TRAITOR JIMMY
I read with disappointment Knute Berger's "Baghdad Jimmy" [Mossback, Oct. 2]. Jim McDermott, an embarrassment for the citizens of Seattle, visited a violent dictatorship, where citizens have been gassed, hospitals and adequate food staples are ignored so that a megalomaniac can build "presidential palaces,"and there is disregard for basic human rights. What McDermott did was unconscionable, disgusting, and immoral. In a time of war, there is no excuse for this lack of loyalty.
Chris Roth
Portland, OR
BLESS THE BEAST
Bless Knute Berger [Mossback, "Baghdad Jimmy," Oct. 2]. Between the incoherent ranting of our brat prince president and his Fourth Reich- employed pundits, I was beginning to think that no one of credibility would stand up for McDermott. He's a hero and an elusive, rare beast—a Democrat with spine. Thanks for standing up and being counted.
Chris Bingham
via e-mail
BAGHDAD BOZOS
It amazes me that anyone could attempt to put a smiley face on the performance of Jim McDermott in Baghdad [Mossback, "Baghdad Jimmy," Oct. 2]. McDermott is no moral force or human shield; he's just a partisan political hack who blames America first, just like Knute Berger. Saddam has enough money, even with sanctions, to feed his entire population, but lefties like McDermott, Bonior, and Berger would rather you believe it was America's sanctions causing such pain. I think McDermott is a traitor. The entire Democratic leadership has distanced itself from the Baghdad bozos. I guess it takes a Left Coast weenie to find sunshine in a dark and dismal act of treason.
Jerry Fenimore
Littleton, CO
EPIC STORY
In his useful list of peace groups ["How to Wage Peace," Oct. 2], Geov Parrish forgot to mention EPIC, the Education for Peace in Iraq Center (//epic-usa.org/). This group, founded by a Gulf War veteran, has been actively lobbying Congress to stop the war and end economic sanctions against Iraq for several years.
Monica Wood
via e-mail
ESSENTIAL KNEADS
As a longtime promoter of local and sustainable agriculture, I was pleased to see your piece about Seattle foodies who are supporting local food production ["The New Food Revolution," Oct. 2]. However, I was dismayed that the only mention of my business, the Essential Baking Company, came in the form of a suggestion that we aren't doing anything to promote these efforts. Grand Central Baking's Gwen Bassetti is quoted as saying that "other bread manufacturers may begin to catch on" to the idea of supporting local growers, and then we are mentioned in the next sentence, suggesting that we are among those who may one day "catch on" ["The Revolutionaries" sidebar]. Essential Baking has been supporting organic and local agriculture during our entire eight-year existence and has been THE pioneer nationally among artisan bakers in supporting this cause. Space doesn't permit me to elaborate on the many ways my companies, Essential Foods and Essential Baking, have supported this cause since the former was established in 1988, but they far exceed the efforts of Grand Central. My co-workers and I are hurt by the suggestion that we "haven't caught on," when we are, along with PCC, foremost among local businesses in furthering this cause.
Jeff Fairhall
Owner/Manager
The Essential Baking Co.
A TWO-MONORAIL TOWN
Thank you kindly for Erica C. Barnett's coverage of the landmark application that recently was filed to save the 1962 Seattle Center monorail from the Elevated Transportation Company's wrecking ball [Buzz, Oct. 2]. And thank you for mentioning that many of us monorail supporters vehemently oppose the ETC's unconscionable plan to lay waste to the 40-year-old line. It is damned fine reporting to expose this critical facet of a monumental initiative debate that routinely has been obscured under "yes or no" simplifications in the local press.
I believe only a smattering of voters are aware that a "yes" vote for the ETC's "Green Line" plan in November will approve spending to demolish this charming and distinctive Seattle fixture. Worst of all, it's merely to satisfy the selfish interests of Belltown property interests and the ETC's myopic desire to bolster its highly questionable ridership projections by making the Green Line the only monorail in town.
No citizen who truly loves the concept of monorail would willingly demolish the existing monorail with a "yes" vote next month. It in incumbent upon us to force the ETC to select a better route, and to save the 1962 monorail.
Adam Klein
via e-mail
CUT FLACK SOME SLACK
In Steve Wiecking's "Curious George" [Small World, Sept. 25], it is difficult to scrape away his self-hatred and world-loathing to get at his intended message, but apparently he is criticizing George Ray for being a hypocritical, sentimental, journalistic flack. Some people call the roles of both men entertainment.
What is the point Steve is making? That public television is supposed to be the nation's main source for unbiased, perpetual truth? It's too bad that KCTS can't be on the cutting edge of political korrectnesss, cynicism, envy, self-absorption, self-indulgence, preciosity, and plain old journalistic digression the way Wiecking can be in his wad of a column.
Russ Tremayne
via e-mail
WILD RIDE
As a Crown Hill resident, I don't usually have very much to crow about. But then Wild Mountain Cafe opened ["Greenwood Mountain High," Sept. 25]. Could this be the beginning of a neighborhood improvement trend in an otherwise forgotten part of Seattle? I certainly hope so. But imagine my disappointment to find this fine restaurant, this one bright spot, taken from Crown Hill and given to Greenwood by your publication.
