Letters To The Editor
SPOKANE MATTERS
Unregulated lap dances hazardous
Regarding Deja Vu: I don’t believe passing of the county ordinance is merely an issue of morality. I believe it was passed for the purpose of safety.
I am that former dancer people refer to and whether Alicia Erickson chooses to acknowledge it or not, drug use, drug sales and lewd lap dances did occur on a daily basis during my two and one-half years of employment. When I chose to return to my professional sales career, I left in good standing.
God gives us free will to choose our path. The ordinance doesn’t interfere with that choice.
As a dancer, I was bitten in the breast and genital area, fondled and grabbed without my permission, as were other dancers. These things occur due to the close proximity of the Texas-style lap dance.
Moving the dancers off the customers only helps to ensure the dancers’ safety. Many Western U.S. nightclubs forbid dancers to touch customers. Many dancers even remain semi-clothed on stage, and I’ve witnessed girls making as much as $50 per stage show.
Local churches need to band together to help the girls who choose to enter the mainstream work force. Valleybrook Community Church members have made such an offer. While they cannot promise an annual income of $40,000, they can help them find a life full of love and hope.
It’s out of concern for the safety of my friends at Deja Vu that I will continue to be pro-active in keeping this ordinance in place. Kimberly L. Drake Spokane
Brothers under the spin
The city of Spokane had to suffer through ex Councilman Chris Anderson and the county is stuck with Commissioner Phil Harris.
Reading the Dec. 15 article concerning Harris’ about-face on his previous demand to lower the sheriff’s salary, I became painfully aware of how much like Anderson he is. Both put their own political agenda way above the good of their constituency.
Regarding his change of mind, Harris stated, “Maybe I’m just being obnoxious.” Well now, there is a bit of news that is not news. That is his natural state.
The only thing I can recommend to county residents is to vote him out, since he is not likely to slink off to California. Phil J. Bergin Spokane
Wrong turn at Assembly and Francis
Three lumps of coal for the stocking of the cerebrally challenged engineer who designed the mish-mash at the intersection of Assembly and Francis.
Was this a late-running April Fool’s joke run amok? Or was it an attempt to break all records for the number of road signs posted within a half-mile radius? Or was it a vision born of the Spokane Police Department, to ensure that even the laziest cop could write his quota of traffic tickets in 30 minutes or less to bewildered motorists trying to work their way through the maze?
Bah, humbug! Donalda K. Thorn Nine Mile Falls
Thanks for friendly hospitality
This past weekend my family and I visited your city for the first time. We traveled in for the 1-AA semifinal college football game between your Eastern Washington University Eagles and our Youngstown State University Penguins.
We want to let everyone in Spokane know that we were absolutely astounded and impressed with the outpouring of hospitality we received during our visit.
In the past few years we have traveled to many cities to watch the boys play football. Never in all those years in any of those cities have we been greeted with such warmth and friendliness. From the moment we landed to the moment we took off, we were welcomed with unbelievable hospitality by the personnel at the airport, the hotel staff, merchants we visited and everyone else we came in contact with.
Even our opponents in the stands of the stadium, during and after the heat of battle at the game, were refreshingly friendly and gracious. We were congratulated after the game not only by Eagles fans around us (who were, I am sure, quite tired of being rained on by our confetti) but also by media personnel on the field, the security force in the stands and even the guy driving the beer truck on the way out. What a warm and wonderful city you have!
Congratulations on having not only a winning college football team but also a winning and charming city - one we hope to visit again very soon. Thank you again for your gracious hospitality. Joan Andreadis and family Milford, Ohio
Visit was a delight throughout
We accompanied the Youngstown State University football team to Spokane last week for the NCAA I-AA semifinal game against Eastern Washington University at Albi Stadium.
Although our visit was short, it produced lasting memories and a very favorable overall impression. Your natural treasures, including the forested mountains and powerful Spokane River, which we viewed from the foot bridge at Riverfront Park, are stunning. Your bustling downtown, with its many busy stores, offices and restaurants, and clean, modern hotels, reminds us of downtown Youngstown before the onslaught of shopping malls and the exodus to the suburbs.
As we drove through the residential neighborhoods in our rental car, we found mile after mile of well-maintained housing and several beautiful parks. The restored Flour Mill drew virtually everyone in the YSU party to the shops and the restaurant.
But your greatest asset is your people. Their genuine kindness, warmth and congeniality, in the city and before, during and after the game at the stadium, were so refreshing.
From the charming young EWU student who served us lunch at Fugazzi’s to the dozens of EWU fans who drifted over to the YSU fans after the game to shake our hands and wish us luck in the finals in Chattanooga, people throughout our visit treated us as friends and neighbors.
Thank you, Spokane, for your hospitality. Tom and Kate Shipka Youngstown, Ohio
Get serious about air quality
Once again, Spokane has taken a hit on air quality. Only seven cities in the United States have managed to make the EPA bad list. We are right there with smoggy Los Angeles.
Poor air quality means health problems and even lowered life expectancy for many people. Spokane leaders, however, express concern not for the health of the people but whether or not Consolidated Widget will choose to locate in Spokane now.
We do not need to be bringing in toxic wastes from Canada to be burned in the waste-to-energy plant.
The city of Spokane should also consider the use of electric cars for some city vehicles. Such vehicles are already in use in some U.S. cities. These are American-made cars which produce no carbon monoxide. Such vehicles might be used in parking meter enforcement and for small local parcel deliveries. Perhaps the U.S. Postal Service could use these also.
Spokane needs to reduce its air pollution, both for health reasons and for the city’s image. Greg J. Works Spokane
‘TIS THE SEASON
Celebrate solstice change Sunday
As an American citizen, I am gratified to see this nation’s (and especially our community’s) citizens pull together to help those in need and to give honor to all holiday beliefs. Where once all celebrations but those of Christmas were hidden, the people have grown to accept not only Hanukkah and those religions which do not celebrate, but also the specialized celebrations of Kwanzaa and La Posada.
Christmas is a time of tradition. How is it, then, that the oldest traditions still are not accepted and few know what our ancestors celebrated before their Catholic conversion?
Dec. 21 marks the first day of winter in America. In Europe, this is the winter solstice or Yule, when darkness begins to lose its power over the sun and the days begin to grow longer. Yule celebrates the return of hope and rebirth to the Earth and was symbolized by pre-Christians with the new birth of the sacrificial king who would give his life for the survival of the Earth and her inhabitants
To help strengthen the return of the sun, our ancestors would light candles to help banish the darkness. To honor the strength of nature, evergreens were woven into wreaths with holly, ivy and mistletoe, and placed in the home to remind the inhabitants that if nature can survive the dark times, so must man.
So take a pause on Sunday, light a candle and remember. Wendy L. McDonald Spokane
Make holiday about Christ’s birth
Christmas is not what it should be. It is not presents and parties, Santa and reindeer, trees and mistletoe, candy and gingerbread houses.
Christmas is much more. It is Jesus, God’s only son, born to the virgin Mary in a manger under a star in Bethlehem. Our savior. The Bible talks about Jesus’ birth, not about Christmas. Kristen Van Engelen, age 11 Spokane
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Medicare changes don’t deserve support
“Medicare take-away fouls budget,” a letter from Floyd H. Stewart (Dec. 9), urges seniors to contact Rep. George Nethercutt and Sens. Patty Murray and Slade Gorton to demand support for HR 2497 and S1194.
At a recent meeting of Spokane’s Senior Legislative Coalition, we discussed these bills, which are also known as the Kyl Amendment, proposed by Sen. John Kyl (R-Ariz.). A colleague gave me a copy of an article by Philip R. Lee, a physician with 49 years of experience, who wrote, “Bad solution for problem that isn’t,” a special to the Washington Post.
As a member of the American Medical Association for nearly 50 years, Lee is outraged by the AMA’s support of the Kyl Amendment, which would permit physicians to charge Medicare beneficiaries more than Medicare allows.
Proponents, the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Steve Forbes, claim the proposal would enable patients to choose their doctor. But the real impact would be to allow medics to choose how much to charge, despite the limits AMA endorsed less than 10 years ago.
Since 1992, Medicare has used a fee schedule to determine what rates physicians may charge. If the Kyl Amendment were enacted, the result would be higher fees and reduced access for low-income Medicare beneficiaries who are already burdened with the high cost of health care.
In supporting the Kyl Amendment, the AMA is putting physicians’ economic interests above professional obligations to patients.
“Why should doctors be allowed to gouge Medicare recipients with higher fees?” asks Dr. Lee. “Are they behind in their BMW payments?” Elinor F. Nuxoll Spokane
Why bother with investigation?
Re: “Clinton orders probe to dig up facts over burial at Arlington,” Dec. 6.:
Who will be conducting this so-called probe? Will it be the same incompetents who allowed this travesty to occur in the first place or will Clinton turn this “probe” over to that consummate fact finder, Attorney General Janet Reno?
No matter who in this administration conducts this so-called probe, don’t expect anything to come out of this except the usual stonewalling, fabricating and outright lying we’ve grown accustomed to from this phony baloney president and his corrupt and inept administration.
We all know this charade will be a total waste of time since we know exactly why Clinton’s buddy was buried in Arlington. He bought his way in with a generous donation to Clinton and with large donations to the Democratic Party.
Although this episode may or may not be attributed directly to Clinton, it is the direct result of his disgraceful, unconscionable and uncaring attitude toward whose who serve their country in the military. One cursory look at this draft dodger’s past, his administration and those he has appointed will confirm this observation. Bill Klein Nine Mile Falls
Clinton’s doing well; Get off his back
Those poor Republicans. They are just livid that they can’t pin something on President Clinton.
There was Whitewater-gate and Travel Gate. The next one I expect to hear is Boxer Gate, where they will ask for an independent council to investigate if the president actually wears boxer shorts, as he told some young folks when asked.
These Republican congressmen should get back to the job of running the Congress instead of spending $42 million for hearings.
Clinton works at his job 16 to 18 hours a day. He got a bill passed that made the rich pay their fair share of taxes. What the bill did was to lower the deficit, lower the interest rates, lowered inflation and helped lower unemployment. And the stock market is doing great.
The deficit was $386 billion when he took office. When last reported, it was $22 billion. Another quarter and it will probably be balanced - four years before the Republicans’ own plan to balance the budget, their plan being to give the wealthy more big tax breaks.
What they should do is get the heck off the president’s back. Let him do his job. Stop those brick-hearted, bottom-line ultraconservatives from starting frivolous lawsuits and give the man a medal for what he has done for the economy and the country! Richard M. Menke Spokane
OTHER TOPICS
Immigration foes’ concern is crowding
Opinion editor John Webster’s Dec. 12 editorial (“Only real shortage is one of good grace”) would have us believe those of us who oppose the presently high level of immigration are selfish environmentalists or paranoid nativists.
Come on, Webster, it’s simply about numbers. Although only a part of the picture, immigration adds immensely to an already crowded, abused country.
You don’t have to be an environmentalist or a nativist to dislike traffic congestion, disappearing or overcrowded hunting and fishing areas or higher taxes to pay for more schools, prisons and infrastructure to accommodate more people.
There are virtually billions of people who would move to the United States if the opportunity to do so came about. Whether or not they are nice, hard-working people does not mean we should want huge numbers of them to move here.
Because baby production continues to proceed at a higher rate, the country already has to deal with huge population increases. It’s time to slow down the massive infusion of immigrants. Del A. Pierce Sagle, Idaho
Bills coming due on use and abuse
The captains of industry whose fossilized thinking is rooted in penalty-free pollution are pretty worried about that climate change conference held in Kyoto, Japan. They would like to put off damage claims as long as possible. But, just as some Superfund cleanup site makers have discovered, the damage done is paid for at some point.
Most climate scientists, the experts here, say human activity has contributed to global warming. Humans are indeed altering the face of the planet. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased 25 percent in the past 100 years. Global tree-cutting is on the rise. Ozone depletion is now known to be mostly man-caused.
The majority of nations that gathered in Kyoto saw a need to change our ways. Until now, the United States, a larger contributor of greenhouse gases, has declined to take full responsibility for its share of pollution. The biggest polluters should have to pay more.
The solutions aren’t so hard to figure out. Strong support for incentive to drive smaller cars, to recycle wood products, use hemp-based products and to develop alternative energy sources would do us all good.
We can pay now or we can pay later for our arrogance toward nature’s systems, but we will pay. J. Gary Kavanagh Spokane