Second, SEAMEC invited every candidate on the ballot to complete a written questionnaire and participate in an interview. Candidates Jensen, Morgan, Thompson, and Budigan had the same opportunity as everyone else to come and tell us their story. They didn't, so we made our recommendations based on the evidence we had available to us.
Third, of course we realize that it's normal for candidates to have opponents. But of the 10 judges Gary Locke appointed since the last election, only the three GLBT ones drew primary opposition. Just a coincidence?
Fourth, the Republican Party's endorsements of judicial candidates was never raised in the SGN article. Obviously, the Republicans can endorse whoever they want; and there are some Republicans who have the guts to break with their party's leadership and support equal rights for the GLBT community. (To find out who they are, refer to our Web site, www.seamec.org.) The article simply cited specific anti-GLBT remarks by Linda Thompson at a specific Republican Party event.
Finally, why sneer at Mary Yu's "exceptionally well qualified" rating from the King County Bar Association? If there's evidence to the contrary, let's hear it. Otherwise, it might be best to check facts before weighing in with an ill-informed opinion.
MIKE ANDREW, PAT D
SEAMEC COCHAIRS
SEATTLE
James Bush responds: The mere act of running against an incumbent judge doesn't prove anti-gay bias, nor does the failure to respond to a questionnaire from a political organization. We heard the rumors too, but Seattle Weekly found no evidence of a coordinated anti-gay judicial slate.
Peeping, respect
I'm glad to learn that Seattle PD has rejected participation in that high-tech peeping-tom extravaganza known as COPS, and sorry that the King County Sheriff's department hasn't ("Uncivil action," 9/21). Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart is doubtless correct that people like the show and happily sign the release after being caught on camera, but that fails to justify participation. Some citizens wouldn't mind a police-monitored camera over their beds, but I would hope that police would respectfully decline.
Urquhart says regarding media ride-alongs, "we want the public to know how we do business." File that one with "the check's in the mail" and "naked women smeared with chocolate syrup is art." Does anyone think we will get anything approaching the unvarnished truth form these productions? I'd more readily trust a department that didn't feel the need to score cheap public relations points.
Tell your County Councilperson that in a department with time for extensive coordination with TV crews, there must be room for budget-cutting.
RUSSELL B. GARRARD
SEATTLE
Hot, hot kilt
I am standing and applauding in front of my computer as I read your story online about Seattleite Steven Villegas finding a market among men for his innovative Utilikilt [Fall fashion, "Nice legs, babe!" 9/21]! After decades of uneventful pants-wearing, I found kilts and skirts four years ago and have never wanted to be in pants again! I'm a married man, and my wonderful wife accepts with a shrug the obvious demonstrations of delight coming from women on the street who, in contrast to all those years that I've been running about unnoticed in pants, are really admiring me in my kilts. The Utilikilt looks to me to be a huge step in the direction of masculinity that so many men need. Look out, world! This is a hot, hot trend happening here!
BOB PETTINGELL
VIA E-MAIL
Weird, freaky
I must say that I like this article [Fall fashion, "Nice legs, babe!" 9/21]! It's about time that someone came up with something else for men to wear besides the usual drab stuff.
I just wish that society in general would be more accepting of men who would like to break out of the traditional stereotype of what men should wear and what they should look like—why should women get to have 100's of choices in their fashions & style while men only get a handful at best?
If men dress differently, society immediately labels them as weird, freaky, mentally unstable, etc. I consider myself of average intelligence and character, and yes on occasion when I feel like it . . . I do wear a skirt! In public no less!
FRANK STROCK (THE SKIRTD1)
VIA E-MAIL
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