Letters
Music industry must adopt the Internet
Regarding your Feb. 14 article "Napster no match for 'establishment,' yet" and editorial "Napster is no Robin Hood": The Napster decision came down the same day that South Central Bell announced the imminent arrival of broadband services in my area. This means that Iwill be able to use free software to "rip" my music CDs and exchangethe files with my friends from coast to coast - without Napster.
The only difference between us and Napster is thatthey provide a gigantic, eternal swap meet for music lovers. In time, AOL chat rooms will do exactly the same thing. Moreover, in another five years I will be recording music off Internet radio. Short of stopping the Internet, there is no way to prevent it.
The music industry has kept music CD prices artificially high while they short-change the artists.They may kill Napster, but the Big Labels will either have to adopt the Internet - and change their corporate culture - or they will go the way of the buggy whip.
Matt Osborne Florence, Ala.
Conservation through negotiation
North Cascades Conservation Council applauds your Feb. 13 article "Seattlites look to save energy - and fish, too."
One very important aspect of this effort goes unreported. That is the work of tribes, federal and state agencies, and environmental group intervenors in the relatively recent relicensing agreement for the Skagit River Project by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
It is this negotiated agreement that opened the door to very significant environmental mitigation based upon an understanding of the continuing impacts of such projects. Seattle City Light and the intervenors developed an agreement to deal with the environmental impacts of hydroelectric production. It is incorrect to credit the power utility with protection of the endangered chinook and bald eagles affected by the project. These measures came as a result of changes in federal law, the persistent efforts of intervenors, and an "enlightened" public utility.
It is a bit unfortunate to blend the Skagit River issues with those of the Duwamish, although it does illustrate the complexity of salmon restoration efforts in this suburban and urban watershed. The complexities of that issue boggle the mind: For example, the Duwamish Tribe still inhabits the watershed. It is a Superfund site, and it is a part of a national estuary program.
David Fluharty Seattle
Women's pro football
Regarding the Nov. 24 opinion piece "Women's pro football ... oof!": I am a player and was offended by the reference to women football players not being professional. Did you ever consider that some of us just might be excellent at other sports, so much so that it carried over into football?
Girls grow up being taught that football is a boy's sport. By the time, they hit high school they've been directed to basketball, track, softball, or tennis. Until women can prove to most Americans that not only can we play but there are girls who want to play, there aren't going to be feeder programs. Maybe my participating (not for the money) will open up doors for the handful of girls who want to play.
I spoke to a fourth-grade class a couple of months ago, and the kids were so excited about women playing football. If you could have seen the look on the girls' faces, your heart would have melted. That's what playing football means to me: opening doors, laying asphalt.
Stephanie Neroes Irving, Calif.
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