Ralph Nader was in Seattle on Saturday, winding up a full day of campaigning with a sold-out show at the Moore Theatre. It was day two of his tour of the Northwest, where he has officially attained rock star status. In Portland the night before, Nader drew more people at a rally than any other presidential candidate has this year--more than 10,500 fans packed the Portland Coliseum, paying $7 apiece to get a glimpse of their hero. The droning, blue-suited anti-politician has been singing all of his hit tunes lately, including the ballad "How the WTO Undermines National Sovereignty" and the jingle-driven "Whose Corporatist State? OUR Corporatist State." Nader and the Greens are expected to play a series of unannounced club dates around Southern California in the coming weeks. JASON PAGANO

Trouble at SGN

On Sunday, August 27, Seattle Gay News staff members asked their boss to retire. Six employees signed a letter to editor George Bakan listing a fistful of complaints--overdue paychecks, dangerous office conditions, and bad hygiene, especially. "You create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation," the letter asserted.

The letter also threatened a week-long strike, a move that was only moderately successful. All but two of the letter-signers showed up to work on Monday. However, Matthew McQuilkin, an SGN staff writer who wrote the letter, says the paper's employees are serious, and have also filed three complaints with the state's Department of Labor & Industries.

Bakan promises to respond to some of the complaints, including clearing out the piles of unused computer parts that crowd his Capitol Hill offices. As for the accusation that he sleeps at the office and wears "the same outfit five days in a row," Bakan says his casual fashion is just misunderstood. He also brags that he has the "most progressive management style in America." ALLIE HOLLY-GOTTLIEB

Rhyme of the Week

"Mayor Paul Schell, you sure smell," ranted Calvin Johnson of Dub Narcotic Sound System. Johnson criticized the Seattle mayor during an all-ages concert that included his band and headliner Built to Spill. The Saturday-night show took place just three days after Schell vetoed the All-Ages Dance Ordinance. Johnson tried to rally the youthful audience to vote for change, but the crowd didn't seem too enthused. That can't affect Johnson too much, though: He lives in Olympia, a city he prefers over Seattle. AMY JENNIGES