From the Mar 24 – Mar 30, 2005 issue

Columns

Letters to the Editor

BAD DEBTOR
Charles Mudede's populist rallying cry "Debtors of America, unite!" ["Debtors Revolt!" March 17] is only half true. Perhaps he should append it so it reads "Debtors of America, unite to read the fine print!" If anyone is uncomfortable with having a bank or finance company raise the interest rate on a credit card, then perhaps he should think twice about opening that account. If all those in hock to credit card companies had the discipline to join forces in open revolt, they wouldn't be in the financial mess they're in to begin with.

Robert Diamond

POWER TO DEADBEATS
CHARLES: I had an acquaintance who in the '90s who ran up credit card bills that he never intended to pay, took every offer he got from debt consolidation companies for high-interest loans, and so on. What could they do? Stop extending him new lines of credit? Then they wouldn't be able to count his debts as their asset. They're still after him, he still doesn't have a job, and on it goes. Maybe we can look forward to the Deadbeat Protection Act of 2015 when they eliminate debtors' prison. Just in time to continue funding the prisoner-industrial complex expansion after the low-hanging fruit (nonviolent drug offenders, mainly) has been picked.

Matt Rosoff

HOLY LAWS
EDITOR: I agree that the "anti-gay-marriage lawyers" (as Dan Savage referred to them) ["First Comes Love," March 10] didn't really any strong legal arguments in defense of the DOMA. In minor point of clarification of the lawyers' roles, the "anti-gay-marriage lawyers" are lawyers for the State of Washington or for King County--they are lawyers for the govern- ment, not some anti-gay religious group, and so have to defend whatever ill-conceived laws that the legislature passes or the citizens pass by initiative. As a lawyer for the state (which at least tries to put on the appearance of secularity), it would be a fatally stupid mistake to bring up the religious basis for opposition to gay marriage when trying to show that the legislature had a "rational basis" or "compelling state interest" in enacting the DOMA.

Our state's constitution and case law don't allow the legislature to make laws solely on religious bases, so the purpose of the DOMA law had to be couched and ultimately defended in terms of secular concerns--the well-being of children. Of course, there's a growing body of credible scientific data that suggests that a kid with two gay parents in a stable family is just as happy and well-adjusted as a kid with two non-gay parents in a stable family. I didn't envy the arguments that the government lawyers had to make because they are logically weak and scientifically unsupportable; I think the court found the holes with ease.

Jessica Barkas

YOUNG REPUBLICAN ADVOCATES SOCIALISM
DEAR MR. SAVAGE: Your cover on the Nov 11, 2004 issue ["Do Not Despair…"] offended me. I was particularly offended when you stated, and I quote, "You may feel like you're surrounded by fundamentalist-church-going, gun-hugging, gay-bashing, anti-choice Bush voters… [but you're not]."

I am a 16-year-old junior at Quemado High School, and yes, for your information, it is a small town. I live on a ranch and I have a 4.0 GPA. If it is too hard for "you" to find Quemado on the map, let me give you a hint. It is in New Mexico. I do go to church every Sunday and I do believe in the bearing of arms. I am not a gay basher either because I grew up going to a church that has taught me that only God should judge. Even though I am not yet old enough to vote, I do support Bush.

If cities are the economic engines that power this country, I hope you enjoy the taste of smog; you would starve without the food and fibers grown by rural America. If we are so bad, why are you drinking our milk, eating meat raised by my grandfather, and using our cotton and leather for your clothing? As far as I am concerned, we in rural America could once again live on a co-op system and would not need the economic engines of the big cities. Could you live without us?

You and other citizens of the "Urban Archipelago" are a minority. You might be a group of many islands but remember that the sea will always be larger.

L. Shea Green
Junior Class Vice-President, Quemado High School

CLARIFICATION: In the March 17 Chow section ["Getting Your Irish Out"] Sara Dickerman wrote about dining at Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub with small group of lesbians who enjoy patronizing Irish pubs. They call themselves the Gaelic Gays, which we mentioned in the subhead "An Evening with the Gaelic Gays." We illustrated the story with a photo of a bartender pouring shots, which was captioned "PADDY COYNE'S: Cheers for queers." This unfortunately gave some readers the impression that Paddy Coyne's is a gay bar, and that the man in the photo is gay. "It's not a gay bar," said Billy Whelan, the man shown in the photo. Whelan is in fact heterosexual. "We have all sorts of clientele. We serve a lot of gays, lots of Irish people. We also serve lots of hiphop people. But we're not a gay bar or a hiphop bar. We're just an Irish bar/restaurant." The Stranger apologizes for the troubles our story caused Whelan and his staff.

MORE LETTERS

MORE LETTERS

MUDEDE’S DUBIOUS BLACK-DAR

EDITOR: I read the following sentence in “Debtors Revolt” [Charles Mudede, March 17] and have a two questions. “After being placed on hold for several excruciating minutes--the music was so bad that I almost gave up the cause and accepted the increased rates as my new reality—a black American man answered my call.”

How did Charles Mudede know the man was black? (Studies have shown that even if people think they can tell someone’s race by their accent, this in fact is not true). Even if for some reason, the operator revealed his race, why is this relevant to the story? I don’t want my name published. I am, however, concerned about why the author felt it relevant to mention the operator’s race.

Name Withheld

ANOTHER DEBTOR SPEAKS

Thanks for your article, Charles. Your own personal experience is even spookier than mine. At least I was semi-deadbeat, but how does that explain raising my interest rate to 30%?!!!! How do those bank people stand to handle all of our complaints? Did they guy keep saying “I understand how you feel, I understand how you feel.” (How did you know he was a “black american man”?) There's an aspect of this that some call the poverty draft—impoverish enough families and their kids will be forced to enlist. Spooky. Thanks again. Cielito Brooklyn NY

STUFF IT

EDITOR: Charles Mudede’s rallying cry against against big name lenders [“Debtors Revolt,” March 17] was encouraging, and I was relieved that someone in the media threw a flag on the “Consumer Protection Act.” I'm with Mr. Mudede in spirit, but I'm not sure what to make of his plan. Regardless, my quiet but liberating protest to these faceless, greedy companies who collectively mail me an average of ten credit card solicitations per week is to stuff everything they each send me, including the envelope in which it all came, into the return envelope, and send it right back to them. They pay for the return trip, and they can dispose of their own trash. If everybody did this, maybe the companies would know how annoying it is to be bombarded by lousy credit card offers.

Derek Swanson

WE LOVE TEENAGERS

STRANGER: I just want to commend you for writing an article about the two teenaged girls with the production company Skinny Productions [Underage, Megan Seling, March 17]. First of all, it’s nice to see young girls with the willpower and talent to run a production company. It’s nice to live in a society that allows them to express themselves like that. Second of all, it’s absolutely wonderful that a nice newspaper like yours is highlighting them and recognizing their amazing work. Thanks.

Amanda Stacey

FOLGERGATE A BLAST

EDITOR: RE: Annie and John. Please don’t stop. I am having a blast reading their love correspondence. At first I thought Mr. L. was really wacked and Ms. W. was being really mean but after Googling Tom Folger (ok he died in 1838 and he’s some kind of hero in Charlton, Saratoga, NY) I realize that they sucked me into their nasty little drama. Although I would have seen Influence anyway, I am now really yearning to go tonight and will be craning my neck looking for the dead guy.

Teri Mathews

FOLGERGATE BETTER THAN SOAPS

EDITOR: Folger? Longenbaugh? Folgerbaugh? Could you please flesh this out into a full-fledged investigative feature? I swear to god, it’s possibly the wierdest, most compelling story I’ve read all week in any newspaper. The terrific banter between your wonderful critic and Folgerbaugh, the insane personality-switching, the inexplicable academic pissing contest... It’s all so... interesting. Can we know more? Is Folgerbaugh a unity? Or perhaps two spirits in one corporeal body? Is Folgerbaugh really an aspect of the Catholic Messiah? Or merely another narcissistic theater sausage? Can a cabal of private detectives with parabolic microphones and fiber-optic cameras reveal more about Folgerbaugh’s demented personal life? Or is that just a dream I had when I was drunk? Can we have an independent evaluation of their theses? How about a “cosmic review” of the worth of both of their lives? Some sort of “karma contest”? It’s even more interesting than Days of our Lives. Even than those episodes where Marlena got possessed by Satan!

Jeremy Mesiano-Crookston

MATH IS HARD

EDITOR: Amy Jenniges and Basic Math… In reference to a 100-square-foot espresso stand being rented for $2,500 [“Brewing Storm,” Amy Jenniges, March 17]. “The women had “struck gold” with the previous $400 lease, [Khourami] says, and the rent increase was meant to bring the rate up to market standards. (Reynolds, however, points out that she and Mueller looked for a new Magnolia space, and found that neighborhood commercial rents averaged $15 to $30 per square foot, while Union 76’s offer was more than $250 per square foot.)”

Look, a third grader should be able to tell Reynolds, Jenniges, and The Stranger’s editors that the Union 76 is charging $25 per square foot, not $250. (At $250 per square foot--as Reynolds claims and Jenniges blithely repeats--the lease would cost $25,000 per month.) Khourami is right and Reynolds should learn to count before she continues operating a business: the women struck gold with a lease that cost only $4 per month when market rates are much higher. The new cost of the least--$2,500--is a fair market price of $25 a month.

Eric DePlace

MATH IS HARD 2

AMY JENNIGES: You reported “quintuple Java Jazz's monthly rent, from $400 to $2,500, when Reynolds and Mueller's original three-year lease for the small, 100-square-foot space was almost up.” $2500 for 100 sq ft. is $25/sq ft, no? Which puts Union 76's offer squarely within the range of $15-30 / sq ft. So what's the issue here? Daniel

MATH IS HARD 3, OR “WE GET IT”

AMY: $2500 / 100 feet = $25 per square foot, not “over $250.”

Katie Davis

IT’S NOT COFFEE FRIENDS…

I really have little sympathy for the two women who had trouble with their espresso drive through on Magnolia. The first rule of opening a retail business is negotiate a good lease or you risk losing it or facing a steep increase. It is all business.Thank you for not portraying the station owners negatively. They are merely playing the game to win just like these two women are. Certainly their efforts may prove successful in saving their clientele, and good for them. But the fact remains. They messed up. If these two women were on The Apprentice, it would not be long before they heard those two words, “You’re fired.”

Matthew Reichlin

SHARKANSKY IS TOPS

EDITOR: Thanks for adding a new voice to The Stranger in the Sound Bite column. It takes editorial courage, something consistently lacking at the Lost Intelligencer and Daily Timid, to open a spot on your editorial staff for views that are outside the general Seattle perspective.

C. E. “Ky” Huggins

SHARKANSKY NOT SO MUCH

DEAR EDITOR: I’m writing in response to Stefan Sharkansky’s big scoop of b.s. in the SoundBite piece entitled Time for a New County Executive [March 17].

Stefan describes Ron Sim’s role in eight years of service as King County Executive with words like arrogant, scandals, and missteps. The fact is Ron Sims is human and so are all the people who work for or with the county. However, when compared to any other county in this great nation, King County is a shinning example of thoughtful, uncorrupt, state-of-the-art, local government.

Stefan’s piece is simply part of the propaganda machine that began several months ago in an effort to discredit Sims in order to get a republican in office. If local Republicans had a candidate with a track record of service to the citizens of this area half as good a Sims’, I’d be happy to hear from that person. If they had ideas better suited to serve the citizens here, I might even vote for them. Unfortunately, they don’t.

What they do have is straight-up liars, like Stefan, willing to say our Executive doesn’t allow people to pull weeds. Even us city boys know that ordinance applies to clearing large tracks of land (over 7000 square feet!)—not Aunt Millie pulling out blackberries from around her porch. Besides, Sims didn’t come up with the Critical Areas Ordinance ideas himself—as the King County Executive, he is responsible for enforcing the state’s Growth Management Act.

Another lie: Sims “forces tent cities on unprepared suburban communities.” C’mon, Stefan! The rural and suburban areas have been dumping their homeless on the City of Seattle for decades, and using lawyers to fight attempts to get them to do their fair share every step of the way. Sims did not want people camping on county property, but a lot of concerned and informed citizens convinced him it was better and safer than having people sleep in alleys. When Stefan tells us they were “unprepared,” he gives the impression Sims didn’t give them time to fetch blankets, medicine, and cheese for these people who have hit hard times. Stefan knows that “unprepared” really means (some) suburbanites raising legal forces to keep the homeless out of their neighborhoods.

Stefan, is also lying about King County’s role in the last gubernatorial election. We are lucky to have arguably the best election system in the country. King County residents are reality-based voters. Better alternatives are always welcome, but Lies won’t cut it.

Lorn Richey

WE LIKE LICATA

DEAR STRANGER: I tried to laughed when I read Elaine Spencer’s lame critique of City Councilperson Nick Licata’s record [In The Hall, Erica C. Barnett, March 17] , but her high school whine about government’s need for “people... who aren’t just against things” was a painful reminder of how some councilmember wannabes are more interested in locating the rings in our noses, than in leadership or vision. Nick Licata is a true Seattle progressive. He has done more to protect our quality of life than any other office holder. The fact that the public can post bills for music and against the Iraq war, the fact that the working poor can still drive their cars and the fact that we are not up to our armpits in debt, dust and development because Licata took the pulse of the city when Mayor Paul Schell tried to force us into becoming a freakshow whore to lure the Olympics are reasons enough to support Licata. And on those few occasions when Licata has been on the losing end of 8-1 or 7-2 Council votes that challenge, inform and often modify the majority; tell me, would the city be better served by robotoid 9-0 rubberstamps? Our best interest will never be attended to by a Council of clones.

Haley Land

WE LIKE LICATA, TOO

DEAR STRANGER: Wouldn’t you agree that we are living through perilous times? And aren’t you concerned when ordinary, moderately conservative people are willing to outlaw such a moderate proposal as the marriage between two adults of the same sex? And if they think they can do that, imagine what they might think they can do to such an outrageously outspoken publication like yours?

What do you think is holding them in check, their tolerance and sense of fair play? Of course not! The only thing keeping your tender skin free of tar and feathers is our government. And the very most important characteristic of that government is it’s bitter partisan rivalry. Or at least that’s what I learned in high school civics class.

So when someone in that government is characterized as “just against things,” and “on the losing end of numerous 8-1 votes,” I would say that person is probably doing a good job in government and ought to be singled out for recognition and admiration. When that person has the courage to speak out against the Patriot Act, and all that it means, I would start to think hero. And finally, the job of an elected official in our government is to represent the views of his or her constituency even if that puts the official on the short end of an 8-1 vote. So, when you quote Elaine Spencer as saying that Nick Licata is “just against things,” maybe over on the editorial page you might say something like: “Good Job Man! Thanks for representing us.” I know he represents my views. Sincerely.

Jim True

Seattle

ERICA VS. LICATA?

Dear Editor: Regarding E. Barnett’s In the Hall article in last week’s Stranger, it appears more like she’s bucking for a job on the campaign staff of a future Licata opponent than reporting city news. How contrived is it to call a megahouse land-use attorney with no plans to wage a campaign and then breathlessly report on their “spontaneous sound bite?” The fact of the matter is that Nick Licata has an extremely solid constituency who appreciate not only his tireless efforts on issues like eliminating the poster ban and preserving the Human Rights Commission, the Seattle Women’s Commission, and the Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities, but are proud that Licata has the courage to stand up and be counted even when it may be deemed by some as “unpopular.”

Sean Carlson

Seattle

LEAVE LICATA ALONE

Why, after all that Nick Licata has accomplished during his time in office, does an alternative media outlet like The Stranger write about him, like they did last week, as if he only finds “himself on the losing end of numerous 8-1 votes”?

Licata has been one of the most productive councilmembers we’ve had during his time in office. Not only has he led battles that helped bury the poster ban, reform the teen dance ordinance, preserve funding for social services and the arts, and publicize the need to revitalize Broadway in Capitol Hill. He’s used his vote to strategically influence and publicly challenge the avalanche of corporate welfare that Nickels and some city council members regularly try to force through the council—particularly toward Paul Allen’s South Lake Union fantasies.

Look at Licata’s ammendments, not just legislation he’s introduced. Look at how he’s been able to shape the bills he’s voted for, not just the ones he ends up standing against. Licata proves that you can be a watchdog without being an outsider, and that, through compromise and hard work, progressives can build fruitful partnerships and gain crucial concessions from even the most conservative of colleagues.

Trevor Griffey

Seattle

LICATA LICATA LICATA

EDITOR: Erica Barnett should take in the big picture before trying to spin Nick Licata as a councilman who simply votes no, suggesting he’s dodged bullets in past elections. I hope The Stranger will offer more than sound bites in the upcoming campaigns; there are real issues to discuss. Licata simply in opposition? No way! Licata has been keeping the city liveable and (to the extent possible) affordable more than many may realize. Viaduct replacement? His work, research and opinions might save us a billion dollars— dollars we don’t have. Low-income housing? He fights for needed replacement housing, when SHA redevelopment projects would otherwise add to homelessness in our city. Neighborhoods? By initially opposing elimination of the UW Lease Lid, Licata got us a plan that at least incorporates a partial ban on leasing in the land use code. He redirected the car impoundment program towards truly dangerous drivers, rather than simply those who are poor. He has recognized and preserved the important and distinct work of the separate commissions for Human Rights, Women, and Sexual Minorities - by opposing their consolidation. He has continued to fight for multi-use of park space (yes, opposing golf park expansion in Jefferson Park). Licata led the council in adopting a South Lake Union trolley plan that requires no city money - preserving transportation dollars for real priorities, not just toys for Paul Allen developments. He’s fought to preserve free speech, public views and open space, and a proper balance between city fat cat developers and our neighborhoods. We need more voices like Nick Licata on the City Council - truly a workhorse, if you look at his total record!

Craig Salins

ILLUMINATE THE SKULLDUGGERY

[RE: “Rural Ruse,” Erica C. Barnett, March 10; More Letters, March 17]

ERICA: Perhaps there is another story to all this political mania besides mine. But will you or the Stranger, expose a Democrat? We’ll see. To Rural Landowners, the County Council, County Executive and the news media: We continue to be amazed, no, outright disgusted, with the lengths to which King County Democrats will not only “lie” to the public, but they will “lie” to their own constituent Democrats as well. Two King County Democrats who seem to “lie” the most, are Ron Sims and Dow (Chairman “Mao”) Constantine. I have heard Ron Sims make public statements on the air that were in fact bold-faced lies and we have the recordings to prove it. We also just uncovered information from the 34th District Headquarters that made the following statement to their own supporters, about Dow Constantine: “Councilmember Constantine faces mounting legal bills to defend himself against this effort and needs our financial support.”(See http://www.34dems.org/action.htm and http://www.34dems.org/Docs2005/CAPR.pdf ”)

Now if anyone has been following this story of the Recall Petition against Dow Constantine, they know that in January 2005, the full King County Council voted to provide public funds to support Dow Constantine’s defense against the Recall. So how does Dow have mounting legal bills? How indeed! If I was a 34th District voter, I sure would want to know. And then, to make matters even worse, Dow tried to get a judge to stick the purveyor of the Recall with all of Dow’s exhorbitant ($23,000) legal fees. However, it is unlikely they will be successful going this route. The sad part is that Dow didn’t have to pay these legal bills himself. Perhaps then he might think twice about making false statements, passing draconian land use ordinances (CAO) and lying to his constituents.

All this fraudulent rhetoric is designed to get 34th district Demo’s feeling sorry for poor old Dow when in reality they are being duped by “Dow and Company” that want the 34th District votes. Now lying to the other party is one thing, but lying to your own constituents, well that’s a whole other matter.

We believe that a penetrating light of day (nay, a powerful media search light) should be focused on this kind of skullduggery and if the news media haven’t been totally perverted by the liberals, perhaps they will just shine that light upon the distorted and twisted world known as “Dow” Constantine. Or perhaps a whole bunch of 34th District voters should call their headquarters and find out why their own Democrats would perpetrate a lie of this magnitude. Sure makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Ron Ewart Fall City, WA

STRANGER PARROTS LEFTIES, BWRAWK!

EDITOR: My colleagues in the Property Rights movement said I was foolish for trying to communicate with The Stranger regarding our current land-use struggles because of your newspaper’s leftward slant. My contention was that you take independent political stands, see complicated issues beyond the most obvious political spectrum, and are especially loathe to simply parrot the position of the entrenched power structure. Unfortunately, Erica Barnett’s article [“Rural Ruse,” March 10] seemed to prove me wrong.

I hope you will allow me to correct some factual errors and misrepresentations in Ms. Barnett’s article.

I am not a member of the Citizen’s Alliance, despite being generally in alignment with its goals.

I may be considered a suburbanite because I drive through a low-density suburban neighborhood to get to my 40 acre home site, but it is inaccurate to imply that I represent all, or even a substantial portion, of the property owners who are fighting for our rights.

It is inaccurate to say that I “...[hoped] to subdivide .. into as many as 50 lots.” In fact, my fondest hope was to keep all 40 acres. The reality, however, was that some division would likely be a financial necessity in the future. If my primary motivation had been to profit from real-estate, I would have filed a plat application immediately. When I did file a few years later, the timing was based only on the fact that my right to make a reasonable division in the future was about to be taken away. My family’s current hope is to separate our home onto a five-acre parcel for sale, so that we can keep the remaining 35 acres for a more modest home and small farm, but even that is impossible without paying exhorbitant fees and allowing government agents unrestricted access to our home.

Ms. Barnett asked, “... is it really fair for suburbanites to escape regulation at the expense of urban areas, like Seattle, that bear the environmental and traffic costs of suburban sprawl?”

This is a rather absurd analysis. I would assert that Seattle has a far greater negative environmental impact that we do. In fact, the claim of the (debatable) “Best Available Science” behind the CAO is that we are providing a POSITIVE environmental impact, which offsets the ecological disaster of urban densities, and that we should be prevented from using our land (without compensation), lest our positive contribution to environmental quality be reduced!

If Ms. Barnett feels that we are a drain on the resources of Seattle, perhaps she would be willing to support our wish to separate politically from the urban areas of King County? So far, the Seattle politicians have gone to extreme measures to prevent us from asserting our political independence. Does this give any clue as to who is profiting from whom?

Charles Strouss III

ERICA C. BARNETT RESPONDS

Charles Strouss claims that cities like Seattle have a “far greater environmental impact” than sprawling suburbs and exurbs in formerly rural parts of King County, that developing rural areas produces a “positive environmental impact,” and that density is “an ecological disaster.” Yet numerous studies have indicated that sprawl is the true environmental disaster. As rural areas are paved over for suburban development (between 1992 and 1997, development in Washington claimed an area larger than seven cities of Seattle) the demand for roads linking cities and suburbs increases. Pollution runs off all that pavement into waterways that provide habitat and the water people drink, harming wildlife and impairing water quality. As suburbanites commute into the city (where they use roads and infrastructure paid for by local tax dollars), air quality plummets; according to the Transportation Choices Coalition, cars and trucks are responsible for 57 percent of the state’s air pollution. Meanwhile, traffic congestion spikes, creating demand for more and larger roads—a well-documented vicious cycle.

Density, in contrast, is an environmental (and transportational, and economic) boon. Dense, walkable urban areas enable people to greatly reduce their reliance on cars, reducing demand for roads and lowering development pressure and pollution on the surrounding rural areas. Dense cities are also livable, walkable, and healthier in ways that go far beyond their positive environmental characteristics. As for whether Mr. Strouss planned to subdivide his land into 50 lots: Perhaps his “fondest wish” was to continue to live and farm on all 40 acres. In his letter, however, he told me a rezone that would only permit him to subdivide his land into eight lots, rather than 50, would be “financially disastrous,” indicating that he did in fact hope to subdivide the land.

Mr. Strouss’ letter makes clear where his political allegiances lie. However, I regret identifying Mr. Strouss as a member of CAPR when he is not.

ANNIE DISAGREES, IS THEREFORE WRONG

DEAR STRANGER FOLK: I’m writing with a slight bone to pick... Being a relatively recent transplant to Seattle, I haven’t gotten out yet to see a lot of theater here, at least as not as much as I should, but I did take theatre classes in college and probably see more than the average joe.

This past weekend, however, I had some friends visiting me from out of town, hardcore theatre fans, and so we caught a couple of shows... On The Stranger’s recommendation by Annie Wagner [On Stage, March 17] we journeyed out to West Seattle to catch the Neil Simon comedy Barefoot in the Park. As we paid $23 each and sat amidst a sea of blue haired old ladies, we were all astonished at the how horrifically overacted the show was and how uninspired the production was as a whole. (Not knocking Arts West... the show is what it is and they have their hearing-aid wearing audience they have to cater to.) But I think between the four of us, we’d seen (or worked on) 6 different productions of this show, and let me tell you, it’s hard to mess up Neil Simon, but this came close.

Additionally, one of my guests was a big Neil LaBute fan, and so we also caught one of the performances of “The Shape of Things” on Capitol Hill. I was ambivalent going in, as Ms. Wagner’s review was tepid to say the least and I knew nothing about the play and we were one of only a small handful people in the audience... But I am sure glad I did. It was one of the most engaging, thought provoking, slick and shocking shows I’ve ever seen with some extraordinary performances by a small ensemble of actors. My visiting LaBute fan had caught the Off-Broadway staging and seen the movie, and commented how impressed she was with this production in comparison, liking it better in many ways, and by the way, tickets here were dirt cheap.

I reread your coverage of both shows from this past week’s issue and I’m bewildered and confused... did Ms. Wagner miss the point? Does she actually live in some strange parallel bizarro universe? And so back to my bone picking...What’s up? Are you guys trying to insult your readers? Are your reviews written on purpose to lie and deceive or is there some other unseen hidden agenda going on? You know your readers are primarily hip 20-30-year-olds, don’t you???? [ED. NOTE: You know that going to theater—especially two shows in one weekend—automatically disqualifies you from being “hip,” don’t you????] I thought you guys had taste. I’ll certainly never trust any of Wagner’s reviews in the future. She has no business in reviewing theatre. It’s just one person’s opinion, I know, but realize you have to be accountable for what you write. We shelled out a lot of dough for a mediocre show and almost skipped another great one because of you. Thanks a lot.

Josh Austin-Smith

Seattle WA

MADE IN THE SCHADENFRAUDE

I’ve begun making a sport out of watching the local news people try very badly not to be overjoyed at the drought (read: another sunny day!). It’ll be a dry day in hell before any one of ‘em genuinely cops to the joy (and necessity) of rain. Carol Weber

SPOKANE LIKE A TRUE DEMOCRAT

STRANGER: Like most things, it’s very easy to oversimplify this whole two-state issue [“The Two-State Solution,” Sandeep Kaushik, March 10]. Not everyone in Seattle is a latte-sipping liberal opera fan, just like not everyone in Eastern Washington is a radioactive dirt farmer who married his cousin. There is more diversity than that. I write this letter to you from my high-rise apartment (yeah we have a couple) in downtown Spokane. I voted for Kerry and Gregoire. I feel like my votes were counted. I agree with most of what goes on in Olympia, and I feel I am well represented at the state level. I like things the way they are. I love the fact that the progressive Western half of the state passes laws that push the Eastern half along. If it wasn’t for the West side, Eastern Washington would be Idaho and Spokane would be Boise. Boise has a liberal core but it’s not enough to affect issues at the state level. That’s a situation I wouldn’t like Spokane to be in. I love the fact the I can enjoy the sunny weather of the East side with the political safety net of all you liberal West siders. I think it’s a great system. I know we’re freeloaders but I hope it won’t be that way forever.

I do have a dream—you can call me crazy if you must—but I hope one day Spokane County will show up blue on an election map, and we can find more common ground through the things we do agree on. I hope one day there will be no need to talk about splitting our great state in half because we understand and appreciate our differences, and see them as strengths rather than weaknesses. That is what I’m working for, and I feel we have reason for hope. After all, we now have our own Air America affiliate over here, and that’s something to build on, right?

Mike Knecht

Spokane

YES, ALASKA IS SUSPICIOUS

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:In case you haven’t noticed, this planet is being poorly-managed. Not just the lack of basic necessities for veterans of OTHER wars, but I have noticed that there are three very suspicious activities going on. 1) IRAQ. 2) GASOLINE COSTS TOO FUCKING MUCH. 3) Alaska?

Isis

WE WUV YOU, TOO

STRANGER: Love The Stranger, Not “Fuck The Stranger!” [I, Anonymous, March 17.] Reading The Stranger is one of the nicest parts of my week. The I, Anonymous guy had it all wrong.

JJ

GAS TAX CONSPIRACY

EDITOR: Here’s a story that every facet of media has been completely missing out on. Somebody should do a story that questions why it is that we’re always hearing about the NEED to raise taxes and there’s no money for transportation taxes, or anything else for that matter. Yet, the very lucrative gasoline tax is assessed as a percentage and when the gasoline prices are twice as much as they were 2+ years ago then, the states are collecting significantly more gas tax revenues, right?? So, why am I the only one that notices this? I think we are all being lied to and the media is fast asleep on this matter. That mountain of money is going somewhere.

Chris

SCHIAVO VS. IRAQ

USA Today had a story about someone about to be disconnected from her life support: “Republican congressional leaders said in a statement that they planned to work through the weekend to try to save Terri Schiavo’s life.”

Wow! And here I thought that no Republican gave a outhouse rat’s shit about anyone other than themselves and their investment banker! Silly me! Too bad these rabid, foaming at the mouth GOP’ers don’t care as much for the kids they’re killing in Iraq. Republicans have a long way to go before they join the Human Race. The rest of us see them and shake our heads, feeling very sorry for them and their simpleminded, gimme-gimme-gimme ways.

Jay Kridner

SO, WAIT. LIBERALS ARE NAZIS?

You have to thank the liberals for finding a clever way to save millions, maybe even billions of dollars. No longer do we have to spend untold dollars on costly execution of murderers. Health care costs will drop dramatically since there is no need to feed those who are unable to feed themselves. All we have to do is humanely starve and dehydrate people to death! It costs nothing! It doesn’t hurt! Gosh, they are so clever. Why didn’t we think of that before? Oh, wait, I almost forgot. The Nazis used to do that.

Michael Schwartz

DEMILITARIZE EDUCATION

TO THE EDITOR:I am writing to voice my concern with the military recruiting in our schools. While I support the troops and the rights of a volunteer military. I do not support the rights of institutionalizing involuntary recruitment practices! Under the No Child Left Behind Legislation, our military is automatically entitled to take students’ private information without any form of parental permission! This practice needs to stop and students’ information should stay private for only students, teachers, and parents to worry about. There is an opt-out provision in the legislation and I encourage students and parents all over our state to simply send in a basic letter to their schools administrators to keep their information private! Sincerely.

Lyle Skaar

MR. DOTY, HAVE YOU BEEN COPYING MR. SKAAR?

TO THE EDITOR: I am a student at West Seattle High School and I am outraged at the access given to military recruiters. I am writing to voice my concern with the military recruiting in our schools. While I support the troops and the rights of a volunteer military. I do not support the rights of institutionalizing involuntary recruitment practices! Under the No Child Left Behind Legislation, our military is automatically entitled to take students' private information without any form of parental permission! This practice needs to stop and students' information should stay private for only students teachers and parents to worry about. There is an opt-out provision in the legislation and I encourage students and parents all over our state to simply send in a basic letter to their schools administrators to keep their information private! Sincerely.

Ben Doty

A BEAUTIFUL CHURCH

AMY JENNIGES: I recently read your archived article on the Chapel of St. Ignatius [Topography of Terror, Oct. 24, 2002]. By reading the article, I know that you only visited the chapel once. Believe me, visiting this wonderful place just one time does not give one a sense of appreciation of this building. This Chapel has been site for many wonderful, warm, inviting celebrations. During the day it becomes a wonderful oasis in the middle of the city. At noon everyday it is the site of a simple, beautiful Mass. The 9:00pm student Mass on Sunday night is jam-packed, vibrant gathering of active people. A second visit might be warranted. I know some of your readers might appreciate a follow-up article. Sincerely.

Charlie Quigg

GEORGE W. BUSH IS A HYPOCRITE

EDITOR: Does the hypocrisy ever end? On March 18, Congress issued subpoenas to Terri Schiavo, who is in a vegetative state, along with her husband and three care workers, to appear before a Congressional hearing. This, on the day that a judge has ordered the removal of her feeding tube. Michael Schiavo, her husband, has been fighting Terri’s parents for the past seven years to end his wife’s suffering, since she fell into a coma 15 years ago. Bush and other current conservatives have tended to be staunch opponents of so-called “activist judges.” The judges, it appears, have followed the laws and now Bush and other conservatives are not satisfied with the results. Maybe jusdges are only “activist” when they oppose conservative ideals? Bush was cited yesterday as stating “It should be our goal as a nation to build a culture of life.” If this isn’t flagrant activism, I’m not sure what is. I wonder what the hundreds of people on death row in the nation would feel about this... I wonder how the 152 people executed while he was governor of Texas would respond. Sincerely. Todd Malinick

GEORGE W. BUSH IS A GENIUS

As a long time Bush supporter, I want to thank you for printing this public flogging of yourselves [“Dep’t. Of Naïve Patriotism,” Sean Nelson, Dec. 30]. You deserve it. I want you to know that I am still reveling in the Great Victory. Every day, I get up and it is like a new spring day, no matter what the weather, when I think about how much better off My Beloved Country is WITHOUT KetchupHead and PicklePuss in the White House. Can you actually IMAGINE that lying traitorous saprophyte as our President? He is the biggest wimp since General (Tankdriver) Dukakis. AND PicklePuss as our FIRST LADY? UGH! She has less class than a trailerpark tramp. But the real joy is that Kerry was the BEST you had. And he was beaten by the person you Demolibs accuse of being the dumbest human being on the planet. I guess he could be the SECOND dumbest human being on the planet, but he sure is not the FIRST. We know that now for sure.

Ken Weigel

SO MANY LETTERS, SO LITTLE SENSE

TO MY DEAREST THE STRANGER: So it has come to this. You are literally begging your readers to send in Letters to the Editor. And while I get all horny watching you beg, I thought I might offer my opinion in regards to why you might be having some trouble.

It's really just a hypothesis, but maybe the number of letters has decreased because of the way in which you respond to them. I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but The Stranger has essentially become the printed, liberal version of "The O'Reilly Factor." By this, I mean, you'll print opposing views, but only with a lengthy rebuttal, usually describing in what ways the reader was wrong and all the ways in which you were right. This becomes tiresome. By no means do I expect you to cease responding to letters, but perhaps you should consider printing a straightforward, informative rejoinder and drop the "Oh, my God, our readers are so stupid" attitude. As stupid as we are, we do know when we're being patronized.

So, for fuck's sakes, man up and admit when you've made a mistake. You may get a few more letters and you'll definitely get some of your readers back. With the Utmost Sincerity. Meagan Hatcher-Mays Seattle, WA

DAN SAVAGE RESPONDS:

Dear Meagan, your letter might have merit, Meagan, if we weren't getting more letters than we could possibly ever print. That's why we've started posting all of our mail on-line, which is what the notes in the letters page are about. We're not begging for mail; to the contrary, we're letting readers know that ALL the mail we get is now being published by The Stranger, in the paper itself or on our website.

Last week our regular letters page was 790 words, as usual. The on-line version was over 12,000 words. I would encourage to read a bit more widely. Like a lot of the thin-skinned know-nothings that plague this town, you assume that no other publications allow writers to respond to readers' mail. Fact is, most publications allow writer and editors to respond, sometimes snottily, to readers' mail. Atlantic Monthly, The Nation, The New Republic, Penthouse, The New York Review of Books, Vice Magazine, and on and on. Not responding to letters is a daily paper trope, and we all know how well daily papers are doing. We only respond to about one out of every 10 pieces of mail we publish, as I recently wrote in our letters section. as i see it, our readers are tough enough to debate us -- they're all “man up” types, as are we. You, on the other hand, sound like a great, big pussy. If you can't stand the heat, go read the P-I. All the best, Dan

ASSIDUOUS READERS MAY DETECT A FAINT WHIFF OF IRONY IN THE TONE OF THIS LETTER ABOUT SAVAGE

EDITOR: Dan Savage. Is he the best journalist ever? Capable of lighting up the dreariest day or the most downtrodden soul with the sheer incandescence of his fiery words, Dan Savage truly is a Warrior of Literary Truth. As I'm sure my fellow Stranger readers will agree, his writing is an exhilarating and poetic mixture of adventure, philosophy, myth and religion enriched by a heady brew of quantum physics. His words are like ripe fruit exploding on the tongue and coating the heart in their sticky brilliance. Move over King Lear! Move over Lord of the Rings! Move over Holy Bible!! The work of Dan Savage is spiritual, intoxicating, dangerous, complex and heart wrenching, and seems poised to assume the title of "Greatest and Most Wonderful Art Ever Created." Dan Savage for President! Dan Savage for GOD!!! With Love.

Marsyas