Letters To The Editor

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY

Reporters wrote newsworthy story

Re: “Information in article distorted” (July 15).

Virginia De Leon and Kelly McBride never concocted a dark mood at Gonzaga, and offered a very fair June 30 article. As letters written by students, faculty and Jesuits demonstrate, many of us are outraged at the grave injustice of Father Glynn’s firing. The financial junta has done little to quell this outrage; recent actions to downsize our university have only magnified the imminent gloom resulting from the firing.

Yet most Gonzaga professors and staff still offer students conscientious dedication as they labor under the threat of joining Glynn as victims of the corporate axe. Does this mean that the Gonzaga community approves of trustee atrocities, faculty powerlessness and layoffs? Hardly. The handful of students still at Gonzaga are struggling to save money for the school year and trying to avoid breakdowns from six-week summer crash courses. Faculty and staff are trying to keep their heads off the chopping block of university downsizing. Well intentioned Catholic onlookers are trying to turn the other cheek and dissolve the problem with love and prayer. Today’s silence does not in any way signal tomorrow’s acquiescence.

When we discover that Gonzaga faces serious retention, financial and political problems, are we supposed to hide this painful truth because it does a “disservice” to our local university? Never. We will solve these problems only by first cutting through saccharine public relations floss and rendering a honest, although painful, diagnoses. Because they did so, De Leon and McBride gave us a newsworthy story. They should be thanked, not criticized. Jason A. Pierson, class of 1998 Spokane

It’s time for some answers

Gonzaga University’s board of trustees soon will return to Spokane to meet with certain university boards. Can we hope that now, two months after forcing GU President Ed Glynn from office, the trustees will finally give clear answers to the Gonzaga community’s questions?

1. Why, specifically, did they remove Glynn from office?

2. Why was their action carefully timed so that the students, for whom we had thought the university operated, were off campus and without voice in the matter? Why was the almost unanimous statement of support for Father Glynn by those faculty members still on campus ignored? Why were the strong recommendations for mediation by the Jesuits refused?

3. Do the trustees believe that such decisions concern only them; that the students, faculty, alumni and supporters have no right to be consulted?

We all recognize the trustees are vitally important to the university. Their generous financial contributions have been of immeasurable benefit to Gonzaga. We also recognize that they’ve been given the power to hire and fire the president. However, if the trustees continue to evade full and clear disclosure in the matter of Glynn’s ouster, we can only conclude that they think they owe no one an explanation for their actions and that they have no obligation to consult with anyone before making such monumental decisions.

It’s been repeatedly suggested that this “dark time must be put behind us”; that we all move forward together. This means full light must be shed on the trustees’ view of their relationship and obligations toward the rest of Gonzaga. Smithmoore P. Myers Spokane

GUN ISSUES

Picture shows disregard for safety

While I commend Cheyenne’s grandparents for accepting the responsibility of raising their daughter’s baby (IN Life, July 13, “Parents by default”) it concerns me a great deal to see a gun propped in the corner of the room, just a few feet away from where the child is playing on the floor. With all the children killed or injured in gun related accidents each year, it appalls me to see such disregard for a child’s safety. Arlene D. Stromberger Greenacres

CITY ISSUES

Council modern-day Robin Hoods

Who are these unmasked bandits pretending to be our City Council and representing the people of our fair city?

This River Park Square project seems to be yet another venture that these modern-day Robin Hoods are using to take from the poor to give to the rich, and we don’t even get to vote on where our tax money goes. Even when we vote a project down they go ahead with it. Isn’t that taxation without representation?

Now they want what? A little piece of Poland, a little piece of France and a little piece from the Ronalds! Do they expect the Ronalds to donate that 200 feet or will they create yet another problem so they can take it from them?

Hang in there, Steve and Leslie Ronald. Don’t give an inch - or 200 feet. Carol A. Wold Spokane

AREA PARKS

Parks system a valued treasure

Re: “Event will focus on future of park” (July 12)

As a young girl I would hike through Riverside State Park and explore the winding trails, and feel strengthened by the surging river. It does my heart good to learn that state park planners want citizen participants. They understand how Spokane cares. Daniel Farber, state park planner, called our interest fabulous.

What a valued treasure our community has in its parks system.

An equally thoughtful group of volunteers has been spearheading a very wonderful effort in Spokane County. Valued areas of land come up for sale occasionally, and this group, Conservation Futures, works hard to purchase land for the community.

When at first I learned about the efforts made on my behalf, as a county resident, I was thrilled. The Riverpark Convalescent Center was purchased, expanses of land along Long Lake, the Little Spokane and Liberty Lake were added to our community’s proud possession. I learned that the funds were derived from a property levy, only 6 cents per $1,000 in property value. What a small price paid for the privilege of increasing the size of our endowment to our children and their children. It feels good to be part of a community that continues to care about our quality of life. Holly G. Swanson Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Distrust leads to cynicism

David Broder’s column of July 14 compared Sam Rayburn and Newt Gingrich. Broder’s column was excellent, well documented and well written, but it missed the point.

Even if they disagreed, President Eisenhower and Rayburn could trust.

Gingrich, no matter how accurate he might be, should not trust the White House. That’s what Broder should have written It is this distrust of the Clinton administration that leads the American public to its cynicism. Jean S. Hagie Cheney

IN THE PAPER

Reporter should check facts

I see that Karen Dorn Steele is doing her bit in the fear industry, which depends on crises (“Hot enough for you? Wait,” July 15). Without a crisis, fewer newspapers are sold and fewer grants are available for research.

Said one member of the fear industry, Dr. Stephen “Ozone” Schneider, “We have to offer up scary scenarios … and make little mention of any doubts we may have.”

Contrary to Steele’s article, more reputable scientists question than predict that the Earth will get warmer or that mankind’s activities will cause it to do so even if it does. Global satellite measurement of temperature began in 1979, and this has shown no warming. Temperatures have even dropped slightly since 1991.

Arctic temperatures now average 1.5 degrees Celsius colder than they did 40 years ago. The tiny increase in global temperature over the past century - one-half of 1 degree Celsius - occurred before 1930 and before most greenhouse gases entered the atmosphere. That seems to indicate a lack of any connection.

Real scientists use direct observation to check the accuracy of their computer models. The second-raters and phonies who made the scary predictions that Steele reported rely on computer models even when direct observation contradicts them.

Real journalists ask tough questions, check information with other sources and demand objective proof before reporting something as fact. Steele’s story proves that she isn’t a real journalist. She and her newspaper are simply flacks for the fear industry. Edwin G. Davis Spokane

Designation example of hypocrisy

Responding to the “ragged edge” designation given to the letters in the July 13 Roundtable, Justice Story could not have said it better when he stated, “Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit and intelligence of the citizens. They fall when the wise are banished from the public councils because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded because they flatter the people in order to betray them.”

The willingness of The Spokesman-Review to cast aspersions on and label people whose views obviously differ from their own, while at the same time calling for understanding and acceptance among all people, is just another example of the bigotry and hypocrisy of the left.

Personally, I want to thank Curtis E. Stone and Gene K. Ealy for saying it so well. America needs a large dose of truth; for too long our society has been an unquestioning sponge of deceptive placating pabulum. Lynn M. Stuter Nine Mile Falls

Mars lucky to resemble Ritzville

Doug Clark should offer an apology to the town of Ritzville, Wash., for his column of July 10 in which he states, “Mars may be as devoid of life as the moon or Ritzville.”

Devoid of life? Did he read about the well-attended biathalon in June, or the Blues Festival this past weekend? Clark should tell Randy Shaw that he’s “going to Mars” as Shaw’s band plays here during the September rodeo!

If he was comparing Mars’ environment to Ritzville’s landscape, there’s no likeness here, either. Amber waves of grain would be a more apt description this month.

Maybe what his column should have said is: Someday Mars can hope to have an environment like Ritzville’s. Nancy M. Burke Ritzville

OTHER TOPICS

Knowing Lou Barbieri a privilege

Several years ago I belonged to the Building Owners and Managers Association and I had the pleasure and the privilege of meeting Lou Barbieri. He was one of the nicest and finest men that I have ever met in my entire life. I know that God will take real good care of him. Robert R. Rotan Spokane

Disney boycott issue runs deep

Paul Harral (July 2) has a shortsighted view of the purpose of the Disney boycott. We appreciate his description of how the Southern Baptist Convention works and the high standards Disney Co. has for employee fashion and their proper use of name badges, but the issue goes a lot deeper than that. It is even deeper than who they extend medical benefits to.

The question is, will families continue to finance an entertainment giant who seems to be on a mission to trash the values that uphold functional families? Will decentminded Americans make the connection between Disney’s new depraved direction and their financial support?

Homosexuality, violence, anti-Christian bias, incest, graphic sex, hard drug use, profanity and obscenity are all themes depicted in Disney films like “Dogma,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Clerks,” “Lie Down with Dogs” and the “House of Yes.” Disney/Miramax even distributed the NC-17 movie, “Kids,” a pornographic movie about early teen sex and drug abuse.

We are all going to have to make hard choices in the culture war for the minds and hearts of the next generation. Penny A. Lancaster Spokane

Protection from sun imperative

I was dismayed to see the July 7 “pro” piece about suntanning and the accompanying full picture of a tanning booth. I have been an oncology nurse for over 25 years and have seen many patients with melanoma. Although the disease can often be cured in the early stages, the more advanced stages result in a devastating illness. The disease can become widely spread throughout the body with many symptoms and great impact on the quality of life until the death of the patient.

The facts are stated correctly in the “con” article. According to American Cancer Society statistics, melanoma rates are rising faster than any other cancer in men and second only to lung cancer in women. This dramatic rise is real and not due to any artificial change in the statistical review. Melanoma is increasing worldwide faster than any other cancer.

The primary causative factor for melanoma is ultraviolet radiation exposure. It is imperative that we understand this and that we teach our children this. We can all have fun in the sun if we protect ourselves with sunscreen, hats and appropriate clothing. I urge everyone to take this message seriously, because I do not want to meet you in the oncology unit one day with this life-threatening illness. Katherine A. Finstuen, R.N. cancer program director, Deaconess Medical Center

Senior citizens important, too

An article in the July 9 Spokesman-Review said the Children’s Museum is moving into a vacant building at 1017 W. First. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Downtown Senior Center has occupied the building for nine or 10 years. For a while, there was a soup kitchen in there and 150-200 people were served their supper. At present, between 35 and 40 people have their lunch there five days a week. Senior citizens who live in apartments and hotels in the downtown area go there to play cards, meet friends, visit, play bingo and have lunch. Now they must look for a place to go, then fix it up for their purpose. Instead of having one place to fix up, now there will be two places to fix for the occupants’ purposes.

I realize children are important, but so are senior citizens. Naoma O. Nelson Spokane

Set expectations, not fines

I am commenting on the recent sentencing of a 13-yearold boy to 135 days of detention and a $12,500 fine. What did this solve?

After spending his 135 days lying on his bunk and watching MTV, how will he be expected to pay the $12,500 fine? Through indentured servitude flipping burgers for some fast-food chain for the next 20 years?

I would like to suggest an alternative.

Forget the fine, which he will never pay, and give him this summer. Allow him to begin his detention in September. He should be required to attend school every day and return to Juvenile Hall every afternoon. For every A he would receive, his detention would be reduced by 3 days; for each B, by two days; for each C, by one day. Receiving Ds or below would double his sentence.

With expectations such as these, he may actually learn something useful and not be a burden to society for the rest of his life. Carol E. Bordeaux Medical Lake