How We Found Nirvana

Re "Same As It Ever Was" (MetroNews, April 26): I was one of the bookers at Marsugi's in 1988. Yes, I was the first to book Nirvana in San Jose and also booked Faith No More with Mike Patton singing one of their first gigs with Primus opening and booked GWAR. I did this with no financial budget from Marsugi's or Eddie. Marsugi's provided the venue and an ad in Metro. Everything, and I do mean everything, else was done by myself and friends at KFJC.

Just an FYI. Oh, and I'd love to be interviewed about how I got such cool bands with no money—it was a thing of beauty.

Natalie Freitas, Petaluma

Tasteless Cartoons

I respect the right of free speech, and I appreciate the role of the artist in society, but I feel that the DeCinzo and Sorensen cartoons that you printed in the April 25 issue of Metro (print edition only) regarding the Virginia Tech incident are tasteless, insensitive and incredibly hurtful to those who lost a loved one in that massacre. I will exercise my right of free speech by saying that whoever decided to run those cartoons, and especially the cartoonists themselves, exhibited a very serious lapse of judgment.  I hope that none of you will ever have to experience the grief and horror that the families of all who died that day will have to endure for the rest if their lives. I for one will never feel comfortable reading your publication again. Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion. Maybe someday when you grow up you might understand my point.

John Romano, Palo Alto

It's Printed On the Disc

I just read your article on Frank Huguenard ("The Ultimate Controversy," Cover Story, April 11) and realize it's a bit late to offer a letter for feedback but here goes anyway.

One of the founding principles of Frisbee or flying disc play is the maxim "Have fun invent games." It was actually printed on the underside of discs and many old-timers took it to heart. Frank Huguenard's efforts continue that vision. However, the real issue here is not the validity of Dischoops but his tendencies to alienate players across the board. We are blessed in the greater Bay Area with a multitude of disc sports and virtually all of them are inclusive in nature. I personally would like to see more articles on disc play that are vibrant and happening, not someone who behaves in a manner that is destructive.

Skippy Jammer, via email

Hiding Behind The Keyboard

Re "Feinstein Resigns" (MetroNews, March 21): While I'm glad that you have taken the initiative to investigate a hypocritical liberal politician such as Dianne Feinstein, I would love to kick Peter Byrne's cowardly little ass for denigrating the troops in his report. They are "Suckers" for choosing to defend this country from terrorism. And if you haven't noticed, we haven't been attacked here at home since 9/11. But, I know you libs don't think that terrorism stuff is for real.

While Petey is hiding behind his keyboard, the troops are doing something worthwhile for the world. What is it that clouds his judgment so much and causes him to despise the military? Is it his hatred for President Bush over the two elections that he probable thinks he stole? Or, is it that he's such a pie in the sky liberal pacifist that he simply hates everything military? Because if he is honest with himself, it's not the war in Iraq.

Unfortunately, like most other liberals in this country, Peter Byrne can't recognize that the soldier is responsible for giving him the freedom to write such irresponsible nonsense.

Doug Rowland, Piano, Texas

Compare Gun Laws

Re "Pink Panthers: The LGBT movement declares its right to bear arms in San Jose" (Metroactive.com, March 28): Let's contrast, for a kick, the laws regarding gun control versus the laws regarding (say, for instance) abortion, child pornography, drugs (your choice). All of the latter seem to fall into the realm of "moral" laws; that is, there seems to be a higher "purpose" or power (God) involved with the law itself. Guns, however, seem to be more of a secular situation. We are pretty much allowed to "kill" in self-defense, and everyone knows that when the "end times" come, we will all be pretty much on our own to fight for survival. I don't know where my argument is leading, but it is clear to me that until gun control legislation can be brought under some sort of "moral" umbrella, it will have no chance of passing.

John Duckworth, San Jose

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