Mock Arena

Don't take my space: Finally, someone who agrees with me! An arena downtown? PLEASE! (KC Strip, "How Suite It Is," May 20) I know they're trying to bring life back to downtown, but building an arena will not solve the problem. You build this arena, and it will take at least three parking lots away. Downtown does not have very much parking in that area as it is. Where are people going to park? I think that the arena should be put by the Liberty Memorial in the big field. But please leave the parking downtown alone.

Altha Knigt
Kansas City, Missouri
Donkey Kong
Kick ass: I must say that after reading Tony Ortega's " Young Ass" (KC Strip, May 13) I was disappointed at the lack of research and journalistic integrity exuded by the Pitch in its coverage.

First, let me clear something up: There are no "union hotels" to speak of in Kansas City. There are only hotels whose labor practices meet union standards and those that don't. The latter are on what is known as the picket list, which means the unions do not approve of their actions. The Westin Crown Center does not have a union picket on it, and the unions are not upset with the Young Democrats of Greater Kansas City or the Young Democrats of Missouri over the choice of hotel.

I was present during the phone interview between Becky Williams and Tony Ortega, and whereas she was quoted accurately in sheer terms of what she said, I think her message was contorted in the story that was written. Furthermore, I can recall at least three times in the interview that Becky told the reporter she was unsure of the answer and that was her best guess to a variety of different questions, which should have encouraged Tony to be more thorough in his research.

Having a Young Democrats of America national meeting in Kansas City is a big feather in our cap and shows how important the state of Missouri is in the upcoming election. And Becky put together an outstanding fund-raiser in light of the convention that helped to spark a lot of energy among young professionals in this town. I had always felt that the Pitch was better than this, and I hate being proven wrong.

Brendan Rhyne
President, Young Democrats of Greater Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri

Bush Whacker
Word play: In David Martin's " Goon Squad" (May 13), the president's education bill is incorrectly referred to as the "Leave No Child Behind initiative." The words Leave No Child Behind are actually the trademarked slogan of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), an organization that has given children a voice in the halls of power for thirty years. The Bush administration cleverly named its single-issue education bill "No Child Left Behind." The word games may fool some people, but the inadequate funding for this bill fools no one. There is little chance it will improve outcomes in most school districts. Neither will it prepare children to enter school ready to learn.

On the other hand, the comprehensive Dodd-Miller "Act to Leave No Child Behind," (S.448/H.R.936), which the CDF supports, recognizes that children don't come in pieces and addresses all the needs of children, including child care, health insurance, Head Start for every eligible child who needs it, housing, nutrition and prevention of child abuse and neglect.

The Bush administration may choose to play word games with the CDF mission, but its word games make children the losers.

Donna A. Lawrence
Vice President of Field Operations, Children's Defense Fund
New York City

Fault Lines
Club wed: Funny reading Jen Chen's " Double Fault" (May 13), especially with the comment about the bad wedding reception. I had piled out of some gigantic building on 48th Street after attending one of those bad wedding receptions and had to sit on the corner for 30 minutes waiting for my friend with that horrifying band covering "Tequila" and "La Bamba" ... badly. On the upside, there was no Bud Light at the reception, but there was fine Jamaican rum.

Hope my pointless coincidental story helped improve Chen's mood, knowing that I, too, suffered through the music.

Name Withheld Upon Request

Axl Rod
Velvet revolution: Regarding Geoff Harkness' " Use Your Illusion" (May 13): While I do appreciate Axl's work that he did with Guns n' Roses a long, long time ago, I think the redheaded, wig-wearing, Buckethead-hiring, plastic-surgery-Michael Jacksonesque weirdo is done, cooked, over and out. He has pissed his fanbase off so bad that they will not return, and if it weren't for greatest hits CDs, the guy wouldn't have an income.

Velvet Revolver has a very good chemistry about them. Their original stuff impressed the hell out of me, and I am looking forward to buying Contraband, their new album, on June 8.

Matt Sorum is a fine drummer, by the way. And feel free to keep holding your breath for Chinese Democracy -- that's more than fine with me.

Ralph Corse
Blue Springs