Che Guevara is as powerful as Jesus
   Regarding your use of the old right-wing bugaboo of “Che was a homicidal monster” [“Avoid the crowd,” December], what you and the others who take comfort in what you think the reality of Che was don’t understand or appreciate is that Che’s power is the same as Jesus’ power! 
   It is in neither case the “true” reality of the person, but what that person means to their devotees. Who can know the reality of Jesus? Who cares! It is the mythology that we treasure. The young [and a few old too] cherish the vision that has been attached to Che.
   I don’t care at all about the personal realities of either Jesus or Che. They are icons of a larger vision that will always transcend the historical “facts.” People don’t want facts! They want hope and with hope the vision of a better life.
   Think and write about the meaning of Che all across the world as large and growing populist movements increasingly use the graphic image of Che Guevara to symbolize their own local movements. 
   “En hoc signo vinces?”
   I do enjoy your writings.
Lee Bentley
Arroyo Seco, N.M.

Thanks for the straight talk on home ownership
   Somebody finally had to do it [“Money pits,” December].
   Though I suspect dark conspiracies under every stone, I did start to sense some years ago that the push for home ownership by government and corporations — monkeying the banking rules to facilitate — was part of the modern slavery scheme; something you’d expect Gerry Spence to write about.
   But there was also an ominous sense coming from the years of presidents standing at podiums claiming credit for “the increased homeownership rate.” Once that started to happen, this statistic being a “vote for me” thing, I knew there was going to be trouble.
John Battista

French needs a bullet-proof vest after his piece on women with homes
Dear Doug,
   True. Every word on homes versus investments [“Money pits,” December]. 
   However, if you are married, I would suggest wearing a high-quality class-three ballistic vest while showering until further notice. 
   My warmest regards,
Doug Witt 
North Bend, Wash.