To the Editor:
By the way, how many of your staff can properly define the word niggardly? 50 percent? I didn't think so!
Ben Sturgill
Scientists are People, Too!
To the Editor:
Name Witheld
Gynecologists are People, Too!
To the Editor:
Max Feline
'Tards are People, Too!
To the Editor:
These "'tards" are people who, like all people, feel pride, sense the reactions and judgments of others, feel embarrassment, and feel shame. I don't know what stereotype you had in your minds when you published this, but anyone who has had the unfortunate, undeserved circumstances of being called these names all their life probably won't find your "enlightened sarcasm" very entertaining, informative, or justified.
Just because society's respect and political correctness has not been instituted for people with mental retardation, does not mean they don't deserve your sensitivity.
Vicki Lewis
Movie Audiences are People, Too!
To the Editor:
Kris Avis
Olympians are People, Too!
To the Editor: HAVING SPENT MOST OF THE LAST TWO YEARS IN OLYMPIA, I CAN SYMPATHIZE TO A CERTAIN EXTENT WITH COURTNEY LOVE'S ANATHEMATIZATION OF THE TOWN ["Courtney Love vs. Everett True," February 25]. Beyond Courtney's gift for hyperbolic overstatement calculated to incite controversy and backlash, there is truth in her assertion about Olympia being full of elitist manifesto-driven scenesters. (Don't quote me on that.) I lived with people who conformed to a rigid code of behavior and opinion that was as strict and disheartening as anything I broke away from in "mainstream" society. They were vegan, PC, scornful of all but independent (preferably local) music, and obsessed with their self-congratulatory "work" in feeding the poor and promoting their supposed Utopian doctrine of Anarchist society, which in fact amounted to a bunch of privileged young white kids holding vapid meetings and debates decrying the wickedness of the police, and otherwise creating for themselves the illusion that they were investing their energies in a worthwhile cause. (Meanwhile, they freaked out if one of their roommates ate their leftover Chinese takeout food.) Unfortunately, being a non-vegetarian, hopelessly un-politically correct, Sleater-Kinney and Bikini Kill-bashing anti-cutie-pie pro-talent MALE who occasionally voiced opinions contrary to theirs, I never quite fit in.
Don't get me wrong¯this letter is not written out of bitterness. I had some great times and met some great friends in Olympia. The above holds true only for a segment of its population. But I can see what Courtney was talking about. And I think that Hole song making fun of Olympia is damn funny.
Joseph Anthony Schlottman
Tully's Are Not People, They're Just Ridiculous
To the Editor:
Tom O'Keefe, Chairman and CEO of Tully's Coffee, said, "This partnership is a home run for Tully's; it will increase the company's national exposure. We may not be the biggest player in the coffee world, but it's obvious we're the ones who will take the M's all the way."
In honor of the new partnership, during the work week's "seventh-inning-stretch" from 3-5 p.m., anyone who visits a Tully's Coffee store and says "Take me out to SAFECO FIELD" will receive a complimentary espresso beverage of their choice.
Chuck Armstrong, President of the Seattle Mariners, said, "Teaming up with Tully's is a great move for the Mariners. With the new ballpark, new attitude and new coffee, the Mariners are set for an exciting 1999 season."
Seattle Mariner Jay Buhner expressed his and the other team members' excitement about Tully's joining the team. "Now I can enjoy my favorite coffee without having to sneak it into the dugout. I'll have a 'Buhner Buzz' on my head and in my coffee mug."
[A Buhner Buzz is a mocha with four shots of espresso which was named after Seattle Mariner Jay Buhner, who is recognized for his "buzz" haircut.-- eds]
Founded in 1992 by Tom O'Keefe, Tully's Coffee Corporation is the second largest company-owned specialty coffee retailer in the Seattle area and the third largest in the nation. Tully's currently has 81 locations in Seattle, San Francisco, Japan, China, Singapore, and Taiwan. Tully's corporate headquarters and roasting facility is located in the former Starbucks headquarters and roasting facility located at 2010 Airport Way South in Seattle. For more information call (800) 96-TULLY or visit Tully's Internet home page at www.tullys.com.
Sincerely,