Letters To The Editor
GRASS FIELD BURNING
Air quality: A giant step back
The recent law lifting restrictions on the number of days in which grass fields can be burned only serves to reignite the public’s concern about the safety and quality of air that they breathe.
People are outraged that in spite of the dialogue over the past five years, this law moves us a huge step backwards from minimizing exposure to smoke. The very immediate concern of people who call the Lung Association is that they will be exposed to smoke from fields being torched all summer long. They know that this exposure will cause them significant discomfort and, for some, serious illness.
Extended exposure to smoke is the primary issue of concern here. The smoke in the air is a symptom of a larger, ongoing issue that needs to be solved. That is, how can the public breathe clean air and how can the farmer maintain a business that burns fields in order to produce crops economically?
No one wins in the situation now facing us. People are still being exposed to smoke, now on more days than ever before. Farmers are faced with the public’s ire.
What we need is a solution in which both parties win. We need a short timetable by which new technology will be implemented to stop a practice that hurts the public’s health. What is not acceptable is to continue down the same path we always have merely because we are unwilling to spend the money necessary to find a solution that takes seriously a very real threat to the health of individuals and the public at large. Yvonne Bucklin, regional director American Lung Association of Washington
Let’s burn Lowry’s political future
When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.
Gov. Mike Lowry doesn’t know what this means to people who suffer with respiratory diseases. If he did, he would not have signed the bill to lift burning restrictions.
The 16-day period seemed very long for those of us who mostly stayed indoors during that time. What will it be like for us now? Too bad, right?
Also, to try to sneak it by in the midst of all the other signed bills is one more strike against him.
They should have a three-strikes, you’re-out-of-office policy in force for our politicians. Then they would pay more attention to our needs. Right!
We should remember this action next election. Ellen Longie Spokane
THE ENVIRONMENT
First, control population growth
It is important that we celebrate the success of recycling. We need to recognize the progress we have made. However, your coverage of Earth Day 25 excluded the linchpin to environmental sustainability: population control.
It is time for environmental pundits to take a step beyond politically correct activism and challenge everyone to consider the ramifications of our unabated proliferation as a species. Yes, it is a sensitive subject. Environmental organizations may risk losing contributions by breaching it. But, if we are to succeed at sustainability, we must take risks.
Our present world population is nearly 6 billion. By accepting a maximum two-child family goal now, we may be able to limit world population to 8 billion by 2050. Economic incentives and education are paramount.
It is not possible to realize environmental sustainability at our present population levels. Therefore, we cannot even consider it until we remedy population growth.
Let’s celebrate Earth Day 26 with a population control campaign and pull our heads out of the sand. Ed Shaw Colville, Wash.
Meeting of minds too rare
On your coverage of the Endangered Species Act hearing in Vancouver, Wash., it was reported why the Earth First! people put on gags but not why the other side put on convict suits with signs saying we were prisoners of the ESA.
I was one of the convicts. One of the Earth First!ers who wore a gag asked why we thought we were prisoners of the ESA. When we were finished talking, she asked me one final question: “We want the same things, so why are we here?”
Why don’t more people listen to each other and come up with the same conclusion? Suzanne Nicholson Addy, Wash.
THE MEDIA
Our president deserves coverage
Never, since radio and television were invented and available to the public, have I seen such disrespect to a leader of a country anywhere as was displayed recently by two of our major television networks.
To think our leader - whether you believe in his policies or not - was and has been rejected by the news media of all types speaks pathetically of their attitudes and their acceptance of the ideas of some squeaky wheels who are more vocal than intelligent.
Where is media objectivity? A leader of a country deserves more respect than that. Alberta Yale Spokane
TERRORISM
Talk radio not behind bombing
As a mother of young children, I am heartbroken and horrified by the bombing in Oklahoma City. But as a conservative, female Rush Limbaugh listener, I am also greatly disturbed by the opportunistic attitude of so many, including President Clinton, at such a sorrowful time.
I speak directly to the charge that conservative talk radio somehow triggered the “fragile” psyche of Timothy McVeigh and others to spend months preparing for this horrific event.
This premise first supposes Timothy McVeigh and others like him spend their days rallying beside their conservatively-tuned radios. To the thoughtful person this must be viewed as nothing but preposterous.
Does this mean that Timothy McVeigh would have never thought to do this evil deed without conservative talk radio programs? Again, preposterous.
President Clinton and his followers are using a devastating event to try to discredit dissenting opinions held by conservative talk radio and its listeners.
Why is it that when arguments are from the right, they are labeled “hate.” But when they are from the left, they are considered politically correct? Kim Walker Newman Lake
No comparison between incidents
It both sickens and saddens me to hear someone defend those evil cowards who could callously kill innocent children.
You cannot compare the Waco incident, in which David Koresh put those children into that position by imprisoning them, to the Oklahoma tragedy, in which two or three men planted a homemade bomb near a day care center. Defending them is just as cowardly.
David Koresh, in the name of God, stockpiled guns and ammunition. He was an evil, evil man who was responsible for those deaths. It was just what he wanted.
There is no comparing someone proclaiming himself God and leading innocent children to their deaths to a heartless coward who would plant a bomb near innocent children who had nothing to do with Waco.
You cannot rationalize cold-blooded, premeditated murder. Theresa Hale Spokane
Waco people given chance to flee
In response to Marvin Faulhaber’s letter of April 26 (“Federal actions just as wrong”): There is a big difference between Waco and the Oklahoma City bombing.
The people from Waco had a chance to get their children out. The children and the people of Oklahoma had no chance. They didn’t know what hit them. Steve Olson Spokane
Clinton proves he doesn’t count
After reading The Spokesman-Review’s April 25 editorial, an article on our president’s weak attempt to blame the Oklahoma bombing on those who voice opposition to certain viewpoints, I cannot help but feel I’ve come full circle.
It was only 20-plus years ago that the narrow-minded “love it or leave it” slogans were hurled at those of us who disagreed with certain political philosophies.
My personal views have moderated quite a bit since that time, but for Clinton and some liberals in the press such as Molly Ivins to rubber-stamp all conservative viewpoints as anarchist is no different from an affront to my First Amendment rights, the democracy which gives us the freedom of speech and what occurred in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Regardless of political viewpoint, we are all touched by the Oklahoma bombing and hope for swift justice for those responsible. To use this terrible tragedy to advance his own political agenda points out that our president is perhaps as irrelevant as he keeps telling us he is not. Paul Crosby Greenacres
Clinton justice too little too late
President Clinton has pledged “swift, certain and severe justice” for the “evil cowards” who blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City. While we all support the president in these actions, I wish he were more consistent in his application of justice.
Where is the swift, certain and severe justice for the evil cowards who attacked the religious compound near Waco, slaughtered innocent children, used poison gas on civilians, burned the property and bulldozed away the evidence of their actions?
Where is the swift, certain and severe justice for the evil cowards who wasted taxpayer dollars trying to entrap Randy Weaver, spying on his remote, peaceful home, shooting 14-year-old Sam Weaver in the back, assassinating Mrs. Weaver and destroying evidence?
The president has spent the last two years doing nothing about these and many other travesties. Is it any wonder he lacks credibility? David H. Wordinger Medical Lake
U.S. also a terrorist bomber
Mankind is on trial and is its own judge. Our hearts break knowing the fear and pain felt by the innocent men, women, and children assaulted and killed by the bomb explosion and the collapsing of that large building in Oklahoma City.
Deeming it a vicious, cowardly and inhuman act, we righteously forget all the bombing our country has done in the name of self-defense. Yet our own bombing has caused a million times over exactly the same fear, pain, and death to other innocents around the world while our people consider that all right and manage to rationalize our guilt away.
It is an ironclad fact that what goes around comes around. The only way to break this cowardly behavior is to admit to ourselves and the world our own inhumanity. We must accept that we are as criminal as any terrorist when we plan and carry such plans. President Clinton calls bombing of innocents an evil and he is right including us when we do it.
Am I a bleeding heart? When it comes to women and children - anybody’s - you better believe I am. I am also a Marine who survived Okinawa and who flies his American flag every day.
We must stop the swaggering and criminal merchandising of arms and swear to ourselves and the world that our only military actions will be protecting ourselves. This should become a prominent part of our prayers and way of life. We should turn to peaceful acts and only then will we achieve peace for ourselves and our children. Robert R. Root Spirit Lake, Idaho
RELIGION
Story not how it really was
The April 16 story “Water of life” included my name. I had written a letter to The Spokesman-Review, and I am afraid (staff writer) Kelly McBride’s story was a little off track from what I wrote.
In Kelly’s story, she stated that 25 years ago I “popped into a Catholic church and had my daughter baptized.”
Well, it was 25 years ago but I didn’t just pop in. It was not a drive-up window such as we see at our local hamburger joints.
I told her my daughter was baptized without question as to if we were members. They were honored to baptize her and they did it in the church in the presence of the congregation. The service was very meaningful. We did not need to be members. I went to church in New England and in Florida. They do not turn anyone away.
We have one God. Religion does not change, even if it was a quarter of a century ago. It is the people who have changed it and taken away the true meaning.
This letter is an explanation to the Catholic Church and the public that may have been offended by the “pop in” expression. My story had a good purpose for myself and for any other person who is experiencing the same problem. It was distorted by Kelly and lost its meaning. Bonny Morris Spokane
Varieties man’s idea, not God’s
Where is John the Baptist when you need him?
Six years ago, I asked a Catholic priest to baptize my baby. He asked if she would be raised a Catholic. I said, “No, just a good Christian.” And he quickly replied, “I’ll have nothing to do with that.”
I was outraged. So much for him being a holy man.
I then went to a nice Presbyterian church. Their answer was “Only if you are a member of our church.” Obviously, they do not baptize only in the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost.
What would have happened if John had asked Jesus what religion he was? Just a good Christian? Would John have said, “Not enough, my friend”?
Man-made religions. Man-made rules. Hundreds to choose from. Take your pick.
I’ll remain a simple Christian. My only allegiance is to God. And maybe I’ll baptize my child myself - in the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost. Jeannie Greene Spokane
OTHER TOPICS
Abortion foe should think again
G.A. Clark (Letters, April 22) ought to be aware that parents shouldn’t have to need a law to provide doctors with permission to perform abortions on their children. Really loving and involved parents will do what is best for their daughters anyway.
It’s when those daughters come out of a less than ideal home life or even are panicked by what their parents will think that a parental notification law won’t work. Under those circumstances, how can such a law make any sense?
But Clark confuses abortion on demand with therapeutic abortion. Therapeutic abortions are performed under emergency situations. The following conditions involve therapeutic abortions: incomplete miscarriage, viral or bacterial prenatal infections that can also threaten the life of the woman, fetal death and ectopic pregnancies.
In an emergency situation, I would certainly hope that parents would be there for their children. But what if they were not? Could any responsible adult stand in for the parents and notify them as quickly as possible? After all, it is too late for the fetus. How about saving the life of the minor female now?
Think about that one, G.A. Clark. Joan E. Harman Coeur d’Alene
Here is advice for the widowed
Thank you for such a sensitive article on Phyllis Holmes’ journey through the valley into her next chapter. The April 24 editorial asks for some guidelines from the widowed to help others through loss.
1. There is no statute of limitations on grieving. Time may scar over; it doesn’t necessarily heal.
2. Share your pain. Take yourself or loved one to a support group, even if it breaks all your rules.
3. Honor the memory of your loved one or the Oklahoma City victims, whether it is by wearing a ribbon or by sponsoring a memorial or fund raiser.
4. Between endings and beginnings lies the compost zone. Don’t expect too much of yourself during fallow time. Take a vacation. Write an autobiography. Nurture and be nurtured.
5. Honor your oneness through poetry, prayer, meditation. Remember, you are connected to everyone who has ever grieved.
6. Breathe. Practice relaxation techniques that release tension.
7. Rest. Emotional passages are exhausting.
8. If you’re experiencing sleeping or appetite changes and life no longer seems worth living, call the crisis line.
9. Surround yourself with people who care. Avoid people who try to cajole or shame you out of your pain.
As program chairwoman for Solo Strategies, I can tell you our workshops are geared not only to the widowed but for all who have suffered loss. Please call 484-8636. Joyce H. Tucker Spokane