Letters are posted as we receive them during the week, and before they are printed in the paper, so check back frequently to see new letters. If you'd like to send a letter to the editor, use this postmarks submission form, or email your letter directly to [email protected]. Thanks for your patience.

Dear Editor,
    As soon as I saw that Micael Priest was your cover story, and before I even read the article [“A Lot of Cojones and a Little Faith,” Music, Oct. 6], I knew I'd be writing my first-ever letter to any editor.
    I became a poster artist primarily because of the work of two people: Guy Juke and Micael Priest. I was an art student at SWTSU in San Marcos in the mid-Eighties, being groomed for a career as an ad agency designer. It was challenging but rarely fun to someone who learned to draw from comic books and album covers. What Priest was doing was more my style and certainly more fun than designing a big money ad for Encyclopaedia Britannica. Priest and a handful of other Austin artists produced the kind of work that I wished I was doing, and because of them, I eventually gave it a shot.
    Priest's illustrations still make me drool every time. The crosshatching is as good as it gets. His great eye for contrast gives everything depth and makes it pop. The hand-drawn type is nothing short of incredible. I've been a huge Micael Priest fan for a lot of years. When I read the article last night and saw that he had mentioned my name, I sat straight up, speechless. I couldn't be more flattered.
    Micael Priest continues to inspire me. I've been staring at a blank piece of paper for three full days now, a new project that's had me stumped. After reading this much-deserved piece and revisiting his killer artwork, I think I'm ready to knock this sucker out.

Dear Editor,
    Political pundits may just now be noticing what battered women's advocates have known for several years; the state's budget has been balanced at the expense of the lives of battered women and their children. I stepped down from my job as the executive director of SafePlace here in Austin in 2003 in order to run for state representative; an effort on my part to bring more reasonable, just, and compassionate governance to our state. In a heated race, I lost against a heavily favored incumbent by a mere 147 votes. This year we have two more current and former executive directors of domestic violence and sexual assault programs that have thrown their hats into the ring as candidates for state representatives: Ellen Cohen running in Houston and Valinda Bolton running here in Austin. Both are great candidates with a high likelihood of winning their races. And like me, both have firsthand experience of the tragedy often associated with the draconian cuts and unethical shifts in funding meted out at the hands of our current state leadership. Some have expressed surprise when they realize the number of women running for state representative that have been involved in the movement to end domestic violence and sexual assault. It is no surprise to me. We are advocates! We started this work when women were asked what they had done to make him hit her or what she had worn to "get him excited.” Ellen, Valinda, and I have worked together for almost 15 years to change laws, perceptions, and policy to make our communities safer for women, children, and men. Come Nov. 7, Valinda and Ellen are going to take that passion for justice to the state Capitol.

Dear Editor,
    Kinky is a joke and not a funny one. He's a two-dimensional character no better than any politician. He doesn't know anything about what the job of governor requires and made a fool of himself at the debate. And what is up with him having Jesse “the Body” Ventura speaking on his behalf? That's supposed to help him? Ventura is a bigger moron than Kinky. He's an ex-WWF wrestler for God sakes. Kinky will never win; Leslie has a better chance.

Dear Editor,
    God save the Union; I'm voting for Kinky. He seems to be the only honest choice, and if he accomplishes what he wants to do, we will be better served. If not, and the ship sinks like it already has, at least there won't be an oil slick left, and the captain will go down with the ship. Vote Kinky '06, but definitely vote!

Dear Editor,
    As a resident of Brentwood/Crestview for the last 11 years, I have to express my sadness and frustration about the inevitable changes that are being forced upon us [“Crestview at the Crossroads,” News, Oct. 6]. I am the voice of the lowest of the low in Austin: the renter. I have watched my rent go up, up, and away every year due to the rising property taxes, but I stay, because I love this neighborhood. I have walked down almost every street, and year after year I see the rebuilding of the houses. Houses that are too small (inferior) for the modern person/family. Houses that were just fine to raise up families that wanted to live within their means. Not the modern family that needs a second floor, grand room, and lawyer foyer. Every time I drive by the Triangle complex, I want to puke. I have to laugh at the chump who is paying $1,600 a month to live above the dry cleaner's over there. I have taken a vow with other friends never to spend a dollar at the Triangle because it is the equivalent of a residential Wal-Mart. The article says the number of people that will be living in the "New Crestview" is approximately 1,400, but it is really more like 3,000 once all the boy-/girl-/displaced/friends move in. It is going to wreak havoc on the area. The impact of all of this is going to be more than anyone bargained for, I guarantee. Close in and bought out.

   [Lee Nichols responds: Actually, the article said the Crestview Station development will add approximately 1,200 residential units, not people. Assuming that 60% increase in units is reflected in the population, then the approximately 4,000 people that currently live in the Crestview neighborhood (according to the 2000 census) would jump by about 2,400 people.]

Dear Editor,
    What is going on between the Backyard music venue and the Shops at the Galleria in Bee Cave? We went to last week’s Bonnie Raitt and Keb' Mo' concert and were surprised to find dozens of security guards protecting the large, unused parking lots that now surround Austin’s gem of outdoor venues. Hundreds of people who were looking for a convenient parking space close to the show were told to leave the lots and follow a dark road to some remaining piece of unpaved land. Was I alone in my “silver-lining” thinking, back when the paving of paradise started, that at least the big-box stores with their big, black lots would alleviate some of the parking problems around the Backyard? It’s frustratingly ironic that they paved paradise, but you can’t park in the parking lots. Whatever beef is stewing between the owners of the Shops at the Galleria and those of the Backyard has produced an absurd lose-lose situation for Austinites. Obviously the retailers at the Shops need parking for their customers, but most of the shops are closed in the evening, and many are still vacant. Here’s an idea for management: Hire half as many parking-lot “attendants” to enforce a Backyard-friendly parking area that leaves adequate open parking for open stores and charge $5 per car for the close-in parking option. Part of the revenue can be used to cover expenses and the rest could be donated to a good Austin charity. Think of the positive marketing angle: "Park at the Shops while supporting the Austin Children's Shelter." A win-win solution can be developed, if you are willing to try.

Dear Editor,
    When syndicated columnist Molly Ivins said, "As we start down the stretch, Bell is picking up on the outside, Perry is still at 35 percent after a year, Strayhorn is fading, and Kinky stopped to poop on the track," what grade level was she in, and why did you print it [“Quote of the Week,” News, Oct. 6]?

Dear Editor,
    To all y'all who complained about the sudden loss of Femme FM on KUT, get over it. Programming is decided by contributions made by program listeners, and Femme FM didn't do so hot. Also, Paul Ray has been on the air for a long time and deserves the longer set based on seniority alone, not to mention his great playlists. Way to go, Paul!

Dear Editor,
    Re: “After a Fashion” [Arts, Oct. 6]: Wow, really, bravo! Usually Stephen is able to slip in at least a sentence about actual clothing, but this week he managed to write an entire article without a single reference to Austin fashion. And the people at the tax office failed to recognize our local celebrity? What ... they missed the episode of Project Runway when they talked about the worst people to audition?! For shame!
    I've read LiveJournal entries by 15-year-olds who rambled less than Moser does. Give this guy a LiveJournal account, where narcissism and ranting are expected, but stop wasting column inches so that Stephen can stroke his ego, pat his friends' backs, and rip any poor waiter/receptionist/manager that gets in his big, fat way.

Dear Editor,
    Louis Black in his Oct. 6 “Page Two” column says, "For years, there has been planning aimed at making KLRU the Austin station carrying PBS programming rather than the PBS outlet in Austin."
    Yes. Excellent. Bravo, KLRU.
    Now, how do we keep KUT from drifting off in the opposite direction (further than it already has)?

Editor,
    Re: Shannon Wheeler cartoon [“How to Be Happy,” Comics, Oct. 6]: In the world of the military, the ripple of one blast reaches every army. In the world of religion, the ripple of one desecration reaches every soul. I don't fear no army, I do fear a revengeful soul. Please, don't make a mockery of a revered icon like la Virgen de Guadalupe, hijos de la chingada! (Don't make me call the bishop.)

Dear Editor,
    I would like to inform Austin of a new little pizza place that just opened up. I was with a friend last week when we stumbled across this new hidden pizza place. It's called Salvation Pizza on 34th and Guadalupe. This pizza was like nothing we have ever had. The choices are very random, yet tasty. I can honestly say that this is the second-best pizza in Austin, following East Side Pizza. Please put the word out. The waiter said that the people who own it are a young couple from Connecticut, following in the footsteps of their parents. Wow! Something worth mentioning. Thanks a bunch!

Dear Editor,
    Re: Your piece on Sunny Ozuna [“La Onda Chicano,” Music, July 21]: Great article! It brings back a lot of memories. I'm Texas-born, raised in Chicago, but I've always followed the Onda Tejana. Back in the days when los hermanos Zuniga would bring Sunny & the Sunliners to Chicago, I wouldn't miss one single dance. I would even follow the band to Aurora, Ill., (Aurorita la Bella) where he always played at the Stardust. Wow! That was like going home to the Rio Grande Valley. I was also very fortunate to have met Mr. Ozuna and have in my possession many photos with him and his band.
    Thanks for bringing back beautiful memories!

Dear Editor,
    Re: Crestview article, Oct. 6 [“Crestview at the Crossroads,” News]: Great article packed with lots of information to digest. One point needs clarification – no park? Adjacent to Brentwood School, is that not a park with a swimming pool? Just wondering how that was overlooked.
    I am an eight-year Crestview resident, and I love the area. The IGA has changed a bit – it now carries organic choices including veggies and milks.
    Thanks for the in-depth coverage.

   [Lee Nichols replies: Brentwood Park and Pool is actually in the Brentwood neighborhood. Within the Anderson-Lamar-Justin-Burnet boundaries, there are no publicly owned spaces of any kind.]

Dear Editor,
    Some, including a Washington newspaper, have called for Dennis Hastert to resign, but President Bush expressed confidence in the speaker's ability to resolve the matter, calling him a "father, teacher, coach." Right, Mr. President leaves Sen. Hastert in office even if he seems to be the only one who did not know Mark Foley was an alleged pedophile in charge of abused children. It seems the pages know more of the goings-on in the Capitol than our lustrous leaders. First, the S&M gay shill reporter magically appearing in and out of the White House under an assumed name, the anti-gay, gay mayor, and now alleged pedophile Foley, another fine example of Republican high morals. It seems to me that the Republicans are more worried about their party members than the children on Capitol Hill.

Dear Editor,
    Though I have long used most Chronicle reviewers as a sort of reverse barometer, occasionally someone gets it exactly right. The most evocative, heartfelt, and outstanding article I have read in any publication in a long time is Mark Rubin's piece on Don Walser [“Song for My Father,” Music, Sept. 29]. I propose that you pay Mark to teach your reviewers how to present a subject without trying to excoriate it in order to seem hipper-than-thou. The first lesson should be that a reviewer should have some familiarity with, and even some interest in, the topic. Kudos to Mark and to The Austin Chronicle for publishing his article.

Dear Editor,
    Here's my dilemma; I don't love any of this current crop of gubernatorial candidates as much as I'd love seeing Rick Perry out of office. I'd vote for Chiquita Banana if it'd guarantee Rick Perry a one-way ticket back to North Texas. Question: Does one wait till midnight on Nov. 6 slavishly following the polls to determine how to proceed, or is "Governor Good Hair" truly a fait accompli cause we're all over the map this time?

Editors,
    Re: Use-of-force reports: no/no/no. Haven't you read the reports? Masked behind the “Other” category, the All Asia-Pacific Pro-Wrestling Team has won APD's Most Difficult to Arrest Award for the third consecutive year. In true “rasslin'” fashion, the 96.4 UF/1,000 rating is four times the Afro-American 24.1 rating (never mind that there aren't even 1,000 entries in the “Other” category). APD should seek a grant to control these “unknown” criminals, who seemingly vaporize into the “Asian” communities.
    Maybe some funding could be dedicated into a use-of-force report that would actually show something. This report fails to reveal which Austin areas and among which ethnicities UFRs are clustered. The objective, as I recall it, was to focus on how area commands were policing their various local ethnic populations. To achieve basic statistical analysis each APD area command should be listed and cross-indexed with every category from Charts 4-10 and the figures broken out by ethnic categories (Anglo/Latino/Afro-American/etc.). The last several reports have treated that as a taboo subject.
    The present cluster-flop report shows a rise of “subject” aggressive/defensive resistance; firearms used against the police; and APD officers creating an event paper trail, anticipating legal need should ACLU/NAACP/PODER sniper charges that “the officer is always wrong” become self-fulfilling. Mr. Linder & Associate Bubbleheads can probably find missing Northeast command UFRs among the 20.7% Northwest command UFRs increase, assuming clichés go where the money is. Standard auditing won't solve this difficulty because it's a service problem. What's needed is a service audit showing what the various public consumers want the APD to do, what the officers believe and/or want to do, and what actually gets done.

Hey,
    The Austin Chronicle movie reviews are the best in Austin. One thing would really improve your online listings. Separate them into two different sections. One section for first-run films and one section for films that are not new (i.e. revivals). Having to sift through the long list of movies trying to sort out what is new and interesting is kind of a bother.