Letters To The Editor

Sun., Dec. 7, 1997

THE ENVIRONMENT

Liberals seek profits from false theory

Elizabeth Whelan’s Nov. 26 column (Opinion) about the theory of global warming and the misconceptions from the doomsayers is a classic example of how far out of touch with reality and basic common sense the extreme left wing, which controls our government, has evolved in the past 40 years.

Global warming theory is about politics, power, control and greed. These are the cornerstones of the neoliberal establishment - whatever you do, don’t let the facts get in the way of a political agenda - all under the guise of “save our (fill in the blank).”

Whelan has shown us where our priorities should be. And the No. 1 killer of the human race is still poverty, as it was 40 years ago. Neoliberals are spending hundreds, possibly thousands, of millions more of your tax dollars chasing a theory and signing worthless United Nations global warming pacts, all while your tax dollars are being squandered shamefully, almost criminally, as children drop like flies.

It’s called priorities. Poverty is the No. 1 killer in the world. Where do you rank the global warming theory?

Why do neoliberals turn a blind eye to this human global holocaust? Simple - there’s no profit in poverty. Scott A. Smith Kettle Falls, Wash.

Well I’ll be - I’m a Marxist

I woke up this morning feeling like a chipper, happy-go-lucky college student. Then I read Greg Holmes’ letter (“Don’t listen to Sierra Club Marxists,” Dec. 13) and found out I’m really an extremist hellbent on bringing Marxist philosophy to Spokane. Who knew?

Because I’m against deforestation, global warming, urban sprawl, extinction and all those other darned Sierra Club peeves, I’m trying to steal constitutional rights from my fellow man. Damn me!

After that assertion, Holmes’ letter got a bit more ridiculous. He says that when a resource becomes truly scarce, technology improves and people adjust to the deficiency. About the people I have no argument, because they don’t really have a choice but to change after they’ve wasted a resource. About the technology, though, it comforts me to know that somewhere there’s a scientist with a solution just waiting for the moment we see that last tree.

Holmes argues we should leave responsibility for monitoring pollution and waste to individuals, because they somehow know best. The thing is, people are darned selfish. A world where a man could pollute and rape the land to his content would be a very scary world indeed.

I’m proud of my membership in the Sierra Club, not to mention the World Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy. Every time I write one of them a check, I pray they;ll save the Earth from anarchists who can’t stand to be told that what they’re doing is wrong. Individual rights have to stop somewhere, for the good of everyone. If that makes me a Marxist, then call me Comrade. Ryan C. Grant Cheney

Logging national forests a loser

I’m relieved to hear the Forest Service has finally admitted it has lost taxpayers’ money every year since 1992. I don’t doubt they started losing money before that.

The next intelligent step would be to end commercial logging in national forests. There is no progressive point in continuing a broken system.

First, the job loss would be minimal. Timber jobs related to destroying national forests comprise only 3 percent of jobs in our region. And, according to the Forest Service, it contributes only 4 percent of all timber used nationwide. We could easily replace jobs and wood fiber by increased efforts of municipalities recycling paper and wood.

There are hundreds of other reasons to stop logging in our national forests. I prefer to camp in wilderness rather than on a slope of stumps and homeless animals.

Let’s use the opportunity of response and reaction we have to end commercial logging in our national forests. Julia C. Shideler Spokane

Slick ads belie sorry truth

Potlatch Corp. had to have cut down a lot of trees to pay for its glitzy ads telling us what great stewards of its forest lands it’s become.

The ads are impressive - lush forest scenes with crystal clear babbling brooks, a sweet little bird nestled in the hand of a forester newly converted to environmental concern.

This evident transformation of Potlatch people to the enlightened view that forests have values beyond board feet should be encouraging. A visit to Potlatch timber holdings in the Stoney Creek area near Clarkia, Idaho, reveals a scene far different than what’s shown on TV- massive clearcuts on steep slopes, causing deposition of mud and silt in public-owned streams.

The slick ad campaign by Potlatch and other resource industries raises some worrisome questions. Is the public to be informed by the broadcast media after searching inquiry or by interests that have the resources to buy costly broadcast time? Do these ads reflect a change in Potlatch management philosophy or an image-building public relations gimmick?

Broadcast media use the public airwaves free of charge. In exchange, isn’t the public entitled to accurate and adequate reporting on important news, like what’s happening in public and private forests? Buell Hollister Post Falls

Bonnie Raitt’s warbling sour notes

Bonnie Raitt has joined Robert Redford, Whoopie Goldberg, Ted Turner and Jane Fonda in deciding what’s best for the people of Northwest Montana. I’m sure Raitt has learned a lot of about what’s best for rural America from writing and singing country songs.

She has joined with four groups dedicated to turning Northwest Montana into a national park by stopping all base industries. Rock Creek Alliance, Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Coalition, Island Mountain Protectors and the Montana Environmental Information Center are all radical groups that intend to stop any industry, mining or logging in this area. And it doesn’t matter that taxes from these industries are the lifeblood of our economy - schools and roads especially, because they are funded straight from the activities of these industries.

Raitt has divided the money from Missoula and Helena concerts among the mentioned groups to be used, I’m sure, to keep jobs and opportunity out of this area.

Country music is supposed to be the music of the common people, not something to promote a performance at the White House.

Raitt, get your priorities straight. Sing for the people, not the radicals. Joe B. Gilmer Troy, Mont.

MEAN STREETS

Cut the fat, then do repairs

Re: “Streets get bumpy ride on budget” (Nov. 24).

Spokane City Manager Bill Pupo and City Council members have closed their eyes and minds in trying to find economic means to pay back the $2.66 million loan the council made to repair a few city streets.

First, they shouldn’t have taken out the loan not knowing how they would repay it. They assumed taxpayers would approve the gas tax levy, but taxpayers disagreed.

Congratulations to those who voted for Mayor-elect John Talbott and Councilman-elect Rob Higgins - open-minded individuals willing to look into the city’s closets for money wastes and the possible cutback of unnecessary expenses.

City Council and city management, clean up your act on expenses and you just might find the legislators in Olympia willing to help from their $800 million surplus. Incidentally, how do you think our state treasury accumulated its surplus? By eliminating waste.

It’s difficult for us taxpayers to really believe our City Council has no funds to maintain city streets when we know the city’s income level. What would you city leaders do if we were to have an economic downturn?

Please remember also, as you attempt to attract new residents and businesses, the condition of our streets, the many weeds and vast amount of litter along the entrances to our city provide a very poor image. Most private residences and businesses attempt to maintain neat appearances. I wish we could say the same for our city managers of our city buildings and accesses. Gordon Van Leuven Spokane

Every little bit of money can help

If Spokane does not have enough money to repair the streets, why are raises even being considered? Some time ago, raises were negotiated with the unions, when a gas tax was going to be on the ballot. When that tax was defeated and city finances did not not meet expectations, why didn’t the City Council just say no one would get raises in 1998?

Now, City Manager Bill Pupo wants to give many department managers raises, and if I read it correctly, retroactive to the beginning of 1997. The raise for the managers would be $42,000 for 1997, about $95,000 for both years. I realize $95,000 isn’t very much, but it would repair quite a few potholes, and we have plenty of them.

Councilman Mike Brewer said, “The little dab involved is insignificant.” When you’re talking about a budget of over $100 million, that is pretty insignificant. But when you add some of these to the budget, it doesn’t take long to amount to a lot. Back in the 1950s, Sen. Everett Dirkson said, “A billion here and a billion there, and pretty soon, you’re talking real money.” In my opinion, $42,000 is quite a lot of money. It appears Cherie Rodgers is one council member who has some financial sense. My hat is off to her. Albert Neugebauer Spokane