Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

City Hall is people

Here is a comment to the person or persons who bombed Spokane City Hall on April 29:

I can see you watching the TV coverage after you bombed the Spokane City Hall, laughing and carrying on like it was a big party.

Well, if your wife, husband, mother, father, daughter, sister, son or brother was working at City Hall, you definitely would not be laughing. Especially if any of them had been in any way injured. Linda Cook Spokane

Forget about artificial turf

I am delighted to hear that the city is considering rejuvenating Joe Albi Stadium. The plans sound great, except for the artificial turf.

The history of artificial turf in Spokane and many outdoor fields is abundant with increased cost and injury. I don’t know of any soccer or football player who welcomes the thought of playing on an artificial surface.

If the city truly wants to make Joe Albi Stadium into a great soccer and football venue, it should talk to area college, high school and Spokane shadow coaches to get their input. I bet they want genuine, green terra firma. Michael W. French Nine Mile Falls

Runners need passing lane

I wonder if it would be possible to establish a passing lane on the outside three to four feet of Riverside Avenue after Browne’s Addition down the hill and past the merge point during Bloomsday. All that would be needed would be a sign stating “fast lane only please” and a chalk line.

It would be a great help for people who start behind many slower runners who fudge on their estimated time. Gary Rhodes Kennewick

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Special children deserve support

I am the mother of a special child. We went to her first track meet on April 27. I feel I need to let people know what an experience it was.

First, I was very moved emotionally in many ways. Every person in every event tried with all their strength and courage just to complete their race or other event. It brought tears to my eyes to see the joy on their faces as they also supported each other.

Another emotion I felt that day was anger. That, too, brought tears to my eyes. The coaches try hard - everyone involved tries hard - but what really upset me was the lack of parental support. I saw many children without even a single parent to cheer them on.

This was one of the most heartwarming experiences I’ve ever had. I encourage people of every kind to take the time to go to one of these events. I guarantee you’ll walk away feeling different about life. Even if you don’t know a child with special needs, please attend just once. You’ll be glad.

As to the parents of those children who could not, for whatever reason, be there: Think about them. They do not ask for much, but I know it meant the world to the children who had their parents there. Myra E. Doland Spokane

Smoker attitudes, ideas wrong

I am one of those “reformed smokers” Kathy Van Pelt was talking about in The Spokesman-Review article (“Smokers say ban goes too far,” Region) of April 24. I “reformed” when I found out I had lung cancer.

As for you, Terry Rolph - no, it is not your business to kill yourself in public. In public you are exposing others to secondhand smoke. Now, if you want to kill yourself smoking in your own home, that is your business.

However, you do not just smoke and die. There is an interim there where you are extremely sick and need medical assistance. What would you do if medical care were withheld because you killed yourself smoking and it was, after all, your business?

Cigarette smoking has a tremendous detrimental economic impact and the government that you think should mind its own business is picking up the tab. Marilyn L. Dugger Greenacres

Careful what you call flawed

There was a story that links Attention Deficit Disorder with what they term a “flawed” gene.

Not enough is known about genes and how they work to determine if one is “good” and one is “flawed.” Differences could be natural occurrences, and although all our genes are not alike that should not mean that different ones are flawed.

I get very angry at this type of thinking because assuming that which is different is wrong is the basis of prejudice, homophobia, cruelty and hatred toward those who are different. It’s time to stop the hate.

By the way, Albert Einstein was not acceptable to the public school system. Sometimes different is better.

Some children don’t pay attention due to sheer boredom. I believe rejection of institutionalization shows evidence of a healthy and independent mind - something we need more of in our society. We do need fewer followers, fewer joiners and more good leaders. Debra Sullivan Spokane

THE ENVIRONMENT

We will treat land, people right

I am responding to recent letters regarding Plum Creek Timber Co.’s plans to sell some of our properties. These letters have raised old issues regarding the 1864 land grants to the railroad companies.

Over the years, these land grants have been extensively analyzed by Congress and the Supreme Court. Both found that terms of the Land Grant Act were fulfilled and that the lands are now private property, free from any encumbrances under the Land Grant Act.

In addition, Plum Creek Timber Co., L.P., was formed in 1989 as a publicly owned, limited partnership and purchased all of the timber lands from Burlington Resources. Plum Creek has no organizational ties today with Burlington Northern or Burlington Resources. Plum Creek stock is traded publicly on the New York Stock Exchange.

Plum Creek does indeed intend to sell or exchange a small percentage of its lands in the Northwest, including land in Montana. We have carefully studied our lands for the past two years to evaluate which are not strategic to our long-term timber business and which have higher and better uses, such as recreation or development.

We have adopted a set of land use principles to guide our land sales decision. These emphasize our commitment to protecting water quality and wildlife, and our commitment to responsible planning and development. Just as we do with our forestry activities, Plum Creek will balance protection of environmental and public values with our private property rights. Charles P. Grenier, executive vice president Plum Creek Timber Co., Columbia Falls, Mont.

Unabomber types not our heroes

As a person who is deeply concerned about the future of life in all its diverse and wonderful forms on our planet Earth, I guess I am what some people would label an econut. Therefore, I found a particular April 29 Opinion page cartoon extremely offensive and insulting.

The Steve Benson cartoon depicted the alleged Unabomber singing “Happy Earth Day to you.” On his shirt was written “Unabomber, hero of the eco-nuts and fruitcakes.”

The Unabomber is not a hero to anyone I know, and his tactics of violence and destruction of life are completely contrary to those of environmentalists who seek to protect life. Joel Green Moscow, Idaho

Work together for good of all

The “Republicans care about the environment” letter on April 19 prompts me to respond.

Comments from neighborhood meetings and business representatives indicate a bipartisan concern for pollution entering our water and air. In addition, continued vigilance is needed, along with efficient regulations that target real issues.

In response to these grass-roots concerns, the following healthy environment plan is suggested.

1. Apply reasonable and efficient local and federal regulations, which are necessary to provide healthy air and water to our citizens.

2. Implement an ongoing process by both federal and local agencies that removes unreasonable, inefficient, and redundant regulations.

3. Support national water and air standards that are: (a) adaptable to special local circumstances when health is not jeopardized, (b) used to enforce the control of pollution between states and negotiations with other countries, and (c) used to provide business with comparable air emission and water discharge limits in different states.

Let’s expect all political parties to commit to a healthy environment. Lonnie V. Roe Spokane

Rip-off artists apply gags, too

Legislation currently moving through the GOP-controlled Congress would grant what amounts to ownership of public lands to the cattle industry. This is yet another extension of the Sagebrush Rebellion that began during the Reagan years and continues today.

Behind the cloak of private property rights, ranching, logging and mining special interests are attempting to gain control of our national forests and grasslands.

Bills such as the (Sen. Pete) Domenici grazing act, Sen. Larry Craig’s forest health bill and the Rep. George Nethercutt-supported clearcut timber rider are a mere ruse to gain control of public trust lands by giving unlimited access to so-called resource-dependent profiteers - while stifling public dissent.

What appears to be an issue of local, private property rights is really a thinly veiled attempt to gain ownership of public lands.

Ignored by these legislative initiatives are the rights of present and future societies to enjoy and inherit public lands. Barren hillsides and trashed river banks may benefit those “pioneers” who got there first, but what about the generations who come after? What rights do they have in these legislative initiatives?

Public lands belong to all Americans, regardless of their social or economic status. They represent the foundation of our democracy. Attempts to silence public disenchantment with their management flies in the face of the democratic process. Timothy J. Coleman Republic, Wash.

Smokers pollute the air

Can there be such a thing as choking on fresh air? Fresh air is a major issue when it comes to environmental quality. People are becoming more and more concerned with the quality of air they breathe. Regulations and laws have been passed to preserve air quality and prevent harmful pollutants.

How would you like to know that a harmful pollutant is put into the air every day? This pollutant has been documented as cancer causing and the cause of some birth defects. The government knows about this pollutant and allows it. Millions of people contribute to this pollution and don’t even care. Many times while entering or exiting a building this pollutant smacks you right in the face.

The pollutant is secondhand cigarette smoke. Julie A. Dillon Cheney

Consider a spiritual viewpoint

Many of the environmentalists’ concerns are pertinent and valid. But when you are thrown some exhausting figure of the world’s population and told our natural resources are rapidly diminishing, it can be quite overwhelming and outright depressing.

From a Christian point of view, environmentalism must be looked at from a different angle. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

God gave man dominion over the animals (Gen. 1:28). Secondly, the Earth is not our home; we are just passing through. Heaven is our ultimate destination.

This is not to say that we should trash the Earth, but that we should be aware of the greater spiritual forces at work, and realize that Earth won’t last forever. There is a balance between being good stewards of the Earth and not getting too attached to this place.

While we do have some time to spend here, perhaps it would be wise to develop a spiritual respect for the environment, which is derived from observing. Is it possible to gaze upon the vast seas and the towering mountains and not catch a glimpse of the sovereign Creator? His fingerprints are embedded into hillsides. His voice is present in the silence. Let’s get down to the spiritual issues at hand here! Jessica Simpson Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Reasons - and a time - to cheer

This week, May 5-12, is Public Service Recognition Week. I realize that it’s more popular to bash government and public employees these days, but I want to thank them for:

Protecting our way of life from terrorists.

Protecting the quality of our lives through Social Security and Medicare. Protecting us from drunk drivers, burglars and other criminals.

Protecting our property from damage caused by natural disasters.

Protecting many valuable historical, cultural and environmental resources from destruction due to economic forces.

Providing educational and library services.

Providing vaccines and pioneering in the fight against cancer, HIV and other health threats.

Providing free public defense.

Providing the roads on which we drive and the parks in which we play. Retraining many people left unemployed by shifts in the global economy.

Ensuring our safety when using commercial airlines. Ensuring the safety of blood supplies. Improving the quality of our air and drinking water.

Improving access to many buildings.

Pioneering in the management of our relations with game birds, wildlife and other natural resources.

Enriching our lives through public broadcasting.

Of course, the list could go on. But as Colin Powell said to public service employees in celebration of a previous Public Service Recognition Week, “Your contributions to governance at the local, state and national levels improve the quality of American life and safeguard the principles of freedom and democracy held so dear by the people of this nation … and help all of us keep the American dream alive. Larry S. Luton Spokane

Taxation the root of all evil

Taxes, taxes, taxes. Federal tax, state tax, highway tax, cigarette tax, alcohol tax, clothing tax, non-food tax, property tax, automobile tax, school tax - where will it end? I’m sure if all the nations in the world could control the air we breathe, it too would be taxed.

There was the Boston Tea Party to protest import taxes on tea. What we now need is the majority to take a stand against taxes and say enough. We are being taxed to death. There is probably even a death tax. If not, there will be if they can find an excuse for it.

Latch-key kids are common today because both parents have to work to pay all those taxes, and even the money they earn is taxed. If there is no one there for them, these kids join gangs to be able to feel they belong somewhere. They have nothing to do, so they steal, fight and, too often, end up killing someone. Kids 6 and 8 years old are killing kids. Why? Lack of supervision and home life. The circle closes, and we are back to the reason for this: taxes. Betty Randall Moses Lake