Mel Brooks, Seriously

Regarding Jack Mathews’ commentary “Higher Anxiety” (Aug. 4):

Mel Brooks seems to combine the cynicism of a whore with the naivete of a child. Mathews quotes Brooks: “Vulgarity or bad taste, I use it; therefore I’m painted with that brush.”

You see, Mel, that’s how being an artist works. If you resort to vulgarity and bad taste in your work, sure enough the public tends to identify you with those qualities.

I was raised to believe that having a talent and not using it is wrong. Having one and misusing it is unforgivable.

BRUCE BELLAND

Los Angeles