Letters To The Editor

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Consider the disabled during winter

Winter weather can pose real difficulties for people with disabilities. Many disabled people find it almost impossible to go anywhere when they must locomote in ice and snow.

Most parking lots have spaces for disabled people, but often these spaces do not have the appropriate signage. When the spaces are only painted on the surface and are snow-covered, they can’t be seen and so are useless. Having appropriate signs is the only legal way to have spaces truly designated for disabled parking.

Keeping public sidewalks and other areas shoveled and dry is a chore. When small amounts of snow or ice are present, many people don’t bother with it, thinking it’s not enough to cause a hazard. However, letting this ice over for a couple of days can rob disabled and elderly people of their independence by making it impossible to complete everyday tasks like grocery shopping or getting the mail.

During bad weather, it is especially important to realize how our actions affect others. Renee Hintz Bourke Spokane

Arthritis cure book gives wise counsel

“‘Arthritis cure’ book gives some scientists a pain” (Jan. 29) resparked my smoldering disgust and frustration with the so-called scientific community.

My outrage centers first around the pompous attitude of scientists like Dr. Roy Altman at the University of Miami, who called the book fiction. Apparently, unless he says glucosamine sulfate works, it can’t work. Like most in the medical community, Altman is waiting until research conducted in the United States blesses the use of glucosamine sulfate for osteoarthritis.

Secondly, I am appalled that the U.S. studies necessary to bring this treatment to the general public have not been done. Use of glucosamine sulfate is not new. The Spokesman-Review article said most of the foreign studies were conducted in the early 1980s. Why did U.S. pharmaceutical researchers choose to ignore the encouraging results of those studies? Not enough potential for profit?

My father began using glucosamine sulfate last summer, after reading about it in an alternative health care magazine. Given the failures of traditional rheumatologists and orthopedic doctors to alleviate his debilitating back pain, he figured glucosamine sulfate was worth a try.

Since Dad began taking glucosamine sulfate six months ago, he has been practically pain free. In short, it has given his life back.

Yes, Dad’s experience is what scientists call anecdotal. But Dad is only one of many people who have been helped by glucosamine sulfate. How many anecdotes does it take to wake up the scientific community? Margaret Egeland Spokane

Colds? Take C and see

On the use of vitamin C to prevent colds:

Up until 15 years ago, my wife and I caught more than a few colds. Hers would last from the beginning of fall almost constantly until May or June. I had two or three a year. We began taking 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C every morning. In the past 15 years we have experienced a few sniffles - that’s all.

We know vitamin C in these doses will not harm you. If it did, we would both be dead. It will not help everyone, but we’re sure it will help many. People have told me they have taken vitamin C in doses much less than 1,000 milligrams two or three times a week. That will not work. Michael Mattie Spokane

Body, mind gain from exercise

D.F. Oliveria and John Webster’s comments regarding physical education being required in the schools were both enlightening and disheartening (“Student body needs toning,” From Both Sides, Jan. 17).

Enlightening in that people now have heard of the Surgeon General’s Report of Physical Activity and its findings, of little or no activity among young people. These levels are equated to life-threatening diseases. Disheartening in that other people feel life is only English, math, science and history.

To be a well-rounded person is great. However, don’t health, nutrition, first aid response, disease prevention and physical activity add to the roundness?

In our society, adults - both young and mature - have difficulty adhering to any physical activity more than three times per week. In the schools, students need to be taught, not “coached,” lifetime activities they can do individually. Team sports and activities are wonderful for a specific time, but if there is a free hour in any person’s day, they could use it to increase their activity level.

Increasing any form of activity has been shown to reduce stress, coronary disease risk and weight. Increases in muscle tone, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, energy level and happiness can also be achieved.

If young people don’t have physical activity and the related educational classes to apply to their individual lives, they will grow up underutilizing their bodies and their minds. Cherie Harrington Spokane

Slow down or head on out

Re: Jim Nobitz’s letter (“Life in the slow lane”) of Feb. 2, I was transplanted from California in 1980. Initially, I felt Spokane traffic was slow, too. Fortunately, the slowness grows on you and I am thankful for it each time I get on the freeway.

If he doesn’t like the way we Spokanites drive, maybe it’s time for him to head back East. P.A. Miller Spokane

Drivers here just don’t get it

The letter from Jim Nobitz, who came here from Connecticut, was sure the truth about Spokane traffic. Here’s why there are so many left-lane drivers.

A motorist pulls onto a main street knowing that in 10 or 15 blocks he’ll need to be in the left lane to make a left turn. He also knows that in Spokane, when he gets there, he can signal for 10 blocks and no motorist is going to let him change lanes. So, he stays in the left lane.

I have signaled for 10 or more blocks while motorists sailed by, looking straight ahead. Drivers who fail to slack off a bit to let the one ahead change lanes should get a ticket for failing to yield.

Let’s face the facts. I love Spokane, but when it comes to traffic, Spokane is still a hick town. We need traffic officers who not only catch the red light runners but also teach Spokane motorists how to drive in heavy traffic. I would rather drive a motor home in Los Angeles than in Spokane. R.M. Kirkpatrick Elk

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Incident revealing of local racism

Mayor Jack Geraghty recently acknowledged that racism is a serious problem in Spokane that must be addressed. Acts of racial hatred directed against African American students attending law school at Gonzaga University unfortunately is only one example among many that illustrate how pervasive racism is in our community.

Attention is now being drawn to another apparent instance of racism, the stabbing of Tim Buchanan at the Spokane County Fairgrounds. Handling of this incident and its aftermath by county and city law enforcement and county Prosecutor Jim Sweetser has led many to believe that racist attitudes and behaviors may be as prevalent in these organizations as they are in the larger community. Are leaders demonstrating a commitment to justice by addressing these problems within their organizations?

Apparently, they are not. Law enforcement has failed to respond appropriately to this crime within legal guidelines. County law enforcement did not conduct a thorough investigation of the Buchanan incident and Sweetser has refused to take action against the adult perpetrator.

We can - and should - continue to talk about racism in our community, but until our leaders and law enforcement officials acknowledge the full scope of the problem and practice racial equality themselves, many of these discussions will be mere lip service.

We at Unity in Action challenge Spokane’s leaders to stand up and exemplify positive human relations. N.G. Hannon Spokane

Loyalties should make transition, too

I’m sure Maria Gaines’ Spanish-English newspaper (“Spanish paper fills cultural void,” Jan. 27) satisfies a desire of many Hispanics in the Spokane area to keep informed about their home countries and issues here that are relevant for them.

I was disturbed, however, by Gaines’ statement that she was hungry for news about “my country.” I would like to think that after living here for six years and apparently deciding to remain here, she would have come to view America as her country.

She was quoted as describing Spanish as “my own language.” Certainly it is her native language and I can understand her enjoyment in continuing to speak and read it. Yet at some point one might expect her to come to view the language of her adopted country as hers as well.

For most of the Unites States’ history those migrating here from other parts of the world came to define themselves as Americans and they or their children became full-fledged, English-speaking participants in American society. They may have viewed the old country with nostalgia, but also with reservations. After all, if it was so good, why did they leave?

This process has served us well for over 200 years. We must beware of tendencies toward the Balkanization of America into conflicting, non-assimilating ethnic groups. We will not benefit by becoming a large-scale Yugoslavia. Robert Forman Colville, Wash.

Apology a fitting, healing step

I wholeheartedly agree with Leonard Pitts’ assertion that whites should apologize to blacks for the injustice of slavery (Opinion, Jan. 30).

Progress was made in America’s efforts to combat racism when the United States apologized to Japanese-Americans unfairly incarcerated during World War II. However, no one has apologized to black Americans for slavery.

As Pitts says, black people must have the largess to accept the apology. We must try to overcome past mistakes. Doing so would demonstrate we are a caring people who recognize past mistakes and are truly concerned about Americans, not as any particular color people, but as people as a whole. It will solve nothing but is a first step on the long road to recovery.

Such a statement by the president on behalf of all who are concerned about America’s unity would be electric indeed. Then, perhaps, we can address the atrocities perpetrated on Native Americans. Wallace R. Baucom Colville, Wash.

Police chief should help lead way

The vigil at Gonzaga’s Jepson Center in response to the recent white supremacist convention represented a good but modest beginning for developing a community that is anti-racist and fair for all. Mayor Jack Geraghty is to be complimented for his presentation of the positive actions being developed by the city.

We must be careful that our rhetoric is inclusive. Invoking a Christian God excludes many people who are part of our community.

Presentation of PBS’ “Not in my Town” was informative. It showed how other towns have been successful in traveling the path to racial harmony and equity. Often the guiding forces included a police chief who took a dramatic stand for the minority community.

Our police department was conspicuous in its absence from the Gonzaga meeting. My media impressions of our police chief are mostly of warnings about black gangs coming to the city. I don’t think our chief is particularly interested in providing leadership toward racial inclusion. In talking with others at the vigil who know our police chief, I found no conflicting opinion.

If, as a white male, I have this impression, what is the impression of our minority population and of hate groups who want to bring their poison to our town?

The police chief needs to correct this impression and become a positive force for racial and minority harmony. To the extent he does not, he is part of our racist problem. Don Willingham Spokane

Bizzaro cartoon just an affront

I had anxiously awaited the appearance of an African American character in The Spokesman-Review comic section. However, I did not expect it to be the racist, negative portrayal displayed in Bizzaro Jan. 23. The picture of an African American male prisoner reinforces the false stereotype of the African American male as a criminal.

If African Americans were also shown in the comics in positive ways, the portrayal would not be such a potent negative image. Nancy J. Nelson Spokane

THE ENVIRONMENT

How can people ignore the wreckage?

A goodly portion of “Fading attractions” (Travel, Feb. 2) should have been on page 1 under a banner headline. This article is about environmental disasters, including the near extinction of mountain gorillas, giant pandas, all sub-Saharan wildlife, orangutans, Madagascar’s wildlife, the coral reefs worldwide and most of the world’s tropical islands.

A Jan. 27 Newsweek article states that, in 1935, the chance of developing malignant melanoma was one in 1,500, but in the year 2,000 the chance will be one in 75. The ozone layer should also be classified an environmental disaster.

Absolutely everything else pales in comparison to this global destruction. Does anyone really wonder why our children are so angry? Margaret Koivula Spokane

Prevention so much better than cure

The photo of a lead-poisoned swan on Jan. 25 struck a nerve. Like any sensitive person, I’m appalled by the recent rash of animal cruelty acts.

When committed by individuals, we expect justice and cry out when these creatures may be returned to the persons who harm them. Now, damage is incurred by over a century of nearsighted environmental abuse. Years of North Idaho mining have left major waterways tainted.

People see these poisoned animals and search for someone to point a finger at. They want to know who’s to blame, demanding justice. We are answered by hollow public relations attempts from Idaho mining companies.

Regardless of how many millions they claim to pay, some things are irreplaceable. Lead-laden sediments can never be returned to natural and the poisoned animals can never have their lives back.

Although we may not see Idaho’s waters the way they were 100 years ago, we can learn a timeless lesson. Pollution output should be a primary foresight of anyone who affects the environment.

Preventative medicine is better than a cure, right? The same holds true for the land we inhabit. Destruction by previous generations should be a constant reminder that conservative practices must be initiated before we pollute.

We can use limitless money and effort trying to repair or we can all be more conscientious about our environment and let Earth eventually heal herself. Ryan Kerkuta Spokane

Support freedom of habitat

Reintroduction of wildlife into natural habitats is not something that should be questioned or slowly thought over by governmental.

Defenders of Wildlife should not have to try and convince our representatives to let them bring native animals back to the land. The opportunity of wolves surviving on their own in parks such as Olympic National Park and other areas where they once roamed free requires no time out for deciding.

Wrong has been done these displaced animals and now there’s a chance to right this wrong. When agencies have been formed to monitor animal growth rates and protect them, why is reintroduction to their wild still in question?

It makes no sense to not let them live as they once lived. Did they not survive on their own?

Even though the closest area to Spokane being considered for wolf reintroduction is Olympic National Park, we should not sit back and do nothing. Many animals native to this region are being driven out of their natural environment.

We in Eastern Washington can make a local difference by letting our representatives know how we feel about wildlife. We must get involved.

All creatures deserve to live where they want to live. Brian Wood Spokane