Letters To The Editor

Thu., April 13, 1995

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CORRECTION: Barbara Plewman’s letter of April 13 contained an error. It should have read: The value was $159 per thousand board feet. Correction published on April 14, 1995.

IN THE PAPER

Attack on columnist uncalled for

Nola Green is completely wrong in her “Columnist’s good sense goes south” letter (April 8). Green complains that Donna Potter Phillips’ “Heritage Hunting” column depicted Green’s ancestors from Charleston, S.C., as common white trash.

Nowhere in the “Heritage Hunting” column does the writer use the term “white trash.” She reports faithfully, as usual, on a book of interest to genealogists researching in the South in an upbeat and complimentary manner. “Perhaps some of your ancestors were ‘plain people’ who played an unheralded role during the Civil War.” Donna Potter Phillips urges you to find out more about them.

Invariably, positive phrases are used throughout, such as “Common folk, white and black, constituted the bone and sinew of the Southern Confederacy.” “But on the whole, they were good fighters. … They were sturdy, hard-working, respectable people.” “The soldiers had siblings, children and cousins and possibly a host of servants who were the plain people of the Confederacy. Take time out to learn about them, too.”

Donna Potter Phillips is one of the top five writers of genealogy columns in the United States. At no time is she ever insensitive to any class of Americans. She performs a great service to all who are interested in family history.

Why do writers to the Roundtable always have to complain in a negative manner and go out of their way to distort the truth? Marshall B. Shore Spokane Arrest photo use hard to fathom

I am very disconcerted over the photograph that appeared on the front page of the April 8 Region section under the headline, “Suspect arrested.”

The photograph depicts three white police officers crowded around a black male suspect who lies handcuffed on the ground. The caption explains that the man, Marlon German, is being searched for drugs and weapons and later was taken into custody and charged with delivery of a controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine.

What bothers me is not necessarily the racial content of the picture, although it is a startlingly typical image. My question is: What is the purpose of the picture? Is it to show that people frequently are arrested in Spokane on drug charges? Or is it to show that they frequently are black males or that the people who arrest them are handsome white people?

It seems to me that the main reason for a photograph of this nature is to make an example of a person such as Marlon German so that people can look at it and say, “Tsk, tsk, how typical.” There isn’t even a story with the photograph.

The man has not been convicted, and already he has had a large color photograph of himself in a compromising, humiliating position published in the local newspaper. Nobody, guilty or innocent, deserves this kind of degradation. It is a tactless and unprincipled publication that sacrifices a person’s dignity for a photograph that serves no purpose but to appease its readers and take up space. Rory McAuley Spokane

Jury still out on brain difference

I welcomed (columnist) Michael Gurian’s support of the biological difference between the sexes, both in light of the current research and age-old common sense (IN Life, April 2). But then he states false information as fact.

Gurian says, “Researchers have shown that homosexuality is linked to brain difference in the hypothalamus.” He is referring to a study by neuroscientist Simon LeVay.

The Aug. 30, 1991, issue of Science magazine, which published LeVay’s research, cautioned: “Lest eager believers jump to too many conclusions, LeVay points out that his finding contains no direct evidence that the difference he has observed actually causes homosexuality.”

LeVay himself said, “I did not prove that homosexuality is genetic. … I didn’t show that gay men are ‘born that way’ …” (Discover, March 1994).

LeVay’s study had several problems, including an extremely small sample size of 19 known homosexuals, 16 presumed heterosexual men and six presumed heterosexual women; failure to identify the orientation of the presumed heterosexual cadavers; and major exceptions (three “heterosexuals” fell into the homosexual category and three homosexuals fell into the “heterosexual” category).

Nothing in LeVay’s research could be deemed conclusive by rigorous scientific inquiry.

Who is responsible for the truth? Why is the misconception that “homosexuality is linked to brain difference in the hypothalamus” so widespread?

Responsibility ultimately lies with me and you.

Seek the truth. Don’t settle for less. As the proverb says, “Truth, wisdom, learning and good sense - these are worth paying for but too valuable for you to sell.” Marianne Wilkes Mead

Liberal bias shows in headline

The media, especially The Spokesman-Review, seem surprised and bewildered when accused of liberal bias. Well, here’s an example of editorial bias masquerading as news on the April 7 entertainment page.

The headline reads, “TV coverage: What Newt demands, Newt doesn’t necessarily get.” But the syndicated column by John Martin reads, “Gingrich asked for live television time. …”

There is a big difference between the meaning and connotation of “demands” and “asked” - and any journalist knows it. The article told the simple truth, but “ask” is too gentle, too soft a word if you want to join the pack portraying Newt as an authoritarian, mean-spirited man who would stomp on the poor and starve the children.

The Spokesman-Review person who wrote this headline chose the word “demands” either deliberately, demonstrating bias, or ignorantly, demonstrating incompetence. Alexandra Ockey Spokane

FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT

Roosevelt’s efforts still praiseworthy

As we mark the 50th anniversary of Allied victories in World War II, we also remember the passing of a memorable leader, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The experiences FDR absorbed during the years following World War I shaped the contour of his political policy profoundly.

When the rise of elite monopolies spawned the decline of agriculture and the mistreatment of children in sweatshop factories, Roosevelt became sensitive to government regulation to provide parity. As New York’s governor, he extended regulations in agriculture, labor and natural resource conservation.

In tackling the Great Depression and World War II, Roosevelt provided the leadership that federal involvement was a tool to ensure America’s survival.

As strategy sessions were completed for the liberation of the Philippines, the president went to the veterans hospitals on Oahu. Visiting the many young amputees, he was wheeled past each bed with a cheering word.

In his first inaugural address, Roosevelt said, “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” His last undelivered speech for April 11, 1945, concluded: “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong, active faith.”

For all the work he did to build a better world for many years after his life, we must never diminish the legacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

We cannot fail to awaken commitment and awareness among people and expect freedom all over the world to thrive for all times. Dennis Pasquale Spokane

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

‘50s virtue overrated

Don’t kid yourself, Dick McInerney. The 1950s were hardly the golden era of sexual morality or social norms that you would like to think. You should take a closer look at the economic and social reality that kept ‘50s families together. That has since changed. There is no longer evident the pretense of commitment that was true in the ‘50s.

There was cheating going on. Just ask any older people who lived in those times to give you an honest answer about extramarital flings; you will be unpleasantly surprised at just how often they were taking place. Teenagers were having sex. Rape took place. If statistics weren’t available then, it’s because sexual topics were simply taboo. But just because the papers didn’t discuss it doesn’t mean it wasn’t going on.

And abortion was illegal, but that didn’t stop women from having abortions.

Teenagers did have babies out of wedlock. To keep up the appearance of respectability, those teenagers simply were moved elsewhere so that tongues wouldn’t wag about a child’s obvious mistakes as the pregnancy advanced. If adoptions were higher then, a good percentage of those adoptions were the result of sexual promiscuity, not sexual commitment.

I commend Cassie Kiele for her honest assessment of today’s reality. That is more than many adults care to do. Joan E. Harman Coeur d’Alene

Right response to backwardness

Gonzaga University officials and students should be commended for the commitment to justice and unity that was evident in their response to recent racial attacks.

The oneness of the human family is a biological fact that increasingly is reflected in the social structure of the worldwide community. In the history of humankind’s progress toward higher and broader unities, we have grown from tribes, bands and city-states to nation-states. Our generation faces the challenges and the promise of the maturity of the human family.

It is perhaps inevitable that while the majority of humanity embraces this challenge and participates in the constructive endeavor of erecting a diverse human social structure, there will be those who fear growth and seek to repress everyone else. The racial attacks at Gonzaga are, after all, an assault on the freedom of all students to associate, learn and work together.

The goal of the attacker, delivered in such a cowardly fashion, only serves to highlight the value of diversity and freedom to us all. Jeanne Dammarell and Marshall Bussard Race Unity Task Force, Baha’is of Spokane

Shifting blame not good enough

The death of an adorable little boy is surely a tragedy, something we all grieve about. Now comes the blameplacing for why this happened to this precious child.

Maybe there’s enough to go around. But ultimately, parents are entrusted with caring for and protecting their children. Even in the most caring, loving environment, unavoidable tragedies occur. In this case, however, this little child’s death could have been prevented.

Does the fault lie with authorities who perhaps failed to do their job? Or does it lie with a parent who allowed a man who had served time in prison, for whatever reason, to care for her child?

Why is it that no one takes responsibility for his or her own decisions but immediately looks to place the blame on someone else?

It’s time to take responsibility for our own actions and to think about the possible consequences - especially when these consequences could endanger our most precious possessions, our children. Wanda Johnson Spokane< STUDENT VIEWS

Old-time discipline needed now

Should there be stricter discipline in schools? I think so, and a lot of other people do, too.

Detention, citations, referrals and suspension are the most popular types of discipline in schools today. In my opinion, these kinds of discipline are not an adequate deterrent for the kids who do not want to be in school in the first place.

Parents play a big role in a child’s behavior patterns and should be notified and participate in their child’s discipline. Parents need to take an active role in teaching their children to respect others and their feelings.

I asked 26 people if there should be corporal punishment - a paddle to the rear end or a slap on the hand - in schools. Eleven kids said there should be no discipline; 15, which includes a teacher, two parents and me, think there should be. Many of the kids believe they would have a better learning environment if teachers could discipline the kids who always misbehave. It is fairly obvious to me that giving citations to kids who regularly misbehave is not working. If I received a paddle to the rear, I would straighten my act up, and so would they.

This type of discipline worked in the schools for many years. I believe disruptive behavior in schools has to stop, and I think this is one way to stop it. Aaron Williamson Nine Mile Falls

Signs point to drug use

Did you know that your child could be using or experimenting with drugs? Drugs are out there, and there’s a chance your child might be using them. One out of every three middle-school students 12 to 15 years old currently uses drugs. It’s sad but true.

Here are a few signs that can help you find out if your child is using drugs:

Has your child suddenly lost interest in his or her favorite school activity or sport?

Have your child’s grades suddenly dropped without any notice?

Has your child been wanting to hang out with the wrong or a different crowd?

You may think you know everything you possibly can about your child and what he or she is doing, but do you really? Wendy Pickett Nine Mile Falls

THE ENVIRONMENT

Environmental bill misinterpreted

I take exception to Patricia R. Abson’s uninformed view of HR852, the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (“Wilderness bill ridiculous, April 4). Abson believes this bill is somehow anti-people when it clearly is not.

Passage of this bill would help protect water resources for millions of people, farms and industries. Streams and rivers in the Rockies provide critical habitat for salmon, trout and other sport fish which are the basis for thousands of jobs and a billion-dollar industry.

People visit the Rockies every year to hike, camp, hunt, fish and enjoy majestic mountain views, pumping millions of dollars into the recreation industry.

Wilderness designation also would protect the biological diversity that we depend upon for lifesaving drugs. Nearly 40 percent of the world’s medicines are derived from natural sources. Yet, one of every five plant and animal species living today is in danger of becoming extinct during the next 30 years.

Abson would have us believe people are not a part of the circle of life, that we can destroy nature with no consequences to ourselves. The key word is not “people,” as Abson claims, or “trees” or “salmon.” It is “interdependence.”

All things are connected. Our nation “shall not perish from this Earth” as long as we protect the environment that sustains us. Only 2 percent of America’s land in the lower 48 states has been designated as wilderness. We clearly need more, and HR852 is this region’s best hope. Clark A. Reed Spokane

Economics imperils forests

One morning in March during a heavy rain, I could hear logging from my Indian Trail home. The developer who owns this land was logging 360 acres along the greenbelt of Indian Trail. The value was $159 per milled board foot.

As our trees become more scarce, they become more valuable, and we will lose more and more of our beautiful Evergreen State. What will happen in the next few years? Will we lose all of our beautiful pine trees?

Do we need to find another way to frame our houses - maybe with recycled aluminum, paper and plastic products? Barbara Plewman Spokane

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