Letters To The Editor
SPOKANE MATTERS
We can, should keep downtown vital
The development of Riverpark Square has my wholehearted support. We must be prepared to move forward to keep our downtown area vitalized.
Remember the cynics who believed Spokane could never successfully host a world’s fair? They believed it was a waste of money, a silly idea. Well, we pulled it off. Spokane was the smallest city to ever host a world’s fair. Dedicated citizens pulled it off. The downtown area was regenerated.
For those opposed to this project, I say, visit downtown Tacoma. The city of Tacoma spent vast sums to revitalize its downtown area. It was too late. Downtown Tacoma is a financial area, with very few retail outlets. One Saturday morning my husband and I could not find an open restaurant. The area was beautiful but deserted.
We have a lovely downtown area. We in Spokane must dedicate ourselves to keeping it and continuing to develop it.
We have had numerous foreign visitors. Can you imagine our pleasure when Swiss and German visitors were anxious to see our skywalks? It makes me so proud to show them our town.
Let us not be hindered by naysayers. Judy Cocking Spokane
‘Casino gambling’ is everywhere
Again, the crackerjack reporting staff at The Spokesman-Review have relayed misleading information to the Ivory Tower, where editorial policy is developed and verbalized (“Casino is not a wise gamble,” Dec. 15).
I am referring to the Kalispel Indian Tribe’s proposed gaming facility in Airway Heights. According to the information I’ve read, presentations at public meetings I’ve attended, the Kalispel “casino” will offer bingo, blackjack and other games sanctioned by Washington state.
If bingo and blackjack qualify as casino gambling, then Opinion editor John Webster need not fret about the local quality of life sliding downhill. This area must be at or near rock bottom already, as charity bingo and restaurant card rooms have existed here for many years.
When I look at the Kalispel proposal, I see a venue that is no different than what is now being offered by many nonprofit organizations and private business owners in Spokane County. Do those operations qualify as casino gambling?
The Kalispels are faced with limited sources of revenue to fund much-needed social and educational programs for their members and the general public. This project will bring to reality their vision for a better future.
A precedent has already been set by charities and churches that rely on gambling proceeds (bingo, raffles, etc.) to fund their programs. Please don’t chastise the Kalispels for simply wanting to follow in the footsteps of those nonprofit predecessors. Julie Smitt Airway Heights
Sleep-out a gratifying experience
The Ferris Associated Student Body officers slept outside on Dec. 11 and 12 to collect food, blankets, clothing and money for the homeless.
The students became aware of the need in the Spokane area for various items that the homeless might not have. The officers also became aware of the support that the community offers. This support was apparent by the turnout of the community and items that were donated to the Ferris High School Sleep-Out for the Homeless.
One particular incident helped bring the need and also the gift of giving to light. A family of four came to the campout area on Thursday night, explained that they didn’t have much to give but wanted to give something, and then handed us a handful of pennies and nickels that they had collected. This meant a lot because this gift came from their hearts.
The Spokane media are ranked No. 1 in the Ferris ASB officers’ minds. They made an excellent effort to cover the sleep-out and to help us get the support we needed. Jim Missel, ASB adviser, Ferris High School Spokane
Shriners volunteers are terrific
On behalf of our staff and patients, I wish to acknowledge and thank the people I believe are among the most dedicated volunteers in our community, those of Shriners Hospitals for Children, Spokane. More than 75 volunteers regularly donate time, talent and dedication each year. In 1996, they contributed a whopping 13,284 hours.
Most people know that Shriners Hospital provides a special kind of care for children and their families. What might be less known is that volunteers play a vital role in so many areas of a child’s hospital experience. We are grateful for the wealth of time and kindness they give to children at a very important time in their life. Our hospital is certainly a better place for their contributions.
I am dazzled by their dedication and caring. In these times of greed, crime and me-first attitudes, it is inspiring to witness these gentle people donate their time and talents to make a difference in the life of a child.
This holiday season and always, thank you to each and every Shrine volunteer. You are priceless. Lori L. Snow, volunteer coordinator Shriners Hospitals for Children, Spokane
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Show gangs whose city this is
Regarding the recent articles on gang turf wars:
When the gangs first arrived here from California, Chicago and New York, the police aggressively arrested them for their illegal activities, but were soon pressured to stop “harassing” them.
Spokane is too great a city to have any gangs. This myopic view has allowed infestation by many different gangs. Had we let the police show the gangs that this was our turf, not theirs, we would not be in the predicament we are in now.
Our neighborhood has had them for years. We know who they are. They have a totally different look than us. They have their own clothing styles and colors. They walk differently. Their “I hate the world” faces are meant to intimidate us. They have guns. They take our teenage children by promising them a “real family.”
They are destroying our families and our city.
To stop them we must allow the police department to enlarge its drug and gang units. Allow the police to do what they do best. Help the police by getting actively, yet anonymously, involved. Join a Block Watch, join a substation, use the Safe Streets program or merely report the crimes.
Don’t just give in; they want us to. This is our city and they can’t have it. Jann Frederickson east central Spokane
PEOPLE IN SOCIETY
Children aren’t for brutalizing
In the Dec. 17 Spokesman-Review there was another article about 3-year-old James Thornton of Dallas, who was punched in the stomach repeatedly by his father because Daddy couldn’t hear the football game he was watching on TV. Since James was guilty of being a little boy and running around making noise, he died.
I don’t understand this. Why did this grown man have to beat this little boy?
The following letter was written for children like James by a little boy named “Teddy.” Yes, Teddy, let’s pray there is a Santa Claus:
“Dear Santa: My name is Teddy. I’m 5 years old. Christmas is here and I’m writing to ask for a special present for my sister, Sissy, who is 2 months old. You see, Daddy drinks a lot and gets real mad. He hits me, kicks me, calls me names and says bad words. Oh, it hurts so much. If I cry or say anything, he hits me harder. I love my Daddy and if he would only look into my eyes and see my pain, maybe it would make a difference. Santa, I am afraid because Sissy has been crying a lot lately and I think Daddy is getting angry about it. My present for Sissy is that Daddy will not hurt her. Please, Santa, can you help me? I love you. Your friend, Teddy.”
If any of you recognize yourself as “Daddy,” just stop and think before you react. Take a deep breath and think some more. Please, don’t hurt the children. S.K. Murphy Spokane
We’re sleeping in the bed we’ve made
The trials of O.J. Simpson are still making headlines. Why? Certainly not because he is public enemy No. 1, and not because he strikes fear in the American people.
His trials are a throwback to the Roman arena. We get to safely watch a man struggle for his life and then we get to make that final decision. It is entertainment that fulfills people’s fantasies. This is why we watch.
If we had the same interest when violent sex offenders are released to prey upon the public, they would not be released. Since women are the primary victims, why isn’t there more of an outcry from the women’s movement? The same is true for child molesters. It just isn’t entertaining enough.
We cannot build prisons fast enough to hold convicted criminals yet we aren’t doing enough to work on the causes of crime. The prisons are not full of middle-aged Americans who suddenly decided to take up a life of crime. It’s young people who haven’t captured enough of our interest, enough of our priorities, to count. We’re still using Band-Aids to deal with troubled youths. We’re unwilling to devote the resources necessary to deal with the problem effectively. We keep hoping they’ll just grow up.
In truth, reality just isn’t entertaining enough to hold our interest. Better to let someone else deal with it. My favorite cartoon shows Disneyland in the first frame, you’re standing in Fantasyland and see a sign pointing to Realityland. The next frames shows Realityland - it’s dark, and there’s no one there. R.R. Cannata Spokane
Sadly, some make helping dangerous
Last week I was coming home from school around 10:30 p.m. when I encountered an accident on an arterial. Two gentlemen had wrapped their truck around a telephone pole.
I got out and asked one of the men, who had climbed out, if he was all right and needed any help. He reached into his truck and emerged with a bottle of beer and a blood-soaked shirt, and sarcastically replied, “Does it look like I need any (profanity) help?”
His face was covered with blood and he seemed deranged so I offered to take him to get help. The man became violent and I left.
I don’t know if it was wiser to fight an injured drunk man or to leave, but that’s the choice I made. The other man appeared to be OK and was trying to back the truck up during the whole incident. I assumed they would be all right.
Up until that night I held the opinion that people who refused to give others aid in a crisis were all but worthless. After this experience, though, I can’t blame those who would fear for their own safety. It’s a pitiful world we live in, when your own safety is jeopardized by those you are trying to help.
I have newfound respect for men and women of the police and fire departments who do it every day. It takes a certain courage to be a good Samaritan, but you must have a heart of gold when it comes to helping those who would harm you. Jeremy McClintock Spokane
It’s not about love but Jesus’ will
In reference to the Dec. 19 letters by Lee Wolfand (“Homophobic sentiments regrettable”) and Lissa De Freitas (“Bigotry, divisiveness don’t belong”), I fully agree with Jini Wolski (“Homosexuals don’t belong,” Letters, Dec. 15). I am shocked at the outlook of Wolfand and De Freitas. It is obvious they have not read or don’t understand the Bible.
Jesus plainly states, “Man shall not lie with man as he does with woman as it is abomination. They shall be put to death.” (Leviticus Chapter 20, verse 13). They will not be allowed to enter the gates of heaven.
De Freitas, America is falling apart due to our deteriorating morals, which includes homosexuality. Wolfand, the book is the Bible, the word of Jesus. He says we are free-spirited to choose as we please. However, the Bible also states more souls will go to hell than what are allowed to enter the gates of heaven. Those going to hell will include homosexuals and all others who do not obey the divine will of Jesus.
Having the right to live as you live does not make it the right way. Jesus wants all of us to choose the right path. However, with people thinking like Wolfand and De Freitas, it is obvious the will of Jesus will not be accomplished.
I do not want my tax dollars going to homosexuals for Social Security and Medicare,
Society will ever accept homosexuals as being normal people, and love has no bearing on it. Hal Robinson Spokane