BOOZE AND ABUSE

ERICA C. BARNETT: I wish to thank you for your ending to the story about McIver ["On the Rocks," Oct 17]: "And maybe that's a good thing." I have worked with both victims of domestic violence and perps. Alcohol and domestic violence are two totally separate issues: one being alcohol and the other being abuse—mental, emotional, physical or spiritual. You treat each as a separate problem and treatment for each is separate.

Thanks for calling attention to these two separate problems that devour our society.

Diane E.

ABOUT COBAIN

TO SEAN NELSON: It's not often that I write letters to writers (in fact, this is a first). But after reading your review of About A Son ["Dead Man Talking," Oct 11], I feel moved enough to try my hand at a thank-you note. I haven't read any other reviews of the movie, and now I'm not sure I want to. You nailed it! What you actually wrote, more than a movie review, was a very insightful essay about his short life. And you seem truly to have gotten the point of his complaints about fame, rednecks, homophobes, idiots, Republicans, bad rock, etc. He wasn't simply a whiner or a complainer, as he is so often accused of being.

I listened to every Nirvana song that I could get my hands on as a teenager. I read every single review and interview that was published—back then, as you know, no internet. I read his list of 10 best driving songs in Rolling Stone in 1992 as a pissed-off 16-year-old. I could go on and on about my devotee status. I say this stuff as if it is necessary to validate my interest in his music and his life. But I really felt connected; I felt like I knew what the hell this guy was all about. That is a preposterous thing to say now, just as it would've been as a teenager—though my age gave me a better excuse 16 years ago. Still, after reading your words, I feel like someone else out there kind of knew his trip, too.

Your insights into his nature are especially poignant. You said it all when you said that he probably wasn't going to be happy whatever came his way. Instead of closing this with a college-professorial "well done," I will say what I intended to from the beginning: Thank you.

David Doyle

'THE MERCURY'? NEVER HEARD OF IT

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: "We Saw Your Light On" [Oct 17] was an uncredited rip-off. If you look at the Portland Mercury that came out on May 27, 2004, you'll see that the lead article is entitled "Leave a Light On." Written by Justin Sanders (my brother), the article follows him as he wanders the streets of Portland late at night, attempting to talk to folks who still have their lights on. The exact same thing your article did on a larger scale. Just trying to keep you honest.

Noah Sanders

HALF RIGHT

EDITOR: Apparently, all Jean Godden had to do was help delay a controversial city-council decision on nightclub licensing to make the Stranger Election Control Board forgive her for championing the multibillion-dollar tunnel boondoggle that The Stranger urged voters to reject just a few months ago. Or that, during a time of record loss of affordable housing in Seattle, Godden has consistently voted to give developers what they want, especially if the developer is Paul Allen. As recently noted in the Beacon Hill News/South District Journal, "There isn't a subsidy or a zoning change requested by Paul Allen's Vulcan Inc. that [Godden] hasn't fully supported." Godden has been richly rewarded for her faithfulness to business interests; her campaign donors list reads like a Who's Who of the Forces of Evil in Seattle.

But the issue of nightclub licensing apparently trumps all that in The Stranger's myopic priorities, so you reversed your endorsement of Joe Szwaja from the primary race. How embarrassing for you.

Joe Szwaja has a proven track record of environmental and social-justice advocacy. He'll serve Seattle much better than Jean Godden. You were right the first time.

Lansing Scott

PEOPLE LIKE YOU

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STRANGER: You have demonstrated that you are mentally unstable by calling adults inappropriate names. You need comprehensive courses in Black History and Equity Race Relations. Then an internship visiting businesses and churches in the black community so you can see first hand the brilliant, people-rich culture here.

It is surprising how many people like you go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves.

Director Darlene Flynn will always be an outstanding leader in this city and the country, and please don't think your racial comments will change that.

Dr. Betty Howell Gray

Seattle Alliance of Black School Educators

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS: In last week's endorsement issue we reported that State Senator Ed Murray had endorsed city council candidate Tim Burgess. This is incorrect. Murray endorsed David Della. We regret the error.