To the Editor:

It seems that Greg Yolen (“Bond, James Bond: Meet Greg, Yolen Greg,” 10/4) is trying to make an excuse for liking 007 too much!

James Bond movies are just that — movies. They are not the greatest movies ever made nor do they try to be. But to dismiss the Bond movies post-Sean Connery is a mistake. Connery’s “You Only Live Twice” and “Diamonds Are Forever” are not as good as Roger Moore’s “The Spy who Loved Me,” “For Your Eyes Only,” Timothy Dalton’s “Licence to Kill,” or Pierce Brosnan’s “Goldeneye.”

And none of these flicks are anywhere near George Lazenby’s “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”! While it is easy to toss Lazenby aside because he only played 007 once, the story, the direction, the cinematography, the actors (Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas), and the great action (no CGI in 1969) make this one of the top three 007 flicks of all time. Check it out — it will surprise you. Plus, an inexperienced and willing Lazenby wins, hands down, over a bored, tired, going-through-the-motions Connery in “You Only Live Twice.”

Bond movies are a solid part of our culture, so much so that they are copied to the extreme — anyone see “XXX”? — or how about that groovy spy named Austin Powers?

I agree the movies run together and it is difficult to remember what memorable part is from what movie. This could be because there are so many 007 flicks (over 20 actually.) And why are there so many? Because there may be people who go to movies to actually have a good time watching an over-the-top fantasy. The pictures must have something going for them — they actually get people Greg Yolen’s age (and younger) and Warren Zevon’s age (and older) to pay money to sit together for a few hours. How often does that happen?

After 40 years, Bond movies are still the best escapist fun to flicker on the silver screen — and will probably retain this title for the next 40 years.

Jim Foye

October 7, 2002

The writer is a New Haven resident.

n Military recruitment style tantamount to blackmail

To the Editor:

I would like to say to the men and women who carry the heavy responsibility for defending our nation:

How dare you? How dare you blackmail us? How dare you attempt to destroy the ideals of an institution committed to equality? And then you try to bring an organization still committed to unfairness. Do you honestly think anyone’s going to come to your booth at the job fair with the way you forced your way in? Get real, leaders of the most powerful military in the world.

I assume that the money you so generously give to our medical school must be funding something very important for the health of our nation. Maybe even something to do with our national security. Are you really going to withhold that?

I can’t believe the men and women who defend the American ideals of equality abroad, destroy them at home.

Akash Shah ’06

October 3, 2002