Letters To The Editor
SPOKANE MATTERS
Low tactics rife with errors
In a letter this morning (Aug. 8), someone presented a lengthy diatribe on my well-publicized family bankruptcy a few years ago. Unfortunately, as is so often the case when people stoop to this level in campaigning, most of what was presented as sensational was incorrect.
Did I suffer bankruptcy? Yes; I informed the public and the media before it ever happened, and accepted armchair analyses for months after the front page article appeared.
Debts of $322,970? Sorry, but if the writer had bothered to look, the correct figure was $56,644 - still a “wart” but at least a truthful one.
Dump my “baggage” on Washington state? Uninformed again - no one except my family in Washington was affected in any way. Not even the date given was accurate. The declaration was filed publicly on June 28, 1993, before even filing for elective office (purposely, so the people would know the truth).
As for Spokane County, I was not hired at $43,395, as the writer states. I was hired at $40,032 and, again as the record showed, was fired the day after my primary election victory by an angry and vindictive commissioner who is now out of office.
Am I proud of what I was forced to do? No way; but I faced tough choices and responded, with courage, integrity, and the facts. I only wish those who wish to sling campaign sewage would ensure its accuracy. I’m surprised, too, that the Review would allow such shallow inaccuracy. Chris Anderson, commissioner candidate Spokane
Bad influence notion won’t wash
In light of the killings and shootings that have taken place among our young people, there’s another disturbing element which is on the rise. This is the perception that these events are occurring because of the influx of minorities to this area.
While reading The Spokesman-Review on Aug. 23, I saw an article about the shooting that had taken place in the Spokane Valley. A police detective stated that white youths are emulating the actions of Hispanic, black and Asian youths. I hope your readers are able to make the distinction in this kind of statement.
Since we really don’t have a big cultural mix in Spokane, the only experience people have with other cultures is what they read or see on television or at the movies. Unfortunately, minorities are usually given bad press, and there are some people willing to blame an entire group for the actions of a handful of individuals.
I think white youths in the area who are traveling down the wrong road were headed that way long before this so-called influence moved to town.
I’m sure if you look into the background of the youths involved in these terrible situations, you’ll find there were serious problems and bad influences in their lives long before they met their Hispanic, Asian and black brothers.
To paint this problem one color or the other certainly doesn’t constitute human relations and misses the source of the problem. Robert C. Williamson, Jr. Spokane
SAFETY
Bad light timing not drivers’ fault
While I believe we do drive too fast sometimes, I take issue with many of the so-called facts presented by city traffic engineers. Some of them could only be called bald-faced untruths.
I live near the Costco on North Division and take Division to work every day. The lights aren’t synchronized to allow good traffic flow, therefore, they must apparently be set to unnecessarily delay and slow down traffic.
If you want an explanation of traffic backup going north of Francis, for instance, the lights are set so that when northbound traffic leaves Francis, about three seconds later the next light (Lyons) turns red. Naturally, backup occurs both in the morning and afternoon.
Another example: When traveling southbound on Lincoln Road, the lights consistently turn red in front of you culminating in a long wait at Francis.
The way the lights are set, the only way good traffic flow will occur southbound is if everyone drives at 20 mph. That’s not anywhere near the posted 35 mph limit.
This happens every morning and isn’t caused by heavy traffic.
As usual, city officials are trying to pass off their purposeful traffic jamming on the people: It can’t be the city’s fault, can’t be on purpose, must be that citizens are doing something wrong.
How many more examples are there out there? Linda Kunz Spokane
Fight drowsiness several ways
Pleased to see your timely feature on driving drowsy, I was disappointed at the shallow understanding experts have of the problem and how to cope.
There’s no mention of monotony. Monotony is one reason drivers often fall asleep on long, straight stretches of road. Notwithstanding what Dr. Allen Pack (medical director of the National Sleep Foundation) says, many drivers become drowsy when they’ve had a full night’s sleep before hitting the road.
Pulling over for a nap works for some, but others become wide awake the minute they stop the car. There are many tricks for staying awake. I don’t understand why Dr. Pack recommends only one - naps.
Drivers who can’t nap at rest stops and have no passenger to take turns at the wheel would be well advised to stop and exert themselves physically - walk, jog or do exercises.
Other tricks include lowering the temperature in the car; looking around instead of staring straight ahead; eat lightly before and during travel; and singing, however poorly.
Most important, we need to teach drivers to recognize when they’re in danger of falling asleep and need to do something about it.
It’s nice and tidy to give people only one cause and only one cure for their problem. We’re all different and few of us live in an ideal world.
My wife can’t drive from Pullman to Spokane after a full night’s sleep without becoming drowsy. I can get off work, drive to Seattle and back without a nap, usually without fighting to stay awake. Terence L. Day Pullman
OTHER TOPICS
A manliness test that matters
I have waited a long time to challenge real men. Here, the gauntlet is laid down. Real men have the strength and sensitivity to hold a new baby and experience a new life in their hands. They jump in and get their feet wet with changing nasty diapers, washing babies and clothes. They support mom more than with “Nice job, Honey.” They deal with the loss of attention.
Real men hold their babies in public and aren’t afraid to show their love and caring nature.
Real men support mom’s breastfeeding and the work involved in this ever-demanding task. They have the strength for a lifetime marathon of little or no sleep, feeding youngsters, fixing bumps and scrapes as well as giving endless hugs and kisses.
No macho crap or all-day sports on TV at the expense of family exists in real men’s homes. Days past and dad’s old ways are gone.
I challenge all new dads to show they have what it takes. David Burgett Spokane
Don’t take animal cruelty lightly
I am outraged at animal cruelty that has been reported lately - the cats being hung, the dog drug behind a truck and now this dog being beaten to death with a bat.
Pete Kintner was only given a misdemeanor citation (“Man cited for beating dog to death with bat,” Aug. 31). How sad. It appears he is a violent man. Jeffery Dahmer started out abusing animals.
If Kintner killed the dog, he went about things the wrong way. A dog that barks all the time is not happy. Something is wrong. My dog is treated like a member of my family. If she barks, other than warning me someone is at the door, it’s usually because something is wrong. J. Anderson Spokane