DEAR STRANGER: Just a quick note of congratulations on a couple of extraordinarily fine articles in the Sept 7 issue. First, that City of Paris piece by Tamara Paris ["The American Way Is a Devil Way"]--respectful reporting about someone culturally different from many of The Stranger's readers. The other one was Samantha Shapiro's report from Jerusalem ["The Department of Lost Objects"]. Thanks for sharing this honest and fascinating travelogue. Good job! Good job!

Maria Abdin, Seattle

EDITORS: Thanks to Samantha Shapiro for her evocative and beautifully written essay "Department of Lost Objects." I don't usually look for such depth in any local paper, and it was a delightful surprise.

Brad Warren, Seattle

EDITORS: Is Heidi Wills, proud owner of a new Toyota Prius ["In Other News," Josh Feit, Sept 14], under the impression that electricity comes from nowhere? Yes, electric cars emit less fumes than gas cars--at the tailpipe. But electricity has its own environmental costs as well: it generally comes from either huge coal-burning plants or from salmon-unfriendly dams. Seems only fair that the person causing the damage--the driver--ought to at least accept his or her responsibility and keep the pollution local, instead of shifting it off to some far-off place. Electricity generation for Los Angeles (another hotbed of electrocars) is obscuring the Grand Canyon (thousands of miles away) with crud that by rights ought to be hovering over L.A. For Heidi Wills, it's out of sight, out of mind, I guess.

Steve Thornton, Seattle

EDITORS: I would just like you to know that I was quite amused by the Stupid, Stupid column that was so lovingly published for only three short weeks [Feb 17-March 2]. I believe it was not given a fair chance by anyone but my friends and me. Let me tell you, we laughed our asses off at Stupid, Stupid Kitten [Feb 24]. It was the greatest. Stupid, Stupid Baby [Feb 17] was excellent as well, for the moral issues it raised. Stupid, Stupid Crouton [March 2] changed my life. This column probably kept a few people from having children, cats, or salads. Think about how much better our world is because of that. It makes me sad that you would give up on such a great thing so easily. I highly suggest that you bring it back, since it was my livelihood for three whole weeks. Thanks.

Kaytee Eiffert, Seattle

EDITORS: Wow! Love your self-absorbed style and know-what's-best-for-me approach ["Primary Endorsements 2000," The Stranger Election Death Squad, Sept 14]! Hope you never get onto the fact that your apparently-ignorant-of-the-facts and personal-attribute remarks makes your readers want to rush to vote for those you've slammed. Keep up the good work!

Steve Hansen, Ferndale, WA

EDITORS: I'm glad to see that you've decided to help inform people about which candidates you would like to see elected. Political propaganda in liberal packaging. You're no different than any other government regimen. Hold your head high, you elevated intellectual, and next time, maybe you should just fill out the voting ballot for all of the independent sheep who read this shit.

A. Thomas, Seattle

EDITORS: In your endorsement of my opponent Helen Sommers in your Sept 14 issue you write: "This two-term Democratic incumbent...." Actually, Helen Sommers was first elected in 1972, and has served continually since then. That adds up to a lot more than two terms.

Andrew Rogers, Libertarian Candidate, Washington House of Representatives, District 36, Position 1

THE DEATH SQUAD RESPONDS: Your opponent Helen Sommers is a two-perm Democrat, Andy. We were talking about Helen's appalling split ends, not her tenure in the state House.

DEAR EDITOR: Voting for Nader this November tempts me. ["May the Best Man Win," Rick Levin, Sept 21.] I'm all for giving the finger to the Man, but I'm not convinced. Third parties aren't revolutionary. Crusty progressive candidates like Nader have been around since the late 1800s. They've offered messages that are, at best, appropriated and watered down by Democrats. They haven't succeeded in changing our political system. What good is it to elect, or waste energy promoting, "third party" presidential candidates if our system of government minimizes their impact in governance? Would Nader, if elected, be able to accomplish anything in government? How would a small minority party function within the current political system?

Let's not get distracted by presidential campaigns and whether or not a vote for Nader counts. It's not about the mythical third party. It's about transforming a national system that's designed to favor the interests of the rich. That should be the goal, not nominating another doomed-but-clever leftist. If the Greens can convince me that voting for Nader furthers the cause of political reform, I'll consider voting for him. If they can show me that Nader is part of a refreshing new strategy to elect local and legislative candidates, that's cool. But if all they offer is a chance to vote my conscience, and don't make use of my support long-term, then why not just vote Freedom Socialist? Or choose the lesser of two evils?

Bernie Schlotfeldt, Seattle

GENTLEMAN AND LADIES: You have a great paper. It clearly is appealing to kids. It is free and readily available. This week's issue ["Back to School," Sept 21] is very well done. Clearly, you are smart people and you know where this is going. The Marlboro Man does not belong in a children's newspaper handed out freely in our city streets. Did not the [tobacco] settlement--which has been broadcast by Philip Morris as a public service for the past two months--specifically state that [the company] would quit targeting minors? I don't wish to go on a crusade, but you guys have got to come clean. Please state your policy. I want to know how much longer you intend to engage in this activity.

James Singleton, Seattle

EDITORS: I am writing in regard to your article in the Sept 21 issue ["Blacklisted," Amy Jenniges]. I think it is ridiculous for [people] to blame hiphop music on the violence at the clubs. Why don't they realize that it's the specific people in these fights who are causing the violence? Why don't they realize that there are hardly any gangs in Seattle anymore? Yet they still call everything "gang-related." It is so ignorant, and it's an embarrassment to read such garbage. And doesn't the public know that white folks listen to R&B and hiphop just as much as black folks? If they paid attention to the population at all these concerts here, they'd know that too! Ignorant asses!

Anonymous, via e-mail

EDITORS: Just when I decide The Stranger is the most intelligent, acerbic voice in the alternative media, you go and prove me wrong. Surely Rachel Kessler's dialogue ["Eat Me," Rachel Kessler, Sept 21] on the film Woman on Top and Tango, the new Capitol Hill tapas bar, was an editor's egregious oversight. Neither a film review nor a restaurant critique, the piece was nothing more than Rachel Kessler's pubescent rant on skinny actresses and small portions. Rachel: They're tapas, Spanish for "small dishes." If you're looking for more than a "tiny bit of roast beef" and a "tiny bowl of measly olives," dine where you can tag "supersize" on your order.

I go to Tango not because of its status as Seattle's hottest new restaurant, but because of the unerringly remarkable food. Tango is also exceedingly generous; indeed, on the night Rachel snipes about, the restaurant closed its doors at significant financial loss in order to sponsor the film's premiere party. As for Woman on Top, it just may suck. But who could know when the film's "review" is nothing more than an analysis of star Penélope Cruz's "scrawny legs," "no ass," and slim appetite? And Rachel, honey--the cattiness about a thin and beautiful actress, the complaints about "microscopic" portions? Maybe you could stand to consider your own food issues before strapping on another feedbag.

Tracy Glisson, Seattle