Letters To The Editor
PEOPLE IN SOCIETY
Running event much like marriage
“You’re doing great!” With her hand on my back for support, my wife’s voice floated over the cheers of hundreds of spectators lining the streets as 60,000 runners raced to beat last year’s time.
“We’re going to make it. Don’t give up.” Those words couldn’t have come at a better time - the hill before the three-mile mark. I wanted to quit, but her words kept me going.
The fourth mile came, and with it the longest downhill stretch. The words of encouragement were now coming from me. “Use your knees. Stay relaxed.”
Halfway up Doomsday Hill I determined that I wasn’t going to make it up the rest of the way. Then came my wife’s voice, “You will make it up this hill!”
Her continued encouragement carried me to almost the seventh mile, at which point I had to walk. I expected her to continue on and meet me at the end, but she took my hand and said, “We’re going to finish this race together.” We started to run again at the seven-mile marker.
As we finished, I realized that this race was a lot like marriage, in that if our marriage was going to make it, it was going to require the same intensity, determination and communication. The give-and-take of support needed to finish the race is critical in the success of any marriage.
Catherine and I look forward to running the next 20 Bloomsdays together. We hope all married couples will run the race of life together with the same intensity that we plan to. Michael Hollister Spokane
As a good guy, he’s the wheel thing
Reading Doug Clark’s column about the parking attendant at the Paulsen Center (“He’s the king of precision parking,” April 28) lightened my heart. It reaffirms the goodness of people who are hard working, take pride in their job, are dependable and kind to others.
Jimmy Novisnky has made himself a success in life in spite of his difficult background. Success here is being measured in terms of service, rather than in being rich and famous.
Thank you for the front page coverage. It made reading the paper a happy experience for a change. Patricia Byrd Spokane
Freeman less crazy than many think
We are hearing a lot about the siege of the freemen compound in Montana. Television has been making some insinuations, through interviews of neighbors, etc., that the freemen are crazy because of their beliefs in their God.
I am constantly amazed at the limited scope that people have of a situation like this, how people are so convinced that the government we have right now is forever going to be a viable institution.
I am reminded of the founding fathers of this country who went to bat against the existing government, the government of England, and believed that the “Creator” had endowed them with certain inalienable rights. Tories was the name given to British loyalists at that time. How would the history books read differently if we had not won that war, folks?
I’m not saying the freemen are righteous, but they aren’t as crazy as people are making them out to be, either. If enough people become disgruntled with the government, there will be a revolution. Our government is not as secure as we are being led to believe, and people have plenty of reason to be disgruntled. Becky A. McPherson Valley, Wash.
Bombers might be safer in jail
I watched TV coverage of the recent pipe bombing in Spokane. There was talk of concern about Bloomsday, how frightening this must be for the Pacific Northwest.
We shouldn’t be scared, we should be mad. Instead of crying for the cops to find these bad guys and sitting back while the TV talking heads speak of doomsday, we should be getting the word out on the street that we don’t appreciate this sort of garbage.
Here’s the word, lowlifes: I don’t appreciate you giving the bleeding hearts more excuses to pass more laws to take away more of my freedoms.
You better hope that I and others like me don’t find you. Believe me, we’re looking real hard. Maybe you better not even think about trying anything, because the more you do, the more chances you take.
After all, this is the part of the country where folks like their freedoms - you know, folks from the Buchanan Pitchfork Brigade. Imagine how it would hurt to be tossed around like a bale of hay. How about those folks with all those nasty assault weapons with the dull bayonets?
Yeah, maybe we won’t do all those nasty things. After all, vigilantism is just a murmur from a past where you couldn’t dial 911. But you never know; might not have a phone handy.
Maybe you had better turn yourselves in before someone figures out who you are and remembers how Westerners deal with other endangered species that threaten their rights. They just shoot, shovel and shaddap. Dave Skinner Whitefish, Mont.
SPOKANE MATTERS
Stop paying for ‘elite runners’
Another Bloomsday has passed and it’s time for the Bloomsday Association to stop the rape of entry fees to pay for the elite runners to come run for free. No more free trips, meals, motels; let the corporate sponsors pay their way.
Bloomsday is popular enough where if no elite runner came, 60,000 average runners would show up.
Bloomsday is for fun and community togetherness. Make 1996 the last year you pay the way of the elite runners. They can pay out of their winnings, and the entry fees can be lowered. David Mallery Post Falls
Learn about youth suicide danger
My son, Craig, committed suicide last September. Since that time we have been evaluating what he expressed as problems, and have found that these concerns are consistent with those of other students.
Our children are dropping out at an astronomical rate, whether by using alcohol or other drugs, by running away or in the most permanent way: suicide.
Because of this we feel there is a definite need for a life skills program in our schools, combined with coordinated efforts in our community, to aid families. It would include suicide awareness, but the main focus would be to give our young people important tools needed to deal with life’s problems so they never reach the point of considering suicide.
I hope you are willing to speak up and support this program as our youths are our most valuable gift and they are the ones who will take us into the future, determining the quality of life that is to come.
Please be aware that there are two high-risk suicide times for students. These are at the beginning and end of a school year.
After a suicide, a high-risk time for those close to a victim is at nine months post-suicide. The end of the school year and ninth month coincide for our community, so please be alert to this and keep communication open with your children.
Also, there will be a suicide awareness vigil this evening starting at the Public Health Building at 7 p.m., proceeding to Riverfront Park, where Dr. Paul Quinnett will speak. Christie Toribara Spokane
Criticisms belong to the critic
In answer to the remarks of Mike Dalsanders concerning the deals of Bobby Brett with the county and city (“Stadium in line for a new life,” News, April 29):
As I was president of Spokane Metro Softball Association when the North Side softball project was started and am now the past president of SMSA, I have never heard anything brought before the SMSA executive board concerning the deals between Brett and the county and city. I believe Dalsanders was speaking for himself and not all the members of SMSA. Dalsanders is an employee of SMSA and not a member of the board.
I personally do not see anything wrong with what Brett works out with both governments. Remember, Brett’s organizations are a great help to the economy of Spokane.
This is not to say that I would not like to see SMSA get a piece of the car rental tax.
Softball also helps Spokane’s economy in a big way.
Let’s try to work together to make Spokane a better place for all sports and not make disparaging remarks about each other. Sam Compogno, past president Spokane Metro Softball Association
WASHINGTON STATE
Elect Bergeson to lead schools
It would be hard to find a better-qualified candidate for any public office than is Terry Bergeson, to become state superintendent of public instruction.
Bergeson has worked as a teacher and administrator. Her attention has always been student-centered, striving to create schools that improve the possibilities, potential and the actual work of each and every student.
The past few years, as executive director of the Commission on Student Learning (CSL), Bergeson’s reach has extended to every student in Washington. Her performance has been exemplary.
CSL is ahead of budget and on time - or early - with all of its work. Several hundred advisory committee members from all walks of life have successfully worked together to produce a consensus document. Even critics of educational reform have been impressed; and skeptical, cost-cutting legislators have found that results are timely and cost-effective.
All this is due largely to Bergeson’s leadership. Bergeson has great ideas. She knows how to communicate them and how to get them done. She knows how to bring all interested parties together to work on practical - but visionary - realities.
As a teacher, as a concerned citizen, I urge you to vote for Bergeson. This time, your vote will truly count and will help elect someone who will make you proud. Michael A. Page Spokane
I-655 means bad management
Anne Sciortino, Spokane coordinator for the Washington Wildlife Alliance, says in her April 16 letter that Initiative 655 is supported by many responsible hunters. I wonder if these hunters know that the Alliance has brought into the fray Wayne Pacelle, vice president of the anti-hunting Humane Society of the United States to help organize its effort. Pacelle recently told a Portland, Ore., audience his movement’s goal is to outlaw all hunting, starting with the easiest sell.
The most acute cougar problems are in California, where hunting cougar has been banned for 20 years.
Fact: Last year, 121 California mountain lions were killed on depredation permits issued by the Department of Fish and Game. Ten more were killed as threats to public safety, at taxpayers’ expense (Field and Stream, March 1996).
Fact: In Washington, 177 mountain lions were killed by sport hunters at no cost to taxpayers. The state profited.
California wildlife agents killed the cougar that killed Barbara Schoener in 1994. Donors raised $21,000 to care for the cougar’s cub, but only $9,000 for Schoener’s two children. In some areas of the state, sentiment favors animals over people.
Without the use of hounds, wildlife management will be greatly affected. These majestic animals can pose an imminent danger to people or livestock. Controlling cougars is a must. We need responsible management. Say no to I-655. Pat Hanlan Valley, Wash.
Galizia will make good representative
How refreshing to see the name of someone the caliber of Frank Galizia on a campaign sign. He is running for District 4’s representative position.
I know Frank from serving with him on the parent advisory board for our kids’ school. This is a man whose intelligence, compassion and decency will transcend party lines and will exact positive change for his constituents. Connie Porter Spokane
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Lavish pensions burden taxpayers
The only reason for a congressional pension to be canceled is for treason. While considering this all-out provision, let’s take a look at some pensioners.
We have a national debt approaching the $6 trillion mark. But we have another debt, never totaled, which provides the unfunded responsibility to provide a lifetime annuity pension to congressmen, elected officials and military personnel. These pensions are not mentioned in government reports on our national indebtedness.
Many of our elected ones have been given the bounce. One of the last is a Republican, Bob Packwood of Oregon. When this hardy woman-chaser was at long last bounced from his office, did his pension stop? Of course not; it will go on until he dies.
Our good Tom Foley, blessed with $171,500 as speaker of the House, now has a lifetime pension. He also set up an office in Spokane, an expensive location, with three employees, about 2,400 miles from his home in Washington, D.C.
There are multiple cases of those chased out of office. Let’s take the cases of Thompson, Murphy, Diggs, Dowdy and Clark. Expelled, they get a total of $277,337 per year in pensions. There is the recent case of Democrat “Rottenkowski.” In jail or out, he gets his lifetime pension. Last of all is our president-by-appointment, Gerald Ford. He couldn’t even beat Jimmy Carter. But his pension goes on.
And all of this is charged to us and our children. Are you a bit sick, taxpayers? Carlton Gladder Spokane
War on Drugs is a scam
We’d better hang on to our wallets. President Clinton’s latest election year scheme is dubbed the War on Drugs, at $15.1 million.
Let’s see now. The crime bill cost us $30 million. What was the first thing his people did with our tax dollars? They ran out, found a 51,000-square-foot building that costs a fortune in rents, filled it with administrators, personnel, computers, furniture and equipment. Oh, oh. Looks like a new bureaucracy.
Did we get 100,000 police officers? No. The plan was to give us 20,000 police officers at most. Many communities refused the federal help because they didn’t like the federal strings attached or couldn’t afford the matching funds. There is no reason to believe this new ruse disguised as a war on drugs will be any different. We’ll be paying for yet another bureaucracy ad infinitum.
The era of big government is over, says our leader. Right. The president tries to fool all the people all of the time, but to informed voters it’s clear that Clinton doesn’t do anything unless it benefits Clinton. Lu Caudill Valley, Wash.
Oppose same-sex marriages
Hawaii’s state supreme court may decide to legalize same-sex marriage as soon as this summer. New York is considering doing the same.
If this legislation passes, all states without a law against such would have to recognize those documents because of the U.S. Constitution’s “full faith and credit” clause.
An overwhelming majority of Americans believe in the traditional family and the definition of marriage being between a man and a woman. It is the cement holding society together.
Through stealthy manipulative ways, our society is being transformed for the New World Order. As a result, our liberties and freedoms we’ve always taken for granted are slipping away. Spiritual things have become political issues.
All attempts to attack and redefine the family should be vigorously opposed while there is time. Please call or write your state and national legislators, also Rep. Henry Hyde, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and ask them to consider legislation to prohibit the states from recognizing same-sex marriages.
Ponder what will happen. Prayers and actions speak volumes. Joyce Allison Spokane