Letters To The Editor

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Claims should go into appeal process

I wish to express my concern regarding the two appeals from Mr. Easy and the Washington Environmental Council over the provisions of the Critical Areas Ordinance. My primary concern is the mediation proposed by the Growth Management Hearings Board.

I’m concerned that any changes made to the ordinance (or to its interpretation) due to this mediation would be done without the benefit of public input, thereby frustrating the years of hard work and diligence put in by our county’s Citizens Advisory Group.

It’s disheartening, but unfortunately all too common, to see these individuals agree to compromises which they then plan to appeal after the ordinance is adopted. They are trying to undo 2-1/2 years of hard work and compromise that already produced one of the most restrictive critical-areas ordinances in the country. What is the point of citizens donating years of their time to a process if a single individual can later influence the finished product without public input or knowledge?

The credibility of the public involvement process is at stake. I trust our county commissioners will not allow this to happen.

If either party wishes to pursue a claim, let them proceed through the appeal process of the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board. In this way, the pledge made by the Board of Commissioners to the Citizens Advisory Group will be kept and accepted recommendations will not be negotiated away behind closed doors. Suzanne Knapp Spokane Home Builders Association

We’re too dependent on government

It is beyond reason, beyond logic that the American public would re-elect a president who is a proven liar, a philanderer, a proven coward and an alleged drug addict. Probably the most immoral president that our nation has ever had.

The only explanation is that the power of money is destroying our country.

Obviously too many Americans have learned to become dependent on the federal government for their sustenance, their daily bread and, yes, their way of life. Such dependency allows the federal government to become the master and the dependents are the slaves. Given these arrangements, how soon will the feds become total dictators?

How can we truthfully say that we are the “Land of the free and home of the brave” when we rely on Uncle Sam for our existence, acquiesce to his every violation of our Constitution, allow him to seize our lands, kill our neighbors via the FBI and BATF and dictate to the member states? Is this the freedom and bravery of the American people?

Circa 1776, Adam Weishaupt, founder of the Illuminati, questioned, “Oh, human mortals! Is there anything you cannot be led to believe?” Apparently the answer is no. Earl G. Fox Spokane

HELPING OTHERS

Children here need help, too

I completely agreed with Chris Peck’s words about Anni Ryan Meyer and her mission to Romania, bureaucrats and looking in our own backyard (Oct. 26).

No doubt the work Meyer and her team are doing is difficult and needed and great. So why wouldn’t I want to get on the plane? Because I live in the West Central neighborhood, a neighborhood rich in diversity, charm, warmth and reality. There are many things that Meyer’s Romanian children have in common with children in my neighborhood.

My philosophy is to turn our focus internally. To truly see that our low-income families are as big a crisis as any in the world. What if we spent the next two years working with the same passion for our American children in need that Meyer has? And with all those additional families being self-supporting and thriving just think about all the additional help we could pour into the rest of the world!

I thought it sounded simple until I got involved. In the last year I’ve found my own pit of bureaucratic quicksand. Meyer’s team may have a much easier time helping children halfway around the world. Would she get the same fanfare fighting head lice in my neighborhood? People in Spokane are spending tireless hours doing similar things. Where are the media? If people with compassion and resources got together with the folks who need them, they might be pleasantly surprised by what they find. When you take compassion and personal contact it creates passion. Start by visiting one of the many places that directly help our neighbors in need. Mitzi Judd Spokane

Less fortunate also here at home

I applaud the efforts of the unselfish nurses, the reporting media and the generous citizens of Spokane relative to the recent outpouring of aid to those pitiful orphans in Romania. There can be no question how valued that aid must be.

It’s unnecessary, however, to turn half a world away to find the needy. There are plenty right here at home.

Many thanks to the Boy Scouts and their volunteer leaders who recognized that need and organized their recent drive to help the food banks in the local area. The measures of that group are much appreciated.

Because of severe cuts in grants and other sources, unfortunately, the shelves at the Loon Lake Food Pantry remain nearly bare. More than 100 pinched families in the Loon Lake/Springdale area likely will have mighty slim holidays this year. I’m certain they also would appreciate the compassion of those more fortunate. Rod Lord Loon Lake, Wash.

FBI

FBI, clean up your act

My attitude towards the law enforcement community is this: When they are right support them, when they are wrong, thump them (figuratively speaking). With that in mind I address Dorothy E. Carter’s concern (Letters, Nov. 4) about armed groups that cross state lines, violate the law and behave violently. Doesn’t that description fit the FBI?

How many people have been killed by the militia, and how many by the FBI (think about Waco and Ruby Ridge)? Has an upper-level member of the FBI pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice? Is the FBI being investigated for attempting to trick Richard Jewell out of his constitutional rights? Does the FBI recruit criminals (informers) to pursue their agendas? Did the FBI participate in the firing of the White House travel employees? Did the FBI participate in the supplying of the FBI files to the White House?

May I suggest to all FBI members, based on what I have seen, if you do not clean up your act, some entity will do it for you and you will not like how and what they do. Come on, people, you can do better. While you are protecting us from the militia and the freemen, we should not have to worry about who is going to protect us from you. Francis E. Kent Four Lakes

RACE RELATIONS

Good race relations start with law

The forum on “Race Equity” at Gonzaga University planned to afford individuals the opportunities to raise issues, relate stores and provide creative ideas for working together in Spokane. However, the principal discussion seemed to cover a stabbing at the Interstate Fairgrounds by a mother who intervened in a fight between her son (white) and another male (black). What did race have to do with assault with a weapon?

The sheriff announced a new review of this case, then reacted to the fusillade by asking a futile question. When law enforcement recently arrested bank robbers and wrapped up a drug ring, where were the cries about the officers who put their lives on the line?

This same rhetoric was Chief Terry Mangan’s, when he answered questions from the audience. The chief stressed “use the system to make change. We have a citizen’s review committee.” The last time an individual tried to “use the system” called the Citizens Review Panel, the City Council ended it after a citizen had complained about being stopped by law enforcement officers more than 30 times.

Why do African Americans participate in a public forum to discuss what is normally a routine matter within the judicial system? Is it jus-us? Assault is nothing new in law!

When local law systems won’t protect one’s civil rights, what does it take for federal intervention? Here’s a good example of why racial concord is lacking in Spokane. If Spokane is serious about race relations - beyond oratory - I suggest that you start with administering the law. Edward Thomas Jr. Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Newsboys concert top-notch

I had the opportunity to attend the Newsboys concert at the Spokane Arena last Sunday evening, along with my wife and stepsons and about 4,500 other people. What a show! It is wonderful to have top-notch contemporary Christian music being performed in a setting like the Arena. The Newsboys brought us their high-energy show, complete with a mock spacecraft landing from the ceiling of the Arena, out-of-this-world stage set and props, exceptional lighting and atmospheric effects, and landing craft that rotated up to become three large video screens.

The Newsboys present a fun, rocking show that got the crowd (literally) hopping. They included a percussion duet that put any 1960s drum solo to shame. The introductory acts, PlankEye and Geoff Moore and the Distance, did a fine job of energizing the large crowd, mostly composed of enthusiastic teenagers. Geoff Moore and the Newsboys each provided a clear testimony as to how their music is written to carry the Gospel message.

Thanks to The Spokesman-Review for publishing a fine preconcert review by Joe Ehrbar. I’m sure it helped bring additional people out to hear this fast-rising group. As Ehrbar pointed out, contemporary Christian music is one of the fastest-growing segments of the music business, and now includes artists performing in every imaginable form and style of music. Dale L. Strom Spokane

KAGU FM a service to community

In light of media and student criticism of the recent KAGU 88.7 FM format switch to classical music, I would like to add my voice to the conversation.

As a disc jockey who has worked under KAGU’s alternative and classical formats, I have recently witnessed a dramatic rise in the level of professionalism, programming and announcing quality on the radio station. Such a shift in format is bound to draw student criticism. But the radio station, unlike the Gonzaga student newspaper, is not only for the laboratory environment and experience for broadcasting majors. The radio station is also a vehicle of service to the community.

The KAGU sign-on message declares: “KAGU operates in the public interest and necessity.” The classical format has drawn a significant community audience. More importantly, the new format highlights the Jesuit model of education - advancing the arts and humanities. In this sense, the radio station extends itself to the community as an arm of the university.

The new format not only benefits the community, but also provides students with a more complete experience in broadcast education. From my perspective as an involved listener, the professional production level has been tremendously enhanced. The positive shift of format change has also introduced several new possibilities for the radio station, broadcast studies and the GU music department to work together in production projects.

I fully support the KAGU format change to classical music. I know many other students and members of the community who strongly agree with me. Samuel Francis Spokane

SOA supported by tax dollars

What do a 74-year-old nun, an Indian mother of eight and a Maryknoll priest all have in common? They have all spent time in a federal prison for protesting the “military education” provided by the School of the Americas (SOA) in Fort Benning, Georgia, and paid for by American taxpayers.

Do you remember the four church women raped and murdered in El Salvador in 1980? How about the six Jesuit priests murdered in 1989? Or the assassination of Archbishop Romero of El Salvador? Or perhaps less commonly known, the massacre of 900 peasants at El Mozote, El Salvador? Many of those responsible for the deaths of these innocent people were alumni of the SOA.

Can’t believe that our beautiful, wealthy and blessed country would support a school that teaches people to commit such unbelievable atrocities? Read syndicated columnist Molly Ivins in an October edition of The Spokesman-Review. Or the story by Mary McGrory in the July 5 Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Or read the account given by Dorothy Vidulich and Arthur Jones in the Oct. 4 National Catholic Register that tells about the recently released SOA training manual used from 1982 to 1991 after years of denying that torture manuals exist. This little gem admits to “methods” of arrest, beatings, torture and “neutralization” taught as part of the SOA curriculum.

Shame on all of us who knew and did nothing. Sheryl J. Gamble Post Falls

Council members should be dedicated

Thank you, Chris Anderson, for opening our eyes!

I find it very ironic that a City Council member can be so discouraged with the workings of our city government, but have no qualms accepting hard-earned tax dollars.

We wish you well, Mr. Anderson, and can only hope and pray our next council member will be dedicated to the quality of life for all. L.K. Morrill Spokane