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I stopped reading City Paper a year ago because of the falling-off in quality of the writing. So imagine my surprise when I picked up a copy and read James Jones’ and Jason Cherkis’ shock-jock article on the new D.C. police chief, who happens to be female (Loose Lips, “Lanier’s On-the-Job Training,” 12/1). It was all about blowjobs and was the rankest stupidity I have ever read in a newspaper. Jones and Cherkis attempted to appear serious by pretending to throw in a critique on some minor issues. Very weak, indeed. I’m surprised they didn’t throw in a Photoshop-altered picture of Ms. Lanier wearing a nightie. That’s what sells the City Papier Mâché! Hey, why don’t you investigate each of the city council’s sexual proclivities! Whoo, boy! Now, that’s journalism!
Tom McAnear
Alexandria, Va.
The Art of the Matter
I want to correct some statements in Jessica Gould’s article re: a stolen RFK portrait (Show & Tell, “Finders Keepers,” 12/1). Ms. Gould called me and asked me some questions about the layout of the office and any memories I might have about a stolen portrait from an executive office in the RFK campaign headquarters. I told her I did not specifically remember a portrait. At no time did she allege that this portrait was taken from the “Boiler Room.” She specifically said the painting had been taken from the Senator’s office in the campaign headquarters. This sketch was never in the “Boiler Room,” and I have no memory of ever seeing it before. She did accurately report that I stated I was in the office the day after the Senator was shot but not the day after he died, when I was in McLean and then in New York City.
Also at no time did the reporter ever tell me that my name was involved in this suit. I believed she was calling me because she had identified me as a campaign worker who could give some background on the layout and security of the campaign office. I was astounded to read in the article that my name was used by Mr. Bailley. I do not know Mr. Bailley, I never saw the portrait, and I was never in a position to give anyone permission to take anything from the campaign office. Also I was never Senator Robert Kennedy’s personal or private secretary. I was a Senate and campaign staff member. I find the suit very strange, and I cannot imagine why Mr. Bailley would be involving Mrs. Kennedy in this odd tale. As an attorney, I find it interesting that Mr. Bailley is essentially trying to create a provenance for a piece of art he stole. Very strange indeed.