TO THE EDITOR, I am writing to express my appreciation for Ben Jacklet's excellent article "Sweatshop 'Til You Drop" [March 11] and to clarify a few of the remarks attributed to me in the article.The impression was given that I believed the Chamorro people in general had a "slave owner mentality" and that a sense of "omnipotence" exists that has bred a system of "cynicism and degeneracy." It would be inaccurate and unfair to suggest that all of the Chamorro people have displayed the attitudes and practices of the mostly male family elites to whom my comments were directed.
I am only one of a number of people who have been assisting Kamal Hossain. None are more deserving of acknowledgment than two attorneys with the U.S. Department of Labor, Fay Von Rangle and Rochelle Klienberg-Goff, whose efforts led INS to allow Kamal to come to Seattle for medical treatment.
My response to Preston Gates' defense for selling out their good name for the Commonwealth's millions was grounded in a concern more substantive than it [being] "bullshit." Preston Gates had no obligation to get into the lobbying business. To suggest, as Preston Gates has done, that legislative advocacy services enjoy a standing similar to the provision of legal representation before the courts or administrative bodies of law is disingenuous.
They seek to justify their greed by suggesting that they, like law firms that represent unpopular clients, are merely fulfilling their professional obligation. Attorneys taking heat for representing unpopular clients before our courts deserve our understanding, if not respect. Preston Gates is hiding behind a legitimate and honorable obligation attorneys must suffer in order to justify their lobbying business. By doing so they do a disservice to their peers and the public.
Phil Kaplan
DO THE POSTER BAN RIGHT
TO THE EDITOR, It is good to see the Free Speech Seattle organization at work to free up the utility poles for postering art and political events ["Reversing the Poster Ban," Ben Jacklet, March 11].The city was right to take action in the early '90s. But a lack of defined knowledge on both sides of the issue [resulted in no one] coming up with the right answer. So here we go again. Let's do it right this time. Remember, the right to new, "grass-roots market" developing concepts is what is needed. The right to stick a flyer on any old phone pole does not market an idea well. It is a much more complex game than that.
Douglas Mays
EAT THE RICH
TO THE EDITOR, In reference to Jim Anderson's review of Rover's ["Eat The Rich," Chow, March 11], I am wondering why someone would review a restaurant that is so obviously beyond his comprehension. Anderson seems most comfortable reviewing what he knows: diners and cheap eats. He makes it painfully clear that he is culinarily illiterate and can't comprehend anything above McDonald's.What the fuck does belittling people who can afford a nice meal have to do with a restaurant review? It was irresponsible and irrelevant, and as someone who works in an upscale restaurant, insulting.
Harlee Morrow
EMPLOY THE FRENCH
TO THE EDITOR, As a food service professional, I am somewhat confused by Jim Anderson. Not only does he seem to know nothing about cooking or eating, his pseudo working-class politics are even fuzzier. Hey Jim, what's your problem with the French? That "little Frenchy joint" served a sea bass that "was nasty and French"? Next time you feel like championing those poor little people who are helplessly "putting up with shitty food and poor service," bear in mind that even the lowliest of burger joints have professional standards to uphold, and some of them employ the French!
Kurt Slauson
ALTERNATIVE, NOT POWERLESS
TO THE EDITOR, When I saw your article "The 37 Least Powerful People in Seattle" [Feb 18] I wanted to come down there and kick your ass. When I signed the release form and gave permission to be interviewed, it was for an article called "The 50 Most Alternative People in Seattle." Do you guys have a habit of shafting everyone you interview? I don't think of myself as "powerless," and would never have granted the interview if I knew I was going to be treated in such a fashion. I'd really like to sue you for slandering me, and show you how "powerless" I am, but I am too busy, and frankly, don't really care what your un-newsworthy paper prints.
Jon Strongbow
Editor's Note: The release Jon Strongbow signed reads, "...the undersigned give permission to use their image and story in an article... which will feature people who are in some way marginalized or rendered powerless by circumstance/choice/economics, etc." The piece was never titled "The 50 Most Alternative People in Seattle."
MORE ON CHICKEN SOUP BRIGADE
TO THE EDITOR, The issue at Chicken Soup Brigade is not resources ["Dine Out Founder Pulls Out," Dan Savage, March 4]. As the Director of Client Services at CSB for eight years (I left in May of '98), and the person primarily responsible for developing the budgets and implementing the food, transportation, and chore programs at CSB, I know better than most what it would take in resources to provide services to an additional 50 to 100 new clients. I find it particularly troubling that CSB believes they must raise an additional $60,000 for such a small pilot program. Given the attrition of clients with the new medications over the last few years, I know for a fact that CSB could absorb additional new clients without additional funding. It's not about resources and it never has been. It's about philosophy!CSB has become what so many of us in the '80s fought against and will continue to fight against: a bureaucratic system that is top heavy and resistant to change. CSB has been talking for years about serving lesbians, and that's all it is--talk. If we had waited around for money or sat there writing grants in the late '80s [when men needed services], CSB would not exist.
As a woman and a lesbian, I will not stand at the back door of the kitchen that I and other women helped build and beg for services. Money follows good work and CSB is too arrogant and lazy to get that. I'll find someone else to feed my people or we'll build a place where all will be fed. And we'll do it long before you find that $60,000, Chicken Soup Brigade.
Linda Pippin
Former Director of Client Services Chicken Soup Brigade
CHANGE CHICKEN SOUP
TO THE EDITOR, Kudos to Sarah Blake for standing up to Chicken Soup Brigade. I've always wondered why CSB doesn't include people with terminal diseases as well as debilitating diseases. These people don't have the same services available from a volunteer organization that I know of. Thank you also to Dan Savage and Chris Andrews for speaking out.This is a good chance for CSB to show the rest of the country what a great volunteer organization can do. The program is already working, they could start tomorrow. Even if they only have enough resources to include a limited number of new clients, CSB would be well ahead of any other organization. My next letter is to CSB explaining my reasons for not donating money. When they change their ways, I will donate again.
Jo Ljungstrom
SARAH BLAKE LEADS THE WAY
TO THE EDITOR, In response to Dan Savage's article "Dine Out Founder Pulls Out," I write in defense of Sarah Blake. Last night I sat at Simpatico chatting with Sarah. She reported to me she had been getting calls from individuals upset about her decision to pull out of Dine Out. [She's been asked] how she could be so insensitive.I offer these points in response. First off, Blake is not denouncing CSB for providing services to people living with AIDS. It is simply her prerogative to make a shift in where she directs her activist energy. Blake has done her time in the fight against AIDS. For god's sake, she co-founded Dine Out! Can we thank her for her good work and allow her to be compassionate about other relevant issues? The point here is not AIDS vs. breast cancer; the point is that issues, crises, and movements change. There's room to care about both problems.
When Sarah and others initiated Dine Out it came from the great revolutionary spirit that ignites positive change. By offering a voice of dissent on Dine Out, and suggesting we begin to challenge who CSB serves, Blake is once again leading the way.
Laura Hanson
DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS: Recently The Stranger ran a letter from the corporate headquarters of Tully's coffee announcing their new partnership with Safeco Field. This letter included a promotional offer of free coffee to patrons visiting any Tully's who announced "Take me out to Safeco Field!" We neglected to mention that this special promotion ran for only one day, March 4th. We regret the error, and ask our readers to stop descending on Tully's and demanding free coffee.
