Who the hell made the decision to give the Feb. 9 cover story the cutesy titillating title of "The Panty Thief" and illustrate it with a pair of pretty little undies?? Reality check: Kim was looking at pictures of RAPED MUTILATED TORTURED DEAD WOMEN, he possessed handguns and rifles, he had a "how to" list for torture/murder.

Did you actually READ the story?! It was a serious nightmare! Whether you're trying to be ironic or just using the same old tired sexual innuendo clichés to lure readers, your choice of cover SUCKS and offends. Please get a clue and do better in future.

Esther Gass
Southeast 31st Avenue

Trust the Arts

I get real tired of people quoting the statistic that "Oregon ranks 47th of the U.S. states in government funding for the arts," as I read in the interview with departing PICA head Kristy Edmunds [Q&A, WW, Feb. 2, 2005]. Why don't people instead talk about the fact that Oregon has probably the most innovative funding method in the country?

I'm not often excited about paying taxes, but once again I was able to take a triple tax deduction for my contribution to arts organizations. Last year I donated $500 to a wide range of worthy nonprofits throughout the state, and $500 to the Oregon Cultural Trust. I was able to claim the total amount of $1,000 on both my federal and state taxes as a charitable deduction, and then deducted $500 from the state taxes I would otherwise owe.

While it's indirect rather than direct government funding, the bottom line is that the Trust gives people like me an opportunity to redirect my tax dollars for the arts. People should quit complaining and be a part of the solution, and while they're at it go out and buy a Oregon Cultural Trust license plate.

Kate Mytron
Southeast Glenwood Street

HANDS OFF GLOVER

Despite the fact that I deal with negative reviews and misinformed write-ups with regard to my own record label [Lucky Madison] on a constant basis, I have never in my life been inclined to respond to a publication regarding any sort of rebuttal whatsoever. The way I see it, if you create something—good or bad—anyone and everyone has the opportunity and freedom to critique it.

That said, after reading the vitriolic letter to the editor regarding Greg Glover of Arena Rock Recording Co. ["Say No More," Mailbox, WW, Jan. 26, 2005], I was incensed and simply couldn't help myself.

To demean Mr. Glover with the contemptuous epithets of being "insensitive," an "opportunist" and a "kingpin" only highlights how out-of-touch this person is with the local art and music community.

I would cordially invite such naysayers to wake up at an ungodly hour of the morning in order to host a radio show, run an independent record label, work a day job at a record store, and constantly promote and invest time, energy and money into the local music scene.

But maybe that might involve stepping off your high horse and spending some time in the trenches of East Portland.

Ryan Feigh
Southeast Madison Street