Letters

For two decades the Spokesman-Review has railed against the effects of secondhand smoke. That was a good thing. But there has been no editorial about the effects of secondhand marijuana smoke. I wonder why, since smoking marijuana is the primary form of THC delivery. That secondhand smoke can be dangerous to us all. Is it because the marijuana industry is buying large amounts of advertising in the S-R paper that there is no investigative reporting?

Mr. Ralph, the vet who was acquitted of disorderly conduct, states that he feels his was a win for all vets and that we all deserve the same respect as all people do. Rather empty words if you read the first story published.

Two things came to mind when I read about the plea for funding to meet the needs of the homeless in our area (April 12 article).

Thank you for the fine coverage of several community resources providing help for families.

It's certainly unfortunate that a series of misunderstandings resulted in the creation of an unauthorized road. But let's figure out how to benefit from this rather than mistakenly demanding an impossible restoration. The affected area is a beautiful bit of nature, which could be appreciated by many people who are not capable of running or even hiking the trails. There is little enough access to this sort of wooded areas for people in wheelchairs, with strollers and the like.

Why would Kim Jong Un bomb Spokane? Seems like it would be a big waste of a bomb. We already have the biggest potholes. Don't think anyone would really notice one more big one anyway.

Once upon a time, journalists were tasked with looking for all the details, not just those that fit a narrative. Journalists are supposed to gather the facts, prepare a complete report of those facts, then share them as an independent observer. But once again, The Spokesman shows it is fine with allowing incomplete stories to fill their pages.

I've always believed we all have to invest in our communities so we have what we need to be healthy and thrive. This year the House Democrats are offering the state a way to invest in what matters most to us, our schools. The problem is a tax system that forces middle class families to pay more than two to four times as much in taxes as a percentage of their income compared to top earners. One way we can help fix this upside down system is by supporting the proposal to change the real estate excise tax rates.

This is a portion of an article in The Spokesman-Review ("Spending bill presents urgent challenge to divided Congress," April 11): "What a mess," said Paul Brace, a congressional expert at Rice University in Houston, offering his own pessimistic view of the unified Republican control of the House and Senate so far under President Donald Trump. "It was so much easier when all you had to do was oppose Obama."

Duncan Bean ("Mistaken about rights," April 16 letter) questions the character and integrity of those eager to give of our "time, knowledge, labor and/or earnings" so that all Americans can have adequate health care. He argues that because we all die, a right to life cannot be seen to include services – such as health care – that have the possibility of reducing premature death. He observes that some people do not want their taxes used to pay for other people's health care and seems to think it is tyranny if the majority chooses otherwise.

I read the essay by eighth-grader Rosie Zhou (Voices, April 13) and am encouraged that some of our young people are doing much more than playing video games and trying to emulate the latest Hollywood fashion.

Thank you for alerting me to another Parks Department development. Three decades ago I helped write an amendment to the City Charter requiring a vote on the sale of park land for Preserve Our Parks. Our intent was to avoid favoritism to developers instead of the public, such as was proposed then for Murphy Park in Lincoln Heights, such as just occurred below Bernard on the South Hill, and such as is now proposed for Riverfront Park.

WSU recently announced a "cutting edge scientific wellness program" for their new medical students ("WSU med to be first to use 'scientific wellness', April 12). However the foundation of medicine and medical education is based on evidence. WSU's wellness program fails this requirement. It relies on a corporate approach, which is unproven, expensive, questionable ethically and financially out of the reach of the vast majority of patients.

Sally Jackson just can't seem to get over the fact that 42 percent of women voted for Trump because she thinks he disrespects women ("Should have been Hillary," April 16 letter). I am a woman and I voted for Trump, as did many of my female friends. It had nothing to do with some locker room talk or views on women. I voted for him because he's a smart businessman and will strengthen our military, among other things.

To all those who think all Trump needs is a chance, consider: Trump could well be guilty of treason and/or criminal acts. He's a known liar. He knows nothing about governing and doesn't care to learn. He's incompetent, reckless, arrogant, self-serving and, even worse, purposely deceitful. There is nothing about this man that people should admire or want to emulate. He is a serious threat and a detriment to us, our children, and our grandchildren. Anyone paying attention knows this isn't conjecture, it's fact.

The current administration is proposing budget cuts eliminating a huge chunk of the Environmental Protection Agency to the tune of over $2.5 billions. According to expert researchers, this will have profound adverse long-term affect on children, the poor and elderly. If the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe become polluted due to elimination of regulatory programs that have helped improve protection from toxins, young children will be exposed more and their risks are higher since they are still developing.

By now everyone has seen United Airlines PR nightmare. The powers that be don't seem to appreciate the fact phone cameras are everywhere, and that they are going to have to take responsibility for the actions of their chargers.

I just got back from my first hike over the South Hill Bluff after the "misunderstanding." I feel sick to my stomach at the destruction. This illegal road reeks of an attempt to 'beg forgiveness rather than ask for permission'. My hope is that there is no forgiveness and that everyone involved is held as accountable as possible; including fines, withholding future permits, license forfeiture and loss of jobs.

The article about the unauthorized road bulldozed of the South Hill Bluff shows that liars think everybody is stupid. All parties involved know more, and I hope The Spokesman pursues the truth.