Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Information too little, too late

The Nov. 20 public hearing on the Washington Water Power Co. steam plant cleanup demonstrated that the Department of Ecology’s remedial investigation of the polluted site is thorough, but the feasibility study suggesting six alternative actions is insufficient for deriving well-founded public opinion.

Evidently, there are additional alternatives using technology presently available which haven’t been addressed. The reason for this omission has not been explained in the study. Nor has the time frame for restoring use of the land been addressed.

Time allotment is important in choosing the appropriate alternative. When presenters at the hearing were asked about this, they responded that the necessary equipment could be installed within the year for any of the proposed alternatives. That begs the question. Installing necessary equipment by a given date doesn’t produce instant land reclamation. How much time is required for the health threat to be removed?

The economic and social health of downtown Spokane is at stake in this cleanup, which makes the time factor and degree of restoration highly important.

For quality input to the proposals prior to the new Jan. 30 deadline, citizens also need an objective analysis of pro and con aspects of all alternatives.

In light of these insufficiencies, the Department of Ecology and WWP need to be more generous and inclusive with their information, immediately. Grace R. Ford Spokane

Ferris people lead way in kindness

The Spokane community really does care. This was demonstrated on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 when Ferris High School student body officers camped outside to bring awareness about the homeless during the holiday season.

This student-driven project helped display the generous, caring people of Spokane, ranging in ages of students at Ferris to citizens of all ages. The students were able to collect a large amount of food, blankets, clothing, and money that was donated to a variety of charities in the Spokane area to help those less fortunate have a better holiday season.

When we all work together we can make things happen in a positive way. Jim Missel, educator Spokane

Shopping experience ‘made my day’

I recently undertook the annual “chore” of Christmas tree shopping, hoping to find something under $40 with more than half its needles intact. I happened upon a small tree lot in the Valley.

A pleasant young woman came out of her trailer and offered her help. To my surprise, the trees were offered at $15 and $20. I asked how they could sell their trees for half the price others were demanding. She said a friend had been “stuck” with the trees by a business partner and had asked them to help sell them. They weren’t out to make a lot of money, just to help a friend.

Needless to say, I bought a very nice tree (with all its needles), and had enough money left over for a couple strings of lights. It didn’t stop there, however. Noting that it would be very awkward to strap the tree across the back of my car, and expressing concern that the sap might damage the finish, the woman insisted on throwing the tree in the back of her pickup and delivering it right then and there. She followed me home, dropped off the tree and went back to work, tossing a “Merry Christmas” and a smile over her shoulder as she left.

In the big scheme of things this was probably not a significant event. For me, it made my day. The true spirit of Christmas is not dead after all! Brian Guimond Spokane

Hotel manager great despite misdeed

The Ridpath’s Carl Naccarato is a great manager and I enjoyed Doug Clark’s column about him (Nov. 21).

I’ve never met the man in person, but when I experienced problems in the Ridpath’s parking garage, Naccarato phoned me and came to my aid. He still believes that a customer can be an honest person, which is rare these days. This is what Doug Clark meant my “old American virtues.”

Regarding Mel Hoit’s letter of Nov. 28, I don’t care that Naccarato sold bogus Elvis signatures 22 years ago. We all make mistakes, and years later, some of them make pretty good stories. Kristie Kirkpatrick Colfax

My family still wants justice

All I want for Christmas for myself and my family is to live in peace and harmony in the City of Spokane under the flag that protects all citizens from racism and bigotry, regardless of race, color, creed and national origin.

We live in fear and torment, harassed by the police and city policy makers who violated our constitutional rights by raiding our homes on June 18 1986. More than 16 judges have found them legally accountable; yet the city continues to force delay after delay for 10 years.

Police harassment has driven all the gypsy families from Spokane. The Marks remain determined to seek justice under the law for all citizens. We do without giftseeking, but do want a smile on our children’s faces again. Are we asking too much? We need your prayers during this holy season. James Marks Spokane

PEACEKEEPING MISSION

We have no business in Bosnia

While serving in the United States Marine Corps, I made it for opening day at Palau, Okinawa and Inchon. I saw the Chosin Reservoir firsthand. My son served in the Marines during the Vietnam War.

And the president? He went to Russia to shoot off his mouth about how we were wrong doing what we were doing. He’s a fine one to be talking about someone’s patriotic duty.

Bosnia is a European problem. Let them put up their sons, daughters and money. Don’t mortgage our future for this ill-fated excursion. Our thanks will be them spitting in our faces and wanting on the dole for the rest of their days. Charles E. McCollim Spokane

Smooth sales talk belies truth

President Bill Clinton says he will “assume full responsibility” for American involvement in Bosnia.

What on earth does that mean? That he’ll finally don a uniform and pick up an M-16 rifle to personally guard our soldiers? If he fails to protect them, does it mean he will fully be responsible for the future well-being of each and every American family that may lose a child, spouse or parent at the hands of people who, without even blinking, carry out “ethnic cleansing?”

Is this not the epitome of rhetoric - pretentious language that will not change one whit the results of American blood spilled on Bosnian soil? The terrible truth is, Clinton has already made the commitment, and he will silver-tongue the American public into going along. J. K. Pearson Spokane

Mission too ill-defined

After listening to President Clinton’s pitch for sending U.S. troops to Bosnia, I question the goals and overall scope of this deployment.

Despite the president’s assertion to the contrary, the goals are neither specific nor limited. There’s no clearly defined objective.

“Peace-enforcement” seems a particularly nebulous term, implying neither a specific period of time nor an easily achievable goal. (Our local police department is also engaged in peace enforcement and its job is difficult and never-ending.)

Can anyone honestly foresee an end to such a mission? I can’t. Steve Merryman Spokane

This we don’t need

Dateline: June 19, 1914 - Sarajevo. “Bosnian youth assassinates heir to the Austrian throne.”

This act led to the eventual involvement of American troops in Europe, in a conflict that became known as World War I (the war to end all wars). That ultimately led to World War II, which led to the Cold War and the enslavement of millions of Eastern Europeans by totalitarian regimes. Today, some 80 years later, we are back to square one: Sarajevo, Bosnia.

Our president wants to involve our military in an exercise of futility - an exercise that history shows will not solve the deeply and culturally ingrained problem of the nations that formerly made up Yugoslavia.

It’s not in the best interests of our nation to involve the youth of our country in a war, when the security of the United States is not endangered.

If our political leaders want American troops in Bosnia, I suggest they themselves lead a contingent of politicians to keep the so-called peace. Leave out our military! America doesn’t need to be involved in another European war. Duane Alton Spokane

Spare us another ‘feel-good’ war

So our president tells the nation that now is the time for strong leadership. He will commit 20,000 U.S. troops and a minimum of $1.5 billion dollars to prevent the continued raping of women and the shooting of defenseless people.

I applauded his decision, until I realized this was all going to Europe rather than our own troubled U.S. cities. The tragedy in Bosnia is not to be taken lightly, but I really doubt if now’s the time to promote another feel-good mission, when we can’t even get our own you-know-what’s together. As far as the domino theory and the limited mission focus, don’t Vietnam, Beirut and Somalia ring a bell?

I can’t help remembering that this is a man who a mere two weeks ago was showing his leadership ability during the budget crisis by taking a day off to go golfing. As our president’s press secretary reminded us, it was a federal holiday, Veterans Day. Paul Crosby Greenacres

We have no national interest

I’m adamantly against sending troops to Bosnia. This is a religious war and we have no national interest in Yugoslavia.

This seems to be another political ploy by President Bill Clinton. He’s using our men and women of the armed forces to further his political ambition. Joan Sestak Hayden Lake, Idaho

What about abortion atrocities?

Re: President Clinton’s Nov. 27 message to the American people, concerning sending U.S. troops to Bosnia.

The appeal Clinton made is that we can’t turn our backs on the mass killing of innocent people in Bosnia. My question to Clinton: Who is more innocent or defenseless in this world than a tiny unborn baby in the womb?

Clinton chooses to ignore and, in fact, supports the mass killing of these unborn babies which goes on in our country and in others every day. Yet he’s willing to risk the lives of America’s sons and daughters to save people halfway across the world.

If Clinton wants people to believe that he’s truly concerned about the loss of innocent lives, he needs to be consistent in his convictions. Keith Vilhauer Spokane

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Extremist danger just propaganda

James Perkins’ Nov. 25 letter (“‘Paranoid patriots’ the real danger”) makes one wonder who the real paranoids are.

Certain factions here in Colville see militiamen, Nazis and white supremacists behind every pine tree. Our hysterical local paper fuels their irrational behavior by labeling the most trivial incidents as “hate crimes.”

In reality, the so-called Stevens County Militia is like Bigfoot. We read that it exists but we’ve never actually seen one.

The people of Stevens County have no tolerance for extremism, from the right or the left. Indeed, one Aryan Nations “recruiter” relocated from Colville for lack of support.

I’m persuaded that America isn’t in danger from a handful of rightwing zealots, but from the leftists who own and operate the media, from Hollywood, Congress and the White House. Their total disregard for the Constitution is truly frightening. They’re using federal police to suppress their imagined rightwing enemies, most of whom are harmless.

Perkins did get one thing right. The true militia is here to defend, not overthrow, America. According to Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 311, we are all members of the “unorganized” militia.

Millions of Americans, especially those of us who have had military training, stand ready to defend this nation in case of extreme emergency, if called by Congress or the president. Curtis E. Stone Colville

We can escape hurtful cycle

In response to the very thoughtful Nov. 28 editorial, “Where is your sense of decency?” I believe the attacks upon the gay community by Spokane County Coroner Dr. Dexter Amend are indeed very sad, and many people are experiencing hurt as a result.

The fact that many fundamentalist Christians have endorsed Amend’s behavior is even more regrettable.

Many respond to such attacks with counterattacks, so the cycle goes on endlessly with only more hurt and attacks being generated. There must be a better way, one that will lead to individual and collective healing. I suggest that this is the way of peace and love, rather than judgment and condemnation.

Those who attack others as Amend has are speaking out of the hurt down deep inside themselves. They are attacking as a call for help. Those who respond in peace to such behavior have indeed found a home in heaven which nothing can destroy. Such a center is large enough to hold the entire world within its peace.

We have the privilege of offering peace to everyone, including those whom we may view as enemies. As we do this, we shall see how quickly peace returns to us. Such response is totally contrary to the way of the ego, but is the only one that brings healing rather than adding hurt to existing hurt.

Are we going to continue to “prove we are right” whichever side of the issue we may be on, or shall we choose to let go of hurt and pain by living in love and forgiveness? That’s the vital question that each one of us must face. Tom Durst Spokane

Abstinence - how sweet it is

Thank you, Sam Francis, for a refreshing and honest look at purity (“Young man discovers joy, freedom of love without sex,” Nov. 18). My hat is off to you for the boldness and frankness with which you treated the subject of premarital sex.

Setting boundaries before an individual encounters a lustful situation is still the only proven method of safe sex. Purity does free a relationship to grow and nurture. True love waits.

I admire your courage and am grateful you have chosen to rise above what the world seems to dictate and take this stand. Keep up the good work; you’re not alone. Judy Jordan Spokane

CREATURES, GREAT AND SMALL

Sea Monkeys alive and well

I read The Spokesman-Review’s Nov. 15 Our Generation article titled “Sea Monkeys exposed!” The article says “Sea Monkeys are fake.”

This news surely broke the hearts of many children dreaming of growing Sea Monkeys, and I feel it is my duty to correct the inaccuracies in Reed Jackson’s article.

After reading this article to my own Sea Monkeys, they have concluded that perhaps Jackson is fake. Yes, Skippy, Flippy, Fred and about 18 of their friends have been swimming happily in their Micro-Vue Ocean Zoo Aquarium since late August, and are very much alive and kicking. If there is a Reed Jackson, clearly he did not read the official Sea Monkey manual and “follow directions carefully.” Had he done so, he, too, would be enjoying the joys of Sea Monkey farming.

I will agree that one statement made in the article is true, “Illustration is fanciful.” No, Sea Monkeys don’t smile or wear crowns or ribbons in their hair, but they do swim about with their numerous feather-like legs fluttering in the current, and make great dorm pets. Maria S. Dudzak Moscow, Idaho