This letter is in vehement protest of Doug Farr Jr.’s letter to the editor last week concerning his opinion that the United States press was spending too much time covering Michael Phelps’ bid for eight gold medals. How sad Mr. Farr’s life must be that in a time of desperation, recession, war, famine, etc. he must disparage a shining beacon of light that Michael Phelps has brought to this country, nay this world, with his extraordinary performance at the Olympics. He is at this time the greatest Olympian of all time. What makes Michael Phelps worthy of all the attention and press that he has received, you ask? He is the wonderful product of a single-parent family, whose coach and family saw the potential for greatness in Michael at a very early age, honed and perfected that talent to be the wondrous athlete he is today. He loves his mother and sisters, and all the other members of his family and friends and shows it with every smile he gives them.