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Letters to the Editor

Right between the eyes

Our city, by the numbers. Wonderful! Magnificent! The absolute best April Fools' joke I have ever seen, or even heard of, anywhere ("My Precious!"). Just write a serious, honest, accurate, straightforward article, publish it on April 1 and call it an April Fools' joke, and watch all those real people with their real attitudes fail to recognize themselves.

I will bet that 99.44 percent of Seattleites will consider it a mere spoof of views held by outsiders and not recognize the reality of themselves at all. Absolutely outstanding!

— Don Uppendahl, Mount Vernon

I'm outta here

After 40-plus years in Seattle I'm outta here to someplace smaller and sunny, for all the crystal-clear reasons you so wonderfully described in that edition ("My Precious!" April 1). I shall keep that issue forever as real "truth in advertising" in case my recollection turns a little hazy.

— G. Louis Wegner, Kirkland

Raising a happy young adult

If it were possible, "Two Mommies, Two Daddies," (March 25) should be mandatory reading for everyone.

Years ago, many of us held misconceptions about gay people, about gay couples, about what could happen to children growing up in non-traditional families.

It was even difficult to accept that single-parent families could raise children well. This article shows that growing up with loving, caring and openly honest adults has been beneficial to those young people. Sexual orientation did not seem to be the main driving force in raising thoughtful, non-judgmental, loving and happy young adults. Thank you and these families for sharing these experiences.

— Beth Thomas, Puyallup

Graffiti disrespectful

It is a hard question as to what to do and how to do it in regard to graffiti, what is for most people "vandalism." ("Street Signs," March 18). I believe various attempts have been made to accommodate this urge for unwanted decoration, but they have failed as its practitioners are basically unable to separate their urge to make their mark from the rights of people to be free from this use of what is public and private space.

A few have actual talent. The urge to make one's mark is historic, but the damage and cost are real enough. This business falls into the same category with children hacking computers just to show they can. I fear that to control either is going to require force and an end to tolerance for what is really disrespectful behavior.

— Jim Yell, Fayette, Mo.

Cancer and courage

Kudos to you and The Seattle Times for having the courage to publish a story about people living with advanced cancer ("Survivors," March 11).

As a young woman with metastatic breast cancer, it seems that the public never hears about the darker side of pink. Perhaps an update on Kristin Johnson and Gail Stulberg would balance out all the stories of supposed "cures" we read about in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I know Jerry Liebermann from my involvement with Gilda's Club and Pat Migliore from when I produced the Northwest AIDS Walk. You told their stories well.

— Jill Cohen, Seattle

Pacific Northwest magazine is a delight to read. But one tidbit stands out for me, and that is the small "Now and Then" feature. Never over the top, never trendy, never too wordy. Simply a brief discussion with a clear fondness for history, the place and the photographer's art. In an era when Puget Sound (and the rest of Washington, by the way) seems desperate to achieve "bourgeois irrelevance," it's a bit of a reminder there is a Northwest soul.

I think it's remarkable. I hope it continues.

— Guy Gregory, Spokane

Send letters to the editor to Pacific Northwest

magazine, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111, or e-mail pacificnw@seattletimes.com. Include a telephone number for verification.

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