'Ben X' is a too-familiar story

Thank you for the piece about "Ben X" [" 'Ben X,' Surrounded by Bullies" by Susan King, Nov. 23]. I couldn't help but identify with the bullying that takes place when a child/teen/adult is incapable of defending himself in the social arena.

My youngest son is 35 years old. He has Asperger's syndrome, untreatable epilepsy, as well as severe learning disorders. Over the years, he was terribly abused and bullied to the point of deep depression and became afraid to leave the house. While he was growing up, I almost lost my mind while trying to keep him safe and out of harm's way.

Fortunately for us, our story has a happier ending than Ben's. Due to years of hard work, consisting of several different therapies, he has been able to live successfully on his own for the past 11 years. Although he still experiences bullying, he has learned how to handle it much better -- most of the time.

I have written a book titled "Raising Brandon," which tells our story from my son's early childhood into his adult years. I hope that it will help others to be more open and aware of this terrible problem of bullying and how it still exists.

The "Ben X" story is more common than most people realize or want to admit.

Amalia Starr

Sierra Madre

For the reviewer, the reviews are in

And now for a review in English . . . please ["Welcome to His Jungle" by Ann Powers, Nov. 23]. What a long-winded diatribe that is completely useless other than illustrating why art critics are deluded, self-important wannabes.

What is a rococo guitar riff? What is florid loveliness?

If "November Rain" moves you, the joke is on you.

Posted by: Steve

::

I respect music critics for their reviews, good and bad, as a music fan.

But this may be the first time in my 30-plus years any critic has talked loud and said nothing. I don't know if you even liked the darn thing or not.

Just because Axl Rose decided to stop acting the rock diva doesn't mean the review has to be as long-winded and as pompous as the person who made the CD.

Posted by: Tony

::

The article tackled the album perfectly, and the album itself provokes thought.

To all these pinheads dissing the article's prose, take your Adderall and grow a brain.

Posted by: Rainbow Room

This is no place to slam the ex

I am gravely disappointed in the L.A. Times' participation in allowing actress Julie White to use the paper to publicly slander her ex-husband ["She Charms Like the Devil," by Patrick Pacheco, Nov. 16].

Referring to her ex-husband as a "runaway" and "cowboy" is not "hurt" but calculated, vindictive slander from an actress who performs the victim in her failed marriage as well as she plays her other fictitious characters.

Nancy Haecker

Santa Monica

Still backing Gene Pitney

I enjoyed Geoff Boucher's piece on Gary Calamar ["Music Man Who Sets the Mood," Nov. 23]. I especially love the music on "Cold Case," which often uses many very hip selections.

I believe it was the very first episode that used Gene Pitney's "Town Without Pity," which I've always liked. I've been a gigging musician since 1960, and I backed Pitney for a weekend in Milwaukee in 1963.

Gary E. Myers

Downey