The focus on Cohen

I was flattered by Kimberly Chun's piece of Aug. 11, but must take umbrage with the "focus" (being a journalist, I understand the slant) on her being badgered to print it ["Free Radical"]. There were no "shadowy figures" involved. I had a gig seven weeks ago; I took an hour out to be interviewed and allowed photos during the gig and was told the story would be next week. After delays, it was suggested I play again and contacted her about that (short opening set was impractical). Next I was contacted about a visit to Paradise and contact addresses for Tom and Zorn. A couple more weeks wouldn't have mattered to me. I was advised by a record store clerk to remind the Bay Guardian (when they ordered CDs thinking a piece imminent). What I was most keen on was to get my comments on S.F. dot-com housing problems aired, but that went by the wayside. The thing with my mom has to do with obligations, I have a neurological condition like Dylan and Neil ("he seemed jittery"), and I never slapped my brother at rehearsals (that was "Fidel," the lead guitarist). I enjoyed the piece, however, and she's a respectful young lady. I am thankful it came out. I'll try to play late September at Doc's.

Danny Cohen
Paradise

Kimberly Chun replies: I received several times as many e-mails and phone calls from Danny Cohen than I ordinarily get from most music artists I interview. The "shadowy figures" reference whimsically alluded to a line in one of his e-mails: "Everyone in S.F. in biz said I should stay in touch about this." Perhaps in the end, Cohen's e-mails and phone calls should be blamed on "everyone in S.F in biz," otherwise known, I suspect, as "a record store clerk."

The role of courts

Whatever you thought of the Supreme Court's decision on a mayor's right to sanction gay marriages (and I didn't think much of it), they did not, as you stated, "duck" the issue [Editorial, 8/18/04]. Your editorial is quite mistaken as to the fundamental job of the courts. It is not a court's job to legislate. Instead a court must do nothing more or less than decide the question or questions put before it in a specific case. This wasn't the case to rule on the constitutionality of gay marriages, simply because that wasn't before the court. It had not been brought by the parties, it had not been briefed, and it had not been argued. I can think of little more dangerous than courts going outside of their defined functions in order to decide questions that are not before them in order to come up with a result they like. What would happen, for example, if the U.S. Supreme Court were to decide that someone who lost a presidential election should be sworn in as president anyway? Thankfully, that would never happen in America.

Paul Glusman

Attorney at law

Berkeley

Newsom's job search

I was amazed to read that Mayor Newsom appointed three people who were unqualified to fill their respective jobs [Editorial, 8/11/04].

Today I read that self-outed New Jersey governor James McGreevey had appointed Golan Cipel – his alleged lover – to be New Jersey's head of homeland security. According to the Chronicle, Cipel was also unqualified for his job, and he resigned when this became obvious.

For the past six months, I have tried unsuccessfully to find a suitable job either locally or nationally after my job was outsourced in February. But I only apply for jobs if I meet at least two of the qualifications. Silly me! Perhaps I should start sending my résumé to government agencies instead.

Ruth M. Shipley
Pacifica

Keep Crouse

I just want to compliment this reviewer [Edward E. Crouse] for his excellent review of The Hunting of the President ["Because They Could," 7/14/04]! I haven't seen such a literate, in-depth, and humorous review in ages. Keep him writing for you!

Estelle Jelinek
Berkeley

Short strange trip

Mike McGuirk's cover story on Comets on Fire was very strange ["Day of the Comets," 8/18/04]. They really have nothing in common with the Grateful Dead. Many nonhippie bands have used LSD over the years; they sound much more like acid-heads Black Sabbath, not to mention S.F.'s own psych blues-drenched Zen Guerrilla. Yet his opening paragraphs dead-icated to G.D. comparisons and rescinding his previous criticism of the Dead because he received death threats have inspired the following:

Please endorse Proposition 63 on the November ballot, and while you're at it, Nick Waugh for District Five supervisor, or I'll, um, kill you.

Jason Blalock
San Francisco

P.S. Please know that the death threat was a joke! You know, for humorous journalistic purposes.