Letters To The Editor

Nethercutt flunks forest science

George Nethercutt and his party say balancing the budget is of utmost concern to them, and they tell the American people this is what we want and that is all.

Why, then, did these people sell the timber in the Gatorson timber sale at below market value? Once again, judging from the three administrative appeals and two court decisions to stop this sale, the citizens do not want this. Yet, the Republicans forced this on us.

Nethercutt states (in a guest column Feb. 4) he values and respects science and the validity (he did not actually use the word “validity,” but I take this as his intent) of scientific findings. Well, here is scientific evidence paid for by the federal government and hence, the taxpayers. By disregarding this evidence, Nethercutt is wasting our money and robbing America, again.

Discover Magazine (Oct., 1992) reports scientific research findings from the Andrews Experimental Forest research teams in Oregon. In this research, scientific evidence is found to reiterate that, ecologically, dead and dying trees are doing a great deal. Among their many functions, they are returning necessary nutrients to the soil, while simultaneously abating soil erosion. This evidence refutes the traditional view that dead and dying trees are a fire hazard and a waste.

Now, Nethercutt tells us the timber industry is mowing down the forests for our “safety,” to prevent fires - an “enormous” cost. This enormous cost is dwarfed by the costs incurred from cleaning up and damages due to the effects of global warming. The destruction of our environment exacerbates the extent of the damage caused by the extreme, adverse weather conditions created due to global warming, i.e., catastrophic flooding.

How can our representative say he values scientific evidence when his actions consistently demonstrate he doesn’t care about anything but money in his pocket?

Nethercutt does not represent the interest of his constituents, he represents the interests of the wealthy elite, truly a small minority. N.G. Hannon Spokane

Zero tolerance a solution

In Mark Stanhope’s letter (Feb. 19), “Legislation not only answer,” he is against proposing legislation to protect (sports) officials. I can tell you, sir, either you haven’t seen the tape of this unfortunate incident (the head-butting of a high school wrestling referee by a competitor) or the knee-jerk reaction is yours for not being a little better informed. Your opinion is wholeheartedly welcomed. Your 25 years as a University of Washington police officer and security background would be a plus to our committee for your valued input.

Please consider the following, though:

Do you honestly believe a uniformed officer could have prevented the assault? Deep in your heart of hearts, do you feel the badge is the total answer?

Are you familiar with the multitudes of assaults against officials that go on across the country on a daily basis in sporting events?

Where would an uniformed officer be stationed in a hockey game? Can Little League teams and junior highs afford uniformed officers?

I’m sorry, but I don’t see throngs of police officers flocking to sporting events to donate their time for security operations, either.

I do agree with you in that security, be it officer or administrator, needs to be present at all events and to provide an escort for referees.

Legislation is needed to protect officials due to their vulnerability and by the nature of the job they do.

And most importantly, the education of athletes. The reinforcement that they know if the line is crossed and a bad choice made, the recourse will be zero tolerance and their actions dealt with swiftly.

This legislation is not politically motivated. There are no special interest groups.

Our whimpering is a cry from sports officials across the country. It’s just the right thing to do and it needs to be done now. Bob West Spokane Editor’s note: West is the wrestling official who was the victim of the head butt.

Trojan loves it in Cougar Country

Regarding John Blanchette’s article (Feb. 9), “Cougars realize recruiting losses don’t hurt record,” you must be talking about those great perennial third-place finishes in the Pac-10 Conference.

It’s true, Southern Cal has a problem trying to beat Notre Dame or UCLA, but at least it comes in first and goes to the Rose Bowl about every three years. Was the radio even invented the last time the Cougars went? What’s it been, something like 60 years?

Since this is Cougar Country and not South Bend or Los Angeles, you should concern yourself with how WSU does against USC. Series record: USC 46 wins, WSU 5 wins, 5 ties; USC 24 wins out of the last 25 games played.

The great thing about living in Spokane as a USC football fan is that no matter what Coug fans like you write or say, you cannot dismiss the fact that Southern Cal wipes its cleats against Washington State. Rudy Valles Spokane

Daytona 500 stories sickening

Your reporting of the Daytona 500 makes it evident the reporters in your paper still can’t accept the fact that car racing is a major spectator sport. Too bad you people can’t write your own articles and not use the garbage from other papers; several comments made me sick! Especially: “Reports have it: Baby-faced Jeff Gordon spent the rest of the day at Toys-R-Us.”

I think he has been an outstanding champ for a very young “man.”

Maybe you and other papers could try harder at reporting on a very good sport. Gary Purdey Naples, Idaho

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