Letters

Not brave enough to leave

In the last two wars, we have suffered 8,000 military casualties, 44,000 young men and women seriously injured, and well over 100,000 civilian casualties. We got Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, and Americans are still fighting and dying. What a trade-off!

Our pathetic administration and leaders still can’t leave because they are afraid politically that we will call them wimps and weak on terrorism. Not one more American life should be at risk.

Where are the adults in the room?

Jim Nell

Spokane

Animal cruelty spurs boycott

KREM-2 News recently showed a picture of a trapped wolf, with his head down and his paw caught in a steel trap. In the foreground of the picture was a grinning fool of a trapper. It’s one of the most disgusting photos I’ve ever seen.

I know it’s probably legal in the state of Idaho. It’s beyond me how the people of Idaho can elect legislators who think this treatment of animals is acceptable. I have written to state officials about this inhumane practice but never received an answer. Cruelty that is sanctioned by the state is a sign of a sick, unenlightened society.

I have decided that I will never spend another dollar in Idaho. My family and I have been to various restaurants in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene. I’ve taken out-of-town visitors to see the lake, and we’ve Christmas shopped in Coeur d’Alene. Never again.

It probably won’t do any good unless other people protest. God knows it won’t help the wolves. But I can’t be quiet in the face of such mindless cruelty.

Meg McCoy

Spokane

Romney’s choice a luxury

Hilary Rosen’s statement that Ann Romney is a “wealthy, stay-at-home mother who has never worked a day in her life” has been attacked. Michelle Obama responded that “every mother works hard.”

Ann Romney says that she chose to stay at home and raise her children, and that every mother should be able to choose not to take a job out of the home. Great, Ann Romney is pro-choice on this issue, but it is a choice that most of us cannot make.

Wealthy mothers can be free not to work outside of the home. Let us consider the work of the wealthy stay-at-home mother.

Is she cooking, washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, doing the laundry? These would be her choice also.

I wonder what the wealthy stay-at-home mother does choose to do.

Steve Smith

Spokane

The Slice is nice

A recent correspondent criticized Paul Turner and The Slice as worthless, and poorly written. That assessment is totally inaccurate.

The Slice links its readers personally to The Spokesman-Review, helping to tie the newspaper to its constituency. For example, over time, Turner’s questions elicit responses from across the social, political, economic, vocational, and generational spectra. The column provides a needed respite from news articles, etc.

Further, The Slice reminds us that gentleness, humor, tolerance and civility should be key elements in our lives. It speaks to such serious issues as those elements that humans have in common, which should unite us, and those traits in which we differ that unnecessarily often separate us. The Slice allows adults to reminisce about their pasts, look toward the future, and enjoy today. And it demonstrates that children are also human beings who can also participate (and get the thrill of seeing their names or comments in print).

Finally, as a retired professor of English, I can attest that Paul Turner’s prose style is immaculate. He matches his style to his content, and communicates to his audience very effectively. The Slice is nice. Please keep it!

William E. Mahaney

Spokane