Dean's List

See Dick run: Regarding "Dick Joke" (June 12): I always find C.J. Janovy's column interesting; she covers a variety of stories and events that need attention.

Since Missouri voters have such a lame-ass Democratic presidential candidate in "Missouri's favorite son," Dick Gephardt, a great alternative lies in Howard Dean. Thanks to Dean's Web site, www.deanforamerica.com, and meetup.com, Dean supporters all over the United States and here in KC are coming together for a great candidate with some great ideas. I think Pitch readers who are not already aware of this candidate would be very interested to hear about his advocacy for civil rights, including recognizing homosexual partnerships, bringing health care to all Americans and improving our environment.

The Pitch is in a good and powerful position to reach tons of Democratic voters in Kansas City. I hope you will pay attention to events coming up soon! Thanks!
Karen Diaz
Kansas City, KansasHot and Bothered Getting shafted: Regarding Gina Kaufmann's Kansas City Strip (July 17): All I have to say is shame on you for printing such a nasty article about the dedication for World War II vets who served the United States in order to protect our freedom. For Kaufmann to degrade such services is un-American, and I think it's completely disrespectful to the people who lost their lives for the United States and those who were wounded, including Bob Dole.

Mixing such a monumental event with words like erectile dysfunction, erection, Viagra, cocktease and getting action is completely disgusting. It's harsh, and it's uncalled for, and like I said, shame on you.
Michael Franklin
Lawrence

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Match Game
Singles seen: I just read Jen Chen's "L-U-V Hangover" (July 31). I am going to be honest -- I don't read the Pitch a lot, but I've been down and out about being single, and this really helped. I saw that cover in a Planet Sub where I'd gone for lunch and thought, I've got to read that!

I'm a single, 27-year-old female who likes to go out to the bars, mingle, whatever, and it's just downright depressing sometimes, because I don't have a date! I'm not ugly; I take care of myself, and it's like, what is wrong with me?! But I've come to the conclusion that something is wrong with the men who pass me up. Dating is hard in KC. I've lived here my whole life, and it is like a big small town.

I would like to know about that wine Jen had in the airplane glass -- that sounds interesting! Thanks for cheering me up. I enjoyed the story; I was glued all the way through it. FOF sounds like the way to go, too. Oh, and I loved all of her quotes.
Name Withheld Upon Request

Search party: I had the pleasure of reading Jen Chen's article. I am a single, 32-year-old male who was born and raised in Atlanta. Opportunity abounds in the ATL, but life is slow here, and I find it increasingly difficult to find that "someone."

Granted, working in bars at night (formerly Have a Nice Day Café and currently Fuzzy's South) puts me in touch with the single crowd. Hooking up for physical pleasure comes with relative ease, but I want more than that. I'm waiting for lightning to strike. I feel that I will end up settling for someone I like a lot versus someone I love unconditionally.

I just don't think there's enough for singles to do in this town. So, Theory No. 2 on Chen's list is correct. Going to the same places over and over gets boring and routine. You tire of seeing the same people everywhere you go. I think I may have to import a woman to help me in my single situation. Maybe my expectations are too high.

I will persevere and continue my journey to happily ever after. Wish me luck.
Durante M. Davis
Lee's Summit

Being single, drinking doubles: I've always enjoyed Jen Chen's Night Ranger column, and the result was no different with "L-U-V Hangover."

I read this article with particular interest, since I am a thirty-year-old, single, white male. I've never thought Kansas City was that bad of a place to be single. Granted, I've never lived anywhere else for more than a year, so what the hell do I know? Unlike some single friends my age, I don't mind being single at all. Except for the inconvenience of not having a standby sex partner, it's not so bad.

Our society in this country (and especially in the Midwest) puts undue pressure on people (especially women) to pair up. I only have to look at my own friends, some of whom are already divorced at age thirty, to realize that people don't put too much thought into who they "pair up" with. There's nothing wrong with being single ... despite what my mom keeps telling me. I guess the worst part is having aunts and my grandmother trying to play matchmaker. I think it is one of the immutable laws of physics that I will never like any girl my grandmother thinks is right for me.