EDITORS: While I appreciate Andrew Knudsen's concern [Letters to the Editor, Jan 18] that the youth of today not be led astray by The Stranger's January 11 cover art ["Dewey Decimal," artwork by Mark Todd] depicting presidential candidate Thomas Dewey and the word "Decimal," I fear that Knudsen's attempt to guide them away from a faulty assumption that Thomas Dewey was responsible for the Dewey Decimal System by naming philosopher and educator John Dewey as the system's architect has actually opened another trap door into the quagmire of confusion that is adolescence. The decimal system used by so many libraries was actually created, oddly enough, by a librarian--Melvil Dewey. My fears that students will fall victim to Mr. Knudsen's no doubt well-intentioned mistake are exacerbated by the fact that the kids at my library clamor for copies of The Stranger's Letters to the Editor when it's homework time, but couldn't care less about the cover art unless it depicts a Dragon Ball Z character.

Lesley James, librarian, Seattle

EDITORS: This is in reference to the January 18 letter from Andrew Knudsen, [who] attempts to correct your association of Thomas Dewey with the Dewey Decimal System by stating that it was John Dewey, the famous philosopher and educational theorist, who created this system. Well that's just not true. The Dewey Decimal System was, in fact, created by Melville Dewey (1851-1931).

Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey was born on December 10, 1851. Later he cut his first name to Melvil. He invented the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) System when he was 21, [while] working as a student assistant in the library at Amherst College. He was later the librarian of Columbia College (now Columbia University) in New York City, where he founded the first-ever library school. He is considered the father of modern library science. You might consider spending a little more time at your local library, Mr. Knudsen.

Thomas E. Dewey, Bellevue

EDITORS: Melvil Dewey--not Thomas or John. Fortunately, I caught the error before my Stranger-reading students began their semester projects. Andrew Knudsen was right to caution you against misleading young minds. But, sheesh, let's all try to be more careful with this stuff, okay?

Rob Prufer, social studies teacher

EDITORS: What an insightful and subtle dig at the Republican establishment you published on the cover of your January 11 edition [artwork by Mark Todd] by purposely confusing Thomas E. Dewey, failed Republican presidential candidate in 1944 and 1948 with Melvil Dewey, inventor of the Dewey Decimal System and one of the early founders of the American Library Association.

By the way: Yes, Thomas Dewey is the Dewey in the famous "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline. Yes, Melvil Dewey also founded the first school of library science (at Columbia University) and the Lake Placid Club (pioneer of recreational winter sports). No, they are not father and son.

Jon Jablonski, The Information School, University of Washington

PAT KEARNEY: Thank you for your article "Burning Decisions" [Jan 11]. I am pissed about the stupidity that politicians bring to this state. I am Wiccan, and [in my high school history class] I wanted to represent my religion and do my final report on Wicca. I [wanted to research my paper on] the Internet. They had already put filters on the school's computers, and "Wicca" is blocked out, along with "Pagan," "Magick," and anything to do with it. It is like my religion has no right being seen or heard about. Now I attend a technical college that also uses a filter. I cannot even open my e-mail if someone from my Wiccan e-group has e-mailed--it is also blocked [by the filter]. Not only is this frustrating, but to me it is discrimination. I would never block out something on my computer, because I don't think it is right. That is every parent's job, not some filtering system.

Anonymous, via e-mail

JOSH FEIT: I loved your "ad" in the January 4 issue [Sound Transit parody ad, Josh Feit and Jason Pagano]. It looked so authentic, I almost didn't read it.

Ruth Korkowski, Seattle

EDITORS: I am not in your target audience. I am a hippie, I like the Beatles, I think the SGN is a good publication, and I do not eat meat. I think irony is boring. Your cartoons do not make sense.

J.H., via e-mail

EDITORS: I enjoyed Dan Savage's article "Foamers Need Not Apply" [Jan 11], but I would like to correct the record on one issue. Savage wrote that [the Elevated Transportation Company] agreed to the city's proposed charter "without public comment, which is required by law."

Before the open-meeting police come to take me away, I would like to report that we took public comment on this issue twice. At our general meeting on December 20, 2000, we had an open comment period; at that meeting the board referred the matter to the executive committee for a final decision. We had a public executive committee meeting on December 22, 2000; we conducted this meeting in an open format, allowing the public to participate in our discussions whenever they wished to do so.

Our record on public meetings is pretty strong. Moreover, we listen, because we learn a great deal from those who take the time to attend our meetings. We appreciate the things we learn from the public, and will continue to make them an important part of all of our meetings.

Tom Carr, Chair, Elevated Transportation Company, Barrett Gilman & Ziker

EDITORS: It's clean-up time! GET RID OF CHARLES MUDEDE! He may be intelligent, but that's not enough. Stop telling him he's so fucking good! Stop kissing his ass. HE thinks he's funny, HE thinks he's cutting edge, HE thinks he has a message. He is demagogue material. Give him a talk show, but get him THE FUCK off your paper. I could almost understand AN OCCASIONAL ARTICLE FROM THIS MAN, but when he is the TOP DOG who writes the TOP ARTICLES, what is this saying about you? Also: Kathleen Wilson! Who died and made her Gilligan of the Island!? GET SOME FRESH BLOOD ON THE FUCKING STAFF, YOU HIPSTER NINNIES! AND GET THAT FUCKING SELF-RIGHTEOUS EVERETT TRUE THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! HASN'T HE BEEN DEPORTED YET? CRIMINY!

Anonymous, via e-mail

HEY DAN SAVAGE: First, I want to say thanks for the years of entertaining columns, articles, and wordplay with the city council. As for "Forget N30, It's J20" [Jan 18], I just wanted to say that your comment [about how] "this revolution will not be televised" is wrong. For shame!--especially as one of the few investigative reporters in this city, you should know that it just depends on where you look.

A year ago, I got involved with the Independent Media Center here in Seattle (for the WTO). As an anthropologist, I was very interested in the representation of activists by the mainstream press. Pretty dismal coverage by the mainstream, but media activists leveled the playing field by allowing anyone to publish their stories. I have seen some great work come through the IMC. Thanks for mentioning the [protest] events based around [George W. Bush's] inauguration; and the revolution was televised at www.seattle.indymedia.org. I encourage you to post your own stories, or encourage others to do the same.

Lance Larkin, via e-mail

Last week we reported that Seattle City Light is spending $500 million on a media campaign ["Who Turned Out the Lights?" Pat Kearney, Jan 18]. The correct amount is $500,000. We regret the error.

Two weeks ago, we reported that Seattle Times reporter Dionne Searcey left the Times because she was angry about management's handling of the strike, and that she is currently working at Long Island's Newsday ["Speaking of Scabs," Phil Campbell, Jan 11]. Searcey has since corrected us. She says her departure from The Seattle Times had nothing to do with the strike, and she doesn't start at Newsday until the end of the month. We regret the errors.