana [Sept. 4], Catherine Mayer says the general manager might remember her as "the Guest from Hell: high maintenance, capricious and, quite frankly, badly behaved." She adds, "I was only doing my job." But was it really necessary for her to engage in the absolutely obnoxious behavior she went on to describe? I'm sure that by the time she and her companions got through with the staff and management of L'Andana, the smug trio left behind more than a few bad feelings. I have close friends who own a bed-and-breakfast and can tell you that guests who push the limits are not welcomed back.
Robert Heylmun
Florence, Italy
Most travel writers are overly indulgent in their praise of the hotels they visit — and often boring. Mayer, on the contrary, definitely wants to be noticed. I was shocked by her misbehavior at L'Andana and can only imagine the utter disgust of the hotel's guests and staff. I suspect that, as Mayer reported, L'Andana's well-trained sommelier smartly guided Mayer and her company away from the most valued wines, knowing full well that serving it to them would have been throwing pearls before swine.
Janie Berquist Phellipon
St. Denis-La Chevasse, France
A Most Sacred Game
"It's not just cricket" [Sept. 4] discussed the allegation that the Pakistani team had tampered with the ball during a Test match with England. Oh, Pakistanis, you can do anything — you can ridicule my government, you can scorn my religion, and you can even step on my blue suede shoes. But, please, do not force the holy gem of cricket into disrepute by ball tampering and match fixing.
Pam Howe
Idar-Oberstein, Germany