TO THE EDITOR: I was disappointed to see the Mercury's endorsement of the "Raw Foods Movement" ["Last Supper," Aug. 12]. Michael Svoboda seemed quite taken with the attractive raw-foods chef. Unfortunately, her claims that "raw foods... are easier for your body to break down," and "have enormously higher nutrient values than foods which have been cooked" holds no water. The fact is, cooking breaks foods down, making them easier to digest, and making nutrients more available. The "Raw Foods Movement" is something of a cult, which encourages followers to reject all medical science and embrace eating habits that may result in serious health problems.
David Spritzler
ROLL THE CREDITS
DEAR MERCURY: I'd like to give credit where credit is due. In his article "Everything Falls Apart" [Music, Aug. 5], Mr. Pennington attributes the creation of Tropix to myself and Pete Swanson. While I may have supported that first festival in many ways, it was Nate Preston who originally co-curated that festival with Pete Swanson.
The following Summer (Tropix II) was co-curated by myself, James Squeaky, Morgan Dye, and Eva Pox. Artix was co-curated by Pete Swanson and Josh Blanchard, and Artix II was co-curated by Lani and Brace Paine. This is to say nothing of the dozens of people and bands who made those festivals such a fantastic success.
Sorry to be a stickler, but I think it's important to recognize that each of the Tropix/Artix festivals have happened as a result of the hard work of a variety of people within Portland's amazing music community.
Gabriel Mindel
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE TOWEL HEADS
HEY MERCURY: The Navy Blue Angels fly F-18 Hornets not F-16 Falcons ["My, What a Busy Week," Aug 12]! That just goes to show what a bunch of ignoramuses you all are! And yeah, war is shitty, but you lefties are a real danger to our society. The only thing these radical towel heads understand is death and destruction. So that's what we're giving them--DEATH AND DESTRUCTION. Remember, to them we are all infidels! It doesn't matter what political party, sexual orientation, or religion you belong to--they want to behead you because you're an American!
Remember: WE WERE ATTACKED ON 9/11! WAKE UP! WE HAVE TO DEFEND OURSELVES, YOU MORONS! LIKE IT OR NOT, WHEN THEY STRUCK THE TWIN TOWERS THEY STARTED WORLD WAR 3!
We live in the best country (despite our flaws) in the world! You better wake up and thank God you live here. And that we have a president that has some BALLS! Unlike the last one who got his balls licked in the OVAL (oral) OFFICE!
P.S. I am not a redneck, and thank you for letting me rant. Nothing personal.
Tim
my cap key is broken
to the editor: as a former lit major, i found justin sanders' "shakespearean death" article ["Arts Rodeo," Aug 12] hopelessly half-assed (actually half-assed would be an improvement). did it occur to him that maybe stabbing was the most common way to go in shakespeare because it would be the most dramatic on stage? it is a lot more fun to watch somebody get a sword through the guts, bleed, and stagger around than to be poisoned or drowned. remember, a lot of his audience didn't care about the poetry or the characters, but about entertaining stories and high body counts.
do a little friggin' research if you're going to write about such a huge, complex topic. there's nothing "cool" about ignorance.
lukas sherman
ADAM GNADE: BIG SISSY DOUCHE BAG
TO THE EDITOR: I just read Adam Gnade's review of the band Hell's Belles ["Up & Coming," August 12] and had to offer the following comments. I have nothing against the band, but any so-called music reviewer who thinks anyone can perform AC/DC's songs better than AC/DC is clearly a douche bag. Especially since his problem with AC/DC is that they sing about getting laid. What, you don't think about getting porked, Adam? Or does the Women Studies 101 textbook that is clearly wedged up your ass prevent you from doing so?
You don't analyze AC/DC with your feminism pocket guide, you ROCK to them--preferably with an ice-cold beer, while doing yard work. Mr. Gnade should buy a clue--that is, after he finishes his Ethan Hawke movie marathon and listening to his Lilith Fair-packed iPod.
Karen McGill
THANKS AND CONGRATS TO KAREN for rockin' her way into the Mercury "Letter of the Week!" For correctly recognizing that Adam Gnade is nothing but a dumb squealing girl in a pretty pink dress, she wins two tickets to the Laurelhurst Theater and two passes to see Rye Coalition on Oct. 8 at Dante's!
