Adolf Hitler

An interesting Patt Morrison column ("Redemption for a Man of Hatred," Jan. 11). I'm a big fan of hers; I love her work and her hats. However, if T. J. Leyden's wife's birthday is April l9, she missed being born on Adolf Hitler's natal day (April 20) by 24 hours. Jerry Baruch Los Angeles

A three-piece silver tea set used by Adolf Hitler was sold for $13,000 at a Hong Kong auction Friday. Indian electronics exporter Saifuddin Cadek, 33, bought the set, engraved with the insignia of the Third Reich and Hitler's initials. Nobody bid against him.

In the 1930s, Adolf Hitler's tactics were brilliant, his foresight remarkable, according to many military historians. Working directly in opposition to the best advice of his generals, he conquered most of Europe militarily and his prospects seemed unlimited. If he had retained his wits, some critics speculate, he might have continued his expansion--winning the war in Europe and dictating a peace with the United States. But he didn't.

Calls from puzzled readers alerted a Bonn newspaper to a coded message commemorating Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's birthday last week, a spokeswoman for the General-Anzeiger daily said Friday. The April 20 notice, in the form of anagrams, said: "In memoriam. Alfred Thilo. Born 20 April 1889, Abu Naru. (signed) Tibor Marnmann."

I don't understand why the Hollywood intelligentsia are so up in arms about the upcoming production of the early years of Adolf Hitler ("Touches of evil," March 9). These are the same people who disguise as art the most egregious sexual practices; who glorify and sanctify the most graphic violence and the most depraved of human practices. Any movie that features murder, rape, dismemberment, cocaine addiction, child pornography and suicide is almost assured of an Oscar nomination. Why should they be offended by the story of one of the 20th century's most influential individuals?

The editorial (Oct. 4) on Duke answered its own question quite succinctly: "Louisiana's economy is the worst in the nation with no relief in sight." In 1933, one could say the same thing for Germany, which paved the way for Adolf Hitler. Therefore, it should be up to the federal government (with assistance from the state government of Louisiana) to do "something" to "improve" the bleak economic picture. EDDIE CRESS Los Angeles

A judge barred a samba group from presenting a Holocaust display depicting piles of dead, naked bodies and a dancer dressed as Adolf Hitler in its Carnaval float after fierce complaints from Jewish groups. State judge Juliana Kalichszteim ruled the Viradouro samba group would be subject to $138,000 in fines if it went ahead with its parade plan. Viradouro, which said the float was meant as a protest against atrocities, was weighing whether to appeal.

An American has decided to sell a collection of Adolf Hitler memorabilia, including a watch the Nazi leader presented to the architect Albert Speer, a London art dealer said. The dealer said the collector, who didn't wish to be identified, was not in the best of health and wanted to reduce his collection. Many European countries, including Germany, ban the ownership, sale or purchase of Hitler memorabilia.

On Sunday, "The Boondocks" comic strip compared President Bush unfavorably with Adolf Hitler. The artist, Aaron McGruder, is very talented, and I would give my life for his and my right to freedom of speech. Hitler, however, was a man who killed 6 million of my ancestors, and to compare him to Bush isn't funny or true. McGruder should be ashamed. Greg Steinberg Los Angeles