Kid Gloves

Sex on the breach: In Tony Ortega's "Great White Feather" (Kansas City Strip, August 4), it is clear the author has an interest in protecting sex offenders.

The author personally attacks Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline and ignores the fact that there are numerous predatory males who think nothing of manipulating young girls to use for sex. We need to stop these men from violating our young women.

It is a tragedy when there are those that want to ignore these abuses and look the other way, which, in effect, promotes this type of criminal activity. I am thankful we have an attorney general like Phill Kline who is genuinely interested in the humanity and welfare of our children.

State Rep. Mary Pilcher Cook
Via the Internet

Ortega responds: Pointing out that Kline is more interested in advancing his anti-abortion agenda than protecting young women from predators is far from "[having] an interest in protecting sex offenders." It's a shame to see another elected official using the same tactics to confuse the issue.

Brush Stroke
Erector set: Oh, tee-hee! We just knew those "arty" students REALLY went to class to peek at pee-pees (Nadia Pflaum's "Stroke of Genius," August 11)! Haw-haw! Naughty naughty! Caught ya!

Now, next issue, let's see some snotty rebukes of "fly-over art" and call Peregrine or Hesse about the serious local scene.

Enjoying the new comic-book format!

Ed Alderman
Via the Internet

Close Shave
Whisker away:I would like to thank you for finding another method of marginalizing the transgender community with the drawing of the bearded lady shaving her legs. (Night & Day, August 11).

Although there are many transgender women who have issues with facial hair, being compared to a sideshow attraction is not something that most people want to be equated with. It is difficult enough for many of us to get through day-to-day life (a disproportionate number of transsexuals are dead by the age of 30, and it's been estimated that about one-third of transsexuals commit suicide). We as a community do not need this stereotyping. Thank you.

Jamie Tyroler
Via the Internet

Stage Fight
Show-me state:Come on, Alan Scherstuhl, you can do better than that, can't you? I mean, your review of our production of Betrayal ("Back Stab," August 11) is full of your insights about Pinter and risk-taking and Theatre in the Park, but what about the show you're reviewing?

You make little to no mention of the acting, directing or production values in the show; you give more specifics about West Side Story in one paragraph than you do about our production in the entire article ... what gives? Do you have to like a show in order to talk specifically about it? Were you trying to do two reviews in one? We don't care if you didn't like the show, just give us the details. Back up what you're saying with specifics -- at least we want to know how the actors did. You spend more time discussing an actor you didn't see do the show than the ones onstage that night!

I've read some of your other reviews, and most of them are interesting, insightful and specific, but this time you spent more time talking than talking about the show.

Scott Stackhouse
Lenexa

Tip Drill
Sack lunch: Regarding Charles Ferruzza's "Judging Tippers" (August 4): I am a two-for-one-coupon user.

At 69, I'm still good in the sack.

I'm a regular 20 percent tipper (25 percent at our regular spots).

I always tip at what the price would be without the coupon.

Maybe the restaurants should screen their two-for-one-coupon purchasers to ensure they pass the "sack test."

Maybe we should require all two-for-one-coupon users to exhibit their sexual prowess before they can use the coupon -- of course, you are to supply the appropriate partner to judge said prowess.

At any rate, we will keep eating out, keep using coupons, keep tipping well and keep enjoying Ferruzza's column.

Ed Fenner
Lee's Summit

Night Watch
Ranger rover:Jen Chen's Night Ranger column is really picking up steam. It has become one of the first things I read in the Pitch each week.

Where is the Ranger heading next? I, too, would like to check out potential hot spots before they wind up in the Ranger and become too trendy.

Brian St. John
Via the Internet

Show Tunes
A little Biirdie told me:Thanks for the tip about Biirdie (Critics' Choice, July 28). I went to this show on your recommendation (after I went to see Electrelane open for Le Tigre!) and am so happy I did. They were enchanting and put on a great show, even though there were all of, like, ten people there.

Thanks for getting the word out! Hopefully next time they come through, more people will pay attention.

Amy Fry
Kansas City, Missouri