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Low turnout

Blame system failure

Fifteen-percent voter turnout is terrible. Paul Taylor asked "What was your excuse this time? The mail-in absentee ballot was sent to your homes more than two weeks ago!" [ "The voting block" guest commentary, Aug. 25.]

Not so, I'm afraid. I moved to Seattle in May 2006, and have voted in-person in every election since then. I received no mail-in absentee ballot, and then was out of state for several days including Aug. 21. Unfortunately, I realized the error only a day before departing town and wasn't able to do anything to correct it. I wonder how many others were overlooked?

-- Amy Avery, Seattle

Like a fairytale

Strange sequence of events

"The icebreaker gap" [Times, editorial, Aug. 20] indicates that Canada, Denmark, Norway and Russia are in a mad scramble to stake the first claim on oil and gas under the Arctic Ocean. The U.S. is playing catch-up because we failed to ratify the United Nations convention that establishes ownership, and we lack the right equipment. The rush is on because global warming is melting the Arctic ice pack. And, of course, whatever bounty in fossil fuels is found will add to global warming when burned.

It's hard not to agree with Alice's comment when she entered Wonderland: "Curiouser and curiouser!"

-- Dick Nelson, Seattle

Seattle duped

Schultz pulled the wool over our eyes

I just read "Can lease keep Sonics here?" [Local News, Aug. 27], the article concerning a proposed new law that would hold the Sonics to their lease. In theory it sounds good, and I think we may be able to make them pay, but we can't make them stay.

There is another issue here that nobody has talked about in the media. It's that former Sonics owner Howard Schultz sold us down the river! We didn't even know the Sonics were for sale until the sale was announced. Oklahoma built a new stadium -- without a team -- and we honestly think Schultz didn't know about it?

He should be ashamed of himself. I wish the media would hold Schultz accountable for his actions!

-- Jeff Richford, Edmonds

Moto madness

Cut your engines

The proposed Motocross Track complex along the Mt. Loop Highway has begun to stir debate, which is an important step toward the community making the best decision. Here's a few facts about the proposal:

1. The proposal involves clearing 75 to 85 acres of forest. That amount of forest removes approximately 400,000 pounds of Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere annually. CO2 is the primary cause of global warming. Approximately 75 riders per day would use the tracks, resulting in approximately 600,000 pounds of CO2 (and other harmful gases) being introduced into the atmosphere annually. Net result: a "carbon footprint" of more than 1,000,000 pounds of CO2 annually.

2. Any person, plant or animal within at least a 3-mile radius would be impacted by the noise and dust.

These are facts that are usually not fully weighed until it's too late.

-- Jeff Van Datta, Stillaguamish

Stating the obvious

Seniors have sex

I was interested to read the recent article reporting that people "remain sexually active in their 70s and 80s," a finding obviously worthy of appearing on your front page [ "Seniors having more sex than you might think, survey finds" page one, Aug. 22].

I am looking forward to The Times' next revolutionary revelation, which I understand will suggest that the earth is not really flat.

-- Sol Saporta, Seattle

Viaduct -- front and center

Tear it down

The Alakan Way Viaduct is ugly and possibly unsafe. Let's dismantle it, and we will see we don't need a replacement.

Danny Westneat's "We just discovered I-5 solution" [Westneat column, Aug. 26] notes that recent I-5 maintenance didn't cause the traffic problems forecast by some because people found other ways to travel. Other simple rules could further reduce congestion. He concludes the same thinking can be applied to the viaduct.

While saving money for use on road repairs and rapid transit, we would be rid of our waterfront's eyesore before something bad happens to it during an earthquake or with age.

The Embarcadero Freeway in San Francisco was a major route through the city until the 1989 earthquake damaged it. The city simply didn't replace it. Traffic works fine there now using other routes. Also the Embarcadero area has enjoyed a renaissance of restored and new buildings which are among the most desirable in the city. Using Westneat's thinking, Seattle could do the same.

I encourage The Times to keep the viaduct issue and its solutions front and center. We can avoid a tragedy and enhance our waterfront.

-- Jim Palmer, Bainbridge Island

Delayed reaction

Good, but not good enough

Congratulations to our Washington State Ferry employees who, on several occasions, noted the strange behavior of two men and reported it to federal agents [ "FBI asks: Who are the men in this photo from ferry?" local News, Aug. 22].

However, why didn't federal agents meet one of the ferries when it docked so they could question the men? Also, why did they wait so long to publish the pictures?

-- Thomas Budinich, Seattle

A problem with people

Don't blame the dogs

I appreciate Jonah Goldberg's "Vick brought out the worst in man, and in man's best friends" [editorial column, Aug. 27] about the horrors of dogfighting, but feel all forms of media are failing to adequately inform the public about the true nature of this "sport."

It's terrible that Michael Vick helped execute six dogs by drowning or electrocution, but how about reporting what it takes to turn "man's best friend" into a killing machine in the first place? How about the gun powder that is fed to dogs to gnaw at their stomachs and turn them surly? How about the helpless pups that are thrown into fights to teach bloodlust? How about the daily torture these dogs endure to keep their vicious edge? How about the 9-year-old boy who reported he was the only one in the room not laughing when the losing dog defecated all over himself before dying?

Death was the best thing to happen to these poor dogs, and people who participate in dogfighting are cruel and sick, not merely "immature."

Until reporters investigate and tell the whole story regarding this abomination, they have failed.

-- Rosemarie Downing, Port Townsend