FOGEYS OF ROCK NOT TO MENTION THE STONES, THE WHO, AND DAVID BOWIE

EDITOR: Mudhoney's past connection and influence on the city of Seattle can definitely not be denied ["Mudhoney NSFAQ*," Everett True, Aug 15]. Even for a young'un like myself--my first concert ever attended was the Bumbershoot Ramones concert with Mudhoney and some other crappy band opening.

As it was my first concert of many to come, I vividly remember the excitement I felt as Mudhoney played on stage. I couldn't believe the energy rush I felt as a million leather-jacket-clad Ramones fans pelted the shit out of Mudhoney with the lemons from all nearby Frankfurter stands. It was joy to the eyes and ears! Especially when the talentless frontman countered the citrus assault with a feisty, "If you assholes throw any more lemons we're getting the fuck out of here!" They left the stage about three seconds later. Fast-forward to 1998-ish, the Monkeywrench's debut all-ages show at the Crocodile Cafe. How can I describe my feelings? I'll try with my own list of "Not-so-frequently-asked-questions": HOW OLD ARE THESE LOSERS? WHY DON'T MUDHONEY/MONKEYWRENCH GIVE THE FUCK UP AND AGE GRACEFULLY? WHY THE FUCK DID I SPEND MONEY TO HEAR THIS BULLSHIT? Sorry to dis the opinion of your antiquated "rock journalist," but Mudhoney FUCKING SUCKS ASS. I always thought that rock and roll was for the youth, but what do I know? I was just swimming around in my daddy's balls when Mudhoney was, ahem, "fine-tuning" their "skills." Mudhoney sucks. They always have, and they always will. Just look at the picture on page 15. You can tell they fucking suck even if you never heard them!

Danny Ames, via e-mail

P.S. I have been a faithful reader of The Stranger ever since I picked up a copy on a sixth-grade field trip to the International District, and nothing has ever provoked my lazy ass to write in ever before until I saw a Mudhoney-praising article. I mean, come on, I thought it was the April Fool's issue or something.


GO JOSH GO!

EDITOR: I wanted to take a moment to applaud The Stranger, and Josh Feit in particular. I've been a news junkie my whole life. I started watching Cronkite when I was seven. I remember having an orgasm the day I discovered CNN's Headline News. You get the picture. Still, as I got older, I noticed that the news I'd been snorting was getting cut with more and more filler--with less space for news. I tried to call my dealer to complain, but he'd been bought out by Disney-Time-Warner-Westinghouse-Viacom, and if I wanted something more "pure," I was just going to have to find my news someplace else.

Enter The Stranger and Josh Feit. I've been reading his columns for several months now and have to say he is a wonderful journalist and educator. I have a much better understanding of how the city council works (or doesn't work), its relationship with the mayor's office, and how things actually get done in our city--something I was never able to achieve by reading the Seattle Times. His ability to focus on the brass ring is very appreciated. Plus he's just damn funny--a nice trick for such a smart-ass.

John Hilgedick, via e-mail


STUPID REAGAN

EDITOR: Charles Mudede's scathing criticism of Freeway Park's design and designer misses the real cause of the dangers of having a public space that honors the human spirit's need for egress and refuge ["Topography of Terror," Aug 22]. When Lawrence Halprin designed Freeway Park in 1976, he designed it for the city of the future, but a very different future than that which has come to pass.

In 1976 the city of the future was a clean and safe place. Homelessness was then a tragedy so rare as to inspire compassion, and there was reason to believe that social services would be improved in the city of the future.

In 1976 the mental hospitals were just being emptied, with the best of intentions, to let the quirky wards of Nurse Ratchet free. It was not then expected that the city of the future would be peopled with shambling human beings suffering from brain diseases in such numbers as to render all urban public spaces the exercise yard of an untended mental hospital.

The gift of Freeway Park to the city we have become is a gift of pearls before swine.

And the warning sign that Mudede would hang at the entrance to the park should instead be hung at the portal in history between the America of Jimmy Carter and the grim dystopian legacy of Reaganomics.

Michael J. Swassing, via e-mail


EXACTLY

BRADLEY STEINBACHER: Just wanted to high-five ya, re: your piece on Rainier Plaza ["Topography of Terror II," Aug 22]. I've only recently noticed that space and it gave me similarly creepy vibes, which you've articulated perfectly. The great expanses of pure white and the empty chairs and tables look like a full-size architectural model straight outta the '60s. It seems perfectly normal during the day, but once the suits are gone, it's a spooky place!

Andrew, via e-mail


GET BACK TO WORK

A. BIRCH STEEN: Can the Critical Overview column actually review The Stranger again? The stupid pissing contest is just that: stupid; and when I say stupid, I mean stupid.

Chris Davis, via e-mail