I have nothing witty to offer here, just my deepest thanks for producing such a perfect and much-needed parody of what has to be among the 10 worst gay publications in existence (I say 10 because, let's face it, the "gay press" is not wanting for utter crap). SGN is a huge embarrassment for Seattle, and particularly for its gay people.

I hope you're very proud. This was really good work.

Paul Rosenberg, via e-mail

KERRY'S REAL MESSAGE
STRANGER: If I hadn't attended the Democrat dinner myself, I would have assumed from the tone of Sandeep Kaushik's article that John Kerry's message didn't resonate with the crowd ["Political Fault Lines," July 3]. From my perspective Kerry hit a home run at the Rosellini dinner. He had the whole room on its feet cheering by the end of his speech. He is the only Democrat in the presidential race who can motivate the Democratic base, stand toe to toe with Bush on national security, and have any credibility outside of the Democratic faithful.

If Dean is the Democratic nominee, the general election vote will be Bush 62 percent and Dean 38 percent. Kerry, on the other hand, has a decent shot at winning the presidency if things go his way.

Kerry's message is strong on national security and multilateral cooperation, as well as progressive ideas pertaining to environment, energy, education, health care, and community service. I wish that Sandeep's article had touched upon some of those positive messages rather than dwelling on the Democratic horse race.

Jeffrey Sterling, via e-mail

TIRED RANTS
SEAN NELSON: Hey, nice soapbox you got on. It sure would have been nice if you had actually interviewed people who use Friendster and LiveJournal for your article ["Overconnected," July 17]. Perhaps then, your piece would have set itself apart from the tired rants about how people who use the Internet for social activities are lonely people.

Matt, via e-mail

JOSH FEIT: DISINGENUOUS
STRANGER: Josh Feit's complaint about the new lack of access for city hall reporters is a little disingenuous [Five to Four, July 17]. First off, The Stranger managed to break through the lack of press access at City Light months ago, landing a one-on-one with a spokesperson after being stonewalled for quite some time (and complaining about it in your pages). Second, Feit knows full well that open access doesn't always equate to better stories dished out to the public. The White House press corps is a perfect example, where folks don't dare to write even a word that goes against the administration out of a fear of being cut off, and having embedded journalists with the troops in Iraq created a similar situation. The embeds themselves even said they got so close to the subject matter that their objectivity was compromised. Decreased access for the press just makes reporters work a little harder. I'm sure that's something Feit and the Seattle Times' Brunner won't really mind in the long run.

Mary Guiden, via e-mail

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PEARL
STRANGER: Thanks for Amy Jenniges' story comparing the Seattle and Portland streetcars ["Trolley Folly," July 17]. Her description of the routing differences makes a strong case that Greg Nickels and friends don't understand all the details that have made this streetcar work.

There's one more point that I haven't seen included in any of the streetcar/Pearl success stories. That is, the Pearl District did not magically sprout up overnight when the city planted streetcar seeds. The Pearl District has been growing condos and galleries and next-big-thing cachet for the last 10 years at least--well before the streetcar laid tracks. The streetcar has helped increase traffic and investment, but it is not the major driving force behind development there.

By the way, I think streetcars are cool. But their first function is moving people, and Seattle has to justify the plan on that basis. I hope that somebody somewhere is thinking about how the streetcar fits in with the monorail and the light rail and the bus system.

John Marsh, via e-mail

OUR NEW T-SHIRT SLOGAN: "A CESSPOOL OF WANTONNESS"
STRANGER: I was born and grew up in Seattle, moved away 25 years ago or so, and once in a while, I get nostalgic for the Emerald City. However, my nostalgia gets cured when I'm reminded, through your publication and other sources, that Seattle has become the national capital of narcissism.

This is really a shame. Seattle used to be great. Nowhere else did mountain, sky, sea, river, lake, and tree meet progressive civilization so successfully. The city was populated with a healthy mix of seafarers, engineers, adventurers, and executives, and a dose of wanderers and vagabonds to keep things interesting.

I guess it was only a matter of time. Now the indulgent from everywhere else (New York and L.A. are big culprits) have turned the city into a cesspool of wantonness.

Your publication is the flag-bearer of this decay, now in full, disgusting bloom. Congratulations.

R. K. Carroll, via e-mail