LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[August 24th, 2005] BEST REDEFINITION OF "AVERAGE"

Applaud Nicole Nieland for her success ["Best Top Model," Best of Portland, WW, Aug. 10, 2005]. Applaud Ms. Nieland for her allegedly fantastic boobs. But do not mistake her for the average-sized woman. Her measurements of 34-25-36, with a dress size of 6, are nowhere near the average. The most commonly bought dress size in the USA is a 14 (itself larger than the 14 of the past), and the average American woman, according to the National Eating Disorders Association, is 5 feet 4 inches, 145 pounds, has a dress size of 11 to 14 with measurements of 36/37-29-40.

I suggest we hold our applause until we see such a model of normal proportions filling out the latest in lifting and separating technology.

Joshua Bass
Southeast 28th Place

NAKED INTEREST

I am the Executive Director of the Common Ground Wellness Center and would like to thank your paper for your recognition of our establishment in Aug. 11's "Best of Portland" edition.

However, I would also like to call attention that by putting us under the "PDX Sex" category you have unwittingly created a lot of work for us here at CGWC. We strive to provide a space where all can be comfortable without the inconvenience of clothing. We do not tolerate sexual behavior of any kind. Many of our patrons are working on becoming comfortable in their own bodies and certainly do not need to be ogled, chatted up, and/or objectified. Our attendants do an outstanding job ferreting out those with the wrong intentions.

To keep CGWC a safe space for all requires constant vigilance and dedication. We are already seeing an increase in this need for vigilance after last week's article. In the future, please consider a category for "Alternative Healing," or at the very least, "Miscellaneous."

Richelle J. Corbo
Common Ground Wellness Center, Inc.
Northeast Everett Street

FOLLOW YOUR OWN DAMN BLISS

I missed the WW of Aug. 3 but did catch the Aug. 10 Mailbox letter from Frank DiMarco. I would like, therefore, to respond to his letter rather than what WW wrote. He says to Portland bicyclists, "Stay the hell off the main streets and embrace the alternatives." He suggests we ride "blissfully" on Northeast 16th Avenue making "the same time" as we could on Northeast 15th Avenue.

Well, I think it is a little presumptuous to tell other bicycle riders that they can "make the same time" on a side street with unmarked intersections not containing any throughway. Bike riders choose to ride on through streets for the same reasons motorists do: We don't want to have to face inevitable uncertainty at unmarked neighborhood intersections as we try to cross the city. So I guess I have to say in return, keep your bliss and travel as you like, but I will choose to use arterials for getting across the city.

I don't think I am more "self-absorbed" than the next Joe, but I do want to get around on a street where I have the right of way if I have a choice. So, sir, stay the hell out of my right to ride where I want; keep your bliss to yourself and let that be your reward. I view my bike as a way to use the streets to get around safely and efficiently in our city, and I don't accept your advice to push me off on to side streets when I can travel more safely and speedily on a through street.

Motorists need to learn how to drive around bicyclists and pedestrians; the streets, all of the streets, also belong to non-motorized users.

Ray Thomas
Southwest 2nd Avenue

SUICIDE BY CAR?

Tonight (Aug. 6), I was riding my scooter home and nearly had a wreck when five bicyclists ran a red light directly in front of me. Ironically, this was just hours after reading your Rogue of the Week article on "self-absorbed motorists" [Aug. 3, 2005]. I think it is a complete tragedy that 10 people have died as a result of car vs. bike or car vs. pedestrian accidents; however, I have a couple of comments to make.

Two of these 10 people were killed when they stepped out into traffic intentionally to commit suicide. One of these on Aug. 5 was immediately called suicide. Another in January that I witnessed, the media reported as "Pedestrian hit crossing I-5." However, police later determined it suicide. The drivers in these cases are, in fact, the victims.

Additionally, I live along the Southeast Clinton bike route and often ride my own bike around town. Daily I see cyclists totally ignoring all rules of the road: running red lights, jumping onto sidewalks in front of pedestrians, making illegal turns, apparently assuming that the traffic laws do not apply to them.

In fact, the Aug. 1 edition of The Oregonian reported that almost half of the pedestrian vs. motor vehicle crashes between 1985 and 2002 were actually the fault of the pedestrians.

So rather than creating more animosity between bicyclists and drivers, why don't we put a call out to all Oregonians to simply drive, ride and walk more safely. Be aware of what you are doing and pay attention to others. And I would ask the police department to hold accountable pedestrians and bicyclists who refuse to obey the laws of the road. Oh, and if you want to kill yourself, do it in the privacy of your own home.

Erin Staples
Southeast 49th Avenue

MR. SMITH'S TRUE COLORS

Hooray for Nick Budnick on his article "Blue-Light Special" [WW, Aug. 10, 2005] regarding Sen. Gordon Smith.

Sen. Smith misled Oregonians into thinking he is a moderate Republican. Instead of standing up to be our voice to push for what is best for America and its people, he has voted right down the party line in trying to change this country to fit their ideology.

Oregonians should be asking Sen. Smith this question: Whose side are you on? Stand up and be our voice before it's too late-or maybe it is already too late.

Sheila Spohn
North Campbell Street

CORRECTION

In our Best of Portland item "Best Church that Meets in a Bar," we misidentified Evergreen Community pastor Bob Hyatt. WW regrets the error.