". . . it has saddened me to see who these changes really benefit. You guessed it. The wealthy."

Sick to my stomach

Where did we go wrong? I just finished reading your article about Casa Latina and its attempt to stay alive in Belltown ["Day labor lotto," 10/12]. It appears that the neighborhood associations will soon achieve their unwritten goal of pushing out everyone who doesn't earn $100K, live in stylish condos, drive tanks, and dine in overpriced restaurants.

I have lived and worked in Belltown for the past six years and have witnessed the fast-paced changes, good and bad, that have taken place. While I am not opposed to safer streets, successful businesses, and the development of more housing, it has saddened me to see who these changes really benefit. You guessed it. The wealthy. Time and time again we have turned our collective cheek from the neighborhood's needy, whether it be fierce opposition to a sanitation center or hiring aggressive security guards to "shoo" people out of our sight. And now, the people who have benefited the most want to shut down a project that does nothing but good in the community. It makes me sick to my stomach.

Are we really supposed to consider the opinion of a developer like Peter Erickson? Of course he's opposed to Casa Latina's position below his windows. He might have trouble selling the high-priced units on that side of his building. What sad priorities! Can we really keep pushing people away and pretending they don't exist? And so far as "the last view corridor left in Belltown," it's far too late to use that argument. Why weren't these business leaders using that line to stop view-blocking commercial development in Belltown 5 years ago?

Surely there is room in Belltown for a little decency, room for compassion toward our fellow men and women (yes, Casa Latina also helps place women with work), and room to promote the dignity found in a day's work. But I guess not. Mother Teresa once said, "I fear just one thing—money!" This has become a spoiled, fat city in a selfish nation. God bless Casa Latina, and god help us all.

ANDREW CLEARY
SEATTLE

Selfish in Seattle

I have found myself outrageously disgusted by the article "Day Labor Lotto" [10/12]. Not because of the writing, it is indeed a fine piece of journalism, but because of the content. It is disturbing to me that these men looking for work are seen as a nuisance, as undesirables. Granted, there may be a few alcoholics and thieves among them, but I myself find that idea much less offensive and damaging to a "quality of life" than the excessive materialism and consumer excess displayed unabashedly by the ever-increasing modern-day "yuppie."

Developer Peter Erickson states his disgust with the day laborers and the fact that they "piss and take a crap under the bridge." I wonder if it ever fucking occurred to him that that may be because they don't have a rest room always at their disposal (pun intended)!? They can't just sashay into the nearest cafe and purchase a latte or a wrap for the privilege of taking a crap. When did this become a privilege anyway? I myself, a middle-class white girl, have trouble finding somewhere to piss downtown; maybe next time I have to go I'll just head toward the bridge!

It is also mentioned that some drink, do drugs, and harass women. Well glory be! Isn't that just the most unusual behavior you've ever heard of. I'm sure no upstanding dot-com executive has ever gotten stupid off too much booze; it's [unheard] of for a white urbanite to have a destructive drinking or drug problem! Do I even need to go into the sexual harassment that runs rampant in all levels of our society? This entire situation reeks of hypocrisy, not to mention greed and utter self-absorption.

Every neighborhood in this city is slowly becoming a frivolous and expensive playground for ridiculous people with too much money to spend. What about people who aren't like that, aren't like you? Wake up, people! The world is never going to be as spanking shiny clean as your neuroses dictate your personal environment to be. The world is not a pristine sparkling land where all you have to do is spend your money idly and never worry about your delicate sensibilities being offended.

Next time you step out of your "stunning . . . state-of-the-art . . . $860,000" condo, try taking a step outside of yourself. Next time you sunbathe in the condo's "outdoor courtyard, European style [built to] foster a sense of community," maybe you should spend some time contemplating the communities of people that exist outside of your sanitary little sphere. Have you ever considered what it might be like for any of these men, or [tried] to comprehend the breadth of their struggling? Have you ever tried to make a life in a foreign country where the language is unfamiliar? Have you ever worked sporadically at crappy jobs only to send most of your earnings home to your poor family, leaving yourself homeless and hungry (or at best dirt poor)? These are human beings, just like you; yes, it's true! They have faces and names, they have families and stories.