LIGHT-RAIL LONG SHOT

JOSH FEIT: I read your column in today's Stranger and I couldn't agree with you more [CounterIntel, Dec 20]. But I have to wonder (having lived in this area for several decades) if this strange political creature called the governments of Puget Sound will ever have the political will and the strategy to convince voters that sooner or later decisions have to be made to handle the downside of all the growth in this area. The track record of Sound Transit is hardly one to inspire a lot of confidence in planning for future "big ticket" projects.

So unless a political coalition of voters of your generation (I'm 63) can be established to change the political climate in these three metro counties, I can't see getting an agreement to expand and fund rail transit having much of a chance to win in 2008. Or even get to the ballot. Most of the population of this city lives north of the ship canal. They need to be convinced that a politically scattered operation like Sound Transit has the political backing to actually make it to the North End, much less make it across Lake Washington to the Eastside. Otherwise, I don't see a lot of residents willing to step up and see a significant increase in property taxes to fund light rail.

Michael Norquest

Don't WRITE UNTIL YOU TALK TO THE POLICE, AND IF THE POLICE WON'T TALK...

TO JONAH SPANGENTHAL-LEE: I don't understand how a person can intentionally write a story regarding an incident based on only one side of the issue ["Tase First, Ask Questions Later," Dec 13]. Agreed, you wrote that parts of your article were based on the officers' report; however, you personally spoke with witnesses who may have their own agendas, and no cop interview. Yes, you claim you couldn't reach them. Why on earth would a police officer choose to talk to you knowing full well that his or her words would be misquoted?

Debbie

NOT INTENDED FOR PUBLICATION ≠ NOT FOR PUBLICATION

In good faith, and with reasonable cause, I must protest your Letters to the Editor column in which you presented a wantonly censored version of my note of gentle scrutiny of your books department [Dec 13].

Not only did you disregard my statement, clear as a drunken advance, that it was "...not a letter to the editor intended to fit nicely into that peculiar habit of publications to give their readers the chance to chime in (however expurgated) on articles from previous issues" (prophetic in the sad way your comprehension of the written word is in general), but the so-called editor accountable for stuffing praise and folly onto your pages treated my agreeable reproof as though it was the refuse of a gynecologist's dark second income.

There is a term that might be of some assistance to your publication: thesis. Had any of you looked up this rather obvious device, you might have comprehended why I chose to bother writing to you in the first place, and the rest of us, your dear readers, would not be afflicted with more abortive ruminations passed off as literary coverage. (Mr. Frizzelle's great critique from December 13, "I read What We Should Have Known in one sitting and loved it. It's funny." Now, that's enlightenment!)

Christopher Wunderlee

GREEDY JEW COVETS SELING'S JOB

DEAR STRANGER EDITORS: Wow! Congratulations on your "Presents for Under the Tree" article [Underage, Dec 6]. I assume I am not the only Jewish person in King County to be offended by your single-sentence closer "Sorry if you're Jewish," so I will keep it short and sweet. It must really suck to have been raised in such a sheltered white-bread environment. I am amazed that someone with such limited social experience and shallow insight can contribute (and be taken seriously) by such an established Seattle literary institution such as The Stranger. Am I to infer by your closer "Sorry if you're Jewish" that I am not allowed to bid on your auction? You know, us Jews have all that money stashed away in our big noses, you'd think you would want us to "blow" some on your charity fundraiser!

All joking aside, us Jews, or at least this one (and many others) actually celebrate Christmas as well as Hanukkah. While we forgo the observance of the birth of Christ, we actually enjoy the warm spirit and generous nature of your strange Christianite ritual. In fact, I have always found great joy in blending the two holidays. You know, mixing it up? Which is exactly what you should do, Megan my dear. Mix it up. For you see, my gift to you this holiday season is the gift of tolerance, tolerance for all the poor little misled and white-bread WASP children of the world such as yourself. Go on out and mix it up with some Jews this Christmas!

Charles

P.S. Stranger Editors: Need a real writer instead of these fluff pieces that contain truly offensive comments that slip by your nose? Give me an e-mail.