EMERGENTS NOT ALL EVIL

ERICA C. BARNETT: Thanks for that eye-opening article on Mars Hill and the local manifestation of the whole hipster evangelical phenomenon ["Cross Purposes," May 4]. I wrote my senior thesis on this topic and it's really interesting to see how it's playing out locally.

One small quibble: The "emergent" movement is a bit broader than one might gather from your article. It's a post-evangelical movement, not post-mainline, so it tends to hold onto a lot of the evangelical imagery and language and doctrine. It couldn't fairly be described as theologically liberal. But it is often socially liberal/moderate. This might not be as evident in the Seattle congregations you visited, but if you look to the increasing popularity of emergent authors like Brian McLaren, you might see a somewhat more encouraging impression of the whole "emergent" thing, balancing out the assholes like Mark Driscoll.

Kevin Erickson

CHRIST IS THE NEW COOL

EDITOR: Erica Barnett's article "Cross Purposes" made me wonder why young people are returning to the church. I'm sure there are many factors, but environment might be one of them. In Seattle, perhaps people are sick of a shallow social life that rewards elitism, annoying drunken behavior, and contrived offensiveness. I'm sure some want to find a community that goes beyond knowing the most cutting-edge DJ from the Midwest or where to buy the tightest clothes and the foamiest mesh caps. It's depressing that social attitudes seem to come from Hot Topic T-shirts and their idea of spirituality is getting another $300 tattoo. American pop culture, based in consumerism, has never been more disheartening. Retreating into religion seems more rebellious than dyeing your hair hot pink, snorting coke in the bathroom of Neighbours, or other agonizingly clichéd behaviors. I'm neither religious nor conservative, but I can see why young people in Seattle might be desperate for something more meaningful.

Jason

DEMS, GROW A SPINE!

STRANGER: Eli Sanders's piece "Democratic Quagmire" [May 4] made me want to bang my head against a particularly unforgiving wall. Just what we need! More people trying to encourage the Democrats to be a bunch of wishy-washy wimps! That strategy has worked out so well for them that today the few Democrats left in government have the power and the right to kiss Republican butt, if they ask nicely first.

Here is a daring plan for a revitalized Democratic Party:

(1) Each candidate grows a freaking spine.

(2) Each candidate gets some actual principles that they actually believe in.

(3) Each candidate voices these principles fearlessly in public. If you need a model, look at Brian Schweitzer, Democratic governor of red state Montana.

(4) Actual issues are selected and promoted that demonstrate the above principles. Democrats have tons of popular issues to run on: health care, the environment, alternative fuels, education, living wages.

(5) Realize that if you can't figure out a way to use the term "exit strategy" instead of "I spit on the troops" with the people in Buckley, Washington, perhaps the problem is that you're a dumbass who shouldn't be running for government.

Adam Griffith

WE ARE THE WORLD

Having grown up in the then-prosperous logging town of Aberdeen after WWII, and then teaching high school from l967–'97 in Buckley, I can attest that Eli Sanders is RIGHT ON! The people of rural King and Pierce counties face the same dilemma most Congresspeople face: They don't want the arm one of the locals lost early in this present war to be for naught! They don't want Vietnam all over again. What they do want is a reasonable, sensible way to get out of Iraq, and for their children to have a brighter future than we have right now.

Sharon Hodgins

PEARL JAM SAVES

DEAR STRANGER: What's the deal? No review of the new Pearl Jam record? I was on their fan board and someone posted something by Dave Segal about how no one wanted to review the new Pearl Jam CD. Any shred of respect that I had for you hippie liberal douches was just gunned down. Pearl Jam has done more for Seattle than just about any other band, and to not have their hometown freak-show newspaper review the album is ridiculous. Thanks for nothing, you bastards.

Matt Newsome

FROM THE FORUMS

POSTED BY MAGGIE2 ON MAY 2: What's with all the good [Pearl Jam] reviews? The new album sucks shit: predictable, lame, bar-chord progressions; typical false-emotion and inflection from Vedder; sloppy, boring drum fills; garage-band-quality recording; nothing new, nothing original, all retread doo-doo. Also, I can't stand when a "rocking" song suddenly goes soft and heartfelt. And fuck the Beatles-esque acoustic song, too. It's phony. Phony, moany, baloney, macaroni.