Paul Dorpat has nothing to be ashamed of
I was saddened to see an apology by Paul Dorpat in this Sunday’s Times [“An apology to readers,” Pacific Northwest, Jan 3].
First of all, any true Northwest native loved an Ivar put-on story and understood that it was the zany, fun kind of Northwest humor that all of us looked forward to reading and repeating to others.
Secondly, and most important, the state — particularly the Western part of the state — owes a huge debt of thanks for the tremendous, accurate history that Dorpat has supplied to archives, writers, citizens and students for many, many years.
If there are those who would say otherwise, perhaps they should say it very quietly to those of us who have benefited by Dorpat’s contributions in knowledge to those, like me, who drive 10 miles every Sunday to buy The Times, just because his column is in it and The Times is no longer delivered in our area.
Paul has nothing to be ashamed of. For those who have made it an issue — shame on them.
— Gene Woodwick, Ocean Shores
Dorpat added to legend
Get a grip, Fairview Fannie.
Paul Dorpat does not need to apologize to his readers for his part in the “Ivar-Subgate” prank last spring.
Instead of a nod and a wink at the “gotcha” and a good laugh in the spirit of Ivar Haglund, we get a reaction more akin to a dowager’s harrumph.
That Dorpat and his fellow travelers built a story on and added to Ivar’s legend in Seattle, only shows the collective wit and humor that is needed.
— Jim Perry, Issaquah