Letters To The Editor

LAW AND JUSTICE

It’s a crime against nature

The question was raised in Bagpipes (Dec. 5): if samesex marriages were not sanctioned, then “what provisions should be made regarding such matters as inheritance and survivorship, financial planning, property rights, taxation, insurance coverage…?”

The answer is simple. No provisions should be made at all because such a union is hardly a marriage. A union between people of the same sex has been scorned by virtually every known society down through the ages, for good reason.

The primary reason for a marriage union is to procreate and then nurture the children of that marriage. This is known as the family unit upon which civilization depends for stability.

The basic family unit is the first arena in which children are supposed to learn values and responsibility from both sexes. If same-sex married couples are allowed to adopt children, how then can a child learn masculine values if raised by two women or female values if raised by two men? Aren’t the differences between the sexes important to learn?

If the intellectuals in this world have their way and want to sanction homosexual marriages by rewarding them with all the benefits of a natural, time-tested heterosexual marriage, what’s next? Will animal lovers be granted the right to marry their favorite pet and then petition for equal rights as a couple?

A basic knowledge of human anatomy would preclude any union except between those of the opposite sex. A mental, genetic or hormonal aberration does not legitimize anything else. Other crimes against nature are punished. So will be this one. E.B. Hanson Airway Heights

Judge Chang promoting fairness

Re: “Hawaii can’t ban gay marriages, judge rules,” News, Dec. 4.

Thank you, Hawaii Circuit Court Judge Kevin S.C. Chang.

Calling Judge Chang an “activist” who “promote(s) his own agenda” is an ignorant response by conservatives who would continue to deny same-sex couples legal rights heterosexuals take for granted.

Opponents to gay marriage argue that licenses should only be given to sanctify a religious bond between a man and a woman for the purpose of procreation. If this is true then licenses must be denied to heterosexual couples who can’t, i.e., are infertile, or who choose not to have children. To suggest homosexual unions undermine the stability of heterosexual unions is absurd.

Iowa Rep. Ed Fallon said in a speech on Feb. 20, 1996, “All they (homosexuals) are asking for is the same basic civil equality that all Americans yearn for and should be entitled to.”

If Hawaii is “on the cutting edge of social issues,” as Los Angeles Times writer Susan Essoyan suggests, then why is the United States behind other countries like Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Hungary, where same-sex marriage is recognized?

If the states continue to deny homosexuals the traditional validation of love and devotion (marriage license), then offer gays a domestic partnership plan as an alternative.

The federal Defense of Marriage Act and Washington’s HB2262 represent overt legislation of the anti-gay agenda. Gay couples want nothing to do with marriage licenses based on such religious, fearful, ignorant and discriminatory views. Travis Taylor Spokane

Punishment not commensurate

Re: “Man accused of trying to kill woman,” News, Dec. 6.

In this day and age of being totally saturated by the media’s coverage of how unkind and actually vicious people can be toward one another, I thought I had reached total desensitization. Your coverage of Henry W. Luke’s allegedly attempting to kill an 81-year-old woman made me realize my transformation was not complete.

I am sickened every time I think of the act he reportedly admitted having committed. I think of my mother and I shake with anger at the thought of it happening to her. Members of that family will feel this pain for the rest of their lives. And yet, they will see little restitution because of it.

There are two tragedies in this event. The first and worst was when Luke committed the crime. The second will come to light when he is prosecuted. The simple fact that this woman didn’t die from the attack will allow Luke to walk away from prison in as little as five years and be free to commit his twisted acts again.

Our system needs to bear down on these types of offenses and treat them as they would premeditated murder. I send my hopes and prayers to the victim and her family. Tim Albertson Pullman

ICE STORM ‘96

Bellyaching’s not the American way

There was a time when Americans were proud to say they could survive anything with a little patience, ingenuity and hard work. Sadly, the Dec. 4 guest column (“Make WWP settle accounts and get its act together”) reflects the selfish attitude of a growing number of Americans.

Where there was once pride, there is now only selfishness under the guise of personal rights. Instead of using their brains and a little physical effort to solve problems they sit and whine, and expect somebody to pay for their inconvenience.

When did self-sufficient Americans become such lazy, grasping creatures? Such Americans would never have colonized a New World or crossed the mountains to start new lives while building a country. Of course, Americans with guts have always believed that God has charge of things, including the weather. They get in and see what they can do.

Luckily, there are still real Americans who not only got through the storm but brought help to others and still managed a smile. Crews working long hours, police, fire, medical and other emergency personnel, the volunteers, friends, neighbors and families who helped each other should be proud of their efforts. They showed real American spirit.

We should be prepared, but there are always life’s surprises on which to use our talents and skills. Let’s forget the whining over our selfish, imagined rights and become real Americans who can be proud of their efforts in getting through the rough parts. And let God handle His job. S.M. Thomas Colville, Wash.

Preventive measures essential

Until the recent ice storm, we were very complacent about the availability of electricity, except for brief outages. Then Ice Storm ‘96 hit. We were without electricity for almost a week.

We didn’t enjoy going without electricity for that length of time. However, our conditions were certainly better than those the Washington Water Power and other crews faced while trying to restore power. The dedication of these crews has to be commended.

Because Ice Storm ‘96 was considered a rare occurrence, there is no excuse for WWP and the other utility companies for not addressing potential problems of a similar nature in the future. Our power line is an underground service connected to an above-ground feeder line behind our property. This feeder line runs through a wooded area on a steep slope. Accessibility is poor. There is great potential for disaster, especially if a similar occurrence were to happen during dry summer months.

WWP and the other utility companies must be better prepared to meet emergencies similar to Ice Storm ‘96 and Firestorm ‘91. Better disaster planning and a longrange plan to bury most or all of these utility lines must be implemented. Don and Audrey Kreuziger Spokane

Warmth in the midst of ice storm

A sincere thank you from all the International Line Builders personnel who recently were working in your beautiful area restoring power.

Everywhere we were sent we were met with a special warmth and patient understanding as we did our jobs.

Washington Water Power Co. treated us very well, the great staff at Super 8 Motel, our new friends at the Chuck Wagon, Ground Round, Rustler’s Roost, Tomato Street, ShopKo, Payless, NAPA Auto Parts, Wells Fargo Bank and various boot and work clothes outfitters all combined to help our job go smoother.

A special thank you to David and Susie, who rescued one of our employees on Friday night near Echo Bay.

As we headed home to Oregon and Washington, we each brought a special memory of our job on the ice storm of 1996 in your community. Thank you for your warm brand of hospitality. Bob Southern, general foreman International Line Builders Inc., Portland

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Baker, his comrades, inspiring

Rarely have I agreed with the views of editorial writer D.F. Oliveria, but his Dec. 4 comments on The Spokesman-Review series covering the belated Medal of Honor award to war hero Vernon Baker were welcome.

Baker and his fellow Buffalo Soldiers gave an important lesson in patriotism to us all: They fought for this country not because of what it was at the time - for it surely did no favors for those men of color - but for what it could be. The profound belief these soldiers had that their country could be better than it was - especially once it saw the valor of its most deprived citizens - was the real inspiration to me.

I hope this motivation still lives in the heart of Baker and the other survivors of that horrific war. Just as fervently, I hope that belief has found its place in the rest of us, enough to pass a future test of courage such as sharing American ideals with all our citizens. James McArthur Spokane

GIVING THANKS

So many helped during added grief

We appreciate all the Spokane Fire Department’s hard work.

We had a house fire in the middle of the night during the power outage. We have much structural damage but the firemen were wonderful trying to save as much of our personal property as possible. We could tell how tired they were but they were so nice to us. We also thank our neighbors, family and friends. They were wonderful in our time of need and grief, housing us, feeding us and giving us lots of hugs.

To the insurance adjuster, contractor and cleaning people, thank you for being there so fast to put the pieces back together. Nancy and Jim Lyons Spokane

‘What wonderful neighbors’

At 83-years old and temporarily alone, the power outage hit hard.

After toughing it out Tuesday and Wednesday nights, I had every blanket I could find on my bed, plus I was clothed in outdoor clothing, but I found hypothermia starting. I was shivering uncontrollably.

My neighbor, Patty VanHeel brought me to her house, where a going fireplace helped. She then took me to the Moose Lodge, where I spent the night and all day Friday.

Late Friday, Patty picked me up and took me home, as power had been restored.

Another neighbor, Jerry Daub, brought me a full, home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner. He has also cleaned up my downed trees. What wonderful neighbors. Bob Couts Spokane

My thanks to neighbors, linemen

Many thanks to our kind neighbors, Chester Bishop and his daughter, Lynn Scott. They shared the warmth of their home. They gave me hot water for coffee, invited me for dinner and opened my garage door so I could get my car out.

Hats off also to Vera Water & Power. What a relief, after two days, to see them drive by, waving, assuring me they were getting close. Sue Clark Spokane Valley

One, another and another helped us

On Nov. 19, I stayed home from work because my 2-year-old was sick. We went to get my 5-year-old from school and got a flat tire by Spokane Falls Community College.

A police officer was driving by as I got out to look at the tire. She took us up to the college to call a tow truck. Because a lot of the phone lines were down, it was hard to get hold of a towing company. I stopped a college worker, Mike, and told him what happened. He called his co-worker, Carney. They drove us back to the car and helped us change the tire and get on our way.

A special thanks to the police officer, Mike and Carney for helping us get out of the brutal weather. Tracy Rivers Spokane

Kind people warmed us, our hearts

To the power crews for power restored. To Sue for a warm house and hot meals for a cold family. To Lisa for hot meals delivered. Thanks, you’ve all warmed our hearts. Carol Absalonson Spokane