Letters To The Editor

WELFARE REFORM

New law for teen mothers absurd

I am extremely displeased at the new law forcing teen mothers to be in “appropriate” homes or lose their child support and welfare. The time has come for society to stop scapegoating teenage mothers for all its ills.

Under the new law, a girl would have to return home or to a teen shelter. This is absurd, considering that most teenage girls were probably forced to leave their homes for fear of an abusive or alcoholic parent, or extreme, perhaps physical punishment just for being pregnant. To force a girl to return to such a home would be nothing short of cruelty.

Why is it up to legislators to define what is appropriate?

The article also stated that marriage was an option for some teen moms. What is this saying to these girls? It’s saying that if you have a husband, your baby is now worthy of its basic needs. I take extreme offense to that statement. This law denies the rights of a girl/woman to be an independent single mom, trying to get her life together, trying to make a good life for her child. If she doesn’t need support from the government, who does?

A teenage girl doesn’t get pregnant alone. And pregnancy should not be something to be stigmatized, whatever the circumstances. If a woman wishes to have her child, she should have full support from society and get the basic needs of herself and her child met. I hope I see the day where motherhood of all types is celebrated, not denigrated like a sin. Miranda C. Hale Spokane

Reform should include day care

It is time for the people of this state to wake up. The Legislature had over a year to enact workable welfare reform legislation, but did it in the 60 days before the deadline. They won’t fund the most necessary part of the program if parents are to work: day care. The state often pays so little and so late that providers refuse these children.

Most people thought the new welfare would force “lazy people” to work. But without safe day care, they depend on relatives who are willing to assist them or they leave their children alone. That is why many grandparents are raising these children, not because mom is a substance abuser (as your July 13 article implied).

I am helping to raise my grandchildren. Their mother works full time at $6.25 per hour, and goes to college full time as well. The state pays me $2.72 per hour to take care of my grandchildren while my daughter works, and I watch them for free while she is in school. Their fathers have not been consistent in the payment of support, and what they pay does not even cover the cost of food and clothes, much less outside care services. Day care for my grandchildren would cost a minimum of $4 per hour.

Since the Legislature seems to think the cost of day care is so unnecessary, would one of them care to provide safe day care for my grandchildren? Devon J. Alcott Spokane

DISNEY BOYCOTT

Culture affected by Disney

It’s too bad that Paul Harral (July 2) is embarrassed by the Southern Baptist decision to support a boycott of Disney.

Some people have the feeling that the negative effects of the influence of Disney are far removed from the residents of Spokane. But I submit that Disney is affecting our culture more than we want to admit.

Disney signed Martin Scorsese, director of “The Last Temptation of Christ” to a four-year contract.

Disney hired Victor Salva, a convicted child molester to direct its movie, “Powder.”

Disney hired Kevin Smith to produce a movie that attacks Christianity, asserting Christian beliefs are mythology.

Mark Gill, the president of Disney-owned Miramax, admitted that his company thrives on racy, often violent promotion for its movies.

In the 1994 Disney movie, “The Santa Clause,” the number of an actual phone sex line appears, aimed at children and families.

Disney’s remake of the movie, “That Darned Cat,” was changed from the good wholesome movie it was to one that includes profanity and is disrespectful of authority.

This is a departure for Disney from the family-oriented organization it used to be. Does Disney sound like an organization interested in protecting family values? Marilyn Lawson Spokane

HEALTH ISSUES

‘Water too pure’ promotional piece

The “Water too pure?” Associated Press article (July 15) posed the lack of fluoride in purified/bottled water as a health dilemma. Fluoride is purported by some to prevent cavities and it is known to be a carcinogen.

The EPA “Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings,” Fourth Edition, lists fluoride as an insecticide on pages 37 and 38: “The toxic effects of fluoride in mammals are multiple and all may threaten life….” It goes on to list some of the many effects and actions of fluoride poisoning. The article did lightly refer to the reality that fluoride’s role in cavity prevention is disputed. It did not provide coverage of the health risks of ingesting fluoride or the EPA professional union’s opposition to fluoridation for health reasons. It did not caution people that some are more sensitive to fluoride, nor did it let us know what to look for as warning of poisoning or sensitivity.

“Water too pure” is not my version of responsible public health coverage. It was a promotional piece. Peggy L. Winkel Spokane

Dr. Frazier needs understanding

In response to letters regarding Dr. Mark Frazier and Sacred Heart Medical Center (July 10):

Dr. Frazier has been a brilliant diagnostician as well as a surgeon, and no one is denying that. Let us not forget that Frazier is human, and he is vulnerable to the same physical and mental weaknesses as all of us are. Frazier’s remarks and statements were serious. Thank God he let people know he was in trouble, even though he probably didn’t realize he was sending up red flags.

Sacred Heart Medical Center heeded those warnings because they have a legal and a moral obligation to protect the lives of many patients as well as staff members. I commend Sacred Heart for preventing a possible tragedy.

In doing what Sacred Heart Medical Center did, Dr. Frazier will probably get the help he needs and hopefully someday be able to return to the medical community.

Dr. Frazier needs our understanding and our prayers. Sacred Heart Medical Center deserves our support and our respect for providing this community with a safe environment in which to meet our medical needs. A.H. Giles Spokane

BICYCLE PROGRAM

What causes civic dysfunction?

One generous and industrious man, Gerald Schuldt, repairs 50 bicycles to benefit our city and it takes less than two weeks for the forces of negativity and selfishness to wipe out his efforts. It makes me want to pack up and move. I don’t want to breathe the same air as people who would throw this man’s efforts into the river.

Why is it that other cities can be civilized enough to mount and carry out a free bicycle program and we can’t? What is the root cause of our civic dysfunction? We need to find the answer before we entirely kill such selfless impulses and turn our community over to the uncivilized and destructive clods who have destroyed or stolen the bikes and thereby cheated us all.

Thanks, anyway, Gerald. Linda K. Sharman Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Non-biased coverage appreciated

Over the years I’ve been very critical of The Spokesman-Review and how you cover politics.

Much to my amazement, I opened the July 17 paper and there appeared a local candidate declaring his intentions to run for the Spokane City Council. I’ve reviewed the story over and over, along with the picture you printed.

I cannot believe it. The Review has either changed its ways, or the entire editorial board is out of town.

I would like to go on record and say a big thank you. All too often good deeds go unnoticed. Your open and non-biased coverage will go a long way toward rebuilding your credibility with the public at large. Steve Thompson Reform Party of Washington state, Spokane

If you want sleaze, make it current

Re: “Paper: Glenn Miller died in Paris brothel”

What kind of a tabloid German correspondent do you have to give you the sad story about a fine soldier who died in 1954 (his plane missing over the English Channel)? It is probable his wife and two children are still alive.

And what kind of people do you have to approve this kind of rough chatter, 54 years old, for readers? I am amazed.

The great paper peddlers of England and the United States really don’t have to go back over half a century to fetch up something that is improbable (Miller is a common name), but a smirch on the name of a great man in our history. Sleazy is the word for it!

If you really want to get into this stuff to excite your readers, start with Massachusetts. Then you’ll have something nasty and also quite current, but has been going on for some time. Carlton Gladder Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Lilith Fair reviewer way off

I was very disappointed with the concert review of Lilith Fair by Winda Benedetti. Her response makes me question if she even attended the show.

First of all, there were plenty of men in the audience. (I was actually one of the four or five males at Sarah McLachlan’s feet in the opening acoustic set.) To suggest that this festival was not aimed at men is a crock. McLachlan has even said that the point of the fair is to celebrate women, not bash on men.

Secondly, the fair was also a chance to celebrate the music of artists who have a positive voice today. To suggest that there was not enough harder music shows that the reviewer missed the whole point of the concert - to celebrate women in music, not to rock out.

The concert that I attended was one of the best experiences in my life. Reading the review would suggest that this concert was a male bash-a-thon. That is very inaccurate. Next time you have someone review a concert, have someone who understands the event review it.

All of the artists who performed gave their heart and soul into the performance, and that should be worth a better review. Michael L. Howard Rockford

IDAHO TOPIC

Competitive bids must be enforced

Over $3 million dollars of Bonner County District 82 school repair funds will not be available for competitive bids.

The trustees again voted to sole source bids for repairs to damaged schools. About $980,000 comes from a 1996 school roof repair levy, while $2 million is provided by 1996 insurance and the Federal Emergency Management Agency snow (FEMA) and ice damage funds.

Idaho State Law code 33-601(1)(2) authorizes construction repair or improvement of any real property or equipment for the operation of the school district, but does require competitive bids for expenditures above $15,000. State code 33-601(9) authorizes immediate expenditure of public money to safeguard life, health, or property without competitive bids if imminent danger exists.

In 1996, the superintendent received over $380,000 emergency funds for long term neglect damages. The project began in June 1997. In June 1997, the superintendent and trustees again invoked the emergency code to select a sole source contractor for immediate repair of the Farmin and Priest Lake Schools, both damaged in 1996. This summer, both schools are unoccupied.

Repairs for remaining schools requires trustee approval. Illegal use of the 33-601(9) emergency code to eliminate competitive bids will result in the loss of tens of thousands of dollars to a school district in debt. Quality, cost-effective repairs result through competitive bidding! The superintendent and trustees don’t feel laws apply to them.

Contact Attorney General Allan Lance, Room 210 State House, Boise, Idaho, 83720, to enforce competitive bidding and provide job opportunities to the construction trade. Keith L. Contor Sagle, Idaho