"Gets the boot." "Kicked off." I'm ticked off. Hope Solo, a local girl and a world-class athlete, was eliminated from the Dancing With The Stars show after surviving several weeks of grueling learning and training to dance.

She was stiff and awkward at first, but continually improved over the weeks. But she survived until the semi-finals. I don't disagree with the judgment to "send her home," but I do think the Herald's choice of words to describe the accomplishment of a local person were in bad taste. Perhaps the Herald thought boot and kick were cute, since she is so involved in soccer, but to me it was just offensive.

Bill Thomas, Kennewick