Hitting icons below the belt

I was disgusted by Hillary Johnson’s column on Keith Richards and Cher (“Keith Richards and Cher: Two Extremes of Aging Ungracefully, Nov. 12).

Perhaps the shallow Johnson will print photos of herself so that we can be sure she’s not “impaired” and “willfully ugly,” as she claims Richards is, or a “runaway replicant” and “tragic figure,” as she blames Cher for being.

And while she’s at it, please have Johnson list her many accomplishments toward art and culture, which I’m sure she must have to point her poison pen at such monolithic targets.

Better yet, spare us from having to read future cheap shots disguised as societal commentary.

Dawna Kaufmann

Los Angeles

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QUALITIES that seem to connote an adult for Johnson -- such as conformity and narrow-minded conservatism -- are what the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and other similar rock giants have always stood up against, expressing our longing to be allowed to be ourselves and not follow society’s dictates.

So Hillary, I’ll take this “prehistoric reptile” of a rock ‘n’ roll animal over the maturity of the Christian Right, the Enronians and the seriously prehistoric politicians like Cheney, Bush, Dick Armey and other “adults” who more likely appeal to your sense of maturity.

Kenny Feuerman

Beverly Hills

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IT doesn’t matter how they look, for God’s sake! It’s the work!

Shayne Fair

Laguna Beach