Letters To The Editor

Sat., Oct. 28, 1995

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

One wrong turn deserves another?

Regarding, “Calendar boys,” (IN Life, Oct. 22):

Calendar boys? Let’s just tell all the girls that we changed our minds about the theme of the women’s movement since the 1960s. At first we thought the message should be that woman are people, each has qualities that make her special. Does she like basketball? Does she enjoy a belly laugh with friends? Does her mind think like fine poetry?

If she’s a picture on a wall, we don’t know. Whether she’s nude or clothed, whether she’s in a gown next to a Peterbilt truck or in lingerie using Snap-On tools, she is a thing instead of a person. There is no context for her unique life.

But this message never took, so, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Now, from garbage men to Ph.D.s, we have the other gender hanging on a wall. Does he wade in a cool stream fly fishing? Does he rescue a wounded bird? Does he read stories to his nephews?

I hate to think that girls will accept this model (no pun intended) and the inherent values. Children are killing themselves and each other in record numbers because they don’t feel special.

My criteria for choosing a mate was very simple: If he were only a talking head, would I find him amusing for eternity? Yes. Lucy Forman Gurnea Chewelah, Wash.

We must avoid extremes, grudges

I made it a point to listen carefully to Louis Farrakhan’s address at the Million Man March.

Farrakhan might say that if one needs to say they are not a racist, one might doubt the validity of the statement. In the face of that belief by some, I say, with conviction and before God, that I am neither a racist nor a white supremacist. I readily acknowledge that our nation and my ancestors have demeaned in the worst possible way, through a whole host of despicable acts, African-Americans who are just as much children of God as any white American. I nonetheless have nothing for which I need to atone and could not propitiate for such past wrongs done in antiquity, anyway.

I will continue doing what is in my heart to do - to treat everyone in accordance with the dignity with which all human beings have been endowed by our Creator.

I pray that Farrakhan’s attempt to further divide and conquer will fail. When more of our African-American citizens begin to forgive the past, take responsibility for their own lives and focus on the present, and when more white Americans begin appropriately weeding out the Mark Fuhrmans of America, maybe we can begin a rational, national dialogue which has a chance of moving us closer to Martin Luther King’s dream that we all judge each other by the content of our character and not by the color of our skin.

Until that day, all races need to guard against both the Fuhrmans and the Farrakhans of our world. Ken Van Buskirk Spokane

Death’s not worst that can happen

Whoever coined the phrase “golden years” to describe old age was indulging in hype. I don’t know any elderly person who considers old age to be golden.

People are living too long and Medicare may be part of the problem.

Some well-wisher once told the saintly Padre Pio, the Italian stigmatist, that he wished Pio would live to be 100. Padre Pio replied, “What have I ever done to you?”

The idea of death is difficult to accept for some, but death is part of life. “C’est la vie” as the French say.

Ronald Reagan, in a poetic mood, wrote: “Millions have gone before us and millions will come behind, so why should we fret and worry about a fate both wise and kind?”

Another poet put it: “Death is just an old gate in a garden wall, and many tired feet go over that sill.” Adell Cook Spokane

JUDICIARY

Case for Dellwo too weak

In her Oct. 13 letter, Betty Drumheller states, “Rielly is a qualified member of the judicial fraternity … I want Neal Rielly’s name to remain on the list for future judgeship consideration … I’m pleased to know that Gov. Mike Lowry reviewed his credentials and found him eligible. He will always have that compliment.”

She states that Dellwo “has been a warrior” fighting for equality in health care, and that “his legislation has been gutted at the state level.”

Judge Neal Rielly has nearly seven years of commendable service as a superior court commissioner. He has bipartisan support that includes most local bar association members and his peers on the Superior court bench. He is endorsed by Judge Harold Clarke, whom he was appointed by Gov. Lowry to succeed.

Dellwo is a politician who appears to be deserting a sinking ship. Why would any thinking voter want to replace a sitting judge, who has years of meritorious service, with a politician who hasn’t even completed the job he was elected to do? Rebecca Kates Spokane

Rielly has proven capabilities

I read with interest the recent candidate profiles of Judge Neal Q. Rielly and Dennis Dellwo. After spending the past 21 years as a Superior Court judge, I can honestly say that it’s a job that presents new, difficult challenges each day.

After working with Rielly for almost seven years, I know that he appreciates the heavy responsibility he has been given and is fully capable of discharging his duties in a competent and decisive manner.

I’m well satisfied in knowing that Judge Rielly now occupies the Department 2 seat in Spokane County Superior Court. Harold D. Clarke Spokane

Keep Judge Rielly on the job

As is becoming increasingly apparent, we live in a very violent society. Too often we seem to coddle juvenile offenders.

Judge Neal Rielly sent exactly the right message when he turned over for prosecution as an adult the young man accused of the murder of the two teenage girls in Hillyard. I’m glad to see that our newest Superior Court judge is a person unafraid to make tough decision.

On the other hand, I’m afraid Judge Rielly’s opponent in the upcoming election, Dennis Dellwo, may let his liberal bias result in a soft-on-crime approach on the bench.

I say we should stick with a proven track record, with Judge Rielly. Terri J. Dobler Cheney

Dellwo’s too liberal; Elect Rielly

I think Dennis Dellwo should return to his private law practice and stay there. Perhaps he would develop greater empathy for what it takes to run a small business and temper his liberal, tax it away, give it away attitude that undermines personal responsibility and incentive to achieve.

He has done enough damage in the state Legislature as a liberal Democrat - defined as one who would gladly give you the shirt off someone else’s back. As a Superior Court judge, he would be in a strong position to further undermine the fundamental values that built this country.

Vote for Judge Neal Rielly. Thomas M. Ryan Spokane

Dellwo shy on qualifications

I have read with interest recent letters written in support of Dennis Dellwo for Superior Court judge.

Dellwo is referred to as a Democratic warrior whose health care legislation was recently gutted at the state level. One letter points out that even though Gov. Mike Lowry reviewed Dellwo’s credentials, he did not appoint him to fill the judgeship. One of Dellwo’s staff writes to say she considers him an exceptional human being, and a neighbor observes that he is a loving father.

Dellwo may very well be an enthusiastic Democrat, a warrior for his own ideas on health care, a likable human being and a good father. However, these qualifications do not assure he is fit to be a Superior Court judge.

Dellwo has served in the state Legislature for the past 12 years, but I consider, too, that he has not practiced law on a full-time basis for 12 years. Dellwo does not have experience as a judge or court commissioner, nor does his part-time practice of law place him in the courtroom environment regularly.

His virtues are admirable. However, I am more interested in experience - both before and behind the bench - when I consider those who influence the quality of life in Spokane County.

I hope Mr. Dellwo will persevere to complete his term as legislator and honor his previous commitment to his political and financial supporters. Susan L. Robson Spokane

Retain judge doing good job

We’ve all made ballot decisions based primarily on political considerations and then watched as weak, shortsighted, self-centered and/or ill-equipped individuals try to manage some very complex governmental functions. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to know what a person is or isn’t capable of until he’s been on the job for a period of time.

We voters have a choice on Nov. 7 between a very experienced, strong, already functioning jurist, Judge Neal Rielly, and a politician who “Wants to move back to Spokane” from Olympia, Dennis Dellwo.

Let’s do ourselves a favor this time and choose a man with the temperament, attitude and, most of all, the solid judicial experience to do a good job for the people of Spokane: Judge Neal Rielly. Robert Little Spokane

Item distorted thrust of measure

The inset article, “Proposal to cut court justices,” (Region, Oct. 20) is at best misleading if not totally inaccurate. SJR 8210 deals primarily with the selection of the supreme court’s chief justice.

One short sentence instructs the Legislature to use attrition in reducing the size of the court if that takes place in the future.

Chief Justice Barbara Durham has appointed a committee to study the efficacy of the question and make a recommendation to her. No decision will be made until both proponents and critics of a smaller court have had their say.

Rebecca Nappi’s editorial (“Allow justice to choose their own leader,” Oct. 19) was a much more accurate description of SJR 8210. Marianne Connelly, co-chairwoman Composition of the Court Committee, Spokane

LAW AND JUSTICE

Learn about wrongly convicted man

Now that angry white Americans think they’ve learned something about “the race card” winning for O.J. Simpson, maybe they’re also ready to learn something about other black men who are not rich and privileged like Simpson.

Such is Mumia Abu-Jamal. Now in his 13th year on Pennsylvania’s death row, Mumia was falsely convicted by a white-dominated jury in 1982 for the death of a Philadelphia police officer in a street melee. This unjust conviction demands a full examination by all Americans, left and right, of “Hangin’ Judge” Albert F. Sabo and other Philly elites who are determined by any means necessary to murder and thus silence this truth teller once acclaimed as one of Philadelphia’s leading investigative journalists.

Abu-Jamal’s predicament illustrates the actual, daily reality for thousands of ordinary African-Americans. White racism, police lawlessness and judicial bias are emblems marking his conviction. Because of local and national whiteouts by business-controlled media networks, Spokanites may read Abu-Jamal’s name for the first time in this letter. Interestingly, millions of Europeans have already marched against Abu-Jamal’s death sentence.

So vent your anger, my white brothers and sisters, not on charming O.J. but on powerful white elites who fear the voice and writings of a truthful, revolutionary black man, Abu-Jamal. You can follow developments in this case on the Internet. For more detailed information, call the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane. Chuck Armsbury Greenacres

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