LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[February 28th, 2007] Thanks a lot, dummy

I'm not sure if Aaron Mesh is solely to blame since he probably did not do the design/layout for the piece, but "Oscar for Dummies" [Feb. 21, 2007] suffers from two problems.

First, the intro clearly states that what is to follow are spoilers for the films being discussed. It follows "spoiler etiquette," no problem. The problem is that readers' eyes are immediately drawn to the large, pencil font notes that give away, that is, spoil the movies before the reader even really knows what's happened. Spoiling films should be an opt-in decision that each person is free to make. The layout spoils the flicks even for those who want to actively avoid the spoilers. I've seen all of the films, but know two folks who now have no interest in seeing at least one of these films.

Second, the content is fluff. It's not even fun fluff. Is Aaron Mesh so burned out that this is all he has to offer? If the point was to spit out some story points and provide some "Potentially Sophisticated Banter," then great. The mission was accomplished. I think WW readers probably deserve and can handle a little more from the writer, such as what is it that makes the movies Oscar-worthy? The empty yellow space in the piece and some consideration for the reader would have certainly allowed the inclusion of this information.

Scott Rogers
Northwest Everett Street

Something's missing...

Why mention that your multi-referenced source, Michael Munk, is a "retired political science professor" when you could also, for the sake of context, mention that he is also a hard-left activist ["North by Northwest," Feb. 21, 2007]? He publishes something called "Portland's Red Pages" for goodness sakes. Why characterize him as some middle of the road concerned citizen?

His desire to try lawyer Scott Caplan in the pages of your paper has had his desired effect. The assumption of guilt before trial is a favorite tactic of extremists on the right and left. Mr. Munk himself claims he knows what innocent people "act like"!

You have no problem pointing out where Caplan lives and works but can't dig into Munk's background beyond his retirement status. I am sure the choir you preach to will eat it up. "Fake but accurate" seems to be the order of the day for the mainstream media.

Tom Pahlke
Vancouver, Wash.