What's in a name?

Plenty, judging from the batch of e-mails that stacked up soon after Eric Estrin's request for something new to call the LAT. Some replies weren't printable, but most reflect affection for - and frustration with - one of our hometown papers as it struggles through some rough times.

Here's a fair sampling from readers from throughout LA to Washington, DC to the Middle East.

"Hip Young Readers R-Us"

"The Chicago Outpost”

"THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING LOS ANGELES TIMES"

"The Staples-Times"

"Gray Lady Down -- a little obscure, relying on both Times lore and movie lore."

"OldTimes Los Angeles -- for anybody nostalgic for NewTimes's last foray into Southland journalism."

"The New York Times -- it's what they've always wanted, right?"

And a longer note from the Times’ Mideast correspondent:

Hello,

That's kind of an overly harsh take on one of only four U.S. newspapers that continue to maintain robust foreign and national bureaus, no? Is the whole paper really little more than "dumbed-down celebrity coverage that typifies a Second City take on big city news?" The Los Angeles Times maintains a larger Baghdad bureau than any other newspaper in the world except for the New York Times. Your take cites no examples of diminished coverage of international, national, local or arts coverage. It may reflect your opinion of where you believe the paper is heading, but it has nothing at all to do with the reality of the newspaper today.

Warm regards,

Borzou Daragahi
Middle East Correspondent
Los Angeles Times