YOU GOT THE LOOK

PAUL CONSTANT: Just wanted to give you some kudos on your article about the mayor's list ["All Fucked Up with No Place to Go," July 26]. Way to expose a poor political attempt to make it look like the mayor did something about a problem he doesn't understand, and consequently could never hope to solve. I am also not much of a clubber, but I have to say, my friends must not be nearly as cool as yours; I can't remember the last time I was at a house party with a hot tub that was in violation of any health code. Awesome! Job well done; keep up the good fight.

Billy

JUICY BITS EXPOSED

JOSH FEIT: Great bit of info [in CounterIntel, July 26]. I am particularly interested in the angle you took in exposing Dave Reichert's religion, so to speak. I think this is an excellent strategy. You are quite right: When private matters start undermining public policy (women's health) and when moral superiority is used to win elections, something has to be done, and now.

I'll tell you where my mind immediately went after you reported that Reichert is a member of the LCMS and what some of their core beliefs are.

What is being preached in that church he attends? many of these wingbat Xtians are great at parroting a preacher's exhortations from the pulpit because it is more expedient than formulating one's own beliefs in the light of reality and everyday experience. That's all well and good, of course, until religion is politicized.

What does Reichert's preacher teach from the pulpit? Where does he get those crackpot ideas? I suppose I could go and find out for myself, but for that persistent heebie-jeebie factor, and the fear of flames...

Skookum Ouzel

KIDS ROCK HARDER

DEAR EDITOR: Props to all Stranger, KEXP, Esurance, and 107.7 brass for assembling such a badass lineup for this year's Capitol Hill Block Party. Unfortunately, your decision to make the Neumo's stage 21+ stinks of greed, poor sportsmanship, and midlife crotch rot.

Normally, guaranteeing underage music fans two-thirds of a party would just be sucky, but you had to go ahead and make the Neumo's information public a mere two weeks beforehand—after allowing plenty of unsuspecting college kids and high-school twerps to buy tickets early. At the very least, you could've opened up the balcony for hungry whippersnappers like me, who can still enjoy a live set without a $10 sex on the beach in hand. I understand that you gotta pay the bills, but please do it with less screwing over next year.

As for the blessed senior Block Partygoers: If two militantly policed beer gardens truly aren't enough to get you nice and cozy and ready to rock out, then you should probably suck it up and swap your Whore Moans tickets out for the Jimmy Buffett tour. This is the kind of shit that's sending people to Portland!

Steve Macfarlane

SEATTLE CENTRIC

DEAR STRANGER: As more of Seattle's open space is torn up and turned into 296-square-foot, $300,000 condos, Seattle Center is about the only place left where some green can be gained, not lost ["Tension at the Center," Brendan Kiley, July 19].

For all the great memories I have of Memorial Stadium, maybe it's time for a new and more relevant monument to our WWII soldiers. Most of whatever else is down there is equally upgradable. In fact, about the only things worth saving are the Mural Amphitheater and International Fountain.

Bumbershoot's situation is rather unique, since so much of the festival is Center-facility dependent. But maybe it's time to reexamine the Bumbershoot business model, too. The festival is 30 years old. It's down to three days from four, attendance has steadily dropped over the past few years, and big-ticket rock acts provide its bread and butter. That's not what Bumbershoot was when it began. At its inception it was a free, citywide festival featuring local artists. The Center grounds weren't fenced off and you didn't need wristbands to see a show. National reputation notwithstanding, how long can the Bill Graham–style rock festival remain viable? Or relevant, for that matter? A quick perusal of this year's music lineup shows the festival rather devoid of acts aimed at anyone over 30. That's great for people under 30, but it cuts out a major segment of the population, not to mention their discretionary entertainment bucks.

Jef Jaisun

[sic] throughout

LINDY WEST: Just read your butchering review of Chuck and Larry ["I Now Pronounce You Not at All Funny," online only, July 19]. I saw it and thought it was pretty funny. Its called: take with a grain of salt and enjoy Sandler, James, and co acting stupid and doing it in a funny way. Sure, it was not the best movie ever, but it was still pretty funny and pokes fun at stereotypes and modern society views etc. Go hang out and review your Lesbian movies cause clearly you are pretty uptight and too serious at times.

Mike