Letters To The Editor
‘TIS THE SEASON
Better to give to charity than me
Some of us oldsters have this fortunate problem. We really have all that we need and have no perfidious wants. It seems there are always relatives and acquaintances who feel obligated to tender a token gift because of Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, birthdays, etc.
Several years ago, I resolved this by sending those who’ve given in the past a list of charitable organizations, including addresses, that I support. It saves the giver deliberation, sales taxes, parking, walking miles through malls you name it. The greatest benefit of all is that the giver realizes I don’t know how much they spent for their gift of money or goods.
I hope this idea may help some who really need. Jack Weldon Birchill Spokane
Better to give, than flatten, fruitcakes
I was totally appalled to see that there was a Santa on a steamroller going over fruitcakes at a time of season when centers are asking for donations, trying to help the homeless and starving families. Whatever the promotional stunt, I believe the fruitcakes could have served a better cause.
Whatever are your priorities? Shame on you! Sara A. Caldwell Spokane
Better to give money? Sure enough
So, Audry Sydell (Letters, Dec. 10) wants us to remember our paper carriers with a “generous Christmas check” for doing their job. Until her letter, I had in mind to give my carrier a generous plate of home-baked cookies - a gift from the heart, not the flattened checkbook.
Sydell got me thinking, remembering all the other, often forgotten folks who brave the snow and slippery roads to get someplace to do their jobs. It’s a long list: school bus drivers, mail carriers, teachers, repairmen, clerks and road plowers. They deserve generous Christmas checks, too.
Come to think of it, so does my husband who works in the timber industry. He helps supply the wood that supplies the paper that supplies the newsprint that keeps the presses rolling so my paper carrier has something to carry to my door.
Sydell’s right. ‘Tis the season for generous Christmas checks, not heartfelt thanks or home-baked cookies. I’m passing out generous checks to so many deserving folks. I won’t be forgetting that patrolman who pulls me over. I’ll give him a generous Christmas check when he hands me my speeding ticket. And, later when I face the judge for bribing a police officer, I’m laying the blame on Sydell for my falling into a life of crime and losing the true meaning of Christmas. She deserves it! Marilyn J. Roberge Rathdrum
Gift of music greatly enjoyed
Re: Holiday Pops concert of Dec. 13.
Last night, for two hours, it mattered not that the decorations are not up, the shopping not finished and the cookies not baked. Instead, I thoroughly enjoyed the music and singing, which reminded me of Christmas of my own childhood and of that of our children, now grown.
Thank you, Jung Ho Pak, Spokane Symphony Orchestra, Spokane Chorale and Spokane Area Children’s Chorus for an early and very special Christmas gift. Patricia L. Garvin Spokane
Manito lighting ‘first class’
The holiday season lighting display at Manito Park Conservatory was absolutely first class. We in Spokane are very fortunate to have activities such as this occur; it really adds to the quality of our lives in the area.
Three cheers to the staff responsible for this display. Vernon J. Nelson Spokane
THE MEDIA
With ‘pro-choice,’ media win one
In regard to Daniella Cross’ complaint (Letters, Dec. 16) of her “pro-life” moniker being sometimes replaced with the term “anti-abortion,” perhaps it is the media’s “unbiased objectivity and integrity that brought about the change.
After all, what else pro-life does that group represent besides an unrelenting charge to stop abortion? Do they actively support AIDS and cancer research? Are they arm in arm with supporters of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers? Or are they simply anti-abortion?
Pro-choice, on the other hand, seems properly descriptive. If a woman chooses birth, no problem; chooses to put a child up for adoption, no problem; chooses abortion, no problem.
Cross suggests the appropriate label be pro-abortion, pro-death or anti-life. What a hoot! While not active in either camp, I believe the only ideal the pro-choicers promote is choice.
This round goes to the objective media. William N. Boaz Liberty Lake
PEOPLE IN SOCIETY
Divorce ultimately hurts us all
Thank you for giving such prominence to Gene Bronson’s refreshing view of long-term marriage commitment. I found his “Seventh heaven” (Perspective, Dec. 7) quite touching, especially seeing how he and his wife Mary kept their marriage vows intact when compromise seemed easy.
It is encouraging to realize some people still keep their promises and act from a platform of commitment. (My wife and I recently celebrated out 55th anniversary; we can honestly say that “quitting” has never been an option, regardless of stressful times.)
Our nation’s leaders are looking for ways to deal with the crime problem, the burgeoning use of illegal drugs and skyrocketing violence among teens and children. Could it be that a primary cause of these social ills occurs when so many couples take their solemn and sacred vows so lightly? Today, over 50 percent of the marriages in our country end in divorce! But divorce is never an end. It’s the beginning of the painful breakdown of a peaceful, purposeful society.
Strong, enduring marriages like the Bronsons’ remain the key to maintaining values that will perpetuate the kind of community we all want for our children and grandchildren.
More prisons, more government control and more laws are not the answer. The answer is for leaders to lead by their own example and for individuals to promote the core values upon which our nation was founded. Wallace Q. Anderson Spokane
Stories, people hold fine lessons
Your Dec. 7 Perspective page had a delightful story - remembrance of Word War II, the obedient warriors, our young men who left without hesitation to fight for and protect our country and democracy.
The upbeat previous story of the young couple, Mary and Gene Bronson, who weathered through - he to the service, she to finish college. They married and had many farewells, but made it through on a shoestring, no doubt, shifted into second gear and raised four daughters through college. They were true to their commitments, kept their marriage promises, did all they could to be responsible to themselves, their country and God.
What a wonderful, upbeat story. Every beginning married couple should read and re-read it, and make their marriage become seventh heaven.
Thank you for publishing such a delightful story of great people and life. Eleanor “Jean” Oton Spokane
Writer one who has tried to help others
Responding to the Dec. 6 Your Turn column by Marilyn Darilek and the recent loss in such a sudden and tragic way of Alicia Easterwood, I extend belated but sincere condolences.
I am aware of the tireless energy and time Darilek devoted to Alicia’s plight. How exhausting it must be to keep trying to turn around youngsters who often fall through the cracks, to reach them before it’s too late. I was happy to read that Alicia “almost made it.” We ask ourselves, why do they wait, and we beat ourselves up wishing we’d tried harder or faster.
I know this will probably push Darilek harder in her belief that maybe she can help another, out of her love and memories of possibly a past better time in Alicia’s alltoo-short life. I saw many sad situations come through security at “juvie” during my tenure there as a security guard. The one thought that came through so often was that, hopefully, someone, somewhere in their mixed-up world will make a difference.
Darilek, I know people like you will make a difference. Alicia is gone, but she will not be forgotten. Pat L. Adkins Spokane
Oh, but for Christians it’s OK
Editor Chris Peck says “he wants his place back … it is not theirs. It is ours.” He wants to keep people who do not think like he does out of the area.
Oops, is this evidence of the values he says he believes in?
You say “white supremacists” have come out from under their rocks to “cause trouble.” You said nothing about Christians causing trouble with their “March for Jesus,” where the marchers “Take the city for Jesus Christ,” expressing their desire that their philosophy be adopted by all who reside in the city.
Don’t the editors recognize the clear danger these Christians pose to the community? Even the gay rights marchers do not ask that all of us become gay.
Oops, is there something wrong with this picture?
The media have created the reputation our area has for hate, not the members of the Aryan Nation. If it were not for the media I would not even know they exist. Their marches and speeches are not even newsworthy.
The right of individuals to share their opinions that their race, ethnic background, religion, moral values and thought process is superior to others, regardless of the rationality of their arguments, is foundational to our society. However, you have no obligation to report the ideas of every minority group, like Christians. John W. Axtell Valley, Wash.
Keep suggestions gender neutral
I was appalled at the blatant sexism of “Painless shopping” (Dec. 3, “Wrap it up!” section). I acknowledge that some of the ideas could be helpful but the gift suggestions fell far short.
While girls are given used clothing, boys receive new toys. This is an outdated generalization. Around the age of 10, I wanted a remote-control racer. My sister and I enjoyed Legos throughout our youth.
Not all teenage girls want makeup and hair products. In fact, I still have unused gifts from relatives who failed to recognize that I wasn’t interested in being the family cheerleader. I would have greatly appreciated the gender-neutral gifts the article suggested for boys: a watch, backpack or snowboarding accessories.
By reinforcing gender stereotypes, we limit the possibilities for children and fail to recognize who they really are. Don’t force children into rigid archetypes because you haven’t taken the time to get to know their interests. Ask the child or their parent what gift to give, or try a gift certificate; teens of both sexes would love one for music, books, videos or sporting goods.
I was also severely disappointed with the section for seniors. My grandfathers would not want bubble bath or nail clippers. Some creative thought is in order. Gift certificates for their local grocery store, a prepaid phone card or a trip to the local ice cream parlor combined with good conversation make a better gift for any senior citizen.
A Christmas present should have a personal meaning attached to it. It should be given from the heart. Holly M. Kraemer Spokane
Now, call whites European Americans
Recent articles have shown a pattern which I find objectionable. Your reporters often refer to one racial group as African Americans. This is a proper noun with a certain cachet of pride and dignity. But my racial group is always fobbed off as merely “whites.”
Now if you are going to refer to “blacks,” “whites” is appropriate. Should the old anthropological term Negro ever come back into use, Caucasian would be correct. However, when you use the term African American, I think it is only fair that we whites get our own proper noun of distinction. Therefore, in future, please refer to us as European Americans.
Thank you for your political correctness. Terry W. Griner Spokane
Show teens giving, positive side
Re: Jan A. Somers’ Dec. 15 letter, “Giving just encourages panhandlers.”
I am getting sick of people judging the “disreputable teenagers” who they claim beg them for change unmercifully in the downtown area. Do you know what they want more than your stupid change? They want your smile; for you to look at them with some other emotion besides contempt; for you to talk to them, perhaps find out why they’re there.
Hey, folks, pull yourselves out of your warm middle-class cocoons and realize that those are somebody’s children, too. Perhaps if you acted respectfully toward them, they’d learn by example. Where do you think they’ll learn if we, the adults, don’t teach them?
Oh, and by the way, the Bible tells us to give unconditionally, out of love, not to worry about what our gift is being used for. Why not take one of these lost souls home for Christmas dinner? Then, perhaps, you could remember what the true Christmas spirit is all about.
This is our city and we all have a right to be here. Merry Christmas and may God’s love guide your heart. Barbara Silvey Spokane
Fired man right to take a stand
I congratulate Jack De Blasi for refusing to sell immoral music, lyrics that promote suicide, murder etc. (“Fired manager sues over music chain’s ‘satanic’ lyrics,” Dec. 4). Because he refused to sell sheet music which he said contained blasphemous, pornographic and satanic lyrics, De Blasi was fired from his job as manager of a local Malecki Music store.
With so many teens killing classmates in just the last few years, how can anyone doubt the evil influence of such satanic lyrics on those who listen to them?
We need more people like De Blasi, who are willing to take a stand for the moral good of society. Joan C. Hughes Spokane
OTHER TOPICS
Tap state surplus for road repairs
Re: The surplus that the State of Washington has.
Instead of giving $70 back to every citizen, why don’t they put the money back into the county for road and infrastructure repair?
City and county leaders should petition Olympia for the money to fix our roads. They are in horrendous shape and something must be done. We need to get going on the work that is needed. Dale E. Weilep Spokane
Universities - there’s no comparison
I was disappointed in staff writer Mike Sando’s superficial comparison of Washington State University and the University of Michigan. His story (“Worlds apart,” Dec. 14) only told the obvious - that Michigan has twice as many students, four times as many alumni and nearly eight times as much budget. Then we have WSU, consistently outnumbered and outspent, which still finds ways to compete and excel against supposedly stronger competition.
This is the story that didn’t make the paper, the story defining the real difference between WSU and Michigan.
The greatness of WSU can be found in its people, their creativity, work ethic and spirit. It is a spirit which has produced a long list of distinguished alumni (none of these were mentioned) which includes: Henry Heald, president of New York University and the Ford Foundation; John Fabian, a two-time space shuttle astronaut; and Orville Vogel, driving force behind the “green revolution.”
WSU’s greatness also can be found in its graduates’ commitment to excellence. Indeed, WSU has the highest rate of alumni giving among public universities in America - more than Michigan, more than Virginia, more than Cal-Berkeley, more than any of the so-called great universities.
Greatness can be measured in many ways. If the people at Michigan choose to tout Madonna as one of their most famous graduates, I will proudly measure greatness the old-fashioned Cougar way. Stephen J. Witter WSU class of 1976, Spokane