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The week Republicans walked off with Congress, we chronicled the influence (and film debut) of controversial Great White Hypester Eminem (#681, Nov. 8), leaving some wondering, ''What's the nation coming to?!'' ''Today's youth is angry,'' says Dave O'Neill of Forest Park, Ill. ''Maybe with Eminem's 8 Mile, we can glean a little understanding of why.'' That provided little solace for A. House of Halfmoon, N.Y.: ''Every time Eminem is given more attention, it validates his horrible attitude and behavior. Having freedom of expression doesn't mean it comes with no responsibility.'' Tell that to voters, some of whom were disillusioned by the election and Ken Tucker's critique of The West Wing. ''EW, in a century with two consecutive Black Tuesdays, please shut up,'' pleads Nancy Deweese of Central Lake, Mich., ''and leave me my fantasy -- Bartlet and his staff are in my White House, and I am proud of my country.''

Beating the Rap

Thanks a lot for the excellent Eminem story. But I don't understand your insistence that he is so ''hated.'' The guy's had the No. 1 song, album, and movie. Eminem's filling a cultural void the exact same way another Detroit native did nearly two decades ago: Madonna! They both dye their hair blond, they have dealt with their family issues through their art, they cause lots of controversy, they have proven to be significant cultural artists, and both have impacted an entire generation of young people. Em is the new M! Except it looks like he can actually act! MARTIN ORTIZ marz888@aol.com Albuquerque, N.M.

Eminem, every time you gain an ounce of my respect, you lose it. Reading is ''the worst thing in the world''? Have you ever met anybody who can't read -- not even a map, a road sign, or a menu?! That, buddy, is the worst thing in the world and those people would give a year of their life to learn to read, even a magazine article on you. Find the people who taught you to read and thank them. You owe your success to them. STEVEN MACKAY sdamackay@yahoo.com Tuscaloosa, Ala.

You are no doubt receiving flak for running Marshall Mathers' responses verbatim, featuring several uses of the (gasp) S-word. This decision reflects the edgy attitude I expect from this magazine, and surely the word is nothing we've not collectively heard before. I continue to trust EW's editorial judgment, and applaud your allowing ''the most influential entertainer of our time'' to speak his mind stifle-free. MARTY KLEIN Orange, Calif.

Even before I opened the Eminem issue, I read the cover. He ''had to shut up & learn how to act''? I just wish he would learn to shut up. ANNA PREZIOSI Ramsey, N.J.

'West' Kept Secret

I feel as if Ken Tucker and I are currently watching two different seasons of The West Wing (''How the West Was Undone''). I am sorry to hear that the show's ratings have dropped, because each week I remark how the series seems to have gotten back its oomph. There are plenty of goose-bump moments, the plotlines are more focused on the ins and outs of policy and the campaign, and I'm enjoying the growing roster of characters. SARAH ROSEN Brooklyn