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 benevo-
lence movement is a great
idea (“Best Acts of Kind-
ness”). 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 Thank you for profiling Leilani Münter, a
that you’ve provided me
with the addresses, I’ll
vegetarian race-car driver who buys an acre of
start doing what I should rain forest to offset the fuel she uses in each
have done a long time ago. race (“Best Green Speed Demon”). Her efforts
David Lawler, Santa Maria, California to give back to the environment make a huge
difference. I hope people will emulate her
All parents should learn
actions. Joan Ozelis Calpin, Middletown, Delaware
from the example set by
Don, Barb, and Beth Catlin
(“Best Birthday Wisher”). Don and My autistic son, Charlie, would love
Barb have accepted their daughter to send Beth a birthday card this
for the person she is—a loving and year. Could you give us her address?
caring autistic savant. We should She is an inspiration to my son
follow their lead: love our children’s and me. J. H., via Internet
P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y A D A M TA Y L O R

individuality and allow them to

express themselves rather than Editors’ note: Beth’s birthday is Sep-
conform to society’s expectations. tember 22. Send mail to: Beth Catlin,
H op e Sick muel l er, Stuttgart, Germany S. Wilson Pollock Center for Indus-

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readersdigest.com 0/09 9
trial Training, 262 Silver Spring Road,
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17050.
If the Name Fits
Over the years, I’ve met several
people with interesting names (“You
Named Your Kid What?!”). A gentle-
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
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
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man named Mr. Grumbles did his
best to live down his name. Others
made apt career choices: a cardiolo-
gist named Heartwell, an anesthesi-
ologist named Gassmann, and a
general practitioner named Payne.
Frank Mil lward, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Morals, work ethic, personal-
ity, and kindness make an
( 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
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 ca-
reer (“Home Duty”). Unlike
Clinton Collins, he did not
have any support system—a
dependent husband at that
time was an anomaly. How-
ever, 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
I joined the Army as a nurse
in 1968, anticipating that I
would go to Vietnam. The fol-
lowing year, I married a man
who would become a Special
Forces officer and spend
three tours in Vietnam. I was
readersdigest.com 9/09
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 al-
most 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
am of him. Col . Susa n R. Fox,
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 med-
ical 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.
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
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 re-
quires an awful lot of manual dexterity, is
just unrealistic. Alan H. Golden, DDS,
Quantico, Virginia
If your teeth don’t hurt and aren’t loose, and
if your gums don’t bleed, get another opin-
ion if you’re told you need thousands of dol-
lars of periodontal treatment. You might be
getting ripped off. Darrell Rogg, Salina, Kansas
American dentistry has become so expen-
sive, 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
is allergic to anything.”) My answer
was about picky eaters and fad
dieters. I would hope that a guest
with celiac disease would communi-
cate her medical and dietary needs
to the hostess. ■
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