Letters To The Editor

U.S. AND THE WORLD

Real nuclear threat is ours, to us

Overkill strikes again in the name of national security.

President Clinton, still nursing self-inflicted wounds over his military history, is threatening to deal with chemical and biological attacks by nuking somebody.

The nuclear weapons industry, putting aside any petty individual aspirations for a livable world for our children, has succeeded in assuring huge profits until someone drops the “big one.”

The arms race of the last decade has been unfulfilling. With no nuclear challengers, nor even a country on the enemies list that can match Washington state’s military spending, our credibility was shot.

The policy on chemical and biological weapons gives us a wonderful excuse to nuke the petty criminals among the nations. We’ll have to be a little picky, though. Most “rogue states” with these unthinkable weapons are our allies.

The idea that nuclear weapons can protect us is stupid. Chemical and biological weapons are horrible and inexcusable, but Americans must realize the Earth has survived cholera and smallpox epidemics, but not a nuclear war; and we maintain a huge arsenal of the same insane and immoral bio-chem weapons as the “rogue states,” many of them very close to Spokane and more of a threat to our lives than Saddam Hussein will ever be. Rusty Nelson Spokane

Treaty means end of autonomy

A deal better than NAFTA? Perhaps. The meeting in Japan over global warming - was it necessary or are we still slowly coming out of the Ice Age?

Private studies vs. government studies give us opposing views. The government views will win, no doubt, but are they right?

Thirty-eight nations are required to reduce emissions by 2008, Europe by 8 percent, the United States by 7 percent and Japan by 6 percent. Developing nations such as India and China are asked to set voluntary reduction targets. Will this set up a global trading system that would allow polluting countries (such as ours) to buy pollution permits from countries that exceeded their targets for reducing pollution gases? Wouldn’t this arrangement let us purchase from their credits to lessen our own percentage? If not, they say we may be paying up to 50 percent more for gasoline and electricity.

Would this, then, let us move into these undeveloped countries, much the way we have in Mexico, and produce our automobiles, for example, to get around this pressing problem? If so, we could dictate their future and thus gather more control of the world’s people and their money.

The United Nations then could mean just that, a one-world, united nation. When you control man’s money, you control man, and we then have a world government controlled by the largest of the corporate world. The average U.S. citizen would have no say in affairs of state. Jack J. Gumm Colville, Wash.

SPOKANE HUMANE SOCIETY

Keep animals’ needs as first priority

We cannot accept self-serving excuses, misrepresentations and denials of the truth that can never illuminate said truth. Facts must be examined if we are to find honest answers.

We have to focus on the lost, sick, injured and abandoned animals that desperately need the fare available at the Humane Society.

Problems arose when a termination was deemed necessary by the board members who are responsible for policy making, planning, review, funding and community service. Personnel matters should always be confidential; documentation and evidence must support termination.

Fiscal limitations, an $11,000 monthly loss, are obviously a serious burden on the shelter, which depends heavily on donations.

Most of us are unwilling or unable to do what must be done for animals at the refuge. We ought to consider that low pay rarely draws high-quality applicants. Furthermore, if the shelter is to fulfill its mission to “relieve the suffering and abuse of all animals,” those in leadership positions must run it efficiently, with employees hired to follow procedures as determined by management.

Moreover, open communication is crucial if solutions are to be found for the above problems. Trust and respect must be restored between the director, board members and staff if good morale is to be reinstated. We can help the society to be solvent by giving generous donations regularly. The shelter is operating despite the setbacks and will continue to do so with our help. We have to stand and speak for the animals, who cannot. Joyce M. Paris Spokane

Board acted in foolish haste

It distresses me that any agency in our community can be so imperious as to treat Susan Canterbury in such an unreasonable fashion. She certainly deserves a longer trial period than five months, and more humane consideration of the circumstances than she was accorded.

I hope the pressure of public opinion will force the Humane Society’s board of directors to reconsider its hasty and inhumane behavior. I assure Canterbury that the actions of this board are not an accurate reflection of Spokane’s spirit. Helen B. Towne Spokane

Do the right thing for Canterbury

Why in the world would you announce a firing and then say it was a closed personnel matter? This incident has certainly made the Spokane Humane Society look bad.

I am a former member of the Wisconsin Hoofed Animal Humane Society and a founder, treasurer and board member of the Wisconsin Horse and Pony Humane Society. I was similarly involved with the Humane Connection Humane Society. Past experiences show that there are many so-called experts out there when it comes to animals and humane work.

Unfortunately, many of these “experts” seek only to stand on the sidelines and criticize. Hindsight is 20-20 vision.

My sympathies go out to Susan Canterbury, but perhaps a written contract regarding her job would have been in order before she moved out here. The minimum action of the Spokane Humane Society would be to allow her to collect unemployment compensation. If she is not interested in remaining in Spokane, her relocation costs should be paid also. This would provide some credibility for the society. John T. Newcomb Otis Orchards

Board making a mess of things

I was outraged by the treatment of the last-hired director of the Humane Society.

Perhaps the time has come for some outside agency to scrutinize the present board of directors. I hope Susan Canterbury at least files suit and forces the issue.

That eight directors have been fired in 10 years presents a snapshot of an incompetent group of directors. Simply random chance would tell you that no fewer than four of these fired individuals were qualified. If not, then those on the board of directors are incapable of choosing a qualified candidate and should be relieved of their positions.

The society serves an important function and needs stability and nurturing to fulfill its mission. It appears that this folly will continue until the board members are brought to heel. Rick B. Rubin Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Barrier-free home design - not

Have you ever noticed that the Sunday Real Estate section bears a disclaimer as an advertising supplement? It was the Dec. 14 plan of the week that brought this fine print to my attention.

The featured (i.e. advertised) house plan, headlined as a “barrier-free design” is clearly not designed for accessibility. Each entrance to the house indicates two steps, an obvious access problem. The text then restates the headline, boasting that all rooms are wheelchair accessible. They are not! There is not a single bathroom in the entire plan that would be accessible to a person using a wheelchair. The utility room, one secondary bedroom and the master suite are also not accessible.

I could go on with the critique but the bottom line is, don’t believe everything you read in an advertising supplement. The stock plan of the week is not chosen because of its quality.. If you really want a barrier-free design, I recommend consulting a licensed architect. Sue Lani W. Madsen, AIA Edwall, Wash.