Letters To The Editor
GUIDING LIGHTS
More than ‘fine tuning’ needed
Give me a break! Our unsequenced traffic lights need “fine tuning?” Your recent article points out Portland and Seattle have entire staffs dedicated to timing lights for better traffic flow. We don’t even have a full-time person.
I wonder if anyone’s figured out that part of the reason for speeding is, people are trying to drive more than two blocks without stopping. I wonder if anyone’s figured out there’s more pollution added to Spokane skies by the stop-and-start driving required, because lights aren’t sequenced. I wonder how they’re entitled to call themselves engineers.
I remember asking a former mayor why one couldn’t drive in any direction for more than a few blocks without having to stop and start again. I was told, after a check with the engineer’s office, it was true for the east-west streets because the north-south streets are sequenced and it wouldn’t work to sequence in both directions.
I truly believe the traffic engineers never drive the streets and don’t know the frustration, anger, speeding, pollution and rash driver behavior caused by them not doing their job.
The Spokane police traffic corporal had the gall to end his comments with, “If our drivers were as efficient as our traffic signals, we’d be OK.”
Apparently, the police don’t travel the streets either. I’ve never seen one waiting, as they easily could at any stoplight, to ticket those who bust it over and over.
Wake up, city government. Some wonder why outsiders consider us provincial. Not I. Don Brockett Spokane
Coordinate those lights
In response to “Danger zones” in the Aug. 30 Spokesman-Review, I would like to express my opinion as to why drivers in Spokane run so many red lights.
I feel I’m not alone in being frustrated with being at a stop light that turns green only to have the next stop light, a block down the street, turn red. This is the case for two of Spokane’s busiest streets, Division and Hamilton-Nevada. Drivers on Spokane Falls Boulevard and sections of Monroe Street are also subjected to these driving conditions.
While I in no way condone running red lights, I think that the traffic light situation in Spokane should be looked at closely to see if changes could be made to allow longer green lights and see if all lights could follow the domino effect, with one light turning green, then the next and so on. Second and Third Avenue’s in downtown Spokane are examples of this kind of traffic light system.
Changes like this could help alleviate the frustration that causes some drivers to run red lights. Brian G. Frasier Spokane
Add forgotten left-turn lights
Spokane residents and their road/traffic planners should think back to a few years ago, when several left-turn lanes were set up on a trial basis to help traffic flow - but with no left turn lights. Lack of turn lights at these intersections has resulted in lots of people turning on red lights.
Running of red lights at Mission and Hamilton has been in the news a lot.
Why can’t the residents and city leaders of Spokane get this major risk factor straightened out? The main object is to keep traffic flowing. Now, there seems to be a switching of attention to red light concerns.
I feel Spokane needs to wake up and finish projects already started. I’m sure I’m not the only one in the city who remembers that those turn lanes were for trial, and that traffic lights were to follow. Mrs. Carol Lee Davenport, Wash.
SPOKANE MATTERS
Right to retain compost plant
I congratulate the Spokane City Council for reversing its decision on closing the Colbert compost facility.
The compost facility is a valuable and necessary component of the Spokane area waste management system. No minority group of citizens should be able to stop a project that benefits the majority of the population.
We can’t allow the extreme minority to set policy for the rest of us.
I do feel sorry for the families that must endure the occasional smell from the facility. But are these families so selfish they would argue for the closing of the compost facility over working out a rational and practical solution? Obviously they are.
I have one thing to say to these families: Remember this quote from Spock, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of a few.” Ken Brown Valleyford, Wash.
Science center idea works for me
I think the science center is a good idea. Usually, people go to Riverfront Park to go on rides or the Imax Theater. The science center would be an addition because it’s science, yet it’s fun. Just like Bill Nye.
I know that I’m only 10 years old, so I can’t vote yet. But, if I were old enough, I would vote for the science center. Sara DeCristoforo Spokane
LAW AND JUSTICE
Claussen’s belief not this Clausen’s
As a member of the Washington State Bar since July 1940, I must disclaim any association with the thoughts expressed by the Paul Claussen Roundtable letter of Aug. 31 (“Gingrich idea last thing we need”).
We aren’t “on the dark path to slavery.” Ours is not a police state. Freedom today in our country is probably greater than ever. I know that to be true in Spokane.
Here we have an excellent and conscientious police department, county sheriff staff, state patrol and FBI. Our courts zealously protect civil rights.
We have a government of laws, not of people - perhaps too many laws - but we need not fear either law enforcement officers or the courts. Paul A. Clausen, attorney Spokane
Action, not weapon, matters
Robert M. Ball (“NRA, guns not the culprits,” Letters, Aug. 24) is right on target and 100 percent correct in that we must address what the person does, not what they have in their possession.
Winston Lewis (“To end violence, take weapons away,” Letters, Aug. 30), When a drunken driver kills someone, do we take away their car or cut off their liquor supply? When John Medlock beat a teenage prostitute to death with a baseball bat, do we take away everyone’s baseball bat or just Mr. Medlock’s?
When Donald M. Paradis strangled his victim 14 years ago, how do we handle removal of his weapons? Do we cut off his hands or remove everyone’s hands? Two victims were recently raped and then strangled. How do we handle removal of this man’s weapons? Do we just remove his rape instrument - or everyone’s?”
I’m sure Mr. Lewis is more than willing to change his perspective and look at the real problems facing our society. I’m not saying that all people in our society should have access to all weapons, but I’m saying that we must first address the act, not a possession that millions have and handle responsibly. Fredrick Herrick Chewelah, Wash.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Hurdle in place for independents
An important clarification should be made with regard to a seeming misconception concerning a nonpartisan candidate’s advancement from the primary to the general election in November.
Contrary to the widely held (and even published) notion that an independent candidate in a partisan primary automatically proceeds to the general election, an independent candidate will only proceed to the general election ballot by receiving at least 1 percent of the votes cast.
Granted, an individual unable to garner 1 percent probably has no business even pursuing office, as an independent candidate or otherwise; nonetheless, it’s important that this distinction be made. As with all things in life, there is no free lunch. Chris Anderson Spokane
Why is hot seat so crowded?
After backing Dexter Amend for coroner, with all the resulting bad publicity, and with the antics of County Commissioners Steve Hasson and Phil Harris in their attempt to take over the health department, the local GOP is losing credibility.
One can wonder if some of the support Rep. George Nethercutt received will be there to help him next year. Having a large deficit from last election, and given the heat he is receiving from the farmers and seniors, he seems disenchanted. With his unqualified support of the so-called Contract with America, he might not hold the support he had last year.
The city council is making few friends lately, which leads me to believe that the charter amendment will have a greater chance of passing. The fact that the change would throw out all commissioners and council members is an enticement to vote for the change.
It makes a person wonder if the reporting, magnitude and details of the transgressions of public leaders is intentional and programmed. Richard B. Hopp Spokane
Anti-terrorism bills abhorrent
Hitler’s National Socialist Germany used “anti-terrorism” laws to obtain total power over the people.
The passage of H.R. 1710 and S. 735 will essentially give President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno those same undefined police state powers. More Wacos and Ruby Ridges will be on the way. For example, nearly all gun-related crimes would be defined as “terrorism.” Wiretraps and private information collection would be allowed.
S. 735 passed the Senate by a 91-8 majority. H.R. 1710 will be voted on by the full House early this month.
This dictatorial legislation is not necessary. Ted Gunderson, 27-year FBI Agent in charge of over 700 agents at one time, reviewed FBI protocol dealing with terrorism and found the present laws were more than adequate.
Sen. Patty Murray said the Terrorism Prevention Act of 1995 would impose upon individual freedoms even as she cast her vote for it. She said, “We have no idea what kind of mistakes will be made, or whose rights will be infringed, when this bill is implemented.”
Clinton has already declared terrorism as those “right wing extremists” who support gun ownership, talk show hosts, defenders of the U.S. Constitution who oppose socialism, etc.
The Republican congressional leadership is helping the Clinton administration by promoting this legislation that threatens the liberties of law-abiding citizens.
H.R. 1710 must be defeated to preserve freedom in America and to prevent a repeat of Hitler’s terror. Please contact your congressman today. Adrian L. Arp Twin Falls, Idaho
ABORTION
Gurian’s hypocrisy showing
Regarding Michael Gurian’s column about the Golden Rule and abortion:
I suggest that it wasn’t the acquaintance on the airplane who had abandoned the precepts of the Golden Rule when he told Mr. Gurian that he found abortion evil and didn’t want to discuss anything further with him.
I suggest that it is Mr. Gurian who has “thrown out the Golden Rule,” for surely he would not have wanted the act of abortion performed on him in his mother’s womb. If so, then being in favor of abortion is truly an act of hypocrisy and a violation of the Golden Rule.
Perhaps Mr. Gurian should rethink his sermon and maybe tone down his holier than thou attitude. Stuart Lowe Veradale
Child safety concern incomplete
Spokane citizens are naturally incensed by recent brutal killings of children and are determined to strengthen legal means to prevent the occurrences of more such tragedies. What is not understandable, and seems most unnatural, is that the routine daily brutal killings of infants in abortion facilities continues to be accepted with apparent equanimity, here and elsewhere. Leonard C. Johnson Troy, Idaho
OTHER TOPICS
Common sense not always enough
In his Aug. 26 letter (“Evolutionists’ faith amazes”), David Westermann contends that common sense argues against Darwinian evolution. Yet even he must know that common sense, operating alone, has endangered many erroneous assumptions about the natural order of things. i.e. the earth is flat, the sun revolves around the earth, they sky is a solid dome, demons cause disease, etc.
Common sense devoid of systematized knowledge has proven to be a notoriously untrustworthy guide to the truth.
As to his claim that science invalidates macroevolution, one can only conclude that Mr. Westermann is unaware of the enormous body of scientific evidence to the contrary. If he chooses to remain ignorant of the facts, that is his prerogative. If he wants to know why virtually all legitimate scientists reject the tenets of creationism, he should contact the National Center for Science Education in Berkeley, Calif. The NCSE, an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, is a national clearinghouse for scientific information on the evolution-creation controversy.
The astronomer Galileo Galilei died in 1642 after being placed under house arrest for having the audacity to question the common sense, religion-inspired notion that the earth was the center of the universe. It took the Church over 350 years to officially pardon him for speaking the truth.
One can only wonder how many more centuries must pass before creationists will forgive Charles Darwin for doing the very same thing. Jack DeBaun Sandpoint
China meeting worth a shot
This is in regard to the letter by Ron Belisle about the conference being held in Beijing. This is a conference to improve the worldwide situation of women, being held in China, which is the leading country when it come to inflicting violence on its own women.
Many times, for a situation to be resolved, resolution has to start at home. What I mean by at home is, maybe by having the conference there, some changes may come about. We may have a broader awareness of the situation. You never know how meeting in certain places can bring about certain changes. Otis Freelon Spokane
This Christian knows place, more
Re: Sherrie Bryant’s Aug. 29 letter, “Christian, know thy place”: You’re obviously responding to things you don’t understand. Let me clarify some points you stated about Christians and Christianity.
First, Christ didn’t need to be born a Christian. He was the Son of God, part of the holy trinity. If you don’t understand or believe in the trinity and speak out of disbelief and ignorance, your statement becomes understandable. Second, you do not have to be baptized to become a Christian. You need only believe and trust in Christ. Baptism is a demonstration in a public area of your belief.
Thirdly, the words of Christ, the Bible, does seem like “babble” to nonbelievers. You don’t understand or believe. But, to us who do believe, it’s a valuable book of instruction, of answers and a source of comfort.
Lastly, Christianity is definitely an “alternative lifestyle,” given today’s morals and cult-like beliefs. We place our trust in Christ, not in crystals or idols. We don’t expect special rights nor nonbelievers to live what we believe.
We do expect to be accepted, as you are, for what we believe. I will continue to pray for you and for other nonbelievers, in all sincerity and with a love only possible through the power of God working in my life. Bev Chaisson Spokane