Letters To The Editor

Tue., April 11, 1995

SPOKANE MATTERS

Help for Nishinomiya appreciated

Over the past two and one-half months, Spokane and Eastern Washington residents have responded with great generosity in donating to the relief fund for Nishinomiya victims of the January earthquake.

That event left more than 1,000 dead and some 18,000 injured. Many thousands more saw their homes, schools and office buildings destroyed or damaged beyond repair.

In the face of such colossal damage - estimated in the tens of billions of dollars - this area’s response may look small, but it constituted a valued expression of concern. Close to $24,000 has been received in the First Interstate Bank account set up for that purpose, and most has already gone to Nishinomiya.

The magnificent response of Spokane’s medical community, ably coordinated by Sacred Heart’s disaster planning staff, brought in 2,500 pounds of donated medical supplies valued at over $100,000. These were sorted and packed by some 50 volunteers.

United Parcel Service in Spokane trucked the shipment to Moses Lake for free. Japan Airlines then took the shipment and, at no charge, donated it to our sister city less than two weeks after the earthquake.

How much all this was appreciated was reflected in a letter from Nishinomiya Mayor Junzo Baba, who wrote:

“We do not know how to express our heartfelt thanks for your thoughtfulness … We greatly appreciate it from the bottom of our heart … (and) have been very much helped and encouraged by the generosity from Spokane …”

Spokane’s response has been quiet and undramatic, but effective. All of you who have helped are heroes. Hugh Burleson, president Spokane-Nishinomiya Sister City Society

Harris will talk without lawyer

James Marks (Letters, April 10) obviously isn’t giving us the whole story. County Commissioner Phil Harris doesn’t say to people, “I won’t talk to you without my lawyer.”

Phil Harris is the most people-oriented politician I’ve ever met. Sharon Ewell Spokane

‘Cronyism at its worst’

Shocked and appalled are the only words I can think of to describe the recent action of the county commissioners when they gave the contract to advertise legal notices to a less-than-reputable newspaper with next-to-nothing circulation.

This is cronyism at its worst, paid for by the taxpayers.

Commissioner Phil Harris says, “They can get it if they want it.” What does that mean? Is he saying that three-quarters of the population not living in the Valley should subscribe to Hagar’s publication? Not only is Harris misusing county money, he has excluded most citizens’ ability to gain easy access to county information.

We have grown used to Commissioner Steve Hassons’ lack of ethics and his attempts at deal making, but it’s disheartening to see another commissioner joining in.

I suggest Commissioner Harris re-examine his decision and begin the work of representing the best interests of the county, not the interests of his political cronies. Jim Bradley Spokane

My, how Hasson shares our wealth

I watched the county commissioners awarding of the advertising bids as required by law on Channel 5 with a great deal of disgust. County Commissioner Steve Hasson said he wanted to share the wealth. How true he is to his word.

Two weeks ago, he shared the wealth with Mike Padden, giving Padden a $90,000-plus a year job as a judge, skipping over 16 other applicants deemed better qualified by their peers.

Last week, Commissioner Hasson shared the wealth with the Valley Herald, giving it a contract for $70,000-plus, even though it possibly isn’t cost-efficient and may cost the county thousands more to advertise properly, as is required by law.

Steve is sure true to his word - with other folks’ tax money. George Orr Spokane

Commissioners forgot taxpayers

Republicans are in the majority in the courthouse for the first time in many years. Apparently, that means it’s time to reward their political friends.

The county commissioners gave a $90,000 advertising contract to their friend Clark Hagar in the Valley. Hagar’s publication reaches less than 1 percent of the county. Should 99 percent of us feel shut out? Ninetynine percent of us will still pay the bill. It would sure be nice if the commissioners would take into account taxpayers’ money and taxpayers’ right to know when they are making political decisions. Betty Hunt Spokane

THE MEDIA

McBride conveyed meaning of loss

Staff writer Kelly McBride deserves a gold star for her article, “The death of a child gives us pause to understand life” (April 8).

It’s one thing to report a tragic event, such as the recent death of five children, yet quite another to be intelligent and resourcesful enough to put a tragedy in a context that is meaningful to those of us who didn’t feel the immediate loss. Kris Becker Spokane

Good news lost in bad shuffle

I have cancelled my subscription to The Spokesman-Review. I’ve always believed in being well informed. However, I’ve come to the realization that the newspaper is not a true depiction of what’s really occurring in our nation.

There is a decided lack of reporting on the multitude of quietly pleasing and outright inspirational people and events. The media seem to have a frightening tunnel vision in focusing on society’s ills.

Although there’s no debating the fact that there are many terrible occurrences in our world and too many individuals with no regard for the consequences of their actions, I refuse to believe that there’s so little news of a positive and hopeful nature. By focusing on all the negatives, we lose touch with the fact there are many things to be encouraged by.

This negative bias does nothing to help us accept, feel empathy for or connect with one another. When the media continue to highlight only the ugliness in life, they are dividing us. Reporting is never truly unbiased; it always reduces things to an us-versus-them proposition.

We were all put on this beautiful planet for a purpose, which I’m willing to bet wasn’t to bicker about whether the Republicans or the Democrats are the better political party.

We could all use a little more balance in our perception of the world. Focus not so much on what is bad about society and concentrate more on recognizing and creating what is good. The list is innumerable. Nikki Berry Spokane

Media flub positive news chance

On April 1, approximately 70 people of all ages came together to raise awareness the continued decline of native salmon populations. The event was organized by the Save our Wild Salmon Coalition, which consists of citizen groups ranging from the Sierra Club to the Federation of Fly Fishers.

The event consisted of walking around Spokane and hanging postcards for people to send to Rep. George Nethercutt and the National Marine Fisheries Service. This was a tri-state event, with Washington, Idaho and Oregon all participating.

Over 50 news agencies were sent press releases. Only one camera person showed up. The lack of media coverage puzzled me.

Spokane is a community consisting of concerned, active citizens. This positive form of public gathering just doesn’t seem newsworthy to the media. Instead of promoting civic pride, the papers are filled with stories of bizarre killings and shootings.

If we wonder why people, especially children, are so disenchanted with modern society, perhaps all we need to do is read the local paper to find the answer.

Spokane is a community. People are involved in area events. This is something to be proud of and to promote, and I don’t see the media living up to the challenge of reporting civic events in our community. Marcie Jo Oppenheimer Spokane

Infomercials useful, here to stay

Frank Bartel’s March 29 column, “Crass infomercials insult intelligence, reflect dumbing of America,” was inaccurate, biased and naive. It unfairly criticized the industry as a whole and in a backhanded sort of way called “anyone who actually buys things offered on infomercials” stupid.

Infomercials are a vehicle by which companies introduce new and/or innovative products to the public. Their purpose is to sell products in an entertaining and informative way. Not everyone will like it, but to say “the format is patently deceptive and misleading” simply isn’t true.

The Federal Trade Commission has primary jurisdiction over the advertising and marketing activities of the infomercial industry and aggressively pursues any direct-response programs it has deemed to be false or misleading. Also, under FTC regulations, companies that provide support services to the project may be at risk of prosecution if the program is challenged. It is obviously in everyone’s best interest to make sure the product is as advertised.

Any consumer who feels the product they purchased from an infomercial wasn’t what was advertised has only to return it for a full refund. Products sold on television have a very liberal return policy and a money back guarantee.

Infomercials have proven to be one of the most rapid, reliable and cost-effective ways of introducing a new product. That’s why McDonald’s, Sears, Apple, Toyota, Sony, etc., are getting involved in the infomercial business.

This is the ‘90s, Mr. Bartel. You’re going to be seeing more “crass infomercials” because it’s just good business. Bill Henry, president TRP, Inc., Liberty Lake

LAW AND JUSTICE

Anarchy might be preferable

What gives at the probation and parole offices? Have the pharmaceutical manufacturers been so successful in their war on drugs - to make a monopoly - that the system is more interested in making pot smokers pee into a jar once a week than in monitoring the baby killers and rapists?

If that is not so, maybe someone can explain to me why Sara Erb was not told of Kenneth Galloway’s convictions when she went in to inquire. Or why Donald Torkelson was allowed to move to a location one block from a small park, three blocks from a major city park, two blocks from an arcade and five blocks from a school. And then, only the neighbors sharing the same 100-block and street were left a flyer as to his whereabouts and who he was.

It baffles me that a convicted pot smoker will go to an overcrowded jail because of a dirty urine analysis while baby rapers walk.

Now, does anyone wonder what is meant by “justice for just us”?

Maybe we should revamp the entire system. Maybe there is something to be said for anarchy, at least in a moderate form. Lenore Koch Spokane

Rx for trying times

Now that an injunction has been placed on the baseball owners, I believe an injunction should be placed on the soap opera, “O.J.,” in view of the fact that this soap opera has made the American criminal justice system the laughingstock of the world.

Could we not relieve the taxpayers’ cost by selling commercials on this farce, or an injunction? Clarence Jacobson Spokane

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