I attended the recent Alive After Five concert featuring the renowned musician David Lindley. I was amazed that a large part of the audience seemed uninterested in the show, and talked so loudly that it was hard to hear David’s stellar performance over the crowd noise. If you want to B.S., go to a brewpub or your backyard patio. Lets show a little respect for the artist and your fellow concertgoers.

Shut-up and listen to the music.

– Mike Cranmer, Bend

After reading much about bikers being cited and warned for infractions around Bend, I would like to offer my experiences and thoughts. Many times I have had to avoid careless cyclists who ignored traffic signs, lights and the rules of the road in general. I was under the impression that cyclists should obey laws like any motorist. An example is cyclists who ride on sidewalks in the downtown area. While having lunch this weekend and sitting outside at a popular restaurant I observed six bikers riding the sidewalks in a span of about 40 minutes. People walking with children, dogs, or window shopping are at risk of injury because of this behavior. But nothing appears to be done to discourage or inform these bikers of their inconsiderate riding. If a car were driving on downtown sidewalks I am sure action would be taken. I realize this is an extreme analogy, but do the rules of the road apply?

I really like Jim Anderson's columns. He writes well and is a valuable source of wildlife information and knowledge of the High Desert and flora and fauna.

However, his latest column about the jackrabbits under siege was a surprise to me. I live about a mile from Jim and I've seen more Jackrabbits around my house these last two years than I ever thought possible. Maybe the jackrabbit is enhancing its survival techniques by moving closer to human habitation. They have always been very wild, unlike the cottontails who have long lived under our garage and amidst our firewood stash. In fact, this year seems to be a bumper crop for rodents of all types, including jackrabbits. So much so that I have been longing for raptors and coyotes to come around and begin the feasting. I also see many jackrabbits on my daily walk into the BLM land near my home. So is there really a threat to the American hares? I don't think they are endangered, but I'm not an expert on this matter like Jim is. Maybe he needs to start searching for them closer to home.

– R.T.Tihista, Bend

Hooray for Jim Anderson for the great article on our jackrabbits. I hope it is read by millions and that every hunter in Central Oregon lays off killing them. If they can't, or won't, at least replace the lead ammunition.

– Miriam Lipsitz

If you wanted to reduce the federal debt, would your top priorities be eliminating public television, pollution controls, and head-start programs? These are strange times in all capitols, but perhaps the strangest in Washington is the disconnect between the stated objective—restoring fiscal balance—and the means the House of Representatives has chosen, which have so little to do with fiscal matters at all. Instead, we have a war on one party’s favorite boogeymen. Off with their heads!