Letters To The Editor
IDAHO VIEWPOINTS
It was really day of democracy
I was a delegate to the Democratic convention in Boise - a first for me. It seems, though, that I was at a different convention than the writer of your “Demos rip” and continued to “Day of wrangling” attended (Handle, June 23).
I was in the convention rooms for every bit of debate and all the voting. I really saw democracy in action. Anyone was welcome to comment on any of the platforms, they were called on in an orderly manner by Bill Mauk and attentively listened to by the members of the convention. All who had concerns - strong Democrats who had been attending for years to the very newest of the new - were given their chance to be heard.
In my dictionary “wrangling” is given the meaning “to quarrel angrily and noisily.” Never happened. No one was booed or hissed. Interruption was not allowed and everyone who wanted to speak did so, eloquently and with feeling. To me this is the way of the United States.
I felt badly that the Republicans were trying to present such a united front that some must have been shushed. With that many people, surely there must be some original thought. Ilene Eaton Kingston
Chenoweth moves win Williams a vote
In his June 28 letter, “Case against Chenoweth nonsensical,” Donald F. Morgan conveniently neglects her many mistakes in her personal financial statement to Congress.
Chenoweth increased the declared Dec. 31, 1995, value of her interest in a consulting firm to which her campaign paid tens of thousands of dollars, even though the firm had gone out of business nearly two months earlier.
Chenoweth also increased the declared year-end value of her interest in a 53-acre tract above downtown Orofino by at least $20,000, based on the money she was paid when she sold the other half of her interest to help finance her 1994 campaign.
That transaction created controversy at the time because the value of the land for tax purposes was only one-eighth of what Chenoweth was paid.
Given a choice between a “Boise attorney” and a dishonest congressperson, I will vote for Dan Williams. Ronald Esquibel Post Falls
PEOPLE IN SOCIETY
Priggee fiddles with a Nero theme
Spokesman-Review cartoonist Milt Priggee draws Mickey Mouse on the cross with these words, “You may be a Southern Baptist if you think hatred is a Christian value.”
Emperor Nero’s persecution of Christians included setting them on fire to illuminate a circus in his garden. Characterizing Nero’s terror, a church historian says Christians were “accused of hatred of the human race.” (Latourette, “A History of Christianity,” Harper and Rowe, 1953).
As biblical Christians, we attempt to “biography” values opposite of modern vulgar humanism. To accuse us of hate is to join hands with Nero and insensitively misunderstand our heart and, with totalitarian ease, to erase our dreams for a better community. Pastor Jerry E. Malone Cheney
Anti-gay mouse is an acceptable mouse
A few days ago your paper featured a cartoon with Mickey Mouse on a cross. This came on the heels of Disney announcing its profits had dropped 50 percent after a boycott of the corporation’s products. Disney couldn’t understand why pro-family groups would boycott them.
Perhaps the Disney people have overlooked their homosexual agenda and their new lines of R-rated movies, as well as the politically correct jargon in their new animated features.
I will not support any of the above. I will not take my children to be politically indoctrinated in the guise of an animated feature.
We used to be able to count on Disney’s family fare. The Disney name was safe and fun. No longer. As far as I am concerned, the boycott continues.
Where are the Hardy Boys, Snow White and Cinderella? Linda J. Reed Spokane
MUTTerings all wag, no tail
Jim Shamp, what are you complaining about? I became outraged when I read your obstinate letter (“Oppressed minorities, move over,” Letters, June 21).
“A touch of American Indian” doesn’t really make you a minority, nor does marrying or fathering a minority make you one.
Frankly, I don’t feel that only because your family consists of representatives from around the world that you deserve special treatment.
Do I deserve special treatment as well because my mother, four brothers and seven sisters are enrolled members of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, my father is Irish and my two children are Hispanic?
I don’t believe so. But I’m proud to be a direct descendant of an Irishman and an enrolled tribal member. I’ve never considered myself as part of this unknown MUTT assembly and don’t intend to.
It’s kind of ironic that you should include the word “casino” in your letter. If there was no pun intended, I certainly did take it as such.
Are you not proud of your ethnic heritage and only want to be noticed for the people you are surrounded by? Then again, this could just be another cry of jealousy from a person who is so envious of the Indian people who are using their designated land (reservations) to benefit their people, as well as give people of many cultures employment and enjoyment.
Thank you for sharing that you are proud to be a part of the MUTT convention. But, just like anyone else, if you can’t play with the big dogs, stay on the porch. Jerilyn McCrea Fruitland, Wash.
Young people kind in deed
What is this new generation coming to? The paper is so full of the bad things the kids are doing these days.
Believe me, it is not as bad as it looks.
Yesterday, three young boys came to my door and wanted to mow my lawn for $5. I didn’t have an extra $5 so I told them I couldn’t have them do it.
A couple of minutes later they were back and said they were going to mow it for me for free. It isn’t a big yard, but they each took turns and did a fine job.
What is this generation coming to? Well, there are a lot more boys and girls like these than the bad ones.
I didn’t get their names, but I would like to publicly thank them for being such fine examples of the majority of our youths. Doris Startin Spokane
Generous shoe buyers shined
Simple and quiet acts of kindness may seem few and far between these days, but I want to acknowledge and thank those exemplary citizens I’ve recently observed in action.
As an employee of a shoe store that just completed its liquidation sale, I discovered many customers were purchasing stacks of the discounted shoes with the purpose of donating them to crisis centers, homeless shelters, welfare programs or other individuals in need.
Such selfless devotion served as a refreshing reminder of the goodness of the people of Spokane. Thank you for your inspiring examples. Amy Clifton Veradale
OTHER TOPICS
Undissolved lead no threat at all
I have found the debate on lead in Lake Coeur d’Alene fascinating, and in particular the recent letter by Mark Solomon (“Surcharge funds ‘Lead’ campaign,” June 9). He must have no technical knowledge.
Whether there is 1,000 pounds, a million pounds or a billion pounds of lead in the sediment is of no consequence as long as it remains a solid and is not solubilized.
What counts with any potential poison is not how much is tied up in insoluble compounds but how much is dissolved in the water. Indeed, the higher the phosphate level, the lower the lead concentration.
Because of the excesses in letters written by people like Solomon, I generally ignore them as they do not appear to allow facts to get in the way of their opinions or agendas. Robert L. Dunning, chemist Spokane
When need is greatest, we cheap out
I share Editor Chris Peck’s concern about a news-illiterate generation having no concept of the difference between news, opinion, and somebody’s wishful thinking (“News gets lost amid onslaught of information,” Perspective, June 30).
The best solution is for public schools to teach children that critical concept. Of course, that means dealing with another crisis - the increasingly low priority and funding dedicated to public education. Someone like Voltaire once said, “Every time we open a school, we close a prison.” We may find out just how wrong he is, or isn’t, since we seem to be doing the opposite. Philip J. Mulligan Spokane