Letters To The Editor

PEACEKEEPING MISSION

Callous disregard breeds savagery

Frederick the Great, a Prussian military genius, once said, “The Balkans are not worth the bones of a single German soldier.” What an ignorant position to take. What person has the knowledge, power and/or right to put a value on a life? Or, for that, matter, compare the worth of two different cultures? To be so bold, so arrogant, as to favor this philosophy is to beg for another Holocaust.

The Bosnian intervention is a must for the United States. We have seen the atrocities of ethnic cleansing. We have media documentation, firsthand accounts and journals of the Holocaust of World War II. If the United States does not intervene, the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia will escalate to another Holocaust. It is our duty and responsibility as a world superpower to prevent this atrocity from spreading.

To Frederick the Great the Balkans may not have been worth much, but we of all nations know better than that, for “all men are created equal.”

We have a moral responsibility to ensure that every individual gets an equal chance, as much as humanly possible. We need to stop this environment of human rights and promote equality. No one person is better than another, no race is superior to another. People will be different but we will always be equal. Josh S. Kruse Veradale

Peacekeeping mission is right

As a U.S. citizen, I have grown up with the philosophy that all humans are created equal and that we should try to help others, within our means. This is why I agree adamantly that it is our moral obligation to help keep peace in the war-torn country of Bosnia. We should not just sit back, minding our own business and watching innocent people die.

I am well aware of the risk involved for the lives of our own military personnel in enforcing the NATO peace mission, and truly hope this does not cost many lives.

My question is this: Since they enlisted in the military, aren’t they willing to take that risk for themselves and their country? If I were to be hurt or killed in Bosnia, I would be proud to know I died or was injured trying to help a nation at war find peace.

Bosnia obviously needs our help to end its civil war. I am glad the U.S. is taking this initiative. In President Clinton’s words, “It’s the right thing to do.” Kayla Reese Veradale

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

On balance, royalty worth keeping

Re: Nancy Harris’ letter regarding Britain’s royal family (“May the other woman triumph,” Jan. 3).

Maybe the current royals have let the team down, but we do want to retain royalty in Britain. It’s kept us from communism, so prevalent in many European countries. After all, what’s new? Most standards have dropped. The British royalty do a great deal of good. Perhaps it’s made the queen more human to know she has problems as well. Tessa Williams Spokane

VIOLENCE

Partygoers, victims just young

As mothers of two of those “young, violent, drunken, robbing, killing mob members” we would like to say, yes there is some truth to this accusation: they are young.

We would like to see Thomas Thompson (Letters, Dec. 31) get his facts straight. They all hold down full-time jobs, pay their bills, and have an education. They don’t rob, rape or steal and they are not burdens on society. They even pay taxes.

No, they weren’t having a party. They were celebrating Christmas, just like the rest of us.

That “old man” of 48 who was allegedly attacked by the mob and claimed to be in fear for his life was the one holding the sawed-off shotgun. He’s the one who pulled the trigger and shot those young people in the back.

It seems to us that those young people were the ones who needed to fear for their lives.

As to his comments about the partygoers saying on TV that they were trying to terrify the old man - what? Do you just selectively add your own information?

The whole incident started over the location of a vehicle parked in front of Price’s house, and the kids just went over to let him know they would move it. It wasn’t even blocking his driveway.

What it all boils down to is God’s commandment: Thou shalt not kill.

What right did Price have? Rhonda and Betsy Johnson Spokane

Violence wrong but noise does grate

It had to happen sooner or later, neighbors turning to violence to settle noise disputes.

While I disagree with using violence to solve one’s problems, and firmly believe that Adrian “Al” Price deserves his pending punishment, should he be convicted, I sympathize with his situation. Few understand how truly maddening and disruptive noisy, thoughtless neighbors can be until they live with them.

As an apartment tenant who is regularly awakened by screaming children and their equally loud parents who refuse to exercise any control or discipline, and whose managers turn deaf ears to complaints of continuous noise, I hope the events on the morning of Dec. 26 cause area landlords and selfish neighbors to pay attention to complaints.

They, more than likely, aren’t complaining because they enjoy the sounds of their voices. Traci Genteman Veradale

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Thanks for deciding against unfairness

I extend my most sincere thanks to the people of the state of Washington, and especially to those who live in Whitman County, for defeating recent attempts to limit the basic rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in our state.

The defeat of initiatives 166 and 167 this year, and defeat of two similar initiatives last year, make it clear the people of Washington believe that our shared diversity and mutual respect is still our greatest strength.

Because attacks on one group’s basic rights are attacks on the basic rights of all, the defeat of I-166 and I-167 sends the decisive message that the people of Washington do not support efforts to discriminate.

I urge you to continue to support all efforts to eliminate the fear, prejudice and intolerance that drive such acts of discrimination. Christine Oakley Whitman County Coalition for Fairness, Albion

Make time for what really matters

A new year has started. Like each new day, it’s the chance to start fresh. The higher-tech we seem to get, the easier life seems to be. Also, it seems we get dumber.

Our ancestors worked hard to survive, keeping family, work and enjoying the simple things of life together. Seasons indicated the time for things to be done, for planning and goal-setting.

Nowadays, we’re too busy to spend time with our families because of technology or just poor time management. The cellular phone, beeper, fax machine and computers go with us in our briefcases and car trunk. We take the work with us.

Sure, because of technology our kids are smarter and can go farther sooner. They also get fatter and die of heart attacks, high blood pressure and stress, too.

Where can we draw the line? One day a week, if it’s electrical, turn it off, leave it at home. Take your family away and do something together. Learn about your kids, listen to your spouse, who may be reminding you of the good times when you used to walk at sunset or window shop when you were broke. Just because you have money now doesn’t mean you have to spend it.

The walk will do your heart good, as will the communication. If you want to do something badly enough, you can find the energy and time. Isn’t your family worth planning the time necessary just for them? B.J. Freeman Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

It’s about more than just things

I beg to disagree with Robert H. Ruby’s opinion that the “legal owners,” meaning the Ohio Historical Society, have a right to the Nez Perce artifacts. The real question is their right to legally own them.

Treaty laws with Indians were made by the government of the United States and the Indians, who agreed to settle with some terms in effect to protect their children from exploitation.

These tribes still pursue many of their cultural beliefs, some of which are religious obligations, to protect and keep those real, true mementos of events and spiritual happenings depicted in the art work. Storytelling was enhanced by these tokens - native and meaningful to those of the tribe only.

Though they are awesome to good folks who have bothered to study and care, they are meaningless and a void to those who have no insight as to the story origin.

Some Indians, including those of small degree of blood, are nonetheless tied to and devoted by heritage to their full-blooded progenitors and their beautiful beliefs, and are dedicated to their protection.

Save the beautiful in its fullness: the artifact, with the story and the heart of the creator of that artifact. If you don’t understand it, please butt out.

These cultures are still alive. They cannot be dissected. It is more than materialistic possession. Patricia Hammond Nine Mile Falls

Aircraft was a good one

Goodbye, old 440. The Salair Convair 440 was last in a line of workhorses built by skilled workers in San Diego, Calif., from 1945 until 1955.

They were built for commercial and military use. I’m proud to be one of the hundreds who helped in their contribution to aerospace in the United States. Gordon Olcott Spokane