Revenge of Marsugi's Bookers, Part III

I too, was a talent buyer for Marsugi's—in fact I was the last one. Eddie is right ("Same As It Ever Was," MetroNews, April 26), the politics is what continues to destroy San Jose's music scene. You can't claim to want to be multicultured, yet every time a live music venue wants to open, to then throw up a blanket of red tape.

It's sort of ironic that a great music magazine, Zero, is based out of a city that has nearly a zero live scene. Can San Jose be saved?

Michael Sullivan, Northville, Mich.

Crazy Talk

Your article ("The Ultimate Controversy," Cover Story, April 11) was way too nice to Crazy Frank. Ultimate is a beautiful sport where all skill levels can have a great time playing; the only people who don't enjoy the game are those who are incapable of basic polite human interaction.

The Spirit of the Game is why I play Ultimate; I am a competitive athlete and I love to play hard, but I am also capable of communicating with other people. I have never met Frank, but he is one of the few bad apples that ruins things for other people. He is correct that if you are a total asshole and that much of an egomaniac you will not do well in the Ultimate community. However, the amazing proliferation of the sport among young people is a testament to its popularity as it is currently played and organized. If Dischoops or Goaltimate was as great as people with a vested interest in its growth claim, then more people would play.

Your article has gotten National recognition because Frank posted it on Google's rec.sport.disc where he routinely annoys Ultimate players and I think my sentiments accurately reflect what most Ultimate players feel. Frank needs professional help, I feel bad for him and he relishes any attention, especially negative attention.

Kevin Stout, Eugene, Ore.

Nondairy Screamer

While reading Elisa Camahort's "Meatless Little Lies" (Silicon Veggie, June 6), I took a bite of a cheeseless taco that inexplicably was packed with cheese. After returning it, I wondered whether the 90 percent vegans are responsible for the apparent lack of regard for dietary requests. The little lies abstainers-by-choice tell themselves might result in the server or chef not hearing and therefore not appreciating the importance of keeping an ingredient out of a dish. Indeed, maybe it isn't so important; after all, that dab of butter does taste good, doesn't it? But for someone who gets physically ill from a bite of cheese, a slip-up is more than a subtle moral rationalization. While your 90 percent vigilance might qualify you for the "100 percent cruelty free" club, you may be putting your fellow diners at risk.

Steve O., Palo Alto

Vegan Doesn't Mean 'Perfect'

Note to Elisa Camahort: Hold your head high and pat yourself on the back for your efforts with veganism! While it's true that some vegans will, here and there, accidentally consume some minuscule by-product not in accordance with their ideal diet, this by no means should discourage them from continuing on with their compassionate food choices.

Being vegan is not about being perfect or pure. It is not a religion or dogma. It is simply a tool to reduce the needless misery of farmed animals. Whether we decide to go vegetarian, vegan, or simply eat less meat, we can all play a vital role in minimizing the amount of suffering in the world each time we opt for vegan fare.

Jon Camp, Vegan Outreach, Takoma Park, Md.

Whacked!

The article on The Sopranos ("It's Life and Life Only," MetroArts, June 13) was a nice synopsis of the series, but I disagree with the ending. Two episodes prior to the finale, Tony has a conversation on a boat where he discusses what "getting whacked" feels like. He decided that "everything goes black and silent." This scene was also referenced in the finale. The final scene of the finale things abruptly go black and silent before the credits roll. Get it? Whacked!

Gordzilla, San Jose

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