Democracy Prevailed, Free Association Lost in Last Week’s Primaries: How did democracy prevail in the Washington primaries? Votes were cast, but that’s not all there is to democracy. Political parties are a key component to democracy. Any voting process that makes parties meaningless is undemocratic. As to the idea of ‘voting for the best candidate’ aE” just what does that mean? Vote for someone who mouths platitudes in a way that you find most consoling? You ditch parties and you don’t have a system that provides much more than that. – Submitted by Ed Whitson

Shikany Wake Rocks the Rim: My world fell apart yesterday when I heard the news of our loss. Joe Shikany was a wise and quiet man with a zest for life that was infectious. You just couldn’t get through your week without seeing or talking to Joe at least once. This wasn’t hard to do as long as you liked music. He was the hardest working man in the local music scene, and spent everyday of his life doing what he loved. We should all be so lucky. We love you Joe, and you touched each one of us in your own special way. – Submitted by Trish Burke

Band of Horses v. Built to Spill: You’re joking right? i really don’t see how one can even put the two bands in the same category. Built To Spill is so much more interesting and prolific than the WB network Band of Horses will ever hope to be. – Submitted by jim

Love Is Like Herpes: It’s a good thing that her culture’s tradition doesn’t say anything about the financial support she received for 3 years years from the dream boyfriend. Not to mention the emotional, depressed psychological train wreck this guy took care of. – Submitted by John from Seattle