Letters to the Editor

MONSTROUS

DEAR MERCURY—I wrote a letter to the editor that was
published in Just Out newspaper back in February of this
year, detailing why I thought Adams should resign and, sadly, to
this day I stand by that, but I have to say the title of your recent
feature article offended me in one important way. “Mayor or Monster”
[Feature, May 28]? The word “monster” is so ugly and so loaded. He made
some colossal mistakes and he’s worked hard to remedy those, but to
compare him to a “monster” in ANY fashion, and those stupid
cartoons? Are there no depths to which your shabby publication will not
sink? I can’t count how many times I’ve read articles, essays, and
poetry in which a gay person was compared to a “monster.” You owe Adams
an apology for this simple reason. Are you ALL high school dropouts who
didn’t study English or literature?

 -Mrs. Therresa Kennedy

ALL ERIK, ALL THE TIME

DEAR MERCURY—I was in Portland this last weekend and I
stumbled upon an issue of your weekly. I noticed that there was a
review covering that ridiculous Terminator movie [“Saved by the
Bale,” Film, May 21]. I can happily say that ERIK HENRIKSEN is
accurately on-point in his critique of the movie! I knew the movie was
off, but I didn’t know why. It was as if I wasn’t sure how to
articulate my displeasure; I lacked the critical language. ERIK
HENRIKSEN provided me that language! I hope this reaches someone who
can share with ERIK HENRIKSEN how much pleasure he brings to his
readers and what great film reviews he writes. I would almost go as far
as to say that the pleasure I experienced in reading ERIK HENRIKSEN’s
review leads me to hope that the entire Mercury staff is made up
of a collection of ERIK HENRIKSENs, or, at the very least, a staff
of ERIK HENRIKSEN-esque editors.

-A Happy Traveler

I HATE YOU! (PLEASE COME TO MY SHOW)

EZRA [CARAEFF]—Comparing the Aggrolites to Sublime is like
comparing your music journalism to that of David Fricke [Up &
Coming, May 28]. As Roland Alphonso put it, “Music is music.” Come to
the Aggrolites show on Friday and (if the crowd doesn’t beat you up
first) you can experience real reggae music firsthand. 

-DJ Simmerdown

EVERYONE MUST SUFFER

DEAR MERCURY—In this economy, when programs are being
cut and people are being laid off, no one should be receiving a pay
raise [“Fish, Fritz Turn Down Pay Rise,” Blogtown, May 28]! It is the
height of political arrogance for Randy Leonard and Dan Saltzman to
take a cost-of-living increase right now. I’m an independent stonemason
and I’ve had to cut my rates and trim my sails to keep working.
Businesses are closing their doors and laying off employees. We
are all in this together. It is increasingly clear that some on the
Portland City Council are out of touch with economic realities.

-Spencer Burton

TAKE! OFF! YOUR TOP!

DEAR MERCURY—Just a reminder, trend-setting ladies:
Topless sunbathing is legal in Portland. I don’t say this for myself; I
now live in Tigard (the center of the universe). However, if you want
to help tourism, and inaugurate a social transformation with uncertain
consequences, I would suggest one of two methods: a co-ed and
“equipollent” Mercury event in a downtown park (heavy on genial
police/rent-a-cop presence), or a gradual phase-in using “teaching by
example” and discussions at parties. But hey, it’s your show.

-Jeff Rubard

AS A GENERAL RULE, the Mercury does not recommend its
readers as reliable sources of legal advice, but the early, if wobbly,
hold that summer appears to have taken inclines us to favor sun worship
of all stripes, pervy motives and all. Jeff wins two tickets to the
Laurelhurst Theater and lunch at No Fish! Go Fish!,
where—sorry—shoes and shirts are required.