This is not an issue

I read the article about the fact that the new arena proposal might be held up by traffic and I wanted to share my opinion why that can’t possibly be an issue [“Arena proposal may get held up by traffic,” page one, Feb. 18].

I think our regional leaders should work with the leaders of Sound Transit to devise a route enhancement by creating a “second” stadium station south of the current stadium station.

The regional leaders should work on transforming the mind set of the public and the affected local businesses that the way to get to these public facilities and minimize the impact to the local businesses will and should predominantly be via public transit.

A “second” stadium station would make that option that much more attractive.

So, we are about to expand our ST light-rail network northward and sometime later eastward. I can’t imagine that any resident living north of the ship-canal bridge would not want to take the convenience of a light-rail train to go attend an event at the new arena, avoiding the Interstate 5 traffic mess through downtown.

Soon after the university link is operational, the line will extend to Northgate, once again expanding the access to convenient public transportation to these public facilities.

In parallel, the extension of the light rail eastward will make it that much more enticing for residents to take public transit to the arena areas.

Let’s work that forward-thinking message in our public discourse, as we begin to welcome back our beloved Sonics!

— Keihan Ebrahimi, Seattle

Why do male sports still dominate?

Male sports dominate even in this downturn of our economy. Four stadiums in Seattle including the ones at Seattle Center have glutted our traffic for years. Now, another stadium is being planned by those who would divert the masses from those who cream off the top of our economy to support male sportsmania.

It harks back to the Roman coliseum where the masses watched the winner kill the opponent as an exciting diversion from the excesses of emperors.

Will another stadium be enough to distract the 99 percenters from noticing that the emperor isn’t wearing any clothes?

— Georgie Bright Kunkel, Seattle