Letters To The Editor

Give Sonics break

I am tired of the Seattle Sonics receiving absolutely no credit for all they have accomplished. Sure, they have the monkey from the past two postseasons hanging on their backs, but after this year they have killed the monkey and put it in the past. So why can’t everyone else?

After the second-game defeat to Sacramento people thought the Sonics playoff ghosts would continue to haunt them. When the series was won critics said the Sonics escaped the Kings. No they did not. They pulled together as a team and played excellent basketball to take two games on the road and the series.

Then it was on to the Rockets, where the Sonics had serious doubters again. They ended up sweeping the two-time defending world champions. Yet it seems regardless of what the Sonics accomplish excuses are made for the other team. Houston’s heart of a champion was bruised and battered with injuries.

Did we forget that the Sonics set an NBA record with 20 3-pointers made in a game? The Sonics have also led the league in steals four years in a row, and have the best defensive player in the league in Gary Payton.

They said Utah was tired just coming off their series with San Antonio, and Seattle has had six days rest. Enough already. The bottom line is the best team has emerged and won when it counts. Give the Sonics the credit they deserve. Alicia Riley Spokane

Cougs need praise

As a child, I developed a habit of starting my day on a positive note, by reading Harry Missildine’s column (in The Spokesman-Review). Then in later years, along came John Blanchette, trashing the Washington State Cougars and destroying fan support.

I eventually learned that if I didn’t want my day ruined from the start, to skip over Blanchette’s column. I have been relieved in recent years that it appeared he was on reassignment and off limits to trashing WSU. However, on May 12, that sanction seemed to be lifted and it’s open season on the Cougars once again.

If Blanchette were to open his eyes, he might realize WSU is one of the greatest success stories in America, in both academic achievement and intercollegiate athletics. A university with no metropolitan city, no multi-millionaires alumni club (as the major universities have), adverse weather conditions, and as remote as any university in the country.

For WSU to have achieved the prominence and stature in one of the top scholastic conferences in the nation is a tribute to many outstanding individuals. I only wish we had thousands more with the spirit and dedication of the likes of Bob Robertson, Paul Sorensen and Bill Moos.

WSU has the best football coach it could expect to land, under the circumstances. He has brought dedication, continuity and respect to a school that could only dream of such success.

Cougars football is the only sport to sell out Albi Stadium. Cougars football is the closest to the big time the Inland Northwest will ever enjoy, and I’m damn proud of them.

I’m afraid Blanchette missed his calling in life. He should be in political editorializing, where his trashing and cynicism has a natural market and need. WSU does not need or deserve his poison pen. Allan LeTourneau Spokane

Hypocrisy in eye of beholder

Rich Landers had a great column, “Animal huggers …” (May 16). Neither Rich nor I understand the perverted logic that “animal rights” groups use in their efforts to eliminate hunting.

Rich makes a strong point about their hypocrisy in protesting fur coat sales while wearing leather shoes and eating at Burger King. Interestingly enough, Rich and I have had several similar conversations regarding logging. Rich doesn’t care for logging because it sometimes interferes with his personal enjoyment of nature. However, besides offering employment and vital products to many, good forestry practices are used to control wildlife health.

I have to smile when I think of people like Rich who don’t understand the hypocrisy of the animal rights people wearing leather, while they are sitting in their house made from trees, reading their newspaper made from trees, using their personal hygiene products made from trees. Rich’s editorial’s subtitle, “Activist’s priorities make little sense” could be aptly applied to our current forestry problem. I guess it just depends upon personal perspective. Hal Dixon Spokane

Pig wash to Crockett

I’m writing this letter to tell everyone in Eastern Washington that we’re all being played for fools by the West Side of the state. The government is so prejudiced against the East Side because our cities aren’t as populated as those in the Seattle area.

But wake up, Inland Northwest.

As for Ron Crockett’s (horse racing) track in Auburn that he’s paying $82 million for, step back.

Playfair is one of the few places in Eastern Washington where families can go to watch live entertainment. Myself, I would like to sell Auburn on the idea of running winter dates, seeing how Eastern Washington gets colder and has worse racing conditions in the winter months.

I remember when Playfair used to get summer racing dates; now it has to take a back seat to big business. Well, I say pig wash to Ron Crockett and the government of Washington. Rowdy Welch Spokane