Apathy Is Democracy’s Enemy
The public doesn’t know or care enough about how its money is spent, says Chuck Huffine of Pullman.
Calling to commend reader Shannon Selland’s remarks about civic involvement, Huffine said:
“Getting involved with the basics means holding our politicians and bureaucrats accountable for the funds they have. The problem is: We have no idea where this money is going that we’re giving to them.”
Huffine quoted Thomas Jefferson: “In waging his grand fight for what he called the holy fight for the cause of the university, (Virginia state Sen. Joseph C.) Cabell discovered many enemies. First and foremost was the indifference of the people, which is one of the heaviest burdens that a believer in democracy must learn to bear and understand.”
One good beating deserves another
After California lawmen were videotaped beating illegal immigrants, some letter writers implied the beatings were deserved.
“Bagpipes” questioned that attitude, and one of the letter writers, Peter C. Dolina of Spokane, responded. He criticized U.S. employers who “shamelessly take advantage of the misery of some segments of the Mexican society” by paying substandard wages.
“The solution, of course, is to hike the wages and not to seek illegal aliens to fill those positions. … Some sort of ‘savage beating’ should be applied toward those ‘employers.’
“On the other hand, it will not hurt if criminals receive a preliminary lesson in what to expect if they tinker with America immediately after the act. This is the only language they understand, so let’s communicate the message to them.”
‘Bridge builders’
Last week, “Bagpipes” invited readers to nominate “bridge builders” - people who take a stand on controversial issues without provoking confrontations.
Patricia Hoffman of Spokane suggested Yvonne Bucklin, regional director of the American Lung Association.
“Her commitment to respiratory health has led her on a sometimes lonely crusade. … Her opponents have included the mighty tobacco industry and the powerful bluegrass industry. She worked tirelessly in an attempt to negotiate a solution to the grass smoke problem through five years of failed grass summit meetings.”
Frank Bunton of Veradale also nominated Bucklin, along with Dr. Alan Whitehouse and 315 other physicians who “came aboard in regard to the health hazard of grass burning.” He called Bucklin “a tireless worker and a great credit to Spokane County as well as the lung association.”
, DataTimes MEMO: “Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone, or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.