Letters To The Editor

IN THE PAPER

Editors wallowing in the mire

Who is on trial, O.J. Simpson or Mark Fuhrman? What a great service you provided your readership, trying to incite and divide us further by flashing a huge picture of (Los Angeles Police Detective) Mark Fuhrman on the front page, no less.

A house hunting trip to Sandpoint. Now, that’s front page news. Does it really benefit any of us to have Sandpoint and North Idaho perpetually labeled as a haven for racists and white supremacists?

Your editors have learned to wallow. They must love to feel the mire squish between their toes. I think what they’re really after is a piece of action in the Simpson trial. Call it L.A. envy.

Jeanne Beall Lewiston, Idaho

S-R owes Fuhrman an apology

After having comfortably settled into this wonderful town of Spokane, I called several of my friends in Sacramento, Calif., from where I came, and had nothing but good things to say about this city. The people are friendly, I feel very secure and I am sure my family and I will be very happy here.

Then I saw the Thursday edition of The Spokesman-Review. A huge picture of (Los Angeles Police Detective) Mark Fuhrman, obviously unhappy about having his photograph taken, loomed at me.

Naturally, because I am human, I quickly read the story to see what the hubbub was. Was he attending a KKK meeting? Was he planting evidence in the Spokane airport? No, he was shopping for a retirement home. That’s all. Yet he was accosted by a photographer from your newspaper because he is a bit player in one of the most sensationalized court cases of the decade.

The journalistic practices shown here truly turn my stomach and I feel that rather than saying “we won’t press charges,” the editors of The Spokesman-Review owe this man an apology.

Please, Detective Fuhrman, don’t judge a whole city by one idiotic photographer. I truly hope you do decide to retire to this area. It’s a very nice place to live. Wendy Malone Veradale

Photographer needs to use his brain

So, you thought it was getting a little boring around Spokane. You decided to spice up the news? Nice try but, in my judgment, your story on Mark Fuhrman lost its journalistic credibility when your harassment got in the way of your reporting. And if I wanted that kind of “news” coverage, I’d pick up the National Enquirer.

Is what Mr. Fuhrman ate for lunch really news?

Please tell your photographer, Dan McComb, that this is not “Big City, U.S.A.” When a private citizen is polite enough to say, “I’m sorry, I really don’ want to be rude, but eight months of this and it’s really wearing thin,” he should have had the sensitivity - brains - to honor the requests.

I’m tempted to write to Mr. and Mrs. Fuhrman and apologize. I want them to know that Spokane is really more civil than this.

By the way, who at The Spokesman-Review made the decision to make this such a big deal? Your decision causes us to shake our heads in wonder and once again wish that there was another newspaper to which to subscribe. Kathy Cruz Spokane

Keeping ‘hick town’ image intact

I could not believe my eyes when I opened the Jan. 26 Spokesman-Review (“Detective plans Idaho retreat”). This is front page news?

Mark Fuhrman is a police detective, not royalty or some glamorous celebrity. Where are the write-ups on the previous hundred or so Californian lawmen who have retired in North Idaho recently?

But just in case this wouldn’t qualify as front page material, our stellar local news media had to provoke the interviewee into shoving a photographer. Dan McComb, the photographer, states, “I was just doing my job, but he kept getting more and more upset.”

If Mr. Fuhrman was getting obviously and more miserably upset, why wasn’t he left alone? If your job is to trap and film people against their wishes, then perhaps you should expect a shove now and again.

And don’t think for one second that this will not be used against the prosecution in Los Angeles’ trial of the century. O.J. Simpson’s lead attorney stated in the next day’s paper that he would make the incident a “trial issue.”

I hope the media here and elsewhere are proud of the influence and distortion wreaked upon this sensitive case through irresponsible journalism. And we have the nerve to wonder why Spokane is often considered a hick town by many outsiders?

I would cancel my subscription to the paper but I’m not sure where else to go for local print news. Brian Lehman Veradale

Did they go to journalism school?

I’ve never been to journalism school, but I wonder if staff writers Bill Morlin and Kevin Keating have (“Detective plans Idaho retreat,” Jan. 26).

Apparently in all the excitement of watching a sports hero go down, the writers and editors of The Spokesman-Review couldn’t decide if the story should be about Detective Fuhrman “roughing up” a newspaper photographer or his “retreat” to Aryan, Idaho.

I won’t even try to figure out why so much entertaining effort went into convincing readers that Detective Fuhrman is a racist - after all, none of us is on the jury.

But, no matter. At least now I know that two years ago my parents “retreated” to Arizona. Tracey Johnson Spokane

Apologize to Fuhrman, Williams

I have been following the story of Detective Mark Fuhrman in the news media in the last couple of days.

I am disgusted with your newspaper in the way you have responded.

Detective Fuhrman may have “lost his cool,” as you stated in your letter to Los Angeles Police Chief Willie Williams.

According to the media, your photographer was as much to blame for what happened, if not more than Fuhrman. He was asked prior to the incident not to photograph Fuhrman’s wife, since they had received threats against their family. Your photographer should have respected his request. The airport security people also said your photographer was blocking his way and did not move out of the way when he was requested to do so.

I do not blame Detective Fuhrman for trying to protect his family. Most men in his position probably would have done the same thing - maybe even worse.

I think your newspaper owes Detective Fuhrman and Chief Williams an apology. Gale Dolsby Sandpoint

Publicizing errors does no good

My heart goes out to Wanda R. Condon, the nurse whose mistakes were so blatantly displayed by the news media recently. I fail to understand what is to be gained by publicizing her errors.

We could all benefit in recalling and putting into practice those wonderful words of wisdom: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” Wanda Fletcher Republic, Wash.

Editor out of touch with teenagers

What a disappointing article the Jan. 25 Our Generation section featured on the Rubber Chicken game.

The annual event brought over 5,000 students, parents and other fans to our Coliseum to watch one of the greatest sports events we celebrate at the high school level. This event marks the celebration of school spirit and sportsmanship.

What a joy it would have been to read articles written by the opposing schools praising the efforts of the competition. Wouldn’t that have been more fitting? After all, the entire event focuses on positive school spirit.

Shame on you, (Our Generation editor) Anne Windishar. We thought you would be more in touch with the events of the current generation. We can’t believe you would allow such negative reporting on such a positive event.

For all of you who participated in this spectacular event, congratulations on a boisterous, positive, fun-filled evening for all. Janet Wolkey and Wayne Gilman Ferris High School varsity basketball coaches

Mistake let immigrants down

“Public service ad campaign for Superbowl Sunday aims to inform viewers of negative affects of alcohol” (Spokesman-Review, Jan. 26, page D3).

There was a time when immigrants learned the English language by reading the newspapers. That time is apparently past. Paul J. Allison Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Fans can keep and fund CPB

This is regard to the letters of Jan. 25 concerning the Corporation for Public Broadcasting:

To Lisa Wallen Switzer (“Speak up for important service”): If there is a market in support for the CPB, it will survive. After all, it’s “only $1 per person - a ridiculously paltry sum.” Next time you contribute your annual funds, throw in an extra dollar for me and I’ll keep mine.

To Terry Cox (“Unfunding CPB purely politics”) and John Carlson (Gingrich’s plan a real saver not”): There probably is enough market and support for the CPB to survive on its own. After all, it’s only 18 percent of the total cost. If there isn’t, then I consider it neither “fiscally responsible” or in the best interest of the citizens of the United States of America to continue funding. M.A. Palmer Spokane

Teen work rules made better? Huh?

I feel the need to respond to John Webster’s editorial on work rules for teenagers.

We were informed that business and the Republicans are stepping in and changing these rules in their effort to promote family values and help teenagers. They want to do away with all the unnecessary paper work and increase teenage work hours.

If he had read the article in the paper of the same day, he would know they actually lowered the number of hours teens can work. With a simple variance easily obtained, according to teenager Rich Veltri, he was able to work 28 hours a week. All he needed to do was get the permission of his parents, school and employer. There was no requirement that he get permission from one of us labor goons. Now, he can only work 24 hours a week and can be required to work 10 hours the night before going to school.

Somehow, Republicans believe it is better for teens, that it enhances their educational opportunities and promotes family values. I guess I just don’t get it. Larry Hall Newman Lake

And they said Foley lost touch

Some believe new faces in Washington are a good idea. That may be, but when I called George Nethercutt’s Washington, D.C., office to voice my support for funding public broadcasting, the cheerful young woman who took my call didn’t know what I was talking about.

I hope George knows what it is. Sue Fischer Spokane

Democrats’ ‘little fits’ unseemly

When I was a little boy, my mother told me that “you know you’ve won an argument as soon a someone starts calling you names.”

If only our elected officials had a mom like mine.

While it may appear to the passive observer that it’s “politics as usual” on Capitol Hill, it is important to note that the arguments you have seen presented on the floor of the House have very little in common with those displayed last year, last session. While those struggles may have been waged with a fierce tone, they were being fought for clear objectives.

While issues such as national health care, crime and free trade commanded the entire Congress’ attention, our current session, controlled by earnest and optimistic Republicans, has been quickly belittled and denigrated by sore, headhunting Democrats.

Rather than employ the tactics that the Republicans used to stifle the Democrats’ liberal agenda last session, the Democrats, now a reactionary, minority party, choose to derail congressional initiatives - our future - by throwing little fits at the podium.

While I find my infant daughter somewhat cute when she goes into a tantrum, I can hardly say I’d want to cuddle-up with Rep. Dick Gephardt every time he whines on the House floor. It’s pathetic.

If this bitter, strictly partisan battle continues, then perhaps we should gut the entire top floor of the Rayburn Building, pad the walls and create one more federal day care - this one strictly for elected officials on “time out.” Shawn M. Dawley Spokane

Circus is in town, in D.C.

I’m beginning to get the feeling - rather, a strange nausea - that here we go again.

I am referring to the business-as-usual syndrome emerging from that great institution we call Congress.

Some Republicans seem to be having second thoughts when reflecting on their “Contract With America.” The Democrats are whining, “Weez was robbed.”

Let us all hope that we have chosen people to govern our future who will get the message real soon, like today, and get down to business.

Watching C-SPAN has been more like having a front-row seat at Barnum & Bailey’s, rather than at a governing body of this great country in action.

Maybe a legitimate third party isn’t that bad of an idea after all. Say, United We Stand.

Over the past few years, Dan Quayle, Dr. Joycelyn Elders and Robert Reich - to name a few - have earned the Hoof in Mouth Award hands down. Could House Speaker Newt Gingrich be the next politician to earn this distinction? He seems to be orating very hard for the honor. D.E. Trueblood Coeur d’Alene

Guaranteeing Mexico loans wrong

President Clinton last week asked the American taxpayers to co-sign a $40 billion unsecured loan to Mexico. The sole purpose of this action would be to pay back a number of Eastern bankers, who made ill-advised loans to a nation that has no sound money policy. This will translate, in the not-too-distant future, into $40 billion in new taxes.

It is time to truly downsize government. Government needs to get out of the loan guarantee business. The men and women of the 104th Congress must exercise moral leadership and put a stop to this economic fiasco. Duane Alton Spokane

Parenting Ezzo critics don’t understand

We are excited to be able to respond to recent letters assuming abuse and neglect due to the Ezzos’ childrearing ideas.

Happy, healthy babies are thriving with structure. They eat regularly and often. Parents help infants stabilize their hunger and sleep patterns.

Our baby usually takes naps and sleeps through the night without crying and wakes up happy, not starving. When our baby does cry, we don’t rush to feed and we don’t ignore her. We listen, we assess the cry. We determine the appropriate response, if any. Does that make us monsters who don’t love and care for our child? We think not.

We meet her needs through love combined with structure. We aren’t withholding nourishment, we aren’t insensitive. We respond to our child’s needs with love, reason and common sense.

Every cry doesn’t mean “feed me.” Babies cry due to fatigue, needing a diaper change, overstimulation and other reasons. Demand-feeding is a theory; it isn’t the only way to feed a baby. Some doctors and lactation consultants support the Ezzos’ methods and others dispute them.

Trust and bonding occur because parents are consistent, not because food is offered to stifle every cry. Babies learn their needs will be met every time.

Feeding on a schedule is not abusive; babies are not starving. Parents on the front lines are the ones who are starving - for good, common-sense information that helps with the huge and important task of raising children.

We thank God for the wisdom of the Ezzos and Growing Families International. Jim and Lisa Johnson Deer Park