Letters To The Editor

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Rules stickler gets it wrong

After reading Doug Clark’s July 18 column (“Olympic-size red tape hurts special athletes,” I wish to comment on the myopic, shortsighted actions of Debbie Stankovich, regional director for Special Olympics.

How someone in her position consciously would hurt and disappoint a group of innocent people such as the Mead Pride Special Olympians is beyond comprehension. Special Olympics isn’t about winning - it’s about doing, trying and participating.

What harm would there have been in working the team into the game brackets? Would making an exception due to extenuating circumstances have ruined anyone’s fun?

Preserving the Games’ integrity appears to be of greater importance than preserving the self-esteem and pride of those competitors who now will be forced to sit on the sidelines and listen to the cheers that should have been directed at them. Had any of the opposing teams’ members been asked, I think Stankovich would have been hard-pressed to have rallied support for her stubbornness. The Special Olympians she allegedly represents possess more love, understanding and acceptance than she can ever hope to feel.

Her attempt to divert attention from her bureaucratic ineptitude indicates she is better-suited to politics than to her director’s position with Special Olympics.

By casting doubts on Mike Burns’ qualifications and character, Stankovich attempts to focus attention on Burns by portraying him as potentially unsuitable as a volunteer coach. However, I prefer to focus the attention on an unfeeling, inflexible bureaucrat who lacks the can-do spirit necessary to adhere to the intent, if not the letter, of what the Special Olympics is all about. Douglas F. Hanson Fairchild Air Force Base

So-called red tape assures safety

Special Olympics offers people with developmental disabilities opportunities for sports involvement. Because training and competition involve risks, “regulations and red tape” are necessary for the athletes’ safety. (“Olympic-size red tape hurts special athletes,” Doug Clark, July 18).

A Special Olympics application for participation is required for all athletes before training begins. A medical-release portion includes information about the athlete’s disability, medical history and medication - critical to medical personnel in case of emergency. The same form is necessary for insurance coverage to be in effect. Since many athletes lack adequate coverage, letting them train without protection would be irresponsible.

Volunteer coaches are trained at quarterly meetings, certified, screened by the Washington State Patrol and subject to a code of conduct. Besides the rules of the game, coaches learn proper training techniques. They are responsible for the safety of athletes at all times.

Special Olympics has undeniable emotional appeal. Nevertheless, we try to conduct high-quality, professional events. The premise of Special Olympics is that persons with developmental disabilities can, with proper instruction, benefit from participation in individual and team sports. We do not “bend the rules” just because an athlete has a disability. We make adaptations within the rules to allow athletes the opportunity to participate and succeed.

Special Olympics views sports as a means for improving physical fitness, gaining self-confidence and enhancing social skills. Ultimately, those benefits become keys to independent living as productive, valued members of the community. Now, there is a real victory. Debbie Stankovich, East Region director Washington Special Olympics, Richland

WASHINGTON STATE

Support Reform Party’s Newman

The Reform Party of Washington has its first candidate for state office. Shawn Newman, Olympia attorney and citizen activist, is running for lieutenant governor.

The lieutenant governor is presiding officer of the state Senate, a part-time job with a full-time salary ($62,700 per year). Newman says he will accept only the same pay as our part-time legislators - about $28,000 per year. In addition, he promises he will not take a state pension and will support legislation to end pensions for part-time legislators.

Newman, 37 and married, is president of Citizens for Leaders with Ethics and Accountability (CLEAN). He backs a range of reforms, including resign-to-run legislation. He proposes that elected officials resign if they run for a different office in the middle of their terms. Resign-to-run is the next step in preventing campaign finance abuses.

Newman gained access to the primary ballot by petition, with the required signatures being collected at 16 sites. He must receive at least 1 percent of the statewide vote in that election to advance to the general election.

If you’ve been a primary election no-show in the past because you didn’t care which Democrat or Republican advanced to the general election, stop by your polling place this year on Sept. 17 to vote for Newman and advance him to the general election. Make it a three-way race to put some fun back into the election process. Jon J. Tuning Spokane

ABORTION

Choice involves not making babies

In response to Deborah Haynes’ letter of July 24 (“Fight back for freedom of choice”):

You talk about violence as frightening. You apparently can’t understand the rage and frustration people feel about the violent act of murder against thousands of innocent babies every year.

You say you want a choice. What an ignorant comment. You have a choice. The moment you have unprotected sex, you’ve made your choice.

There is no excuse for getting pregnant nowadays except through rape and incest. We are more than educated about what causes pregnancy. We taxpayers pay for free birth control. Get off your butt and be responsible before you get caught up in the moment of passion. If you saw a mother with a gun to her child’s head, would that also be her choice to end that child’s life? No difference.

America stands for choice, all right, but it also stands for the right to life. Violence is never the answer and I don’t ever condone it. But when you plant a bomb, someone may be injured. When abortion is chosen, someone always dies.

Instead of supporting the murder of innocent babies, why don’t you support responsibility and quit looking for the quick fix? Sheila Naccarato Spokane

Planned Parenthood devalues life

I am responding to two articles in the July 20 issue of The Spokesman-Review.

The first concerns the bombing at the Planned Parenthood office in the Spokane Valley and the peace vigil at the Indiana clinic. The employees of Planned Parenthood said they were sending their own message of non-violent resistance. They also said that “people who want peace have Scripture on their side.”

Which Bible were they reading and what could be more violent than the killing of unborn babies? Planned Parenthood cannot see that its own actions, from which it makes billions of dollars, are a major reason why violence is so prevalent in this nation. If kids can kill their own kids, then life doesn’t mean much to them. They easily can kill out on the streets, too. Life is disposable.

As for the other article, “Gays are also taxpayers”: Why should I be forced to pay taxes for things I don’t believe in, such as abortion and AIDS research when gays are still the highest spreader of the disease with their promiscuous lifestyle? Innocent people are dying from AIDS, and for them, I don’t mind paying taxes. But I will be forced to pay for things and do things I don’t believe in, all in the name of “freedom of choice” and “gay rights.”

Our actions always affect those around us. No man is an island. Everything we do has a profound effect on our families, friends and community. We were not created to look out for No. 1. God meant for us to live unselfishly. Diana Blume Colville, Wash.

Violence of abortion wrong, too

I am sorry that violence was the choice in dealing with Planned Parenthood and its mission in the Spokane Valley clinic.

That mission also is a choice of violence, upheld by five members of the U.S. Supreme Court whose choice was to fail to judge the unborn child as a human person created in God’s image.

This choice in 1973 has led numerous women to choose to violate a mother’s natural instinct to preserve the life within her. This choice has encouraged other persons to choose to silence their consciences and cooperate with these mothers.

Choices! My choice is to give voice to the little innocents who cry out in vain, “My life is precious!” What kind of civil government is this to put a citizen to death without a trial? Truth and justice, where are you? Eileen L. Wilson Spokane

OLYMPIC GAMES

Dream Team? No, Clod Squad

In regard to the Olympics and the unfortunate inclusion of our embarrassing men’s basketball team, I feel it necessary to apologize to the international community. Please know that a large portion of our country does not accept the attitudes, egos and poor sportsmanship so prevalent on the Dream Team and in the NBA in general.

Usually, these self-centered, little-boy ingrates are somewhat hidden from the world of non-basketball fans for lack of international media coverage. But to have them plastered all over the Olympics makes it so much more of an embarrassment to America and the true spirit of athletes performing for our country. Even having the likes of Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal wearing the same American uniform that athletes like gymnast Kerri Strug wear is a complete disgrace.

Tell me this: Would even one of our great basketball gods sacrifice what Strug sacrificed for a team gold medal? You can bet the bank not.

And finally, to have Barkley actually throw one of his shoes into the crowd after the last game - what sickness would allow the young boy who caught the shoe want to keep it? What weak-minded follower of a father would stand next to his child while the boy hugged a worn sneaker to his chest? As far as I’m concerned, the father and his boy are more disgusting than the man who threw the shoe. What kind of indoctrination would allow a mere mortal - not even a good one at that - such status?

If my children ever hold anyone, good or bad, in such a light, I will know then that I have failed as a parent. Mike Harmon Spokane

With Karolyi, it’s win at any cost

With the current climate of patriotism and Olympic fanaticism, logic and reason seem to have been suspended, as evidenced by Ann Killon’s commentary regarding gymnast Kerri Strug’s decision to attempt a second vault after suffering an obvious injury (Sports, July 25).

I suggest that the decision should not have been Strug’s to make. Any coach worthy of that title would never have allowed an athlete to risk permanent injury for a brief moment of glory.

Bela Karolyi shouldn’t be allowed into a gym to sweep out the place, much less to train young people. Robert Bordeaux Medical Lake

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Parents’ love must be unconditional

In response to “Holding therapy seen by experts as controversial” (IN Life, July 22): Benjamin Brucker and Dr. Foster Cline, I’m trying real hard not to let my frustration show. I know I should allow natural consequences to determine the fate of your insidious parenting multimedia package, because you, too, have the right to earn your failure. But I am a “mad mom.” Do you know what that means? I’m upset with you boys, and I’ll tell you why.

First, self-esteem need not be earned, as you put it, if it is internal and real. Real self-esteem doesn’t happen when children are left with natural consequences. It begins with unqualified devotion and teamwork, parent and child, child and parent. Do you get it? It is an armin-arm loving relationship.

Love is expressive, spontaneous and open. Love is never mean, planned, ordered or outcome-governed. If there is one place a child can go for safe, open caring, it must be home.

The Cline and Brucker child would sit home alone and worry while the family took a weekend trip to the lake. Their child should have planned her behavior and “won” a trip with them. Nothing spontaneous is joyful for the child now. She begins to distrust her real feelings; she learns to be secretive and miserly in her affections.

You two rational robots sadly seem the products of that kind of calculating life, and no loving family will rescue you from this miserable video. Willene Goodwin Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

‘Sensitive’ stories appreciated

Thanks to Jamie Neely for her sensitive stories in the July 21 issue of The Spokesman-Review. Your insightful staff writer was accurate and fair in her presentations of a controversial subject.

Neely was commendably careful in reporting local manifestations of the movement to ordain women as Roman Catholic priests. Her cool coverage of this burning issue among longtime loyal church members provided perception and depth.

The proposed change churns fear in those who perceive it as a scorching-hot challenge to authority. For them, it’s an explosive threat to God’s institution.

Others view the proposed change as a long-overdue offering of hope and a call to justice for all of God’s people. They believe the change requires no alteration of doctrine, only of organizational practice.

Those who fear this change seem to believe they are watching a menacing fire set to a detonator fuse.

Those who feel themselves prompted by the Holy Spirit to live in the light of hope see the open discussion of this option as the wick of a votive candle.

Both agree that the flame has been lighted.

Does it portend breakdown or breakthrough? All who care about this issue within our family of faith will dwell now to extinguish our fiery fulminations. We must come together, listen to one another and seek illuminations. Let’s avoid the heat while seeking the light. Thomas L. Westbrook Spokane

Casino critic knows nothing of Indians

While Opinion editor John Webster should be held in contempt for his editorial, “Casino would be bust for Spokane,” he should be pitied for his ignorance. The time has come to educate him and those like him.

Many years ago, when the military was “removing” the first people to the reservations by whatever means necessary, Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman stated, “It will be necessary to maintain these savages as a pauper race.” During that time, Indians endured corrupt agents, disease-infested blankets, shortages and denial of rations, plus other tragedies. The invading Euro-American influence attempted to assimilate the first people and strip them of their dignity.

Despite these attempts, the culture of these remarkable people survives and thrives. Our society has much to learn from these cultures.

What does that have to do with gaming? Everything and nothing. The Indians of today have to deal with the same problems they dealt with long ago. Corrupt agents have been replaced by corrupt agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Diseased blankets have been replaced by drugs and alcohol. Shortages of rations and supplies have been replaced by a Congress that regularly takes from the poor to give to the rich and never has kept any promise made to Indians except to take their land.

Do bingo, Lotto, pulltabs and all of the other games offered in this state corrupt the public? Yes, some people have a problem, but most do not.

Webster’s slippery-slope fallacy about the possible effect is weak at best. Tim Collins Spokane

Marijuana users mischaracterized

Tom Hawkins (“Reconsider foolhardy ban,” letters, July 23) paints a distorted portrait of your average marijuana smoker. Marijuana use is destructive to individuals and society, and it also is illegal.

Successful, responsible people do not use recreational drugs. It also is pathetic to use medical study results to justify irresponsible and subversive conduct. Tracey Harding Sprague, Wash.