ZOMBIES ON PARADE

ELI SANDERS: Sir, very good piece on the Quinault Apartments ["Uneasy Living," July 13]. It really brought out the destructive nature of meth, mentally, morally, spiritually, and physically, and how it reaches out to others with its tentacles. You can always peg the street folks on meth, as they have that edgy, crazy, amped physical thing going on. We're nowhere near the crack insanity that engulfed the Hill in the mid-'80s, but we have to be vigilant. I remember living down in the Morris on Summit (behind the Crescent) during that era, and there was all that whistling shit and gun pops and cops putting down the heavy hand and zombie-like folks wandering around. I don't think we'll ever go back there, with all the growth and development, but, you're right, there is the fear. Anyway, good writing, dude.

William Ferren

RENTERS' WOES

DEAR ELI: As a long-term renter in Seattle, I have noticed over the last couple years it seems the city has been turning its back on us. I have found it increasingly frustrating and disturbing, especially considering what you pointed out: The majority of people in the city rent. There used to be an office that would help tenants (I think it was called the Tenants' or Renters' Union) but when I called them a couple years ago I learned their budget had been cut and they were no longer active. My rent has been raised each year, and my building keeps getting worse. We really need an advocate with a strong voice (like yours!) to help us out. This city is turning into two classes and that greatly disturbs me. I have long enjoyed and learned from your writing. The city needs more people like you.

Wade Bird

BEATINGS BITE

EDITOR: I agree completely that if someone is going to go out and block auto traffic for a couple minutes as part of some sort of bicyclists' rights demonstration, he better be ready to accept the legal consequence of his actions ["Mass Attack," July 6, Josh Feit and Sarah Mirk]. The consequence is a citation, which will probably result in a fine if a judge finds him guilty. The consequence is not being beaten on the street by whoever might have been angered in the process.

I tend to think that the people who truly believe Jace Brien "had it coming" (and thus that he shouldn't complain about such rough treatment or expect that the rest of us will stand up for him) are precisely the sort of people who would like to have given him a beating themselves if they could have gotten away with it. To those people I say, "Get the hell out of our city, assholes. You can't handle being around people without blowing your top? Go live in the fucking sticks."

Phil Mocek

BIKE ACTIVISTS BITE

EDITOR: Critical Mass is beating a dead horse in insisting that the only issue is the misbehavior of the cops, who don't appear likely to avoid blame for their violent overreaction. Bike activists now ought to reconsider their outdated passive-aggressive tactics, and the absurdity of their contradictory words and deeds.

Seattle is one of the most bike-friendly cities around, and the mayor and council have broad support in making it more so. Critical Mass should declare victory, get over their grunge-era reliance on fielding a small army of testosterone-drunk men and boys out to provoke a pointless confrontation, and instead do the grown-up hard work of making a positive difference.

Dennis Bratland

PURE AND SIMPLE

DEAR EDITOR: As a former state house member and long-time follower of Washington's legislature, I'm enjoying your coverage of the race to replace Ed Murray.

One thing your readers, especially 43rd District residents, should think about is this: "What does the Seattle/King County delegation need in Olympia?"

The answer is obvious: Stephanie Pure.

There're already plenty of "Jim Streets," such as Reps. Ericks, McIntire, and O'Brien; plenty "Bill Shermans," like Sens. Jacobsen and Poulsen; Plenty "Jamie Pedersens"—Sens. Kline, Weinstein, Murray (that's right, he'll still be representing the SAME district in Olympia), and Rep. Upthegrove; plenty "Dick Kelleys" like Reps. Chopp, Hudgins, and McDermott; and, dare I say it, too many Lynne Dodsons—Sens. Eide and Fairley and Reps. Chase, Cody, Clibborn, Dickerson, Kagi and Santos.

Oh well, just a thought. I don't know much, but I know the internal workings of the house. You might want to consider taking Stephanie Pure more seriously. (I was first elected at age 28, so Stephanie's "old" as far as I'm concerned.)

B. H.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

For the past several weeks, All-Purpose Pizza has been listed in Recommended Restaurants with the wrong phone number. All-Purpose Pizza's real and completely functional phone number is 206-324-8646. Their sourdough pizza is delicious; they deliver; call often.