Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Reasons to re-think budget abound

Have you ever met a family of eight whose breadwinner lost their job and became homeless, but now have a rental, but can barely afford the rent and must choose between food or paying utilities?

Have you listened to a senior citizen of fixed income who has difficulty buying food and medicine and worries how to pay the rising taxes this year?

Have you ever talked to parents and cried with them because their child is on drugs and on the streets?

Have you really noticed the eyes of a child who must be told there’s no more food for now?

Have you ever visited a shut-in whose pet is their only source of company and they worry they may lose the pet for lack of money to pay higher license fees?

Do you know and feel the pain and grief of a family that has just lost everything in a fire and has no place to go?

Perhaps if City Council members were to walk around our city in the shoes of people like these, they might reconsider raising utilities and taxes that most people can’t afford now, and not cut programs which are so beneficial to some.

To raise management salaries - excuse us - we don’t think so! What a strange feeling this article brings to those who read it, especially during this season of sharing and giving. It sounds more like selfish, take-take-take to most of us. Lev Flemming Spokane

Explorer adviser should donate time

I don’t have a solution to all the problems cited in the Dec. 17 article on top overtime earners among the local law enforcement community, but there might be a few retired police officers or sheriff’s deputies who might volunteer to be advisers to the Law Enforcement Explorer Post.

While I’m sure that Officer Bob Walker does a good job with the Explorers, and he probably doesn’t claim all the hours he actually works, why should our already strained taxes go to pay a city police officer to go to Explorer meetings, camp-outs, and national competitions?

Scout groups normally depend on volunteer leaders and, with some coordination between volunteer leaders and Officer Walker during his normal duty day, the Law Enforcement Explorers could, too.

The young men and women in the Explorers might also benefit from the example of the voluntarism of their unpaid leaders. Charles E. Latimer Spokane

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Teachers’ union protects abuses

I find it a sad commentary on the state of our “educational society” to read on the front page of the Review “U.S. schools falling apart, reports state” (Dec. 26) - a gloomy portrayal of the nation’s crumbling school buildings.

Ten pages later, on the front page of the Region section, an article reads, glaringly “District 81 tries to fire teacher at Sacajawea.” It outlines the seemingly impossible task of firing a teacher who performs poorly, yet has tenure. We’re told it will cost taxpayers “hundreds of thousands of dollars in lawsuits” and a major battle with the teachers union, the Washington Education Association, to fire this teacher.

Does anyone see the connection here? No business in a free enterprise economy can function efficiently if individuals who pay the wages don’t have control over the performance of employees.

The lack of accountability of teachers with tenure and the system the National Education Association and its adoring lawyers foster is an abomination to the country’s truly talented, dedicated teachers. Every school has them, and they aren’t paid anywhere near what they’re worth.

The pathetic reason? Our tax dollars are spent paying the salaries of less-motivated individuals who are just occupying space and taking up our children’s time until they retire.

Shame on you, NEA. How dare you call yourself the National Education Association? Ronna Snyder Spokane

Teacher under fire likely cares a lot

I read the article about a teacher whose job is at stake for “demeaning, inappropriate, cruel, excessive and unacceptable behavior toward children.” Certain children who are disruptive in class, and those who would like to be, must be delighted to know this.

They’re hearing about a controversy between two adults, the teacher and the superintendent (two parental surrogates on the verge of a divorce), and are sensing how powerful they can be for what they’ve caused. Most of all, they’re sensing how right it is to misbehave because their reward may be very great: getting rid of a teacher they don’t like.

What they don’t like about this teacher is the thing they probably need the most, discipline. Ironically, this teacher may be the one who cares the most about their future, sensing the child’s need for respect and responsibility to succeed in life.

That teacher should not be hurt by such scathing, cruel words. We must be concerned about whether such words reach the eyes or ears of the children because the image of every teacher is at stake. It creates an unimaginable hypersensitivity, between professionals and between children and teachers. Such words portray the image of the teacher as an object of disrespect.

Hopefully, there will be more involvement in developing better management techniques in dealing with the unruly, disrespectful, irresponsible child for the sake of his future and that of society. Philip L. Stack Medical Lake, Wash.

Innovation, alliance paying off

School District 81 should be commended for the variety of programs offered to students. Spokane Mental Health (SMH) has worked with District 81 for many years to provide quality education to students with special needs. Our partnership is valuable and creative due to the open-minded attitude, dedication and commitment of District 81 staff, students and their families.

In 1993, District 81, SMH and Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration worked together to keep educational services available for students in the criminal justice system. With collaborative efforts intact, SMH took over the administration of New Bridge Alternative High School, a school for students on probation, parole or with a history of poor school performance. Today, attendance runs 70 to 80 percent and many students maintain an 80 grade average or better.

In 1989, District 81 and SMH developed the Multiagency Adolescent Program (MAP). MAP School blends education and mental health services in an alternative high school setting. Students with an extensive history of poor attendance, severe emotional and/or behavioral problems can attend MAP and learn in a unique environment that meets their educational, emotional and mental health needs. Last year proved especially significant as MAP celebrated its first formal graduation ceremony. Students wanted the ceremony to be held at MAP as it was “their ” school.

Spokane is fortunate to have a school district so innovative and committed to students’ success. David H. Panken, ED.S., chief executive officer Spokane Mental Health

LAW AND JUSTICE

Jury sends terrible signal

In reading “Family friend found innocent on charge of raping 14-year-old” I expected a logical explanation for the verdict.

In the first paragraph it clearly stated the 50-year-old perpetrator was found by DNA tests to be the father of a child born to the 14-year-old victim. This then-47- year-old had given a 14-year-old child mixed drinks and then had sex with her. The jury said it doubted that knowing about his history of sex offense convictions would have changed the verdict. One juror said he couldn’t get past the image of the girl cracking her knuckles into a courtroom microphone during cross-examination.

Could that juror possibly see a 47-year-old man having sex with a 14-year- old child, or were his biases taking the place of his sense of right and wrong?

Regardless of how this victim presented in the courtroom, or even her response to the rape, didn’t the jury see anything wrong with a significantly older male having sex with a child? The issue couldn’t be disputed, due to the DNA evidence.

Since when does a 14-year-old child have the capabilities to understand the meaning and consequences of sex on the same level as a 47-year-old male?

The clear message to sex offenders is that if you pick the right victims, having sex with a minor is all right, and that the wrongdoing lies solely on the victim’s presentation in court.

This is truly sad. Sex offenders being made responsible for their actions is a very important part of treatment. Terry Peterson Spokane

Fines issue raises important questions

The dispute between the District Court judges and Commissioner Steve Hasson over traffic fines raises interesting questions.

First, just because judges are an independent branch of our government doesn’t mean they aren’t accountable to the public for their actions. The Supreme Court sets amounts to be levied and takes into consideration a person’s lack of record. In fact, the court finally had to limit the discount given by the judges to 33 percent. Since offenders are being given a break by just being fined, why aren’t they required to pay the whole sum? When someone is found guilty, why are judges allowed to give away our money? Why don’t judges have to follow the law set down by the Supreme Court?

Second, it’s unbelievable that the court computer system on which we spend $13 million a year in this state doesn’t provide the information Commissioner Hasson wants. What is that system doing for the judges that justifies such an expense if they cannot answer to the public?

Why do our legislators continue to fund the system if it doesn’t provide answers to reasonable questions? Of course, the prosecuting attorney’s computer system, if not abandoned, could have provided the information. I guess there’s a question of accountability in lots of places.

Finally, if judges are going to automatically give discounts, it would seem reasonable to have that done at the county clerk’s counter rather than taking the judges’ time to hear offenders’ stories. Of course, then it wouldn’t be necessary to have as many judges. Donald C. Brockett Spokane

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Headlights on for safety

I cannot understand why such a high percentage of drivers in this area absolutely refuse to turn their headlights on when visibility is bad due to rain or snow, at dusk or in early morning hours. You may be able to see but seeing that you’re coming is difficult.

The next time you are on the road observe how easy it is to see oncoming traffic with headlights on and then notice traffic behind and approaching with lights not on. The difference is as it is between night and day. This is such a serious safety problem that automobile manufacturers are installing automatic daytime driving headlights. Canada passed a law requiring that headlights be turned on during daytime driving hours and reduced injury and fatal accidents by a large percentage.

Please turn your headlights on. The injury or fatal accident you prevent may be your own. Also, if your lights are not on and an oncoming vehicle blinks his lights, please turn yours on. The oncoming motorist is politely telling you that you are difficult to see. Bob McFarland Sagle, Idaho

OTHER TOPICS

Marijuana study foolishly ignored

Twenty years ago this summer The New York Times proclaimed: “Marijuana study by U.S. finds no serious harm.” Two decades later, America still lives in a state of denial.

This headline was based upon the findings of a federally contracted study prepared for the National Institute of Mental Health. The study, “Effects of Chronic Smoking of Cannabis in Jamaica,” compared the effects of marijuana consumption on typical Jamaican pot smokers with a similar number of non-users. Even though Jamaican heavy smokers typically smoke quantities 10 to 25 times greater than their American counterparts, the study still failed to confirm “any serious adverse effects.”

The two-year Jamaican study was hailed as “the first intensive, multidisciplinary study on marijuana use ever published.” The results were later summarized and released by Vera Rubin and Lambros Comitas in the book “Ganja in Jamaica” (Mouton/MacFarland Publications).

Two of today’s most commonly accepted myths regarding cannabis were apparently laid to rest by that study. The report concluded that even heavy marijuana use “does not diminish work drive or work ethic,” nor was there any evidence that users tend to turn to harder drugs. In fact, many of the findings indicated that smoking marijuana appeared to cut down on both the use of hard drugs and alcohol.

Unfortunately, most of the scientific conclusions of the Jamaican marijuana study, and all others like it, have been conveniently abandoned in favor of contemporary anti-marijuana rhetoric and propaganda. Apparently, when it comes to marijuana in the ‘90s, truth often no longer makes good copy. Tom Hawkins Coulee Dam

Elsewhere, people eat dog meat

Regarding the Dec. 23 letter to the editor, “More carnivore than Christian,” by Joyce Tasker, taking letter writer Stravo Lukos to task for his suggestion that we eat dogs and cats:

I can almost see a few smirky grins on the faces of some old vets. This old submarine sailor managed to get a little duty on the beach once in a while. Many servicemen in the Philippines and the Orient were introduced to foods that aren’t served here at home.

“Meat of the dog” was special and was normally served on special occasions. It was considered an epicurean delight and was expensive. It is not what I would have ordered in a restaurant but as a guest, I enjoyed the menu and the fellowship. “Meat of the dog” was as tasty as any lamb, etc., that I’ve ever had.

Tasker will never know how many Christians have eaten the “meat of the dog.” Maybe all of the epicurean masters didn’t graduate from the Cordon Bleu in Paris. Waldo Larson Laclede, Idaho

Dec. 26 cartoon ‘disgusting’

Staff cartoonist Milt Priggee has outdone himself - hopefully, for the last time (Dec. 26).

Priggee was truly taken up in the Christmas spirit to sit down on Christmas Day and suggest that Rep. Helen Chenoweth shoot herself in the head. Even my wife, who is normally not disturbed by Priggee’s idiocy, called his day-after-Christmas cartoon “disgusting.”

His cartoons are totally devoid of any wit or humor, and I find it difficult to understand why The Spokesman-Review continues to employ this poor excuse for a political cartoonist. There must be other, more talented cartoonists who would share editor Chris Peck’s political ideologies. Maybe not.

Priggee uses the slogan from the United Negro College Fund as part of his caption. One can only speculate how quickly Priggee would be fired if the individual depicted in the cartoon was the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Is this a double standard? Judge for yourself, Peck. Mike Scalera Spokane