Sweet tooth, sour letter

High fructose corn syrup, sugar, and several fruit juices are all nutritionally the same. High fructose corn syrup has the same number of calories as sugar and is handled similarly by the body. The American Medical Association in June 2008 helped put to rest misunderstandings about this sweetener and obesity, stating that "high fructose corn syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other caloric sweeteners." Consumers can see the latest research and learn more about high fructose corn syrup at www.HFCSfacts.com and www.SweetSurprise.com.

Audrae Erickson, President, Corn Refiners Association

The President of the Corn Refiners Association thinks that high fructose CORN syrup is perfectly fine? Shocking.

Karaoke krap

Regarding SM's October karaoke feature: I can't believe that Salem Monthly would reduce themselves to this level of journalism bullshit. The karaoke article published must have been paid for by Shooters Bar and Grill because they have the worst karaoke system with the fewest singers out of any of the karaoke clubs I've seen. Not to mention all the karaoke clubs they missed in the Salem and surrounding areas. People work too hard in the entertainment industry to see a publication like SM feed the intelligent reading community this much Krap [sic]. Most karaoke clubs around the area have about 15,000 - 30,000 songs. That's enough to have fun with, but who cares if a bar has an after taste or KJ on the phone or not enough people on the night you were there. I sang at Shooters the other night. I was one of four singers and the rotation took an hour. You probably won't publish this comment because it does not fulfill your paycheck in any way. But if you are ever to succeed as a news publication tell the truth; don't whore yourself out to the lowest denominator.

In the time that it took you to write this, you could have sung 10 songs at 10 different bars. Our bill is in the mail for the publishing of this letter. We added an extra fee for the misspelling of "Krap."

No life?

Regarding "Facing the Facts" and the need for more nightlife in Salem: I don't care how many bars and clubs you open in Salem, many of us still are going to drive to Portland for decent nightlife. No matter how many establishments you open here, you won't change the fact that this town is full of bigoted, intolerant rednecks. Why would we want to go out and party where we can be accosted by right-wing religious fanatics when we can go to places in Portland where we're accepted as we are without prejudice?

Sounds like you might have some deep seated emotional issues. Can we suggest you take it up with our resident, non-psychologist, Madge. If pseudo-psychology is not your bag, you might do some research of your own about Salem's nightlife; you just might find a few accepting and tolerant venues.