Letters To The Editor
WASHINGTON STATE
Behind? It’s the Nevergreen State
I operate a licensed, in-home day care. I do not know Judith Roberts or anyone associated with Kinder College day care centers. I have no “inside” information regarding the recent state closure of one of its centers.
However, I could not let pass without comment the statement attributed to the state Department of Social and Health Services supervisor that he “didn’t believe it’s possible” that the state could be behind in their subsidy payments.
I have provided state-subsidized day care in Spokane County for six years and have found late payments to be a part of doing business with the state. I am well aware that the state payments are always made the month following service, in contrast to my cash-paying parents who pay in advance. And I have learned to accept that it will take at least two or three weeks to process paperwork.
I reviewed my records for the last 24 months and found 14 separate incidents when my payments had been delayed by at least an additional full month. These incidents included families with one, two or three children and ranged in duration from one additional month to three months. The late amounts ranged from $180 to $1,700.
I currently am awaiting payment for two children I provided care for during May and so far haven’t received paperwork on.
I assure you, not only is it possible for the state to be late making subsidy payments, in my experience it is very likely. Barbara Witkoe Spokane
Group’s so-called help unwanted
There was an article in many newspapers across the state about Washington Protection and Advocacy suing the Department of Health and Human Services. I waited to comment on the suit until I could study a copy of it and its “exhibits.”
In the past, P&A has not been a friend of the profoundly and severely retarded who live in the state-run residential habitation centers. P&A once co-sponsored a conference on how to close residential habitation centers. So it is understandable that the parents of residents do not trust P&A. Parents will not give P&A permission to contact them or to allow P&A to look at their sons’ and daughters’ records. The exhibits show that is what the suit is about.
P&A is using our tax money to take the rights of privacy away from the parents and their resident children.
Residents live in safe, frequently inspected, modern, home-like buildings on a protected campus, with trained staff. P&A should instead look into adult family homes, where an unsupervised resident can start a fire in a house in which the smoke detectors don’t work and haven’t been inspected in over a year. Two developmentally disabled women were killed when this happened in Seattle on June 14. Don Zalesky Connell, Wash.
MILITARY AVIATION
Those KC-135s do a big job
In reference to the “Bomber blues” article by James P. Johnson:
As the last senior maintenance manager for the 325th Bomb Squadron, I was initially excited to read about how the B-52Hs were missed by many in Spokane. But Johnson’s reference that the KC-135 is “puny, scrawny and unmanly” is truly a mistake that requires an apology to those who fly and maintain this multi-versatile weapon system.
First of all, without the tanker you would not have seen the B-52H in the blue skies over Spokane. Without them refueling us after takeoff, it would have been difficult making it home.
Secondly, without the tanker support during deployments, my people and equipment would not have made it on time to meet and recover the incoming B-52H.
As for scrawny, I believe their role during Desert Shield and Desert Storm proves their worth.
As for unmanly, see for yourself who is flying and maintaining that aircraft. Macho is not the issue; it’s the skill of the men and women who fly and maintain this versatile aircraft and the importance of the role they play in maintaining world stability.
I, too, miss seeing the B-52H. But I’m glad to know that many of my ex-bomber maintainers are now supporting the KC-135. I know they are doing what they know best - providing the best aircraft for the wing, flight crew and mission. The skies are the same, and just as busy as ever, and the KC-135s you see now are just as important as the B-52H. Troy Juresko, Senior Master Sgt., USAF retired Nine Mile Falls
Tanker crews don’t find flak funny
So, James P. Johnson thinks the KC-135 is “scrawny and unmanly” (“Bomber Blues,” IN Life, July 7). As a crew member on 135s for almost 12 years I have one question to ask of him: Where were you in the early months of 1991?
I’m certain he was watching the “video game war” with rapt attention, comfortable in the peace and security of his living room. I, and many of my peers, were flying in the skies of Iraq in our “unmanly” airplane. In an airplane, I might add, that lacks the defensive capabilities of his beloved B-52.
Johnson denigrates the KC-135 by stating it merely “helps others.” Consider this, sir. Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf stated he could have won the war without the B-52; he could not have done so without the KC-135.
You may have simply been making light of the tanker just to make a macho point. Trust me, all who have served their country and protected your right to insult us don’t appreciate your sense of humor. Ned J. Calderone Spokane
THE MEDIA
Page 1 only for wrongdoers?
I noted with interest that the improprieties of two Eastern Washington University faculty members and one wife rated front page coverage Sunday. Certainly, they acted unprofessionally, as have some of our government officials, lawyers, doctors, accountants and other professionals who also rate front page coverage.
Having worked as a teacher at EWU for over 26 years I can say, based upon my observations, that what you reported is the exception. By far the majority of EWU faculty and staff are dedicated professionals who devote far more than expected to their students. And the wives support their husbands and contribute their time and talents to the Eastern community.
Why don’t the contributions of these tireless educators rate front page coverage? William R. Wynd EWU professor of marketing, Cheney
Impertinence is not a virtue
Regarding Maureen Dowd’s recent column on Bob Dole’s candidacy (“Dole gets advice from young hipsters,” Opinion, June 22), she obviously thinks he and his advisers are over the hill, in spite of their wealth of experience.
It’s a fine thing to admire the energy and enthusiasm youth brings to a candidacy, but I take some offense, since I’m in my mid 70s, at the disdain with which Dowd treats the preferences, memories and awareness of senior citizens.
We aren’t dead yet, Dowd.
All things pass, and if you live long enough you may yet accumulate some wisdom to temper your brashness. In many civilizations the wisdom of elders is valued. Peggy Faust Coeur d’Alene
Media ever anti-conservative
After reading Editor Chris Peck’s “News gets lost amid onslaught of information” (Perspective, June 30) I’m at a loss to understand the differences between “opinionated information” and Peck’s “news.”
Articles about President or Mrs. Clinton, no matter what the current scandal, are given an apologetic twist. If the news services run out of excuses, they tag on a poll that shows that no one cares what the Clinton’s have done. But we know after 1980 and 1984 that polls are only a barometer of Democrat hysteria.
Conservatives, no matter how positive the news story, are portrayed as mean-spirited, old, nasty, confused and bumbling or angry. Every story and spin from the liberal coalition about Supreme Court judges and FBI agents that are conservatives are reported as factual.
Recently they pushed President Clinton out of the spotlight by featuring racism and the burning of “black churches.” It didn’t matter that weeks ago information was available that the church fires weren’t happening with blacks only, but also with white.
Recently, after miles of free press for Clinton, The Spokesman-Review runs the article, “Racism doesn’t appear to be cause of arson.” Is this news, Chris Peck? It appears that what you’re printing is just information - information with a viewpoint, and that’s called bias. James C. Allen Spokane
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Peace, love and Dole ‘96
Regardless of Bob Dole’s frustrating efforts to pull himself away from the tobacco tar baby, it’s a relief to know that he favors a rational drug policy. Dole said it is up to the individual and not the federal government to decide whether a particular drug is good or bad. He even insists that we don’t need additional federal regulation of tobacco, even for teenagers.
Last week he said to Peter Jennings, “Some people who’ve tried it can quit easily; others don’t quit. So I guess it’s addictive to some and not to others.” He was referring to the nicotine delivery vehicle tobacco but the same may be said for marijuana.
Here’s Dole chance to get on the good side of 60 million voters. That’s the number who have tried marijuana and didn’t become addicted to it. Talk about voter potential - the number refers only to those who tried it and don’t currently use it. How many millions more still use it and prefer not to hide in fear that virtue cops will come crashing through their front door?
Dole, be logical. Come out in favor of legalization of marijuana and watch how quickly Bill Clinton follows suit.
End of debate. Tom Hawkins Coulee Dam, Wash.
Being eagle-friendly not enough
What a marvelous gesture, for President Clinton to give freedom to an eagle on July Fourth. What about giving freedom to Americans? He needs to let us fly, reaching our potential with our own hard-earned money, instead of being overburdened under the shackles of the high taxes he’s help to impose.
He admitted they were too high. What a noble confession, except for one thing. He has never even tried to submit a bill to right the wrong and lower the tax burden. Where is the proof of his confession?
Didn’t he also promise to lower taxes in 1992? Could we possibly have a president who is guilty of lying? Character does matter, especially on April 15. Could he possibly have more compassion for a bird than for the American people? Barbara Miller Spokane
Support Libertarian alternative
Is this really America, land of the free and home of the brave? Well, if the American people truly want freedom, if they want more choices in their lives, if they want a lot less government and a lot more money in their pockets to save, spend or give away as they see fit, they should consider voting for Harry Browne, Libertarian for president.
In Browne’s book, “Why Government Doesn’t Work,” he outlines his proposals for a freer, safer and more prosperous America.
Everyone agrees that government costs too much and does too much. It is quite clear to many Americans that our government has abandoned the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Americans take pride in and believe that ours is a free country. Americans, for the most part, like competition and enterprise. In that spirit, it is time to give the Democrats and Republicans a real challenger.
I urge readers to insist that Browne be included in the presidential debates. The Debate Commission has the power to decide who may or may not participate. So if you don’t want your choices limited, tell the commission.
Harry Browne is a man of principle, ideals and integrity who values freedom. Don’t waste your vote on Bill Dole or Bob Clinton - or is that Bob Dole and Bill Clinton? Not much difference there! Janice Moerschel, chairwoman Spokane County Libertarian Party
Unity need cuts both ways
A July 1 Spokesman-Review headline read, “Anti-abortion delegations put GOP unity at risk.” I am sure that the person who composed that headline was unaware of an equally possible way to phrase the issue - simply change “anti-abortion” to “pro-abortion.”
Think about it. The way the headline appeared in the newspaper is really saying, if only those anti-abortion people would cool it and set aside their conviction as to the evil of abortion (murder, in their minds), then the Republican Party could become unified and work together to beat Bill Clinton in November.
I fervently hope that Clinton loses. There are many reasons to wish for such an outcome; the abortion issue is only one. However, let me suggest an alternative approach in the Republican camp. Have the pro-abortionists there back off and accept a party platform that includes opposition to abortion. Why is it always expected that the opponents of abortion should be the ones to abdicate their convictions for the sake of unity?
The coming election is about throwing out an incumbent president. So, you pro-abortion Republicans join the effort. And if a majority of convention delegates support an anti-abortion plank, accept that fact and stay the course - for the sake of Republican unity. Edwin A. Olson Spokane
Each fill-up a festival of taxation
Your article on fuel prices (“We’re getting gouged,” News, June 28) seriously understated the tax component. In addition to the stated tax burden the price of each gallon also reflects: truck license fees for the tanker that delivered it; sales tax on that truck; diesel taxes on fuel to run the truck; business and occupation tax; labor and industry tax on all employees; Social Security on all employees; import duty on the crude oil; property taxes on pipelines, stations and refineries; disposal taxes on oil, filters, tires and batteries; excise taxes on tires; sales taxes on truck tires, batteries, gas pumps, trash cans and windshield cleaning tools; company income taxes; several different taxes on the office phone calls, etc., etc., etc.
If one could separately state all the taxes concealed in the prices of everyday commodities like gasoline the actual cost that remained would be astonishingly low - and the true burden of government thus revealed would almost certainly infuriate every taxpayer. Curt Messex Cheney
Stevens County needs frugal leader
The coming election for a new commissioner in Stevens County District 3 raises the usual question of who I should vote for and why.
Fortunately for Stevens County residents, unlike most national elections, we have an opportunity to review each candidate and his or her history within Stevens County.
No candidate is better qualified from the standpoint of past achievement than John Hodde.
First and foremost, as Stevens County records will show, Hodde achieved, along with his fellow commissioners, an almost unheard of accomplishment: a balanced budget.
During each and every year in Hodde’s tenure, the county budget enjoyed a revenue surplus. During Hodde’s last year as commissioner, the prospect of having a tax moratorium (a delay of taxes due) in some future year seemed a likely possibility. If this was possible then, while maintaining adequate county services, why can’t it be achieved today?
The truth is, it can be. But only if we have people of Hodde’s ability managing our tax dollars. Lee C. Barton Colville, Wash.
BUSINESS AND LABOR
I could go along with perversity
Wall Street heard the bad news. Unemployment is down and the economy is improving. Oh no!
Would someone please explain to me why I shouldn’t get off unemployment? I want to be patriotic, but I have a job interview on Tuesday. Deborah Lawrence Hale Greenacres