Letters To The Editor

CHRISTMAS

A very special Christmas wish

I would like to share this real-life story with all of you. It happened on Dec. 15 in Spokane.

For the past eight years, I have had the pleasure of volunteering as Santa Claus for the Spokane Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Program (SCAN) at its annual Christmas party. The volunteers and staff provide a party for all the families who are involved in the sharing and are receiving help through the SCAN program.

As Santa Claus, I greet the children, and they share with me what they would like for Christmas. Each child receives a Polaroid picture taken with Santa and a large Christmas stocking filled to the brim with toys and usable items. Sometimes, a group picture is taken with the children and their family. This year again, I had the joy of being sat on, held, wet on and hugged by more than 200 children. Each and every child is very special.

About two-thirds of the way through the program, a brother and sister sat on my knees and looked directly at me. The little boy seemed to be about 6 and his sister was about 7 or 8. The boy was average size and dressed for the special occasion. The sister was slightly built with long brown hair, brown eyes and fine features; she was dressed in a long dress.

I asked the boy what he would like for Christmas and he named two or three toys. I then asked the very soft-spoken girl what Santa could bring her for Christmas. She quietly expressed, “I don’t want a present for Christmas.” I asked her again what Santa could bring her, and again she replied that she did not want a present.

If there was anything at all she could have, what would that be? I asked.

She looked up at me and quietly replied, “I want my family to be together again.”

It took me by surprise, and I must have had 100 different emotions and feelings pass through my mind. I could feel tears forming in my eyes. I told her that Christmas is a very special holiday and special things have happened. I also told her that this Santa prays to God and that I would pray for her and her family.

She smiled as she climbed down off my lap and she and her brother slipped quietly away. As I composed my feelings, I greeted the next family of children.

After the program was over and I was driving home, I started to think about all the boys and girls who really don’t want a material gift but want the true love of family - sharing love, kindness and consideration for one another.

If you have that in your family, you have the greatest gift as seen through the eyes of a child.

Merry Christmas! Robert W. Kaul Spokane

A bit of true Christmas < Recently, while grocery shopping in the Valley, I had occasion to observe a woman accompanied by two young adults (possibly twins) with Down syndrome. I was impressed with the quiet happiness and affection the three shared. I wanted to approach them and share in their obvious contentment, but I’m sure the young folks attracted much unwanted attention and I didn’t want to intrude.

As I watched them leave the store, I couldn’t help but think that the world is a better place because of people like them. In this topsy-turvy world of ours, what a blessing to witness a tiny example of the peace and love that personify the true meaning of Christmas. Lois Gharst Spokane

HUMANE SOCIETY

Humane Society coverage excellent

Congratulations to Adam Lynn for his excellent coverage of the turmoil at the Spokane Humane Society. Past coverage has been incomplete, but Lynn seems to be interested enough in the story to pursue it, not just drop it.

It might be useful to inquire into the source of power on the board. Once he has identified the power people, he will have identified the problem. He might also ask for a copy of the bylaws written, at the board’s request, by Paul Bosarge. It took almost a year to develop those. Have those been abandoned or just renamed as belonging to the Humane Society of the United States? Again, thank you for a job on its way to being well-done. Susan C. Dar Spokane

The goal: taking care of animals

Regarding the Spokane Humane Society’s recent problems: It’s very sad that people have to lose their jobs right before Christmas. If I recall, SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. had problems a while back also.

I don’t understand. If the main concern of both facilities is the well-being of unwanted animals, why don’t they merge and use each other’s resources to meet their ultimate goals, which I assumed are caring for the animals until they can be placed in good homes (and, understandably, putting some to sleep)?

If the two could learn to work together instead of competing against each other and could reduce the number of people in decision-making positions, the animals surely would come out ahead. Isn’t that the goal? Cindy L. Warner Colbert

TRAFFIC

Intersection is a maze

Recent letter writers are absolutely right about the new intersections of Francis, Assembly and Driscoll Boulevard. What were engineers thinking about when they decided to merge two-lane traffic traveling down a long, steep hill into one very narrow lane?

The road signs are a nice touch (I lost count after counting 25), but I doubt they will help much when the road is icy and one is trying to maneuver a sharp curve and merge at the same time while traveling 35 mph.

Granted, the intersections certainly needed some improvements because of the growth of this northwest Spokane area, but I’ll bet the people responsible for designing this maze live nowhere near it. Gayle L. Smith Spokane

A masterpiece of confusion

Re: Donalda K. Thorn’s letter, “Wrong turn at Assembly and Francis”: I would like to update Thorn’s mailing list. The three lumps of coal should be sent to Larry, Moe and Curly because I know they must be working eight-hour shifts around the clock to keep this intersection as fouled up as it is.

I would like to see a member of the Spokane Police Department rack up some bonus points on the “special” people who feel the new signage - no matter how ridiculous - applies to everyone but them. I am not talking about the confused traveler, but regular commuters who continue to ignore the new traffic flow and make life interesting for those of us trying to continue north on Assembly to the Westgate Rim area. This includes a few of the Westgate Rim residents who still come straight across Francis. Get a clue, people - this no longer is allowed.

I also find the new traffic flow confusing and, if something is not done to enforce the new status quo, dangerous.

If you want a real life-broadening experience, try navigating this area when there is an event at Albi Stadium. Thomas K. Collins Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Hemp could solve some problems

Last year, I read a novel about the power of hemp. It’s set in Spokane, written by a Spokane author. A main theme of this book is global climate change, both in terms of public and governmental reaction to the potential catastrophe and elegant alternatives to petroleum dependence offered by hemp.

Unmistakable evidence of climate change is piling up everywhere. The main cause is the burning of fossil fuels. The fundamental science is very simple: As we load the atmosphere with more gases such as carbon dioxide, more of the sun’s energy is stored in the atmosphere instead of being radiated back into space.

Fossil-fuel industries are spending many millions trying to convince people that what is happening is not really happening. So far, this has been effective because the issue involves science and the general level of scientific literacy in America is so low. One thing about reality, though - there’s not enough money on the planet to keep it away.

Despite the flood of letters to the editor detailing how man-caused climate change is not really happening, from people ignorant of science, don’t write Spokane off. Hemp offers solutions to some of our most critical problems. Spokane finally has a store devoted to hemp. The world’s only novel about hemp is from Spokane. This place is more progressive than one might think. Kevin L. Fisher Spokane

Barry column out of line

The “good paper” fell to a new level of bathroom humor on Dec. 13. What a perversion of the holiday season to feature Dave Barry and his gift list, plus picture. So much for family values! Mary Alice Conlin Spokane

Modifications eliminate barriers

In response to the letter from Sue Lani W. Madsen (“Barrier-free home design - not,” Dec. 20), I concede that this plan should have been labeled as “barrier-free adaptable,” which was the intent from the beginning.

Several slight modifications are addressed in the working drawings that bring this home up to full accessibility. Some are as minor as omitting a bank of cabinets in the utility room or moving the door location into the master bedroom.

With respect to the stairs at the entrance, there are different foundation options to eliminate the steps, or there is the option of a ramp, which we all have seen at various locations.

One does not need to seek the help of a licensed architect to ensure a successful project. However, one should be careful about whom one chooses. Mistakes in the plans translate into dollars out of your pocket. Scott A. Diettert Residential Design Services, Spokane

Young writers inspiring

Re: The Spokesman-Review’s 1997 outdoor writing contest for high school students: My wife and I found the poem, “Fence Post” by Desire McGinn of Mead High School, to be most poignant and affective. I found it captivating from the very first three lines, an intriguing and charming painting from the fourth to eighth lines and an eruption of emotions from the ninth through the 12th lines, of the daughter’s undiminished affection and yearning for her father’s return home. A very moving poem and worthy of first place.

It must have been very difficult for the 10 judges. Congratulations to all three runners-up: Rikki Sullivan, Bethany Luck and Robert Peterson. But, who knows, who among the 164 entries is a potential Pulitzer Prize winner in literature in years to come.

The Spokesman-Review should be commended for encouraging young minds in creative writing. Ray R. Aleman Osburn, Idaho

Some tough energy choices

Carbon, the chief constituent of coal, burns in air to produce carbon dioxide. A pound of carbon dioxide is produced for every 6,000 Btu of energy from the burning of carbon.

Methane, the chief constituent of natural gas, burns in air to produce carbon dioxide and water. A pound of carbon dioxide is produced for every 8,360 Btu of energy resulting from the burning of methane.

Carbon, however, is more efficient in the use of oxygen. Carbon yields 8,250 Btu for every pound of oxygen used. Methane yields only 5,750 Btu per pound of oxygen used.

Thus, by switching to natural gas from coal for power production, there would be a reduction in generation of carbon dioxide of 28 percent, but there would be an increase in oxygen use of 44 percent. Also, combustion of methane yields water, which does not result from carbon combustion.

Would you rather be a little warmer in the case of coal for power, or would you rather be short of breath and have water up to your knees in the case of natural gas for power?

Of course, we could use nuclear power and solve the perceived problem of global warming. Fred W. Brackebusch Kellogg

The mathematics of gun control

The numbers, if correct, are quite impressive in Walter A. Becker’s letter of Dec. 22.

Becker may have gone a bit further to explain that the United States has 260,714,000 people; Australia, 18,077,000.

A little simple math changes Becker’s numbers dramatically.

In my opinion, one person shot to death is one too many. This does not alter the fact that 18,077,000 people lost another freedom of choice. William W. Jose Spirit Lake, Idaho

Hearings used for political ends

With all of the recent talk of abolishing the Internal Revenue Service and dismantling the tax system, you would think two senior congressmen could do a better job than the poor display of “feel-good politics” that was portrayed in the congressional IRS hearings.

It was quite clear the true reason for these hearings was to make Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho) an unsung hero in the eyes of taxpayers.

I sat in on these hearings and witnessed firsthand the sob stories from the unfortunate victims of criminal behavior on the part of the IRS. I probably speak for every listener in that hearing room when I say how badly I felt for those victims and that the IRS must be stopped immediately.

However, I was amazed to find that the only people who testified were those for whom Chenoweth’s office had intervened with some success. What about the thousands of innocent taxpayers who are raped of their dignity, not to mention their money, every year by this criminal agency?

So while I congratulate Chenoweth for helping a few suffering taxpayers, I scold her for turning this serious issue into a good political story in an attempt to win votes. This is a perfect example of why I will be voting for Tony Paquin in the Republican primary. Stacie Rumenap Coeur d’Alene

Don’t whitewash the facts

Re: William N. Boaz’s letter: With “pro-choice,” the media win one (Dec. 18). “Pro-life” stands for one thing and one thing only, as the moniker suggests - for life. So it would be safe to say that we support life; that includes AIDS research, cancer research, the American Heart Association, the missionary rescues of children sold into slavery, Mothers Against Drunken Drivers, etc.

Your affirmation that pro-choice has “no problem” with birth, adoption or death (abortion) is moot, considering that pro-life supports the first two issues you mentioned wholeheartedly. It’s that last one, abortion, that we have a problem with. So what’s really the choice: life or death?

It seems obvious, Mr. Boaz, that if people choose birth, they are in our camp. If they choose adoption, they also are in our camp. These are the two alternatives to abortion - pro-life! So it seems the only other “choice” - or “camp,” as you call it - is death (abortion). Let’s stop whitewashing the facts with positive-sounding labels.

One more thing: Saving human life is not indicative to just the last three decades. While some people “choose” to see no problem with human suffering, others dedicated to the sanctity of human life went out and founded such organizations as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, YMCA, YWCA and many other life-saving organizations. I’m glad they’re in my camp. Linda S. Hansen Hayden, Idaho