Letters To The Editor

IMMUNIZATIONS

Don’t wait for a miracle

Re: “Good reasons against vaccinations”

It looks like a lot of this letter was a free plug for anti-vaccination books, two of which were named with authors. Bad slip, editor. Next time make them buy advertising space.

There is no amount of education or heavy footnotes that will take the place of good common sense and clear thinking. Like the old joke about the man who drowned because he wanted a miracle rather than the boat and helicopter that God had sent to rescue him, a lot of people are turning their backs on vaccinations in the same manner.

It used to be pretty common sight to see someone crippled with polio in the Northwest. At one time, you had to have seven kids to ensure that two would survive to be adults. I wish people would have their children and themselves immunized and spare us from that sight again. Kristjan L. Dye Cheney

Have some respect for others

A recent outbreak of pertussis in our region has brought many arguments concerning immunizations. Both sides have cited studies and research done to support their position.

We do not live in isolation, as the spread of this disease attests.

The case of public civility is not one I have heard rallied in support of immunizations. We live in society with others and seem to have forgotten our responsibility to our fellow human beings. The question of “whatever happened to common courtesy” is being answered in our region with more children infected with this disease. Marrion C. Phipps Spokane

Personal choices affect others

As the community deals with the current outbreak of pertussis there have been a number of letters to the editor written by educated parents who have chosen not to have their children immunized. The consensus among them is one of personal rights, that vaccinations are unnatural and pose too many risks to their children.

Beyond personal rights there are basic responsibilities to the community. As contributing members of the community we should think about how our personal choices, especially those concerning health, affect those around us.

We can make sure our children are up to date on their immunization schedule or, if we choose not to participate in vaccinations, we can keep our children home during an outbreak for their own health as well as those too young to be vaccinated. This may mean taking personal or vacation time at work. If your child does get sick you would have to do this anyway for the five days, on antibiotics, that it takes for the virus to weaken.

There are some parents who stand firm against vaccinating their children. If we’re lucky they will at least think about the consequences and take necessary precautions to stem the spread of the virus. If we are unlucky, the viruses we thought were under control will have a chance to proliferate once again. Colleen M. Lippert Spokane

Not immunizing creates nightmare

Two weeks ago I took my 2-month-old daughter for her first set of immunizations, a task I dread. I hated seeing and hearing my daughter experience the pain of the needle. However, I’ve known people with polio, and the momentary pain associated with vaccines far outweighs the pain and discomfort she’d live with one of these horrific diseases. In five minutes she was back to her cheery self.

One week ago we received a phone call saying our children had been exposed to someone who tested positive to pertussis. My heart sank.

The next morning we took our children to Panhandle Health District to be tested. The emotion and fear I felt in that room was overwhelming. During the test, which involves sticking a Q-tip-like instrument into the nasal passage, my children cried, as well as my husband and myself. The procedure was much more invasive than the vaccine my daughter received the week prior.

This past week has been extremely stressful. Each time the phone rang I hoped it wasn’t the Panhandle Health District reporting a positive test. It has been a challenge to give my 2-month-old daughter her medications. Drooling, coughing and vomiting make it really difficult to administer the antibiotics.

Now, two weeks since I had my daughter immunized, I am angered and appalled that this has touched our lives. All this could have been prevented. All I can hope for is that those who chose not to immunize their children will do so. I don’t want to experience this week again next year. Peggy E. Thornton Coeur d’Alene

AROUND THE REGION

Great event could be better

I hate to put a sour note on such a wonderful event, but the way kids are reunited with their parents during Junior Bloomsday needs to be addressed.

This was my first experience with the race and the first time my 7-year-old son has participated. After your child completes the race the first thing you want to do is congratulate them and let them know how proud you are. Unfortunately, this moment was put on hold for about 15 minutes.

The kids are funneled back into the stands and told to wait until they see their parents before they’re allowed to leave. The trouble is, an avalanche of parents converge on the stands, creating jams at every access point. Parents and their kids can’t see each other. This in turn creates frustration and panic. I saw a 7-year-old girl crying her eyes out in the confusion.

My son followed instructions and stayed put until I found him. He was fine, I was in a panic.

It’s easy to complain about a situation. It’s considerably more difficult to resolve it. So I’ll throw out a suggestion: Set aside a section at the end of the field to corral the kids after the race. Sort of like picking your luggage up at the airport off of the carousel. This way the kids keep walking and cool down slowly. Parents stay outside the area and wait for their child to walk by.

Overall, it was a great event and the organizers and volunteers did a fantastic job. Let’s make it better. Dan Walsh Spokane

Many notes of thanks

Thank you, Spokane, from the over 900 women of North Pacific Region 13, Sweet Adelines International, who held their annual regional convention/competition here April 10-13.

Also thanks to The Spokesman-Review for their excellent coverage of the event. Special accolades to the staffs at the Red Lion City Center, the Ridpath and the Opera House for their competent and gracious support. The professional people at KXLY Radio and TV were also incredible to work with, as well as the Downtown Spokane Partnership and NorthTown. Cherie Rodgers honored us by giving the welcoming address at our Mass Sing at Riverfront Park.

North Pacific Region 13 is composed of choruses and quartets from Alaska, Washington and North Idaho. They chose Spokane because of our facilities, our weather and our community. Many of these women, especially those from Alaska, arrive days early just to shop. This event definitely has a positive financial impact on our city. And it is scheduled here again in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Spectators at the contests and/or winners’ shows came away with an appreciation of what these talented women can do. The theme song of this 30,000-women worldwide organize is “Harmonize the World,” and what an incredible time harmonizing in Spokane.

And take note Spokane, your own Spokane Falls Chorus won third-place medals. Two Spokane quartets medaled as well. We did you proud, and we are proud of our beautiful city. Judy L. O’Brien, regional publicity chairwoman, Sweet Adelines International, Spokane

Snow job from Mount Spokane?

My family and I have skied regularly on Mount Spokane for 25 years. However, we have not purchased season passes the last few years. This is mostly because of scaled-back hours and early-season closures. There are also many little things that should have been done over the years that would have added greatly to our skiing experience.

Maybe it’s time for a community ski resort, like Boise’s Bogus Basin, which puts its profit back into improvements on the resort. With the prospects of the current operator being back on the mountain again next season, I think Gregg Sowder should ask himself, “What if I open up Mt. Spokane for skiing next season, and nobody shows up?” R.E. McInerney Spokane

TOLERANCE

Freedom of speech is a right

I’m writing in regard to the letter from Kristie L. Blessing, “No respect for Idaho children” (April 23). Blessing believes that the freedom of speech we have in this country is a privilege.

Freedom of speech a privilege? I know of no document our forefathers drafted after they attained their freedom called the “Bill of Privileges.” It is the Bill of Rights. We have a right to free speech.

There is also no rule that every cartoon needs to be funny. There is a long tradition of satirical and horrifying work utilizing cartoons. I hate to think of Blessing finishing “Maus” (a graphic novel about the Holocaust) and thinking it was a nicely illustrated, funny story. Pamela L. Lemon Spokane

Avoid all racial references

I disagree with J.L. Minerly, who wrote, “I hope it won’t take another 50 years for people to think like Kite.” Tom Kite had commented on Tiger Woods. He said: “He’s just incredible. I don’t care what his race is. He’s a golfer.”

That’s a racial statement. Would Kite say the same about a white golfer winning the Masters? Commenting on others without referring to their race is racial equality. Mildred R. Treherne Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Penny wise, unsafe road foolish?

I am tired of driving. How many potholes do I have to dodge with my car today? Am I on the right side of the road? Without any painted lines it is nearly impossible to tell. This last weekend on my way home from Seattle there were more than a few times where if I hadn’t been following the car in front of me I would have been in the ditch.

These poor road conditions are not necessary. A gasoline tax has been proposed to alleviate some of the problems.

When I lived in Germany for two years I paid $4 for a gallon of gas. That added tax didn’t eliminate the potholes or problems, but the overall quality and conditions of the road were well worth the added tax.

Our desire for cheaper gas has left us with poor and unsafe roadways. We cannot let a few pennies be the cause of senseless accidents. The next time you think of an added gas tax realize that your few pennies could determine life or death on our highways. Jeff A. McClure Cheney

Trickle down economics won’t work

That renowned Hollywood actor, Ronald Reagan, whose greatest role was that of president of the United States, was a proponent of the infamous “trickle down” theory, which proposed giving enough money to the wealthy so some of it could slip through their fingers and the poor would be able to gather the droppings and become productive citizens.

The same man, as governor of California (a minor role), decided that a good way to save money and reduce overcrowding in the mental hospitals would be to close them and turn the poor wretches onto the streets of California, where they remain today, talking to the unseen and doing unspeakable things to themselves and to others. They don’t realize what happened and Reagan, I’m sure, has forgotten about it.

It appears that Mark Duclos is a man who still thinks this is a good plan. Judging from his recent letter, he also thinks that with untaxed capital gains, those on welfare could sell a few stocks or bonds and their problems would be solved. To do even more for the poor, Duclos wants the inheritance tax eliminated. Then the heirs of these unfortunates won’t have to worry about this burden and they could then take their places among the affluent and begin new lives. Good thinking! J. Ed Meadows Spokane

Time to tackle liquor industry

The tobacco industry has now conceded responsibility for causing health problems due to smoking. This is the first time they have accepted this fact and although this step is not all altruistic, it is a good start. If accepted by the states involved in the litigation it will immunize tobacco companies from individual lawsuits against them in the future.

Now, I wonder which state will have the willingness or guts to take similar action against the liquor industry. Alcohol abuse is certainly a larger factor in causing damage to society, such as auto accidents by drivers under the influence; and the injuries and deaths that result are well known. This does not tell it all.

Literally thousands of drivers are convicted of DWIs each year who fill up our courts and require monitored alcohol treatment. Let’s add to this the number of destroyed lives and families that are broken by addicted drinkers.

Television ads, movies and magazine ads glamorize drinking mainly to the young, which is what the tobacco companies have done. These two industries are similar enough to deserve equal treatment. Clancy Aresvik Spokane

Geller only offers false hope

It is a sad state of affairs, once more, that not only does a charlatan come forward to give false hope to the grieving families of possible victims of violence, but that The Spokesman-Review gives it coverage - on the front page no less.

It was only a few years ago that we got to see the failed attempt by a “psychic” to find a missing Bonneville Power Administration employee. This case also made front-page news.

Uri Geller’s fame rests on his ability to gall a number of well-known talk show hosts some 20 years ago. Since that time he has been living off of the publicity. As you did mention, in a rare moment of balance, his lawsuit against James Randi was dismissed. It should also be pointed out that he was then forced to pay court costs and damages himself.

We all have a tendency to grab at straws when all else fails. But this is the most tenuous of all straws.

Geller’s veiled references to not wanting to violate confidences in previous “successful” mediations hides the facts in those cases. Like all supposed psychics he should be proud of his hits and let us all know, so that we can share his success. We can also then get a chance to verify the claims.

I can not be more sympathetic toward the family of Donald Hutchings, but Geller’s imposing himself in this affair can only raise hopes for the wrong reasons. Larry O. Henderson Spokane

Government belongs in the open

Abraham Lincoln was right. As he stated in his famous Gettysburg Address, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the Earth.”

I believe there are three overwhelming reasons why we have an open government.

First, it creates credibility, integrity and respect for those involved in the political arena.

Second, it is a good way to involve citizens.

Third, having a Legislature that works together on issues creates good government.

During this legislative session we did not have this. Instead we had the majority apply different rules, citizens weren’t listened to, hearings weren’t held and decisions were made behind closed doors. It is my opinion that the majority don’t believe in open government and if you don’t believe in open government, you can’t govern.

Whatever the issue - budget, taxes, welfare reform, health care, education, environment - it should involve the voice of all. The one right they can’t take from us is our right to vote. G. Jean Wells Spokane