Tiny Tears for the American Idol

Why does your article ("'Tis the Season," Nov. 16) refer to David Archuleta as a pipsqueak? The writeups for the other shows don't use condescending words to describe the artists.

I think you owe David and his fans an apology.

You have lost any respect from me as a Bay Area resident who is paying VIP to attend David's concert. He is the best live performer on this planet. Maybe you should attend his concert and you will definitely use a more respectful word for him after you witness his voice and command of the stage.

Debbie Husary

El Sobrante

Here's an Idea

Are you a citizen of the United States who wants to act now, and to also adopt your position as one of the 99th percentile which is falling further behind?

Simply get a voter registration form, change your party affiliation to the Ninety-Niner Party, and send it in.

If a sufficient number of registrants are recorded statewide, the Ninety-Niner party will be entitled to the same privileges and recognition as any other official political party in the state. Official political party members elect their own leaders, platforms, candidates etc.

You will continue to have the opportunity, in general elections, to vote for any candidate you choose, regardless of political affiliation.

John Bauer

Martinez

Village Life

Thanks for the positive coverage of Growing a Village/Cultivando un Pueblo! I would like to point out an additional, far-reaching benefit of building relationships with our neighbors: We drive less! For every new friendship formed close to home, every local creek cleaned up, every musical or artistic endeavor or shared gardening project happening within a neighborhood, there is less need for people to travel across town. For each child who gets involved with other kids in his or her neighborhood, there is one less parent/caregiver on the road playing chauffeur. In this way, we are reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, while deepening our connections with both other community members and the ecosystems in which we live.

Julie Chasen

Santa Rosa

Talking Turkey

While President Obama is pardoning two turkeys for Thanksgiving, every one of us has that same presidential power by choosing a nonviolent Thanksgiving observance that spares a turkey's life.

And here are some good reasons:

You are what you eat. Who wants to be a "butterball"?

Your kids can tell their friends about their cool "Tofurky."

You won't have to call Poultry Hotline to keep your family alive.

Fruits and vegetables don't have to carry government warning labels.

Animal advocates, including some of your best friends, will cherish you.

You won't sweat the environment and food resources devastation guilt trip.

You won't spend a sleepless night wondering how the turkey lived and died.

Your body will appreciate a holiday from saturated fat, cholesterol and hormones.

Seriously, this Thanksgiving, let's give thanks for our good fortune, health, and happiness with a life-affirming, cruelty-free feast of vegetables, fruits, and grains. Our own dinner will feature a "Tofurky," lentil roast, mashed potatoes, corn stuffing, stuffed squash, candied yams, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Larry Rogawitz

Santa Rosa

On the Nose

Thanks to Richard von Busack for such a brilliant review of a brilliant film ("Skin Graft," Nov. 9). I am a huge Almodovar fan and have been struggling with describing this film to my friends. This review was right on.

Linda Wosskow

Novato

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