Letters To The Editor

Tue., April 29, 1997

THE ENVIRONMENT

Unrealistic take on a too-real threat

It was disappointing to read the April 21 editorial by D.F. Oliveria, which seemed more about exciting controversy than eliciting truth on the issue of lead and heavy metals contamination in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene rivers and the health threats posed by such pollution.

Dr. John Rosen, a nationally recognized, independent expert on lead poisoning, funded his own visit to Spokane, at the invitation of Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Peoples Action Coalition of Kellogg. He came specifically to share his expertise regarding health effects of lead exposure.

Was Oliveria disputing Rosen’s vast body of research and experience as a medical practitioner, that even trace amounts of lead can cause significant health impacts?

Was he disputing the studies conducted by the Department of Ecology in 1993 that showed high levels of several metals in the sediments and waters of the Spokane River?

Or, was the whole editorial merely an emotional reaction to the phrase “toxic soup”?

The real questions are when and how much mining waste pollution will migrate into Spokane’s waters and what might this mean in terms of affecting public health and our quality of life.

One useful point Oliveria did make was that Washington should help fund a comprehensive study of lead and other toxic metals in the river. Indeed, we are happy to report that the governor just signed a $300,000 bipartisan appropriation to do just that. Michele Nanni, campaign director Inland Empire Public Lands Council

Lead danger: consider the source

Who are we going to believe? On one hand, we have Dr. John Rosen of New York City saying, “It’s more likely than not that the Spokane River is contaminated” with lead. On the other, we have D.F. Oliveria of The Spokesman-Review saying, “Eat your heart out, Chicken Little.”

It’s difficult to choose who has better credentials. Rosen, a pediatrician, is one of the world’s leading experts on lead poisoning in children. Widely published in the leading medical and scientific journals of our time, he has spent decades studying lead toxicity in humans.

Oliveria, on the other hand, has spent the last several years writing anti-environmental editorials consistently marked by illogic, fabrications and name calling.

Who are we to believe?

You have to give Oliveria credit. He keeps plugging away, shamelessly supporting huge timber and mining corporations the best way he knows how - by writing editorials that fly in the face of all known science. And, of course, The Spokesman-Review, mouthpiece as it is for the economic interests of the rich, keeps publishing his fact-free editorials.

Turn-of-the-century historian Henry Adams had it right when he said, “The press is the hired agent of a monied system, and set up for no other purpose than to tell lies where their interests are involved.”

Time and again, Oliveria proves Adams right. Derrick B. Jensen Spokane

IN THE REGION

Preserve historic school

The Vatican has enlisted the support and assistance of bishops throughout the world to protect the church’s historic treasures. A pontifical commission has been formed under Pope John Paul II’s directive to identify and protect these properties.

Addressing the Cleveland Restoration Society, Bishop Anthony Pilla said the society fosters cooperation among all groups, secular and religious, in service to the common good. He said historical preservation responds to “the challenge to remember, for ourselves and with our people, ‘who we are’ - our roots and heritage, our values and our beliefs.”

Proper care and use of our historic places is one way to help us remember who we are, he said, citing places that provide “a link to the past that helps us to better understand our direction for the future.”

Pilla described a diocese as “a single faith community called to live in solidarity with the whole human family.” In that spirit, Catholics must work together as part of an interfaith community to strengthen the human family.

In Walla Walla, more than 2,700 people have signed petitions asking that a historical landmark, the 1928 St. Patrick School building, be preserved. A conservation group I represent, Save Our School Inc., has led the nearly four-year effort.

Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, like Pilla, is aware of the Pope’s directive to protect is historic properties. We ask Bishop Skylstad, prayerfully, to reconsider the church’s decision to destroy the historic school. Mary N. Koch Walla Walla

LAW AND JUSTICE

Scales of justice faulty indeed

I’m trying to understand why a rapist gets an exceptional 41-year-prison sentence and a murderer walks away with seven and one-half years. If he’s a good boy, he’ll be free in about three years.

Yes, rape is a violent crime, but at least the victim can take a breath of fresh air each day. David Witt can’t do that now. A rape victim’s family can help with healing. Witt’s family can’t.

I don’t see how defense attorney Dick Sanger can sleep at night knowing he basically helped a killer walk. How do you explain to a little boy that his daddy’s killer got slapped on the hand and walked, Sanger?

Once again, the so-called justice system has failed miserably. Heather E. Hubert Spokane

Judges, visit animals in shelter

Being active in animal rights, my thanks go to M. Louise Long. In her April 22 letter, Long criticized judges Chuck Baechler and Michael Padden for their lack of concern and failure to properly penalize low-life humans who perpetrate crimes against innocent, helpless animals.

The accused told the court they weren’t aware of the law so many of us in Washington state worked hard to get on the ballot. It looks like we’ll have to push further for this law to be taken seriously. These precious, abused pets will now be returned to a living hell.

One visit to the animal shelter to see terrified, wounded animals is all the proof the judges should need that those responsible should be dealt with as the law prescribes. Mary E. Cosentini Spokane

PEOPLE AND ANIMALS

Creatures don’t exist to be killed

I recently went to Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge with my class from Spokane Lutheran School. I really enjoyed it. Our school recently made bluebird boxes for Turnbull. While we were there, we saw them. It made me happy to think that we were a part of that.

I am really glad that people put time into preserving these refuges around the world, because too many people want to just shoot and kill the animals, often for money. I find it sad that people want to kill the animals when the animals are just as much a part of this Earth as we are.

It is OK to kill some of the animals for food. I wish, however, that people would not kill the endangered ones because then we will not be able to appreciate their beauty. Jennifer N. Harras Spokane

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Statue outcry went too far

Re: the “Joe Fan” article of April 16:

I agree that all people should have equal rights and representation. However, we should all grow up and open up our minds. How critical are we going to get on each and every issue? Would Joe have blue eyes, green eyes or brown? Would Joe be slim, overweight, tall or short? Would his skin be dark, light or in between? All such people also attend sporting events.

Should we also change Joe Albi Stadium’s name to include his mother? After all, without her Joe would never have existed.

We should become more united in our thinking. We should realize this statue represents all fans, regardless of age, gender, religion or ethnic background. Equality to all is a good thing, but some things can be carried too far. Dwayne Sauter Colville, Wash.

Missionaries a force for domination

Your IN Life article on the subject of “Hard lessons,” was excellent: Showing trans-generations of trauma and cultural oppression upon natives in the Americas by the colonialist-missionary-military-industrial complex.

My grandfather was abused at the hands of those in charge at the Fort Spokane site at the turn of the century.

I challenge the Rev. Joseph L. Obersinner, (Letters April 19) of DeSmet, Idaho, to re-read “Black Robes and Indians” by Sister Maria Ilma Raufer. She, perhaps unwittingly, depicts herself and the Catholic mission as that of a parasite in ethnic cleansing with the government-military and greedy immigrants of the European variety.

Is there no shame from within the church yet? James Stripes, Ph.D., was right in saying, “In fact, the U.S. ‘war’ against native lands and indigenous peoples is far from over,” (“Holocaust reference not so wrong,” Roundtable, March 27). To imply that natives liked the Catholic environment, as Obersinner said, “(Indian) parents brought their children freely to the mission school,” misrepresents the immense power of ethnic cleansing by immigrants who repressed natives’ resistance. After all, Christian clubs still hold that natives must be “saved.”

When are the Christian clubs going to admit that native culture needs to be saved from Christian clubs and native children from career pedophiles?

Missionaries need to take responsibility for their parasitic careers, benefits and empowerment from the plight of natives of the Americas and other cultures mission-oppressed and ethnically cleansed, worldwide. H. Lou Stone Inchelium, Wash

‘Laughing’ article not funny or true

Now let’s hear from the many healthy, active, productive women who are in their 70s. It’s articles like Jane Lavagetto’s “Laughing in the face of age” (April 20) that lead to stereotypes, generation gaps and age discrimination.

The “quirks and foibles” she describes are not typical, inevitable or humorous.

It no longer is acceptable to ridicule other races, nationalities or religions. So why is it OK to poke fun at our senior citizens?

As for the white-haired, pink-faced, blurry-eyed old hag in the illustration, she in no way represents 70-year-olds; probably not even the typical 80- or 90-year-old. Margie F. Middendorf Veradale

THE MILITARY

Women don’t belong in combat

According to the Constitution, a main purposes of the federal government is to provide military forces strong enough to preserve our freedom and defend our citizens against foreign attack and invasion.

Reports are now coming in from both within and without the military services that morale therein is at an all-time low. President Clinton’s policy on homosexuals and having women in combat positions have done much to create depression, confusion and weakness.

Women have a great place in the military, for positions in hospitals, administration, etc. Place them in combat is fair to neither men nor women. Women are givers of life. They are not normally takers of life, as is required of soldiers, and they are not emotionally geared as are men in time of conflict.

Neither do women have the muscular body construction to as effectively aid their fellow soldiers in physical combat. Also, the emotional and sexual chemistry between men and women is such that it greatly dilutes the drive to create a fighting unit with the zeal needed to succeed in life-and-death situations.

I wonder why anyone with an ounce of intelligence would create such problems as have been created in America’s forces. It is absolutely disgusting. Josephine N. Osborne Coeur d’Alene