Letters To The Editor

WASHINGTON STATE

Call for full health plan funding

The state’s Basic Health Plan is a very important source of fundamental support for many northeast Spokane families and for more than 15,000 people in Spokane County.

The Northeast Community Center Association has worked closely with the Health Improvement Partnership to establish a strong education and enrollment assistance program, to more effectively educate uninsured residents about this source of support.

We believe the Basic Health Plan is succeeding. More people insured means improved health. The Basic Health Plan, expansion of Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and for children are paying off. So are other programs for lower income people. Immunizations are up, unnecessary emergency room visits are down and infant mortality in Washington dropped 31 percent between 1988 and 1994.

Unfortunately, more than 38,000 county residents still lack health insurance coverage - and Basic Health Plan enrollment has been capped.

More than 6,000 county residents and more than 68,000 people statewide are on a waiting list that is growing by 500 people per day.

Please ask your legislators to do what’s necessary to ensure that every low-income working family has basic health care coverage. Ralph Gamon, president Northeast Community Center Association, Spokane

Legislature reneges on vital agreement

In an era of less government, public-private partnerships are taking on greater significance. The success of these partnerships depends on the Legislature keeping its word.

Unfortunately, Sen. Jim West (R-Spokane) is not setting a good precedent by voting against construction funds for a new law school building at the University of Washington.

Design funds were appropriated in 1995 with construction funds to be appropriated this year. The project was subject to the conditions that $10 million be raised from private donors by June 30 of this year and that at least one-third of the total cost would come from private donors.

In reliance on that legislation, the University of Washington raised more than $15 million and was well on its way to completing its end of the bargain. However, the Legislature has refused to keep its word.

Gov. Gary Locke proposed that $5.4 million be appropriated this year (to be matched by $2.7 million in private funds). That amount would enable the project to go forward, with funding to be completed in 1998 and 1999. But the Senate and House refused to accept this compromise.

Failure to act could result in one of the top-10 state law schools in the nation being placed on probation. Results would be equally disastrous for other public-private partnerships.

If this project fails, can any institution in this state propose, much less carry out, a partnership of public and private funding of a major construction project? Roger F. Chase, attorney Spokane

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Educators need attitude adjustment

I was appalled and disappointed by what I read in your article concerning the Spokane School District 81 makeup day, April 7 (“Spring fever,” April 8). The fact that only one-third of the high school students showed up for class, and that some who did were watching Hulk Hogan on TV, explains much.

No wonder many of the classes taught at the college level today are classes that are offered in high school - ones that, if taught with academic rigor, should not have to be retaken in college.

As a taxpayer, I resent having to pay to educate our youths twice. Since college tuition represents only about one-third of the actual college cost and many students are getting financial aid, I guess we get to pay again when these students have to take remedial classes in college.

I cannot believe parents apparently condoned their kids’ skipping of school. It is also disgraceful that teachers would not offer something educational - not Hulk Hogan - so the rationale for not attending the makeup cannot be justified.

Until this attitude changes, with higher standards and homework insisted on, we will continue to dump money into education with no improvement in the results. James Bellotty Spokane

Schools’ hospitality appreciated

The Irish Elementary schoolwide planning team thanks the students, staff and parents of Bemiss and Holmes elementary schools. We visited Spokane School District 81 Feb. 26 to March 2.

Carol Olson, the district’s Title 1 director, was extremely helpful to our understanding of Title 1 and strategic planning toward gaining statewide designation. She facilitated both of our elementary school visits.

Principals and staffs at Bemiss and Holmes were gracious. Students were well-behaved and showed great respect for one another and staff. We thank these educators for enhancing and enriching our vision to bring the highest quality instruction to our students. Lynette Salzman, principal Irish Elementary School, Fort Collins, Colo.

HEALTH CARE

Single-payer plan still worthwhile

After the demise of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s health plan, discussion of health care reform faltered.

What happened to the single-payer plan? Implemented, it would save as much as $100 billion yearly out of our $1 trillion health care costs. Reducing these costs should begin where the problems are most evident: the bloated and cumbersome health insurance and administration system.

We spend three times as much on administration as other industrialized countries.

The single-payer plan, as opposed to our current system or a government-run program, could be managed by just a few large insurance companies. Currently, there are 1,200 health insurance companies nationwide. Thousands of high-priced executives, salesmen and clerical workers would no longer be needed, but would share the benefits of lower health care premiums with everyone.

The Canadian single-payer system offers the example of health care costs that average about $2,000 per capita annually, as opposed to $3,000 in the United States. While not without its own problems - no system is problem-free - the Canadian system is vigorously endorsed by the Canadians. And why not? Patients enjoy longer hospital stays, more doctor visits and better outcomes while encumbered with less malpractice litigation and less excessive use of high technology.

Our public is poorly informed of the huge financial advantages and continued excellent health care available under a single-payer system. Wayne S. Limber, M.D. Nine Mile Falls

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Back those who reject PAC money

We are learning that big money cannot be removed from the political process by legislation.

Initiative 134 forced those of us who disagree with spending limits to find new methods of financing elections. That is the result of most laws controlling our actions that don’t enjoy broad public support. No surprise there.

Staff writer Jim Camden’s April 6 article suggests to me that we need to try another, much more effective approach to controlling the excessive influence of independent campaigns and political action committees on elections. This would require some individual effort and a small amount of money from each of us.

Campaign engines run on money and elections are won or lost by vote count - and dollar amount. No surprise here, either.

I-134 didn’t quite work as intended and Congress keeps putting off campaign finance reform. Let’s enact our own reform. Find and support candidates who will campaign the old-fashioned way - they want your help and will not accept funding from political action committees (PACs). Our country is worth your effort. Jon J. Tuning Spokane

Use former military bases as prisons

Pertaining to the shortage of prisons: Since the government closed down all those military bases, why don’t we use them for low-security prisons? At the same time, the prisoners could pay back their legal expenses and housing by working to make America beautiful. Vincent Blinbauer Spokane

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Fuhrman got raw deal all around

Thank you for the April 6 article on Mark Fuhrman.

Many were astonished when O.J. Simpson left the courtroom a free man despite overwhelming evidence he was a murderer. What happened to Mark Fuhrman was perhaps even more astonishing.

Early in the trial, Fuhrman was praised as an officer with years of meritorious service, an excellent detective who conducted careful investigations, kept meticulous notes and, in the Simpson case, found the single most important piece of evidence.

Then, almost overnight, this detective who had been lauded as one of the brightest and best was denounced by defense lawyers as the lowest of the low in some of the most vicious, inflammatory rhetoric I have every heard.

Without any attempt to put them into context, the now infamous tapes were introduced as proof Fuhrman was a virulent racist. None of the considerable evidence clearly showing he was not was ever introduced.

Prosecutors who could have and should have rehabilitated his character reviled and abandoned him. Finally, he was tried and convicted of perjury and stripped of all his constitutional rights. Among them: He cannot vote again.

Does anyone seriously believe the thoughts expressed on those tapes that damaged him so badly were actually Fuhrman’s and not, as he claims, those of a fictitious racist cop whose character he was helping develop for a screenplay? Would he ever have permitted those tapes to be made unless his claim is true?

I commend Sandpoint for rallying around Fuhrman and his family. He should be pardoned. Lois Neswick Spokane

Peffer demotion good move

I commend Spokane Police Chief Terry Mangan’s decision to demote then-Assistant Chief Dave Peffer. At the time of his arrest, Peffer was, in fact, the acting chief, and as such could be considered on 24-hour duty.

Interestingly, Peffer admitted he had a problem with alcohol only after his arrest. How convenient, and politically expedient. Peffer, in his position as assistant chief, is responsible for administering DUI reduction programs. He would know, perhaps better than anyone, the misery and cost of DUIs in grief, lives and money. Despite this, Peffer made the decision to get behind the wheel, obviously knowing he was drunk. I wonder how many times he had done that before? Kurt N. Anderson Spokane

PEOPLE AND ANIMALS

Gilded cage argument faulty

Andy Ireland (letters, April 7) misses the larger issue at hand in his response to Doug Clark’s column.

The fact that circus animals are cared for by loving experts is commendable but beside the point. The truth is: These animals do not belong in the circus at all. Characteristics inherent to lions, tigers and elephants were not developed by nature so that these animals could entertain humans. One only has to look at the teeth and claws of a Bengal tiger to realize its place is not in an arena spotlight, surrounded by thousands of circusgoers.

Ireland’s statement that circus animals “live healthier, safer and longer lives than their counterparts in the wild” amazed me by the sheer ignorance upon which it was based. Obviously, any animal will live longer if it’s under the constant surveillance of veterinarians and trainers. But what animal will ever live a complete life under these circumstances? These creatures are born to run free and hunt for their food, not to obediently wait for food to be placed in front of them.

I’d bet that Ireland would live a longer, healthier and safer life if he were confined to a hospital room for the rest of his life, under the constant care of dietitians and doctors who allowed him brief recesses throughout the day to “mimic” his natural abilities, and then rewarded him with a treat. But I’m sure he’d rather choose the life he has now, risks and all. Eric Strate Spokane

Giveaways not for the best

Spring is here and we all know what that means: even more people with free kittens and puppies outside the grocery stores.

I have an idea I hope will reduce the number of free pets that often end up wandering the streets or, worse, die. This is also a chance to teach responsibility to the youngsters who are so eager to share a kitten or puppy.

If, instead of offering the potential pets for free, one were to charge $10, one could easily accumulate enough money to have the mother spayed. Pet purchasers could buy a money order made out to a local vet for spaying/ neutering. They could explain to the kids the effect this will have on the number of unwanted pets.

You say most people don’t have an extra $10 for a pet? Owning a pet isn’t a right - it’s a responsibility. If you can’t afford $10 for one, how will you afford its food, vaccinations and vet fees? Do you have the time to invest in the animal to ensure its comfort? Do you intend to train it to behave? If you’re getting a pet for a child who isn’t old enough to clean his or her room, how will they take care of a pet that requires time every day?

If you feel you can give the creature a loving home, by all means take it. Make your first stop the local vet, for a checkup, and plan to have your new friend spayed or neutered. Patty Bozarth Newport, Wash.

OTHER TOPICS

Devout? Forgo the captain’s plate

For Jayne Edens (letters, March 22) and many others who believe the Bible is a “source of needed and fixed truth,” please remember that eating anything without scales and fins, from the sea, is an abomination. Therefore anyone out there who has eaten shrimp, lobster, octopus, squid or escargot has committed an abominable sin (Leviticus, 11:10-11) and needs to make a sacrifice.

Remember that a woman who wears anything that pertaineth to a man is committing an abomination (Deuteronomy, 22:5). I wonder if Edens has ever worn pants.

Please remember, thou shall not wear garments of various sorts, such as woolen and linen together (Deuteronomy, 22:11). I suggest anyone wearing a shirt made from a mix of cotton and polyester better change their ways.

Painting these sins with tolerance doesn’t make these sins OK, only more corrosive to our society. Eating non-scaled and finned creatures from the sea, women wearing pants, clothing designers mixing fabrics - all have helped corrode our society.

As a Christian, I try and follow the word of Jesus, not outdated law. I suggest that those of you who consider yourselves Christian should follow the words of Christ also: Love one another. Judge not, lest ye be judged. Let him without sin cast the first stone.

I suggest we as a society stop worrying about what consenting adults do in private and start worrying how we treat our fellow humans. Do we condemn them or treat them as we would like to be treated? Ali Thomas Spokane

Weather outlook too short

Your new weather page is fantastic, although you did not continue one important area: the extended five-day outlook. Planning ahead for our weekend, locally or for a weekend trip to the West Side or Montana, is something all of your readers do. We would like to see this longer-range forecast reinstated. Sandy Riggs Spokane