A COMPELLING TALE

Like many stories in the media since Sept. 11, Issa Qandeel’s brought back difficult memories [2003 Best of Seattle, “People & Politics: DiscoveryBest Unsung Hero,” Oct. 15]. My close friend was killed in the Twin Towers. I spent the week after the attack in N.Y.C. with friends and relatives trying to make some sense of the horrific scene.

The depth of Qandeel’s compassion is amazing. Of all the stories surrounding that dayand I heard some amazing ones at my friend Rich’s funeralhis is one of the most compelling.

One point that day made clear in my mind is that anyone who kills, or attempts to kill, innocent people is the worst form of criminal. Patrick Cunningham is sick and dangerous. If he needs treatment, he should get it; but he shouldn’t breathe the air of a free man for several decades.

Michael Trentalange

Seattle

READER RESPONSE

I’m glad to know we are hip enough to have a best place to pee in Seattle and to get advice about the best place to buy movie popcorn, best place to fish, best place to tango, and best place to buy great hipster shirts [2003 Best of Seattle, Oct. 15]. But did other readers miss the mention of our best book stores? What happened? I was hoping there would be some mention of the newly opened Ravenna Third Place, with its cozy sofas next to the fireplace and huge stock of used books, but it was mentioned only in passing as the home of one of the Honey Bear Bakery sites. Lots of opinions about Seattle’s best desserts and pastries, but no discussion of book stores this year? I thought we were a great book town.

Julie Larios

Seattle

CLASSIC MISTAKE

I guess if one is to offer up a letter of correction, it should start off by saying something good. As a frequent reader of the Weekly, I have come to expect excellence. The issue on the Best of Seattle [Oct. 15] outdoes itself. Congratulations!

Now, on to the bad. You include the best Caesar salad (at El Gaucho), describing it as “made according to the classic recipewhich means anchovies” [“Food & Drink: Readers’ Picks”]. While I truly like anchovies nestled in my Caesar salad, they are not part of the classic recipe. As a foodie, this recipe comes up in discussions quite often.

Alan Zelt

Kenmore

THE TRUTH ABOUT TREES

I am pleased to see that Seattle continues to place an emphasis on issues of environmental quality. Knute Berger’s article about its trees made me nostalgic once more for the place I have always regarded as my real home [Mossback, “How Green Is Our City?” Oct. 15].

The attributes that Berger bestows upon trees are most apt, but he should note that the claim that trees reduce noise is a fallacy; rather like the ubiquitous claim that one can see the Great Wall of China from space, it doesn’t bear scrutiny. I mention this only to encourage Berger to keep promoting the value of more trees in the city but not through false claims, which might be seized upon by opponents.

David Hancocks

Melbourne, Australia

EAST FOR PEACE

While I agree with Geov Parrish that there is much work to be done and focus is important to accomplish results, I want to correct some misimpressions possibly generated by his article [“We Told Them So. Now What?” Oct. 15]. First (and least important), my last name is spelled Bovarnick.

Second, Eastside Suburban Peace Network is comprised of folks in Bellevue, Issaquah, and Sammamish. Our mission statement is: “We come together as neighbors to work for peace and social justice. We use communication, advocacy, and nonviolent action directed at creating and maintaining just and peaceful U.S. policies at home and abroad.” There are other peace groups on the Eastside addressing similar concerns that are not formally part of Eastside Suburban Peace Network, including those in Redmond and Woodinville.

Third, Eastside Suburban Peace Network is not connecting with the sustainability movement nor the Earth Charter movement. While both efforts are noble and worthy, the focus of Eastside Suburban Peace Network has always been and will continue to be peace and social justice.

And finally, I agree with Parrish that the Eastside is a “seemingly unlikely venue” for peace and social justice work, but it is only unlikely to those on the west side of the lake who suffer from a myopia born of the pervasive aversion we all feel toward sitting in traffic on a bridge. We Eastsiders know that there are thousands of like-minded folks here, organized and organizing to build world peace from our own backyard.

Ellen Bovarnick

Eastside Suburban Peace Network

Bellevue

LEFT GET TOGETHER

Bravo to Geov Parrish for telling truths we all need to hear [“We Told Them So. Now What?” Oct. 15]! The “left,” or whatever you call those who are against right-wing conspirators, needs to be just as devious in its fight to win the middle. Instead of splintering into jealous constituencies that need to prove their legitimacy, all the subgroups need to unite to rid us of the evil symbolized by G.W.

Sure, protests worked to some degree, and we should not denigrate WTO Seattle (especially after the success in Cancún), but marching à la the ’60s can only have limited appeal, since the police and their allies have learned to counter its effectiveness. The left can only consider itself successful when a majority of people vote. The right doesn’t want mass voter turnout, because it is more difficult to control larger groups of people.

Lastly, where are the minority voices in these protests? Has the left forgotten the potential blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, to name a few, can offer to the political debate?

We are at a crossroads in American history. What is the left going to do to steer us away from the Armageddon to which we seem headed?

Tony Dickey

Seattle

GEOV’S GENERALITIES

Geov Parrish needs to stop smoking his hash and get back into the real world [“We Told Them So. Now What?” Oct. 15]. He writes in generalities, adopting the tactics of the communist and socialist wolves who cloak themselves in “progressive” sheepskin. Example: He writes that the president lied by setting a date to invade Iraq months before we attacked Saddam. Where’s his proof? He writes that “there were no weapons of mass destruction.” He ought to read the chief weapons inspector’s report before he makes such outlandish statements. He writes that the Iraqis did not welcome us and do not want us to stay. He has ignored all the reports of embedded reporters stating otherwise. A recent Gallup poll of Iraqis shows that 67 percent want us to remain there.

Parrish has a right to his opinion, as long as it is not presented as fact. I wonder why people pay any attention to his writings. His hate for the president is obvious, and he has a right to hate. But it shows in his writing, and it dilutes his ability to influence his readers.

Jack Leicester

Shoreline

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