LETTERS TO L.A. LIFE : READER STRIPS AWAY PRETENSE, SAYS THIS ISN'T EQUALITY.

I would like to respond to a letter you published in the July 7 issue from Judi Diamant regarding the movie ``Striptease'' and how she felt we women should go and see this movie and support Demi Moore.

We should do this to ``ensure that actresses will keep getting the high salaries that their male counterparts get.'' Whoa, whoa there, Judi; their male counterparts don't take off all their clothes to make those high salaries. For the most part, they do it on merit and achievements based on talent, acting talent, which I could say Moore lacks. To put this movie or Moore as a reflection of what we women should aspire to is ridiculous.

I've had a great many single women friends, and not one of them had to resort to taking off their clothes in front of a roomful of men in order to feed and clothe their children. They did routine, dull things like going to school at night, working two jobs, etc. Moore had stated in an interview that she ``respected'' the striptease women she had come in contact with in the making of this film. Too bad she can't find more suitable examples of fine women with character. Diamant should do the same.

I prefer to spend my money to go and see actresses who earn my respect by working hard with standards I find desirable.

- Barbara Johnson 

Santa Clarita 

She longs for the days of Cagney, Gable, Wayne

Finally, I am happy to read articles by Amy Dawes and Mick La Salle in L.A. Life (July 14) that are long overdue, about the outrageous salaries that the new so-called stars are getting.

I used to love going to the movies, but now I'd rather sit by the pool where I see bodies, almost naked and just as good or even better, than Demi Moore's overadvertised body and expressionless face.

I would say that Jim Carrey belongs in the circus with his crazy faces that make a person forget the story, if there is one.

I blame all this insanity on the movie producers and the studios.

Where are any stars that measure up, even halfway, to old-time stars - James Cagney, Clark Gable, John Wayne, John Gilbert, Gene Kelly, to mention a few, and even a live Clint Eastwood and Frank Sinatra?

I could go on and on, but your writers said it all, much better than I can.

Wish something could be done about all this waste of millions of dollars on these stars with very little talent and little appreciation

- Ethel Jacobson

North Hollywood

Ever so politely, she gives 3 cheers for Miss Manners

I enjoy Miss Manners in Sunday L.A. Life. I would be overjoyed if she were featured seven days a week! I was tickled with Michiko Kakutani's (New York Times) review of ``Miss Manners Rescues Civilization.'' I already want to buy the book - but now I want to buy several so I can give them as gifts. I always enjoy the Book section in the Sunday Daily News.

- Eileen O'Neill

West Hills