Bruce, Bonnie and Browne

Re Robert Hilburn’s Nov. 19 article, “Killing ‘Em Softly With His Songs”: The piece reads more like a tribute in a teen fan club flyer than an analysis in a major newspaper. Hilburn says Bruce Springsteen “faced the (personal) issues and questions of the last two years head-on.” But it is worth noting that he did not utter a word on stage about our coming war with Iraq or did he go beyond giving a brief thanks to the Christic Institute, which is pursuing a lawsuit against many of the Iran-Contra crooks who got off so lightly for meddling in Nicaragua.

Conversely, Jackson Browne did several songs about the shameless activities of Reagan, the CIA and the vicious, drug-running “freedom fighters” in Central America. This was, after all, supposed to be a folk concert by three of our most politically engaged performers.

So when Hilburn describes Springsteen’s “Brilliant Disguise” as a “supreme moment of confrontation and confession” it becomes clear that the rock critic is fixated on the gossip about his icon. Does he see no irony in celebrating Bruce for “facing the issues,” given Springsteen’s neglect of politics in this supremely political moment?

KEITH FITZGERALD

Bel Air