Letters
‘Funky’ decision looks funny
Hey, Spokesman-Review, just pointing out that Funky Winkerbean in the comics section is now depicting a same-sex couple wanting to go to the high school prom together.
Not that I have anything against that sort of thing, but I’m just wondering why you don’t apply the same standards on this issue as in the recent past when you censored Doonesbury’s weeklong strip dealing with abortion? Similar hot-button cultural issue, both in the funnies, except Doonesbury was buried deep in the classified section where a person would really have to dig for it if they wanted to be offended.
How about a little chat with your readers to explain exactly how this time it’s different and appropriate to the comics, and how you still stand by your Doonesbury decision?
Maybe get Shawn Vestal on it.
Richard Wesson
Pullman
Smart justice is wise
Kudos for your advocacy of smart justice policies as the most sensible reaction to our county’s fiscal predicament. We in the Smart Justice/No New Jail Coalition further assert that smart justice has always been the most sensible and effective means of administering criminal justice irrespective of fiscal considerations.
Keeping nonviolent offenders out of jail and in constructive custody such as electronic home monitoring (ankle bracelets), for example, not only costs a fraction of jail custody ($8 versus $129 per day), it also permits productive employment as well as family cohesion. Even on an ankle bracelet, a father at home is better than an absent one in jail.
We further urge the county commissioners to fully fund the missing drug and alcohol treatment and prevention services vital to keeping addicts from offending to support their habits in the first place. This ounce of prevention is worth many pounds of cure.
Finally, dozens of studies have shown smart justice to be the safest way to protect our communities. Old-fashioned retribution and punishment is not only more costly, it is much less effective in safeguarding our communities.
Michael Poulin
Spokane
Math decision doesn’t add up
It was lovely to read about Jonathan Hicks in the May 4 paper (“Degree of difficulty”). It is unfortunate that such a talented student was unable to continue with his mathematical studies due to the closure of the math graduate program at Eastern Washington University.
This supports Ronald Gentle’s op-ed piece (“EWU wrong on grad math,” April 28) about the lack of foresight Rodolfo Arevalo exhibited in closing the program. This action should trigger a vote of non-confidence in Arevalo as president of EWU. How can a forward-thinking president close a math graduate program that has produced many talented students and thus benefited our community and which has existed for over two decades?
And now it has thwarted Mr. Hicks’ desire to become a mathematician.
Elizabeth Fobes
Spokane
Looking forward to park
I am looking forward, not backward. I am looking forward to five more acres of park land. I am looking forward to covered downtown parking. I am looking forward to looking out at McEuen Park and not seeing fences crisscrossing the park. I am looking forward to having a picnic in a new shelter. I am looking forward to flush toilets in the park!
I am looking forward to watching the neighborhood children playing in the splash pad. I am looking forward to an improved Centennial Trail, where cyclists are not competing with pedestrians for space.
I am looking forward to a waterfront where markets, art shows and events can be held. I am looking forward to strolling along the new pathways that will open up new areas within the park. I am looking forward to a beautiful promenade along Front Avenue with benches, flowers and nice, wider sidewalks.
I am looking forward to a recreational park for all ages, for all seasons. I am looking forward to an end to all the negativity. I am looking forward to seeing Mayor Sandi Bloem and City Council members Mike Kennedy, Deanna Goodlander and Woody McEvers continue to serve our beautiful, forward-looking city.
Tina Johnson
Coeur d’Alene
Facebook ‘likes’ job creation
This is for “Facebook CEO turns 28.” I wonder why America cannot create enough jobs when this man is rolling in the dough at just 28. He was able to make his own company and website while he was still in college. This sparked me to ask why more people can’t be like this.
Mark Zuckerberg has paved the way for young Americans to strike gold. We as Americans sit around and complain that we can’t get a job or can’t find one. I say “can’t” never did anything, so be like Mark Zuckerberg.
America has been sitting around too long wanting jobs, when we could just create our own. So take note of this young billionaire, and create what you want.
Isaiah Bushey
Spokane
Facing up to sin
For several years it has been my privilege to serve as a substitute teacher in the Deer Park Public Schools. Recently, while teaching in the beautiful Deer Park High School, I noticed a sign on the classroom wall. It was a photo of a person’s face, or what many call mug shots – the before and after picture of the same face. Underneath the two pictures were the words, “1 year of Meth use.” The first picture showed a lovely face. The second picture showed the same face in an appalling, awful, ghastly, horrible, shocking and terrible way.
As I viewed this poster I was thinking of the scripture in the Holy Bible, which says “… be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23. Yes, even your sin will show in your face.
The leadership of Deer Park High School should be commended for allowing this important poster to speak to our youth.
Arthur Houk
Colville
Patriotism is flagging
C’mon, Spokane, where’s your patriotism? At the Junior Lilac Parade, men didn’t remove their hats, and older citizens, parents and their children, teens, and young adults all did not bother to stand when the flag passed. What were you thinking?
We are slowly losing our freedom. Let’s also not lose the one to show respect for our country and wait until it is mandated. We all need to learn proper respect for our flag and teach it to our children.
What about guns not being allowed in schools? There was a marching unit from a local school that had students twirling guns. Totally inappropriate. Change the guns for batons, flags or pom-poms.
Lastly, where was the media coverage? TV news did not mention the upcoming Junior Lilac Parade prior to it happening. The newspaper’s coverage was minimal. All the participants did a fabulous job and we should be promoting our youth and their participation in such events.
Phyllis Rollins
Spokane
Entitlement, not welfare
I just read the May 10 comments by Maryann Wignes (“Scrutinize Social Security”). She is so right as to the eroding of our Social Security benefits.
The term “entitlement” means money owed. Keeping that in mind, Social Security is an entitlement. What makes it offensive is that it has become classed with welfare, a program that is not money owed in the sense that it was paid into a fund with the intent of withdrawing it later. Thus, in the strict sense of the word, Supplemental Security Income and welfare benefits are not entitlements but benevolence on the part of the taxpayers who support them.
For example, when I work for wages, I am entitled to be paid those wages. If someone comes to me asking for a handout, it is not required but generosity.
Those of us who have been required to pay into Social Security for years have had every reason to believe that the benefits would be there for us to use. After frequently being diverted to other causes, it certainly does bear the need to have a full-scale investigation.
It was supposed to be a trust fund, but has become a means of fooling the people with accounting tricks.
Carey Marshall
Washtucna, Wash.
Freeway for planes
David Bray (May 4) wants people to stop building near airports, next to or in flight paths. I would agree, but I have lived in the flight path of Spokane International Airport for years.
I would hope he would not like to clear that path. At night when I look out my window and see the lights from the airplanes, it looks like a freeway for airplanes.
LeRoy Harbour
Spokane
Don’t cut public safety
The city of Spokane is experiencing an increase in the number of home invasions, especially since the decline in the economy in the past four years. Police report they no longer have the available manpower to investigate nonviolent home break-ins. This becomes a cyclical challenge: a challenged economy creates fewer police, which equals increasing theft and home crime.
Our legislators and city officials need to hear our cry for protection of our city in every manner. Cutting safety does not create jobs, does not solve budget crises, nor does it allow the community to trust in the power of our police force. Legislators and city officials need to cut budgets; however, not the safety of the community.
Although a few patrons may become disgruntled, the majority of people will remain safe and crime will decline. Keep our police force and cut in other areas that do not affect everyone’s safety. The people of Spokane need to rally by writing letters and contacting legislators to stand up for our law enforcement so that they have the resources and manpower to stand up for all of us.
Thomas R. Lynch
Spokane
GOP making wrong cuts
The news reports across the country tell of the current GOP proposals to make further cuts to programs providing food assistance to families and programs for children and senior citizens to offset cuts to the military budget.
Meanwhile, a report from the Los Alamos Monitor newspaper last month (“Leaked DOD memo rips DOE on size of labs” – April 21) recounts the sheer stonewalling and obfuscation by directors of nuclear labs across the country to fend off downsizing, which even the Pentagon has demanded.
Balancing the budget is surely important. Who suffers and who profits is another question worth considering.
Tom Webb
Spokane
McMorris Rodgers’ vote tells all
I watched Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ live interview on CNN with John King. She claimed that Republicans like her support “equal pay for equal work” for women and men doing the same job.
Unfortunately, she voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. Her hypocrisy in this matter is typical: say one thing and vote the exact opposite.
I hope she gets picked as Mitt Romney’s vice presidential nominee. Maybe we can get a straight-talking representative who is consistent and honest.
David Luders
Spokane