SCUTTLEBUTT

Hey Dan: I see every once and a while when you Slog about Rob McKenna that you mention that he is a female-to-male transgender [see also The Stranger Election Control Board Endorsements 2008, Oct 16]. My curiosity got the best of me and when I tried to find out more online, I had little luck finding any mentions of his changed gender through Google other than in The Stranger and an op-ed piece that links back to your Slog posts (infuriating!). McKenna's Wikipedia page makes no real mention of his personal life, other than him being a "son of an army officer" and being an Eagle Scout (but then does that simply mean he addressed his gender dysphoria at an early age?).

So yeah! How do you know?! According to that op-ed, "It's common knowledge in Seattle's LGBT community." Gimme the LGBT scuttlebutt!

Danny

I WISH, I WISH

DAN SAVAGE: I loved your story you did about your mom ["In Defense of Dignity," Oct 9]. As sad as it was, it was so touching and so REAL it hurt. My father died from the same deal in 2000, and I was with him in a Spokane hospital for the death waiting game. My redneck relatives on that side of the state did not even have the courage to sit with him very much. I did for one week. It took a week, his lungs were down to only 10 percent in one lung and none in the other, and he was on a BiPAP. I do not know how he made it so long. One early morning he woke up and sat up and asked for water because that damn BiPAP is torture, simple and plain; so the nurse removed the BiPAP, and he did not want it back—it was horrible to watch him drown and try for air. Within 10 minutes I think he had a heart attack and passed. Being there at his side helped, being there the entire week helped. I wish, I wish, he could have had lethal meds....

Myself—I have always wanted what Oregon has with prescribed lethal medication, and trust me, I plan on using lethal meds if I get in that position.

I gag when I see that ass clown Martin Sheen on TV pimping AGAINST it. That loser does not even live in this state! So you bet my vote on my ballot is FOR I-1000.

Anyway thanks for the words, sorry for the loss, I'm glad you were there because I think they know people that love them are close....

Babs

A WASTE OF INK

To Whom It May Concern: Does Lindy West remember being a small child? Does she even know any small children? If so, then she would understand why a movie with talking dogs would get high ticket-sales [Concessions, "Talking Dogs," Oct 16]. It wasn't made for bitchy scenesters, it was made for families. And yeah, a lot of family movies kind of suck if you can't let go of your pretentious attitude. Get over yourself, Lindy. Go review a grown-up movie if you wanna rail on and on about how you hate it. But ragging on a bunch of children's movies is just a waste of ink. And by the way, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey was a remake. And in 101 Dalmatians, it's not ONE dog that has 99 puppies. Try watching a movie before opening your mouth about it. Or do you usually review without viewing?

Ronda Stapleton

MY MAVERICK

EDITOR: My maverick is 88 years old, brighter and smarter than you or me [New Column, "Three Cheers for Mavericks!" Oct 16]. He can outlast you in a day or a week for that matter. Drove across the USA by himself TWICE this year, took a two-week vacation by himself to Hawaii, went on a nine-day cruise to Alaska (a dirty word) with me and my husband, attended a family reunion in southwest Oregon at the end of August, and did all of this since January of 2008. What have you done since Jan '08? Oh yes, and he calls everyone by the proper name.

He would make your brain seem lame.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU DO and SAY AS YOUR KARMA IS A REAL THING. YOUR 20S AND 30S ONLY LAST BRIEFLY, YOU WILL ALL BE OLD, TOO. SOON, SOONER THAN YOU THINK, REMEMBER BACK WHEN YOU GET THERE, OH HOW I HOPE YOU ARE NOT A LAMEBRAIN, AND ALSO REMEMBER, WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.

JORDAN GAYLE

WITTY, QUICK

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I love The Stranger, and I thought I'd bring that to your attention. It is endlessly informative and hilarious. It never fails to make me laugh. The witty banter and quick remarks are perfect for informational and entertaining purposes. My favorite section is the Underage article by Casey Catherwood, because I go to a lot of local shows. I also love reading the weekly political opinions and statements, because it is presented in an easy to read, easygoing fashion. The ideas given are raw and to the point and don't sugarcoat anything.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Keep up the good work!

Raine Walker