Erin O'Brien, "Leaving Las Vegas: Rearview" (April 16) was one of the most remarkable pieces of writing I've encountered in Cleveland in a long time. Somehow, it managed to make me cry and rejoice at the same time. You managed to bring two dead men to life again, at least for me. How incredibly lucky your father and brother were to have a daughter and sister such as you. I think it's obvious that amazing Irish hearts run in your family.

John Ettorre
Cleveland
workingwithwords.blogspot.com

Very well done! I visited your blog (erin-obrien.blogspot.com) and it too looks great. Many people will cite Leaving LV in their top favorite movies and I think that is a nice tribute to John. However, your article educated me to the fact that he has other published books and I feel that is an extraordinary legacy.

Michael Gedeon

North Ridgeville

Thank you greatly for the link to your article. I saw the film Leaving Las Vegas in the theater, by myself, prior to putting a plug in the jug. I look forward to exploring the more pure story. Your article does a wonderful job of showing me the experience, not telling me. I always enjoy gleaning style and knowledge from those kind enough to share.

Jason Clemons

Blacksburg, Virginia

Editor's note: Erin O'Brien also received this, which we share simply because of its astonishing nastiness: "Just finished reading your Free Times cover story. Incredible waste of space. Your brother was a selfish asshole, not a tragic figure. Cartoonish nihilism, not anything that resembled literary merit, sold Leaving Las Vegas to Hollyweed. And then there's you. Writing 'conscripted' you because of asshole brother's 'tragedy.' You're the reluctant but valiant artiste, who drops dead bro's name at every opportunity and passive-aggressively fishes for compliments or validation or whatever. The cover story had more to do with your delusions of grandeur than the trunked short story of a dead drunk. Sad, lady. Very sad. You have a good idea how that type of failure feels."

JAMES AND TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE

I just felt the need to write you and let you know that I absolutely loved this article ("Catch Me If You Can," by James Renner, April 9). It was extremely well written and I could not take my eyes away from the paper. I was actually disappointed when it ended. I just want to spend my day at work researching this Ted Conrad. So interesting. Thanks for the good read!

Sarah Migal
Macedonia

Your article almost sounded like a fictional account of some event. Hard to believe even back then that someone so known and visible as that Conrad could get away with that for so long. Hope you find out more on this! Great article!

David Carmack
Poteau, Oklahoma

WHERE WERE YOU?

I was absolutely heartbroken when I opened the April 16 Free Times and read nothing about the "Big Show" at the Beachland Tavern/Ballroom brought to Cleveland by a "Council of Chiefs" for the project labeled "Lottery League." It was the most magical event I've ever been involved with in Cleveland. I cried after the first band, Jovana's Witness, played - it was so amazing to hear a completely random group of people display such a wonderful piece of artistry. And the sickeningly beautiful thing: It didn't stop. Every single band displayed an amazingly enjoyable sense of confusion and harmony. And camaraderie! Most of the Cleveland music scene has a new best friend!

There were musicians involved who are in bands I despise, and they totally wowed me! I can use the word wow to its full extent!

My stepmom attended and we were so happy that Cleveland music dudes did something this big, that they didn't get such a big event rolling by being rich, yuppie, theater types. She and my dad had a wonderful time regardless that my band was called Born Raped!

The excitement of racing from one stage to the next was something I couldn't get out of my daydreams prior to the event, and it happened exactly like my imagination planned! Everything was so intricately planned, and pulled off perfectly! I'm still in shock-filled bliss.

I'm a generally optimistic person. Perhaps Free Times is working on a fabulous story to cover such a monumental event. Because this is history. This will be forever remembered. But excuse me, I need to read about the New Pornographers, Feist and the bassist from Anti-Flag - because Lord knows I can't pick up the fucking Rolling Stone and get a more educated review.

Roxanne Starnik
Cleveland

Editor's note: Free Times art director Ron Kretsch, who participated in Lottery League in the band Swayze All Over, wrote about it twice, in February and the week before the show.

WE NEED GUNS

Right or wrong, no law is stronger than a person's instinct to protect their family from brutality, rape, torture and murder, and no such ruling will be adhered to, whether it be on a city, state or federal level ("You Gotta Fight For Your Right to Carry," April 16). The objective should be to lessen the need to bear and/or carry arms. This can be accomplished to a great degree, and while doing so, somewhat lessen the financial drain on the welfare, health care, justice and penal systems, and at the same time curb STDs and the AIDS dilemma. All this good can be done with a much needed, overdue law.

It should be illegal and severely punishable for men to father children they don't intend to support by laying down with whomever, whenever and wherever they can, with no regard to the future drain on society. Too many energetic, fatherless young men are being raised by their struggling mothers and grandparents whose disciplinary hands are tied like those of teachers and the police.

This is why we don't just want, but need handguns in a major way. If this philosophy can't be argued with, why can't it be implemented?

Don Myers
Parma Heights