Letters to the Editor

SOUPÇONS OF SENSE

DEAR MERCURY—Just gotta respond to last week’s
“prize-winning” letter [“Matters of Life and Death,” Letters, April 2].
I can’t help but think of the drinker who says, “I drive fine
after five pints.” As a cyclist with three decades, many thousands
of miles, and countless rolled-through stop signs under my shorts, I
support the “Idaho Stop” law, fully recognize that the experience of
riding a bike is fundamentally different than that of driving a car,
but also beg of you all; a soupçon of sense, por
favor.

-Michael Wunder

BUGGED OUT

TO THE EDITOR—The allegation that Central City Concern has
done nothing about bedbugs that infested a number of rooms at the
Biltmore Hotel is false [“Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite,” News, April 2].
A comprehensive treatment of the whole building, including free
laundry, free disposal of unwanted property, and spraying was done
several weeks before this article was written. About four years ago a
tenant did fall out of a window. There is absolutely no
evidence—no witnesses or police report—that he was pushed
out, only unsupported gossip. There were nine police reports filed
in 2008. I am told by Portland Police that about 30 would be the
average for other buildings of this type.

-Ed Blackburn, Executive Director/ Central City Concern

DOPE DISPENSARY

DEAR MERCURY—Thank you Sarah Mirk for your coverage of
House Bill 3274 [“Pot of Gold,” News, April 2]. What concerns me about
House Bill 3274 is the inequitable treatment of medical marijuana
compared to other medicines. A more equitable solution would be a
dispensary system. Let’s work to find a solution that allows
representatives and participants, including producers, of the medical
marijuana program to honor the intent of the original voter-passed
bill. 

-Paul Oehler

SO, FIVE BUCKS ON BUNNY?

DEAR MERCURY—Why do you hate this Jesus guy so much
[“Jesus vs. Bunny… WHO YA GOT?!?” I Love Television, April 9]? I
read the one about Jesus vs. bunny and I’m interested to find out what
causes so much hatred toward someone who is already passed away?

– J-luycx

AMEN!!!

SIR—How can you compare a stupid rabbit to the TRUE meaning of
Easter: the Resurrection of some of mankind’s Lord and savior Jesus
Christ [“Jesus vs. Bunny… WHO YA GOT?!?” I Love Television,
April 9]?!! The reason why I say some of mankind is because, a lot of
people (like you!) make a joke or stupid comment about God when in
fact, there is nothing funny about it!!! Now, I am not a preacher or
priest or any other religious leader by no means, in fact, I recently
became saved in November of last year. And I have been able to
survive!! Are you at peace? I suggest you look to God instead of making
jokes about it and trust in him!! AMEN!!!!

-Steven Free  

ACCOUNTING

DEAR MERCURY—Quick comment about your lead paragraph in
the “School Lunch Crunch” story [News, April 9]. It begins with a
reference to being at “a sustainable chili factory.” Most
industrialized countries outside the US have strict
truth-in-advertising laws. Canada released a guide last year to
help advertisers and industry comply with the said laws. Here is
what they had to say about claiming sustainability: “The concepts
involved in sustainability are highly complex and still under study. At
this time there are no definitive methods for measuring sustainability
or confirming its accomplishment. Therefore, no claim of achieving
sustainability shall be made.” We all need to work toward
sustainability and we need accurate and reliable information to make
good decisions.

-Brian C. Setzler, CPA MBA in Sustainable Business

RIGHT YOU ARE, Brian, right you are. Therefore you win the Mercury‘s letter of the week and with it two tickets to the
Laurelhurst Theater and lunch at No Fish! Go Fish! where you can
reliably, and honestly, find sustenance.