Hoodie Nation responds: More than 200 readers weighed in on our February 24 "Perspective" on Bill Belichick. Most defended the coach. Plenty, however, said "Enough." Elsewhere, a "Pierced" column that left some cold, and movie scenes that warm things up.
All About Bill
Let me sum up my feelings regarding Bill Belichick's "act" ("Perspective," February 24) in two words: Who cares? What it boils down to is, do we want a competitive football team coached by the arrogant and grumpy Belichick or do we want a 1-15 team coached by Chuckles the Clown? I know which one I want.
Bill Enright
Rutland
If Belichick doesn't have anything to say after a game, that's fine with me. A team that wins 18 games in a row says it all.
Patricia A. McGregor
Beverly
Belichick has helped give New England a football team to be proud of. Cut him a little slack. He's not perfect, but I'd rather have him than some other coaches out there.
Peter A. Rufo
Arlington
Thank you for finally telling it like it is. I am a big Pats fan, a season ticket holder, and I went to this year's Super Bowl. But I have had it with the embarrassing way in which Belichick represents the Patriots and us as fans. He has become a bad joke, and his shtick stopped being anything but tired, arrogant, and classless long before now.
John D. Fitzpatrick
Andover
I couldn't care less that football fans who aren't New England fans don't like the Patriots or Belichick. If I worked with people who were half as effective as he is, I wouldn't hate my job as much as I do.
Juny Bayard
Alexandria, Virginia
Thirty-one other team owners would kill their present coach if they knew Belichick were available. I hope he never changes.
Peter Manganella
Allston
More than the game, Belichick's truly reprehensible attitude that day will always be remembered.
Scott Wolfe
Mashpee
Your piece was underwhelming, at best. Belichick is thoughtful, brilliant on more than just football, and engaging. I'm willing to forgive his flaws because he chooses not to kowtow to the media. He is who he is, and I'm OK with that.
Christopher Nelson
Batavia, Illinois
Thank you for clarifying what all New England's sports fans really want from their coaches - a good loser. Hopefully, your article will help me get over my own character flaw, which involves the incredible joy I get from watching Belichick stonewall you guys.
Bill Tice
Georgetown
Great column. The guy is a cad, a boor, and an example of bad sportsmanship.
Janice Aviza
Durham, New Hampshire
Costly Growth
In "The Urge to Renovate" (February 24), I was amused by the reference to growing up in "cramped postwar houses." Many of the parents who moved their families into those homes had grown up during the Depression. So it might be easy to peg the large additions (and McMansions) to wanting to do better than the last generation. But this rationale (and the article) leaves out a significant issue: the cost of heating and lighting these behemoth homes. Talk about a carbon footprint.
Jamie Sabino
Cambridge
Distant Home?
Alexandra Hall's story of designer Daniela Corte's picture-perfect home ("Dressing Rooms," February 24) shows stunning photographs of a beautifully designed interior. But the shot of Corte's shoe closet reveals a level of wealth and decadence that is distasteful for everyday Boston-area readers. When Hall raved about how clean Corte kept the place, I wondered: Don't you mean how well the cleaning lady kept the place?
Jeanne Mayell
Wellesley
Donations Debate
Great "Pierced" (February 24). The whole Toscanini's thing - getting donations to pay a tax bill - is beyond outrageous!
Richard Kinny
Boston
How could the Rancatores even presume to ask for assistance? The real answer is that Gus Rancatore is one of the most beloved and respected retailer/humans on the planet. There is not a nonprofit nor a worthwhile cause that has not been the recipient of his unbridled generosity. There are too few Gus Rancatores around these days - a businessperson respected enough by regular people that passing a cyber hat can be a meaningful neighborhood activity. It almost melts your heart, with extra fudge.
Rozann Kraus
Cambridge
Compliments to the Chef
Thank you, Adam Ried, for your Sunday articles. Some folks play golf; my wife and I cook. More often than not we play in the kitchen on Sunday, and many Sundays include your recipes or variations. This week was no exception. The roasted cauliflower and parsley ("Cooking," February 24) was a great suggestion and is waiting on the table at this moment for us. Keep the articles coming!
David and Carla Wood
Brewster
Action!
Editor's note: As part of our February 24 "Coupling," we asked for your favorite movie love scenes.
John Cusack standing outside Ione Skye's bedroom, boom box high over his head, playing Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes," in Say Anything.
R. Horrigan
North Easton
Patrick Swayze standing over Demi Moore at a potter's wheel, trying to communicate with her, in Ghost.
R. Natanson
Norwood
Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis in Witness, in the barn in Amish country, dancing to "Wonderful World."
Betty Goulette
Winslow, Maine
If you have not yet seen Claire Danes pouring out her heart to a mouse in Stardust, you might want to rent that one tonight.
William Grote
Boston
Seen on the Web
A comment posted at "Boston Sports Media Watch":
I hate when columnists project their opinions on the "fans." Doug Most doesn't speak for me, and I don't think he speaks for many Patriots fans. I happen to like Bill Belichick. He's a flawed individual, but who isn't? When the media spend every waking minute focusing on a person's flaws, of course it's going to sway public opinion.
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