Common sense and decency

Praise is due Isi Leibler for “Recent sexual controversies and upheavals” (Candidly Speaking, November 13).

What consenting adults do in private is no one’s business but their own. Mrs. Patrick Campbell famously said it around 1910: “Does it really matter what these affectionate people do – so long as they don’t do it in the streets and frighten the horses?”

Homosexuals do not need a Gay Pride Parade any more than heterosexuals need a Normal Pride Parade, and a lot less than the elderly need a Gray Pride Parade. Homosexuality is being promoted as a cool, fashionable and desirable way of life, influencing many youngsters too young to know where their gender is heading.

The crocodile tears being shed by media personalities over the allegations of sexual misconduct are ironic, considering that the media, in particular the stage, screen and TV industries, have become a breeding ground of not-so-soft porn. Scarcely a film is produced that doesn’t have a sex and/or nudity scene that often has nothing to add to the plot – although, one supposes, it adds to the ratings.

I do not advocate a return to the censorship and prudery of bygone times, but a little common decency and common sense is called for. As Cole Porter put it so succinctly in “Anything Goes”: “Authors who once wrote better words, now only use four letter words writing prose.”

If children are bombarded by foul language, violence, nudity and sexual license on TV and screen, then what do the media gurus expect? A bit of respect and good taste are long overdue. YEHUDIT COLLINS

Jerusalem

With the explosion of misconduct accusations against politicians, does this spell the end of hugs and kisses for babies during election campaigns? BERNIE GREENSPAN New York