Mailbag Monday, 1980: The 'fire and brimstone' edition

Rebecca Shore | Nov 16, 2014

Christie Brinkley in the British Virgin Islands, 1980John G. Zimmerman/SI

IF THE END was near for Swimsuit at any point, it must have been 1980 when our readers, many of whom were of the cloth, had us convinced that we were at the very crux of the battle between good and evil. Alas, twenty-five years later we are still awaiting the reappearance of Jesus himself to tell us what to believe. 

DUELING REVERENDS...

IN WHICH WE EVOKE GODLIKE IMAGERY

Sir:

In an effort to counteract some of the anticipated caustic
criticisms from offended church members of various denominations,
may I commend you for that bountiful bevy of beauties? I can't
imagine Adam's Eve in the Garden of Eden having been any more
pleasing to the eye in her scanty fig-leaf bathing suit!

THE REV. LESLIE CONRAD JR.
Pastor
St. Luke's Lutheran Church
Richardson, Texas

IN WHICH WE BURN WITH SATAN AND HIS IMPS

E+ Collection/Getty Images

Sir:

If Khomeini is considered barbaric in his treatment of the American
hostages, and if the Soviets are marked as infamous in their
subversion of Afghanistan, you are no less Satanic in the exposure
of sex and nudity as an enticement to buy or read SPORTS
ILLUSTRATED. Shame on you! I wish that all of your subscribers,
especially the charter members, would flood your office with
complaints and protests of your lack of decency and respect in
publishing such a distasteful and shocking edition. Why, oh, why
stoop so low?

Again this year I firmly object to your swimsuit edition. I was so
disgusted with the cover that I tore the issue into shreds without
reading it and tossed it into the fire where it really belongs with
the devil and his imps.

THE REV. PHILODORE H. LEMAY, M.S.
Missionaries of La Salette
Attleboro, Mass.

• Last week's Mailbag Monday, 1979

IT'S WHAT THE JESUITS ARE DOING

Sir:

Let's hear it for the Caribbean (Taking It Easy Where It's Breezy,
Feb. 4)! Your "Islands in the Sun" issue will reduce our fuel bill
and help keep tuition down next year. Oh, how you've warmed a
bitter Worcester winter--even the Jesuits are reading it! How about
an SI poster of that fantastic cover? Christie Brinkley is
definitely a 12.​

THE BOYS OF CARLIN HALL III
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, Mass.

AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY, GOD CREATED THE DARN GOOD-LOOKIN'

Sir:

All those who'll end subscriptions, or won't let this issue be
seen, might as well wear blinders when they walk down the street or
along the beach. God created beauty in both nature and people.
Everyone takes a break from a regular routine once a year, even in
the sports world. Much obliged for the great photos, and the girls
are darn good-lookin'.

JEFF REGNIER
Billings, Mont.

AND YOU SAID SWIMSUIT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH SPORTS...

John G. Zimmerman/SI

Sir:

Your pictures of Bernadette Swann [above] prove that Lynn Swann does not
confine his spectacular catches to the football field. She may be
his best ever. Congratulations on another stunning swimsuit issue!

DICK DAVIS
West Middlesex, Pa.

BUT LYNN SWANN'S WIFE WAS IN IT...

Sir:

The issue with Ms. Brinkley and the British Virgins was not sports
and had to be censored and edited before my 12-year-old son could
read it. Another issue like this one, and you'll have one less
reader.

E. BROWN
Glen Ridge, N.J.

...AND A SMILE THAT HIT NEARLY .300 IN 1979

John G. Zimmerman/SI

Sir:

Christie Brinkley's smile [above] has more impact than Dave Kingman's bat
on a baseball.
JEFF STINNEFORD
Raleigh, N.C.

WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET YOU TO STOP CALLING IT THE 'EPIDERMIS ISSUE'

Photo: John G. Zimmerman/SI

Sir:

If "brevity is the soul of wit," would it be fair to say that page
44 [above] of your epidermis issue featured the funniest bathing suit of
the season?

ALAN B. MAVER
Southbury, Conn.

​WE KNOW A BEAUTIFUL IRINA WHEN WE SEE ONE

John G. Zimmerman/SI

Sir:

Once again SI has provided a surefire cure for post-pigskin
depression. I have only two questions: Who is Irina Gerasimenko[above] ,
and where has she been all my life? She is the most beautiful woman
ever to have graced your pages. What a way to start the '80s!

JOSEPH BRODNICKI
Jacksonville

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