TO DAVID SCHMADER: As the person who wrote every word you read on our website, I am not sure I understand the premise by which you critique our event ["Huffing for Hempfest," Aug 26]. First off, we have been in Myrtle Edwards Park for nine years, not three. But let's not get hung up in facts, opinions seem to be the substance of your writing. It is a shame that this was your first Hempfest, since being judged by the scant attendance of an outdoor event that was virtually pulverized by record rainfall just guarantees that your perspective of our shindig is bound to be skewed.
There was definitely a disproportionate ratio of boneheads and stoners present, as they are the vast majority of people who would still come out to Hempfest in the pouring rain. I am very used to our event being marginalized, relegated, and stereotyped by smug armchair critics who have only their thoughts to organize. Don't get me wrong, your point is valid. We have struggled with the same basic issues, but in our defense we have made great strides from the days when Hempfest was basically just a smoke-in comprised of head-banging grunge rockers and tie-dyed hippies.
Perhaps you would have us replicate the Republican National Convention. We could all dress up in suits and ties, charge $10,000 a plate, and wax eloquently about the days when all the stinky hippies worked tirelessly for an entire year for absolutely zero pay, helped to change state law, and then subsequently changed city policy. We could reminisce about the days when we annually raised $180,000 from scratch to produce the world's largest (in normal weather) cannabis and drug-policy reform event in America. We could hark back to the days when we began incorporating marijuana abuse education and prevention into our event, and created an environment where throngs of Seattleites could openly smoke pot a block away from Seattle Center.
We could touch on our free distribution of over 21,000 hard copies of our Crisis Resource Guide, or how we gathered volunteers from over 20 organizations to register voters at our "inherently insufficient" event, or our unique relationship of mutual respect with the port police and SPD that took years to forge.
I wish all we had to do was sit in front of our keyboard and get paid to critique the best efforts of an amazing group of people who will not let bad weather, bad press, or bad government deter them from fighting and scrapping, albeit imperfectly, for the freedom of others.
Vivian McPeak
THE MALE PILL
TO THE EDITOR: Great article on the male contraceptives ["Spunk'd," Cienna Hahn, Aug 26]. I have a 9-year-old son that I love dearly that is here due to his mother taking her b.c. pills as I got ready for work, and spitting them back out after I walked out the door. (We're divorced, go figure.) Anyway, I'm all about any sort of sperm-killer I can get my hands on now that doesn't involve trusting the female side of the household. I can't do that again, ever. Anyway, great stuff.
Scott
PUMP UP THE VOLUME
TO THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD: I am completely disgusted and offended with KEXP's treatment of rap music. Why is it that I must constantly monitor the volume levels of my radio to listen to this station? Are there no professionals there who actually check this? How can the volume be plenty loud and clear all afternoon until you play a rap song, when it is immediately lowered to an inaudible whisper. If I turn it up to where it can be at least heard, then the next song (a rock song) comes through so loud that it offends all around me. What is the deal here? Is KEXP trying to say, "Yeah, we are equal opportunity when it comes to music, we will play rap, we will just play it so low that no one can hear it." I have listened to high-school radio that does a better job of monitoring the levels. It is rank amateur behavior, and not the type of thing I expect from a public station that I donate money to. I know of PLENTY of good nonprofits that can use that money. I would much rather you never play rap music than play it in this insulting, second-fiddle manner. I get the feeling that you at KEXP like to rock out to the music you guys like, and will play other's choices to save face--but are also fully willing to give music you don't personally care for this diminutive treatment.
Mason
DRUNK OF THE WEEK
DEAR STRANGER: The Stranger proudly proclaims itself to be some sort of arty punky alternative rag, in total opposition to seemingly stodgy and uptight pubs like Seattle Weekly. Articles like Party Crasher and recent issues dedicated to blackout-level inebriation show The Stranger's true core: drunken frat boys. Seriously, what's interesting or alternative or progressive about writing articles on getting blotto? What's next? George W. Bush writing tidbits about his DUIs?
Erin Fortenberry
DAN SAVAGE RESPONDS: If Miss Fortenberry believes that only frat boys are interested in, or capable of, "blackout-level inebriation," I have an editorial staff--not a frat boy on it--I'd like to introduce her to. In a similar vein, if Miss Fortenberry believes that an individual can't be at once interested in punk rock, the arts, progressive politics, and the occasional alcohol-induced blackout, I know hundreds of punk rockers, artists, and progressives I'd like to introduce her to.
