Letters To The Editor

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Cheers ring hollow; needs go unmet

I watched with admiration the Million Man March in Washington, D.C. I saw the fellowship and mentoring for African-American males. It was good.

There is a need for virtue to be promoted in this culture. The wrongs perpetrated by men need to be remedied by the collective pressures of the community.

Young black males need fathers, uncles and big brothers to show them the way. Men who are present. Media personalities do not suffice. We need the heroes of everyday life. Especially the unsung ones.

The acquittal of O.J. Simpson was the antithesis of the best intentions of the black community as it came together in Washington. Here it was, resplendent in its grossness, the mythic football hero and wife-batterer, celebrated in his ambiguous, Pyrrhic victory. The jubilation couldn’t have been more misguided.

As I look at my baby daughter, I wonder: What kind of world does this give her? Stuart Moore Veradale

Beating senseless, troubling

If we all beat up whoever “made us mad,” we would all be dead.

Adrian Washington, 16, gave that justification for assaulting Peter LaBeck, 81. This quote sickened me, as did the remarks of Adrian’s father - that the media blew the incident out of proportion and “publicly lynched” this teen.

I, too, am a black individual. I, too, have experienced racism. However, never have I physically abused anyone. What happened to “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?”

LaBeck exercised a characteristic often forgotten in our society. With two black eyes, he forgave the teens who jumped him when LaBeck couldn’t possibly protect himself. He forgave them, but Washington said words just got to him and he couldn’t control his anger.

We don’t know who first threw the racial slurs, LaBeck or the teens. I can’t imagine any 81-year-old would provoke a teenager, regardless of his race.

What we do know is our society has truly reached a low point when a teenager attacks an elderly person simply because of words, and he couldn’t forgive.

It’s truly a sad day when instead of apologizing for his son’s actions, the father of this teen places blame somewhere else, just like his son.

It’s a sad day when we stop taking responsibility for our actions, when we blame others and when we let our anger turn to vengeance to the point where it’s out of control. Carley Burrell Spokane

Let’s pull together, offer help

Hats off to Angela Clarry, who wrote the story “Thank you, Kara” in the Oct. 8 IN Life. Thanks also to her daughter, Megan. It takes special kind of people to get involved in such a deceivingly devastating disease.

As I understand it, there has been a wonderful community support system for Kara Claypool and her family. Certainly not to make light of this tragic story that hits so close to home, how about more community support for other not-so-tragic stories in Spokane? For example, support groups for single-parent families, domestic violence, child abuse, elderly abuse and homeless families? Yes, there are places to go for these problems, but most are federally funded and those funds are being slashed on an almost daily basis.

We as a community need to pitch in and give a helping hand to our neighbors. We need to set good examples for our children, so they can grow up in Spokane and know the community has values. Desire’e Keon Spokane

To ‘sir,’ with enmity

To the person who shot that beautiful horse in Cheney:

I hope you live every day of your life with the knowledge that you caused pain to an animal and pain to that animal’s owner.

And sir (I assume it’s a male because only the male of the two-legged species would do anything that wantonly destructive to something that beautiful), there is a special place in hell for someone like you. Linda Wilcox Spokane

‘Victim,’ ‘useless’ do not apply

In the fourth paragraph of a wonderful article about Paul Clements (“Inner Strength,” Oct. 23), staff writer Mike Prager mistakenly described Paul as “a victim of cerebral palsy.”

I serve with Clements on the Easter Seal Computer Technology Committee. He undoubtedly has cerebral palsy, however, please rest assured that he’s not a “victim” in any sense of the word. In fact, he is the antithesis of a victim.

Prager’s article later describes Clements’ hands as “useless.” As one who has shaken Clements’ hand in greeting, I might describe his hands as hard to control but would never describe them as useless. Greg Johnson Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Government not alien, not enemy

Maybe we should rethink reinventing government.

What is it everyone seems to believe they want? Less government? Whatever happened to “we the people”? When this government was first conceived, we the people were synonymous with government. So now we the people want less government?

Well, it takes only one person to be a dictator.

Come on, people. What wells are your grandchildren going to drink from tomorrow if we eliminate the Clean Water Act today? If government has failed to protect us, then we have failed to protect ourselves.

So we now have a map of the ocean floors. First on the list of those to benefit are commercial fishing companies and oil companies. I’ve heard that toxic levels of this and that have been found in fish. I’ve heard oil companies are only in it for the money. You can believe what you want; any fool can believe a lie. But by whose regulations are these companies going to be monitored? “We the people’s” regulations? No regulations? Leave it up to good faith? The regulations of one questionable man?

I want to have more government, by the people, for the people, all of the people, not just the rich, influential, bureaucratic bullies. Eileen Frances Spokane

Our spending priorities are wrong

Why is it we can launch space shuttles continuously, without funding worries, when a disease such as breast cancer goes uncured?

We donate and donate to cancer research and come up with very little. The last space shuttle blew up. How much cancer research could we have paid for with just that much funding? Women by the scores are devastated by breast removal and are still not assured of a cure.

I say, stop the space shuttle program altogether until a cure is found. Have scientists work at this as an emergency team effort. Too many of us have lost our loved ones to cancer of all kinds. What is more important, people or space? Vernon Boje Blanchard, Idaho

REFERENDUM 45

Put agency back on track; pass R-45

Referendum 45 comes up for vote on Nov. 7.

Referendum 45, if passed, will give powers now in the governor’s hands back to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. From 1933 through 1987, the Fish and Wildlife Commission (then the Game Commission) selected its own director. Since about 1949, the director picked was a person who came up through the ranks and was trained in fish and game matters.

In 1987 the state Legislature gave management of the agency to the governor, who in turn took over activities previously assigned to the commission. The governor appointed a politician director who was his spokesman. Since the politicians took over management of the resource fishing, hunting and related activities have greatly deteriorated in the state.

Prior to 1987 all commission meetings were open to the public and folks could express their feelings on game and fish matters. The commission set aside time for public comment. Such is not the case today.

In addition, the Wildlife Commission’s decisions can be, and often are, negated by the governor and his director.

If the people want to end the governor’s stranglehold on the state’s fish and wildlife resources, they must vote for Referendum 45. Donald S. Galbreath Ephrata, Wash.

End political appointment scheme

I’m the mother of two grown sons. We’ve had many years of experiencing the great outdoors. Even when my sons were too young to hunt, they were invited to go along. After they became old enough to go through hunter education and get a license, every fall would find us in the field.

We hunted and fished in Washington state for 25 years. Since 1989, we’ve gone out of state to hunt, due to the poor management of the resource.

This happens when people are appointed to positions by a politician. The one appointed doesn’t necessarily have the necessary qualifications. If we continue as things are, the resource will be lost forever. We must take every step possible to prevent this from happening.

A “yes” vote on Referendum 45 will be a step in the right direction. Elaine Cole Spokane

INITIATIVE 651

Pro-casino ad omits key points

The Oct. 25 Spokesman-Review featured a full-page ad titled “Straight talk on I-651” using Monica Gutierrez of the Spokane Tribe.

What Gutierrez didn’t tell you is that Initiative 651 will legalize slot machines - something that is unconstitutional in the state of Washington today.

Gutierrez didn’t tell you that Initiative 651 will allow casinos to be owned by individuals, not just tribes, much like the one she and her husband own just south of Chewelah, Wash.

What Gutierrez didn’t tell you is that these casinos can be built wherever the tribes or members own land, not just on reservations.

What Gutierrez didn’t tell you is that 16 tribes have signed compacts with the state of Washington to operate casinos without slot machines, but with the Washington State Gambling Commission’s joint oversight with the tribe. This wouldn’t happen under Initiative 651 because restrictions placed on the gambling commission will make regulation ineffective.

What Gutierrez didn’t tell you is that Initiative 651 will allow 24-hours-a-day gambling with no betting limits.

What Gutierrez didn’t tell you is that eight tribes from Washington state publicly oppose Initiative 651.

What Gutierrez didn’t tell you is that the Spokanes can sign a compact with the state that gives them full casino gambling without slot machines.

It looks like Gutierrez’s straight talk took a circular path around the real issue. Donald N. Kaufman, chairman Committee Against Unrestricted Gambling, Spokane

IN THE REGION

Love for Whitman port commissioner

I support John Love for Whitman County port commissioner. I have known Love for more than 40 years and have worked with him in a variety of roles, from Scouting and school activities to agriculture and finance.

He is a third-generation Whitman County resident who many will recognize as president and CEO of the J.E. Love Co. in Garfield. As CEO, Love has been directly involved in site selection and factory construction in several states. In addition, he is a retired rear admiral in the Navy Reserve, where his work dealt with port facilities and logistics.

Love’s business and Naval career experiences uniquely qualify him to be a port commissioner. He has served in an advisory capacity to the port for over 25 years and is committed to future growth in Whitman County.

We in the county are fortunate to have a person with this breadth and depth of experience who is willing to serve in a public capacity.

Please join me in electing a businessman committed to the future of Whitman County and our port. Judy Olson Garfield, Wash.

Honican ‘will make a difference’

As a former Pullman City Council member and knowing what the job entails, I must recommend Joan Honican to the voters of our community.

Honican’s many years of civic involvement, as an advocate for children, health care reform, resource protection and human rights, have given her an oversight ability found in few others. Her knowledge of government bureaucracies, citizen rights and legal research skills have been acquired through dedication and much hard work. Many professionals she’s dealt with through the years assumed she was an attorney.

This exceptional candidate for public office has an extensive background in land use law and had a planning consulting business in Spokane prior to moving to the Southwest when her husband took a position with another firm.

I encourage residents of Ward 2 (predominantly Military and College hills) to join me in voting for Honican on Nov. 7. She will make a difference. Reed Hansen Pullman

OTHER TOPICS

Dellwo would make fine judge

During the time I’ve served in the state Legislature, I’ve had the opportunity to work with Rep. Dennis Dellwo. I found him to be a skilled negotiator who’s able to articulate his points well and who takes into consideration the “whole picture.”

Dennis has been involved in significant legislation during his years of service in the Legislature, the results of which have benefited all the citizens of Washington. He knows how laws are made and how to interpret them in a courtroom.

Having worked on both sides of the state for 12 years, it seems only prudent that he offer himself for a local job. The opportunity to present his case to the people is well chosen. He’s been seasoned and trained well for Superior Court.

I heartily recommended Dennis Dellwo for this judgeship position. He will serve well, with great consideration for justice. Sen. John A. Moyer, M.D. 3rd Legislative District, Spokane

R-48 a bid to buy public’s land

The cartoon of Oct. 20, lobbyists marching on the Capitol, helps reveal why Referendum 48 must not pass.

If you want to unveil the real force and reason that legislation was promoted, take a look at the money trail. The initiative was designed by big corporate interests that invested $240,000 to hire solicitors to get the issue approved and passed by our legislators without a vote of the citizens.

Now the same corporations - big Realtors, big timber, big builders - are prepared to spend a million or more dollars on a media snow job to convince the voters that issue is good for this state.

Corporations spend their money to enhance their well-being, not the public’s. They intend to gain unrestricted use of land, regardless of the impact such use may have on us citizens.

Vote “no” on Referendum 48. Paul Winkleman Spokane

Canfield critics off-base

I’m a 65-year old grandfather. My wife and I attended Jack Canfield’s lecture at Shadle Park High School and were impressed with his ideas and presentation.

Canfield’s pitch for his books lasted no more than two minutes, at most. It’s a shame some people have to think up something negative about a man with his knowledge and excellent, positive ideas.

After sitting there for a couple hours, a neck and back massage sure felt good. You people who didn’t attend shouldn’t throw any stones until you’ve walked in his shoes. Bob Flemming Spokane