Letters To The Editor

WASHINGTON STATE

Republicans kill meaningful tax break

Republican politicians in Olympia want you to believe that they support tax relief for homeowners and small businesses. Wrong. Gov. Gary Locke on his first day in office proposed a rollback of the B&O tax and a property tax credit worth $205 per year for every homeowner.

The Republican majorities in Olympia replied by quickly pushing through their tax legislation, which would give only $18 to homeowners. Little relief there.

Obviously, there is a limited amount of money available. You should be able to guess who will get the $187 that remains - fat cats with lobbyists.

Republican politicians think that Locke’s veto of their bill can be made to look like he opposes tax relief for homeowners and small businesses. They’re not fooling me. The people of Eastern Washington should tell their Republican lawmakers that they aren’t fooled either.

Quit the cute political tricks and give us meaningful tax relief. Frank Malone Spokane

Since when is booze a must?

I was shocked and dismayed upon reading the purported statement of Sen. Jim West (Jan. 14) that if a ban on alcohol in the state buildings were enacted, “It would kind of put a damper on the Inaugural Ball, wouldn’t it?”

The idea that one cannot have fun without alcohol is not only untrue but quite dangerous. I think it’s irresponsible that a respected public official would make such a statement for publication.

If one cannot have fun at the ball without the “help” of alcohol, they’d better find another committee to do the planning or drop the affair altogether. Ruth C. Heumier Otis Orchards

IN THE PAPER

Geraghty story a pointless waste

Your decision to publish a detailed description of Mayor Jack Geraghty’s financial problems presents a problem for me. I fail to understand what about this man’s difficulties made these problems worthy of such publicity.

Tangentially, his divorce was included in the article. How and why did your writers decide that it was important to include this additional sensitive area in the piece?

The mayor indicated he didn’t wish to discuss the matter with you. Nevertheless, the story was told in remarkable, some might way excruciating, detail. Presumably, this situation is both painful and embarrassing to our mayor. I can perceive nothing in his actions that required your revelations. Geraghty is serving the city well as its mayor. It’s too bad his personal business is not prospering.

There was nothing about this story that was constructive or helpful to Geraghty. Moreover, the public really didn’t need to know about this matter

Was this the consequence of a slow news day and someone’s need to publish more sad news about people living in Spokane? Jon A. Holloway, M.D. Spokane

PEOPLE AND ANIMALS

People ask for their troubles

Re: Mary M. Allen’s letter (“Remarkable, what pulls people’s chain,” Jan. 18).

Allen asks where our priorities are. Mine are with the helpless, which are animals. They can’t get a job, defend themselves or talk.

I’m getting tired of hearing about welfare, food banks and hungry people. The welfare system was meant to help out people in trouble. It was not supposed to be a lifestyle.

People who are more fortunate than others, including myself, are always filling food banks, giving at church and donating to various organizations. But there will never be a solution as long as people who can’t even provide for themselves continue having babies around the globe. When are these people going to realize this?

Unfortunately, children are innocent victims because of people’s neglect or control. Carola Lyons Spokane

Riding roughshod over horse story

Re: R.K. Barcus’ Jan. 18 letter, “Wild horses: Not what you think.”

There are not tens of thousands of wild horses infesting the range. Regardless of James Conway’s book, genetic testing has been done on some wild horses and yes, their genetic makeup is the same as that of the conquistadors’ horses. This can be verified by Washington State University’s equine studies.

The cavalry didn’t use draft horses. It usually used wagons and mules. Horses don’t do any more environmental damage than cattle. Horses do know how to paw through ice for water and they can also paw through dirt to get to grass.

I think Barcus missed the whole point of the article. People who are paid to protect those animals are exploiting them. Would he have the Humane Society send all unwanted dogs to the parts of China where people still eat dogs?

Are we willing to get rid of these animals because they take up space and destroy the land? Who really destroys the land? People. Linda Wilcox Spokane

No excuse for abuse - prosecute

Re: the Mountain Top Kennels puppy mill and the more recent Worley-area cattle ranch atrocity:

The owners are released without bail and no charges have been filed for the alleged cruelty, alleged absence of water and food, alleged animals taking last breaths and the alleged dead. One picture should be enough to banish the word “alleged” and bring about arrest, conviction and punishment.

Let’s stop pussyfooting around and put some teeth into the law. You are the owner, you are responsible. You own the land, you are responsible. No excuses allowed.

You are out of town on business, family emergency or because of alien abduction. You lost your job and money is tight. Your well dried up and the creek is frozen. You are greedy and callous. You are responsible - no excuses allowed.

Lately, it’s been all too evident that help is available. The Humane Society, concerned citizens and other organizations will do all they can to help when conditions have gotten out of control. Surely they would rather be called to help before it gets to the point of atrocity.

Call for help if you need it, otherwise the book should be thrown at you in this life and the hounds of hell should be waiting for you in the next.

Unbelievable - 40 cattle dead, others starving and dehydrated. Harold Chambless reasons it’s not his fault; he’s been out of town. Jeanette and Sven Bergman didn’t give their animals enough food, water, shelter or medical care, even with $20,000 cash on hand. No excuses allowed - they are responsible. Loralee Lashbrook Liberty Lake

Wearing furs not a fitting protest

Contrary to the commentary, “Productwise, diversify so that the fur really flies” (Roundtable, Jan. 15), the wearing of fur coats can never be justified as an act of rebellion against animal rights activists.

Flaunting a fur coat does not “get even” with anyone. Instead, it shows the world that the person wearing fur is either unaware or uncaring about the cruelty to animals the coat represents.

We are rightfully appalled at the inhumane conditions that exist in the puppy mill industry. Should we be any less concerned about other fur-bearing animals raised in crowded, filthy cages?

When you refuse to wear fur, you help stop the suffering and show others what elegance really means. Kerry Masters Liberty Lake

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Suddenly, benefits cut is OK

Swearing-in day plus one, the ever-truthful Slick Willie announces that there will be a reduction in Medicare benefits. When the truthful folks, the ones on the other side of the aisle, made the same proposal, they were chastised and made out to be throwing the senior citizens out into the street.

Hope you got what you voted for. He would win first prize at the annual liars’ contest.

Then we have the ever-law-abiding Rep. Jim McDermott. Fortunately, he represents the folks over on the “slugville” side of the state. Acts like he should be from the other Washington. He ought to fit right in with their mayor. Charles E. McCollim Spokane

Stealth Republican takes the helm

President Clinton’s inaugural speech was the best Republican campaign speech I ever heard. Jean Hagie Cheney