Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Traffic lights serving us badly

Chuck Grizzle has it right (“Longer yellow light helps in Indiana,” Letters, June 3). Spokanites have been getting a bad rap for years as lawless citizens because of their frustration with the city’s traffic light system.

Lights that turn green and snap back to red require you to keep an eye on the light when your attention should be on other traffic matters. Lights that stop a dozen cars to allow one car to enter from a side street make no sense and are time and gasoline wasters. And then there is the short yellow that either leaves you standing on the brakes or slipping through the red.

I think that the unintended result of our traffic-triggered lights is that they require constant attention. They may turn at any time; there is no regular pattern.

Driving requires constant attention and when a light ahead of you turns from red to green, a driver should be able to count on a certain amount of green time and turn his attention to other traffic matters.

There are certainly drivers who do not care, but the majority are just trying to get through traffic in the safest, quickest and most efficient way, and if the traffic light system were predictable it would help a great deal. R.G. Larson Spokane

Cleverness hurtful to the grieving

In response to Gerald Schuldt’s tongue-in-cheek survey of Riverside Memorial Park’s permanent residents (“Trail survey finds unanimous consent,” Letters, June 2):

Sarcasm is one thing, your letter was straight poison. It was offensive and hurtful to all of us who already know better than anyone that our loved ones have lost their voices forever.

So, let’s get something straight once and for all. If you don’t understand what it’s like to lose someone who means everything to you, back off. I have laid out all my private emotions and pain in a previous letter to the editor in order for people like you to understand our need for a quiet refuge, to explain our side and create some sympathy for those of us who are still suffering and mourning.

Well, obviously that did not work with you, as your letter ridiculing us and our loved ones proved. So, let’s try a new tactic.

We, the survivors, do not owe you an explanation. We have already made the ultimate sacrifice. We do not want to share our sanctuary with you. We have paid for it and want to be left alone in our grief. Your selfishness in asking more of us when we have already given so much is unacceptable. Valerie Snipes Spokane

Minimize tree loss when developing

I live on the South Hill and have noticed that we are cutting down too many trees when we build stores and houses. I am beginning to think that people are dying to cut down trees.

I know that there are not many places to develop but I want to conserve some of our wooded areas.

There is a forest about three blocks north of my house and it is being cut down. Luckily, the majority of it is owned by a doctor who lives in a house nearby. I like to ride my bike down there just because of all of the little hiding places.

I know a city has to grow, but it can start with the less important places first. Among those are fields. If we started with the less important areas first, the most important places (forests) would last a lot longer.

One good example of what I mean is the Applebee’s store that is under construction. I know of a great little field within 1,000 feet of its location that would be even more convenient than its current location and good for the environment.

Think twice about where you build - once for your customers, once for the environment. Jonathan Merriman, age 11 Spokane

Had it with overbearing pedestrians

I don’t know if anyone else is getting tired of trying to dodge the array of walkers, joggers, and women with baby strollers on Spokane’s streets but I certainly am.

When I was a child I was taught not to play in the street. What happened?

Ever get to any intersection, have the right of way and have a jogger look at you like you don’t belong there as he runs right in front of your car, daring you to proceed? Or face three-abreast women with their baby strollers, who refuse to budge an inch from the center of the road and make you go around them while they give you hate looks?

This is ridiculous.

It is time for the Spokane Police Department to start giving out some tickets for this kind of behavior. I am surprised that more people haven’t been injured.

Unite, drivers, and get these people back on the sidewalks, where they belong. David Mechals Spokane

HIGHER EDUCATION

Fine teachers often bad as managers

Eric Sorensen’s June 2 article, “WSU provost leaves behind tarnished dream,” provides an interesting insight into a seldom discussed problem in higher education. The article brings out the wonderful academic accomplishments achieved by Tom George, then questions why a person with such a brilliant academic record appears to have failed as a manager.

The answer is that there is no relationship between an individual’s ability as a teacher or researcher and being an administrator leading hundreds of people and managing millions of dollars. In fact, being good at one may preclude being good at the other.

The ability to lead people is not enhanced by having a doctorate in chemistry. The ability to motivate faculty and staff is not guaranteed by having a doctorate in philosophy.

Eastern Washington University provides a wonderful example. Dr. Mark Drummond, EWU’s president, is an expert in his field, management information. However, his ability to lead is nil. His capacity to motivate is nonexistent. A declining enrollment and a deteriorating campus reflect Drummond’s inability to manage.

Tom George is not an exception to a rule. He is closer to the average. George is merely one more example of an intelligent person trying to do something he was not trained to do.

This is the reality in higher education. Tom McArthur Spokane

Cammermeyer message a fitting one

In response to Phyllis Heinel’s strong objections to Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer speaking at Spokane Falls Community College during Gay Pride Week on campus:

It’s obvious that Heinel was not in attendance, because of her totally false and misleading remarks.

Col. Cammermeyer is not speaking publicly to elevate her lesbian status. This is not necessary since we are all created equal. Nor was there any graphic lecture of her sex life, as she crudely suggested. The speech was about prejudice and discrimination in America since World War II. It was very well documented and presented with the conviction that this is one of the most important issues of our time.

I suggest Heinel read “Serving in Silence” and find out what this courageous woman has experienced. She nursed dying soldiers in Vietnam, cared for terminally ill tumor patients in her civilian nursing career and had to deal with her ex-husband’s efforts to convince her four sons to hate their mother. This story is about hard work, accepting diversity and making the most of whoever you are.

I believe these are appropriate messages to be heard on campus. Jeri Cross Spokane

LAW AND JUSTICE

Give bad drivers dose of reality

The very realistic enactments of gory automobile accidents that some of the schools have been producing for the learning benefit of the students should be lauded.

In fact, the courts should make it mandatory for persons cited for driving offenses to attend these enactments - the bloodier the better.

Red light running, DUIs, reckless and negligent driving, driving with suspended license all cause accidents resulting in death or irreparable and painful injuries. The individuals who feel the laws weren’t made for them to obey are all potential killers who normally get only a slap on the wrist and are released to reoffend.

If the police aren’t able to enforce restrictions placed on offenders, accident enactments perhaps will bring their brains out of hiding and make them realize how potentially dangerous they are, and that anyone who drives can cause hideous deaths and injuries. Marlene Brazington Spokane

Toughen vehicular homicide penalty

It is terrible that the maximum sentence allowed for vehicular homicide is 41 months per victim. This means that James Barstad will probably get only five to six years, maximum, for his alleged killing of two people.

Deliberately speeding toward an intersection, accelerating as the light changes, seemingly with complete disregard for the consequences to innocent people, is murderous.

Barstad ought to be put away for life. He has a record of violence and beating a girlfriend in Richland before this happened.

I don’t know how much clout Mothers Against Drunk Drivers has but I hope they or someone with the power and know how can change the law so Barstad gets what he deserves. He is a bomb ready to explode and if he gets out something will surely happen again. Gwen Ruegsegger Otis Orchards

Tobacco companies deserve lawsuit

The American Cancer Society strongly endorses the courageous actions of Attorney General Christine Gregoire on behalf of citizens, young and old, of Washington state. Her decision to sue tobacco companies for deceptive and predatory advertising and to hold the tobacco cartel accountable for the death and disease caused by its products, demonstrates her commitment to the people of Washington state.

Rest assured, this case will be tried not only in a court of law, but also in the court of public opinion.

In the coming months, tobacco companies will use their enormous wealth to confuse the issue and distort the truth. Don’t be fooled. This lawsuit is not about individual tobacco users or personal choice. It is about an industry that skillfully markets addictive products to children, hides the truth from consumers and denies any responsibility for the death and disease tobacco causes.

Tobacco is the only consumer product that, when used as directed by the manufacturer, kills. Yet the tobacco industry expects taxpayers and health insurance policyholders to foot the bill for the damage caused by its products.

The attorney general is absolutely right to take this action.

The tobacco industry markets a lethal and addictive product and it is time we hold them accountable. Katherine M. Fox and Jan C. Walling American Cancer Society, Spokane and Sumner, Wash.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Parental rights bill urgently needed

In his misleading letter, “Parental rights bill is bad news” (June 3), Jim Pritchard laments a bill currently in Congress that would, heaven forbid, reemphasize the fact that parents actually have rights when it comes to rearing their own children.

Pritchard says, “It gives a parent the ability to dictate what everyone’s children can be taught.” The truth is, the bill will allow parents the ability to oversee their own children’s teaching.

Pritchard says, “It could also prevent minors from having access to comprehensive health care and sex education, and would thwart child abuse laws.” The truth is, this bill would prevent your 14-year-old daughter from seeking an abortion without you knowing it, would prevent sex education from being taught to grammar school kids and would install more checks on Child Protection Service personnel, who can now take your children away from you based on an unconfirmed and anonymous accusation.

Finally, Pritchard bemoans the possibility that parents will be able to “challenge virtually every decision of public schools.”

Pritchard, I cannot think of a single decision that should be hidden from and unchallenged by parents. Michael Wiman Spokane

Nethercutt fatally wrong on guns

Repeal the assault weapon ban?

June 20 will be the second anniversary of the bloodbath at Fairchild Air Force Base. Dean Mellberg bought an assault weapon, then went to Fairchild Air Force Base Hospital. There, he killed four people and wounded 23 - permanently damaging some - before he was shot down.

Later, Rep. Tom Foley, although warned by his staff that it would be political suicide, left the podium as speaker and took his seat in the House to vote for the ban on assault weapons.

Now George Nethercutt has promised to repeal that ban. Do we want to send someone back to Congress who would take us back to the days when any nut with a bee in his bonnet could buy an assault weapon? Margaret A. Rolfe Spokane

Funds for farms will come through

Your June 4 headline, “Panel votes to cut funds for farmers,” is the typical “good paper” cheap shot. As early as last Sunday (June 2) you were whining about subsidy payments to rich farmers. Your obvious hypocrisy appears to be no more than political gamesmanship.

To set the record straight, when the Senate conference is done, transition funding will likely look as it does today. As for research funding, it is far and away more valuable to farmers and the public. Tom Harding Sprague, Wash.

OTHER TOPICS

Oil: Better way is to conserve

Over 30 million Americans took to the roads over the holiday weekend, signaling the start of the summer driving season.

Don’t think our beautiful public lands can’t become an oil field, strip mine or something else. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a prime example.

Congress, in the 1997 Budget Resolution, is again trying to turn one of our last great wild places into a giant oil field by including speculative revenues from oil yet to be drilled from this pristine wilderness. The measure is now before Congress.

We should instead be drilling under Detroit, where a wealth of oil - over 2 million barrels a day - waits to be tapped. These barrels of oil won’t be found by conventional drilling; they’re the ones that will be saved if the auto industry would produce vehicles that are more fuel efficient.

If our cars traveled a technically feasible average of 45 miles per gallon instead of 27.5 mpg, and our minivans, sport utility vehicles and other light trucks went 34 mpg instead of 20.7 mpg, we’d save far more oil per day than could ever be drained from beneath the Arctic Wildlife Refuge.

Congress could raise miles per gallon (CAFE) standards for automobiles now, setting us on a course of saving oil and money at the gas pump while polluting less. Instead, some shortsighted Congress members have set their sights on the Arctic Wildlife Refuge.

We should be getting more out of every gallon of gas rather than devastating our shared public lands. Karen Lindholdt Spokane

We must all act to stop abuse

In response to the “Boy in box” story (June 5), I was appalled that it took someone two years to notice what was going on and that the stepmother got only a 30-day sentence.

I am ashamed to say our society failed Tim and is failing all other abused children. We have learned to look the other way while these children wait and hope someone comes and saves them.

Children who grow up with alcoholics, drug addictions, emotional or physical abuse need our help. We need to open our eyes and really see what is happening. If we don’t help stop the cycle of abuse it just continues.

These are the children who end up in therapy or have drug and alcohol problems, who commit both crimes and abuse. If we aren’t there for them, who will be?

We can start by taking the time to listen and really hear what a child says. If we learn the signs of abuse and start reporting it, maybe we will save the Tims of the world and stop the cycle. Vicki Nicodemus Spokane