Letters To The Editor

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Mother’s courage shines through

On the evening news on Aug. 23, I observed something so unusual it merits mentioning. A mother tearfully apologized to the victim of her son’s alleged actions without attempting to make the usual he’s-a-good-kid or his-friends-are-to-blame excuses.

Rhonda Smith, though obviously feeling extreme emotional pain, also stated her son, Jeremy Johnson, would take responsibility for his actions and be punished according to the law.

If Jeremy is fortunate enough to have inherited some of his mother’s inner courage and character, he may be able to turn his life around and make a very brave lady proud of him. Mr. O. Vallejo Spokane

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Official taxes patience, too

I read your Aug. 18 article regarding the Kootenai County property tax appeals with interest, as I was one of the appellants. My appeal was the result of an assessment that was pure fiction, and not because of any action by Ron Rankin.

I was dismayed by Deputy Assessor Mike McDowell’s comments regarding the results of the appeals.

Mr. McDowell refers to the appeals as “superfluous,” yet 633 of the 1,452 appeals resulted in valuation reductions. That’s almost 44 percent. Does this mean that if all the property owners in Kootenai County were to appeal that 44 percent would get reductions? Is that percentage really something to be proud of?

Mr. McDowell goes on the say the fact that the dollar amount of the reductions was so small, and that most of the appeals were denied “confirms” that the assessor’s office does a good job. Where in the world did he get the impression that the Kootenai County Commissioners are objective with respect to the appeals process? I submit that they are not.

I will bet Mr. McDowell the cost of an independent appraisal that even the lower value that was accorded my residence during the appeals process is in excess of fair market value. I find his condescending attitude toward those who took the time to appeal in poor taste for a public official.

In my case, Mr. McDowell’s comments have done more to move a neutral party toward Mr. Rankin’s camp than anything Mr. Rankin could have said or done. D. Brian McNelis Rathdrum

Media assumption what’s biased

Have you noticed that when the media mention Detective Mark Fuhrman’s move to Sandpoint, they always add that we are only 40 miles from the Aryan Nations Compound? This statement is made to insinuate that he is a racist and to suggest this explains his move to Idaho and to Sandpoint.

Come on. This is a real put-down for our lovely, quiet, friendly little town. Couldn’t it just be possible that this family chose to move here to enjoy, as we all do, the beauty of the mountains and the lakes, and the opportunity to participate in every outdoor sport - fishing, hunting, boating, swimming, hiking, skiing, bicycling along our lovely and safe bike paths, to mention a few? And, don’t forget, we have more to offer, culturally, than many a large city.

Detective Fuhrman perhaps chose to move here to be near family and friends, as we did, and to attempt to provide for his wife and children a peaceful, quiet, and relatively crime-free environment.

We are urged to consider O.J. Simpson innocent unless he is proven guilty. Can we not afford Mr. Fuhrman the same rights?

I have never met Mr. Fuhrman, but I welcome him and his family to Sandpoint, and hope they find peace and happiness here. Juanita Crook Sandpoint

Girl Scouting is about exploitation

I often wondered why those little Girl Scouts were sent out to sell cookies and what they did with all the money collected. Now I know.

The executive director of the Inland Empire Girl Scouts was paid $50,000 in 1994 - and will become director at a larger Girl Scout council in Fresno, Calif., where there are more Girl Scouts to sell cookies, to up her $50,000. Now parents, aren’t you proud of your little daughters who are filling the larder of Judy Edlund, and who are working for nothing? Waldo Larson Laclede

EDUCATION

Reject ‘value judgment’ nonsense

I got quite a chuckle out of the School Talk insert in the Aug. 25 paper, especially the part about the “What Parents Want Award.” I can understand why when

parents are supposed to ask their child, “Does your homework meet your standards?” a child will live up or down to the highest or lowest expectations of people involved with his life, including teachers.

Parents usually have and relay to the child their high expectations. Under the new education reform, the teacher isn’t to impose a “value judgment” on the child - the teacher is to teach the child right and wrong are as the child perceives them to be.

Wise, up parents, don’t fall for this. Remember, it’s what you want in the education of your child that counts. Lynn M. Stuter Nine Mile Falls

SAT numbers likely the belie truth

Before there’s too much beating of the chest regarding higher Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores, there are a few facts that should be considered.

The SAT is not taken by all students. Usually, it’s taken by a relatively select number who are college bound. Therefore, the scores aren’t representative of the population as a whole. Also, the standard error of measurement can be one explanation for this increase.

The primary fact not covered in these articles is that the College Board, which administers the SAT, has “recentered” the score distribution. This has increased the scores by about 95 points over last year’s test results.

Unless these statistics have been considered in your articles, and I doubt they have, then the picture is not all that positive. As Ben Wright of the University of Chicago has stated, “That’s like thinking you can make people taller by using a shorter ruler.” Charles J. Clack, Jr., Ed.D. Post Falls

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Citadel: Conduct unbecoming

Considering the calm, dignified and restrained way the students, teachers and commanding officers reacted to the news of the Citadel losing its only female student, it’s only fitting that the institution’s name be changed. This would be done in keeping with the attitudes and morals evidently fostered by the staff and encouraged by their antics over the last 30 months.

They should change it to something appropriate, like The Prick. I mean this in the colloquial, and not the vulgar, sense - meaning a stupid, irritating person. Since the mentioned actions were either approved or instigated by leaders there, it’s indicative of the institution as a whole and not just the few hundred children shown dancing and shouting.

It took 1,000 of them two and a half years, using harassment, to beat down a young girl. With no notable exceptions they all either helped or, by their silent acquiescence, encouraged and rewarded them in this. James Victor-Hugo Hill Oroville, Wash.

Pay price of your own foolishness

I was appalled at a story about a woman suing the University of Idaho because she fell off a fire escape one night while she was drunk. She is now paralyzed and wants compensation for her injury.

This is a case similar to the one in which a woman sued McDonald’s because she spilled hot coffee on herself. They’re both trying to make money from mistakes of their own, and they don’t wish to take any responsibility. The woman who bought the coffee knew it was hot. So, when she spilled it, she should have accepted responsibility for being clumsy.

Every day I deal with little things one by one. Most of them involve some kind of risk, and I’m willing to accept responsibilities for my actions. I drink coffee every day. Every other day I usually spill some on myself, but that doesn’t mean I’ll run off and sue the first coffee shop I see.

Many in letters to the editor seem unwilling to cope with their own faults. If it’s your fault, deal with it.

My dad used to say, as a joke, “If you hurt yourself, you’re walking to the hospital,” which is logical and relevant. If you get yourself blind drunk and fall off a fire escape, cope with it. Kasey Kilgore Spokane

Baby-sitting not UI’s job

I response to the article “Paralyzed woman sues over fall at UI” (Aug. 23).

I’m a 21-year-old college student who paid a lot of money to go to one of the best universities in Washington. When I applied to this university, as well as to other universities, I didn’t do so with the assumption that they would have to provide a baby-sitter to watch over me.

Although I’m sorry this young lady is paying such a high price for an accident that could have been avoided, I hardly think the University of Idaho faculty is responsible for her intoxication.

Being a “happy, vivacious 18-year-old who was energetic and outgoing” doesn’t mean she was mentally or physically incapable of turning down alcoholic beverages at a fraternity party glorifying alcohol abuse.

It’s no wonder to me why teenagers and young adults these days don’t accept the responsibility handed to them. They don’t have to. If this woman was adult enough to apply to a university, to which she was accepted, then she also should be adult enough to face up to the consequences of making the decision to drink.

If Rejena Coghlan had driven a car while intoxicated and killed someone, who would she blame?

Something I learned in college is that there are no excuses. Karol Saito Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Where were harsh moral judgments?

Nearly every Wednesday I read the paper’s Our Generation section to - I admit - see if I can figure out the Magic Eye picture. This week I was struck by two articles written by high school students. I have a question regarding them.

On the front page was a review of the movie “The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love” (Aug. 23). This is a movie about a homosexual relationship between two teenage girls.

The copy celebrates the amazing sensitivity and careful unfolding of the relationship ending in an enthusiastic recommendation to go see it. Not once does the article mention the nefarious nature of the subject matter.

The reviewer is misdirected.

On the same page is more free press for the tattoo industry. The message is clear: save your money, wear a mask, get it by your parents and a tattoo is great. Shoot, even academically advanced students are all doing it.

My question is this: Is the editorial board of your paper composed of high school students? (Not that they wouldn’t do a better job.)

I have two teenagers, and while they sure aren’t perfect, they are still very impressionable. Ken Crane Spokane