Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Police can’t rely on snap judgments

Concerning Doug Clark’s column about the recent Sacajawea Middle School vandalism and the Spokane Police Department, I am disappointed in his unawareness at what goes on in the streets of Spokane.

The vandalism at that school was terrible and inexcusable. It is, however, the fault of two juveniles, not of the police department.

Clark asked the following questions about the police: What were they doing? Why didn’t they go in? What are we paying these people for? I would be happy to answer these, to the best of my knowledge, for the uninformed Clark.

The police were waiting for backup, which is policy. They didn’t go in until the situation could be assessed. For all anyone knew, there could have been five men on LSD and armed with machine guns inside that buildlng. Would it have been stupid to go in or stupid to get the facts? Clark, obviously, is not one to vote for getting the facts.

We are paying “these people” to serve and protect our community, which is exactly what they do. On the night of the vandalism, only a few miles away, there was a suicidal-turned-homicidal man who felt like shooting at the police. Could it be that it took longer for backup to get to Sacajawea because officers were on this shooting call? Or should we all take what Clark has to say to heart without ever knowing the whole story?

I’m proud to be a supporter of the Spokane Police Department. I can’t say the same about this paper. Lori L. Preuninger Spokane

Police know what to do; Clark doesn’t

I’ve wondered how I would feel if I were the target of Doug Clark’s acid pen. Having been one of the victims of the recent vandal rampage on the South Hill, his May 15 column may be the closest I ever get.

It’s appropriate to reflect on options facing police officers. However, the attack on the police is completely unfair.

One goal of the police is apprehension of the suspects. This was accomplished, and I am grateful. How frustrating it would have been if this had not happened.

I have been in similar situations when I entered a building and the suspects just ran out a door on the opposite side of the building and were gone. Then you’re on edge for months, wondering if your space will be violated again. You also realize that persons with serious problems will not have the opportunity to be helped with those problems.

It might take some hard work on the part of a reporter, but I would like to know what the court and social services systems do now that the police have accomplished a major goal - apprehension of those who did the vandalism.

My sources indicate that at least one radio talk show host, who also attacked the police on this issue, apologized for being a “jerk.” Is Clark capable of apologizing? John J. Shaffer, pastor Manito United Methodist Church, Spokane

Library doesn’t need fancy view

When we first went to the Spokane Public Library to do some research, I happened to finish before my husband and walked over to see what was outside those large windows. I was shocked to find that gorgeous view.

Of all the facilities that do not need a beautiful view, No. 1 on the list must be the library, where people come to study and read. I can’t imagine what the city has been thinking of to waste that valuable property.

If you now have someone who is willing to build there and, as the newspaper reported, provide public access, the city had better accept the proposal. Bertha M. Van Ryn Hope, Idaho

LAW AND JUSTICE

Drug war ruinous of society

Bravo to the November Coalition for its wonderfully truthful depiction of the effects of the so-called war on drugs on American families (Your View cartoon. May 10).

There are those who continue to shout about the breakdown of our society without considering the devastation wrought by arresting nonviolent drug users.

Until we acknowledge the war on drugs as the war on families, there is little chance of things getting better.

I agree with the November Coalition: Free the POWs in this modern civil war. Let them return to their families and their jobs. The harm done by taking productive people out of society for an act of freedom of choice is greater than we could have imagined. Prohibition is far more harmful to society than the use of the substances it attempts to control. That’s why every major study conducted so far has recommended decriminalization of marijuana.

The citizens of America are waking up to the truth. Let’s hope our elected officials will do so, and soon. We have precious little time before our society is in ruins, just another casualty of the ‘war on drugs. Tom G. Hawkins Grand Coulee

Drug war side effects intolerable

The government and police departments are not focused enough on violent crime. They are on a rampage against drugs.

The nation’s war on drugs is taking valuable police officers off the street and putting them on special drug units. With all of their efforts, the war on drugs is not slowing drug use or supply in America. It is, however, allowing violent crime to enter society in higher levels than ever.

Because of the amount of nonviolent drug offenders taking up so much prison space, violent criminals are being released back into society, to commit more violent crimes.

However hard it may be to admit, drugs always have and always will be a presence in American society. We Americans have been paying too high a price for the nation’s war on drugs.

Tougher laws and sentences should be directed toward violent offenders. Help the criminal justice system get back to its initial duty of protecting society. Sarah M. Starkey Spokane

Make ineffective parents pay

Regarding the terrible damage two 13-year-olds did by wreaking havoc at Sacajawea Middle School, here’s a classic example of accepting responsibility for our actions, be it through commission or omission.

The teenagers, through their acts of commission. Their parents, for obvious acts of omission, i.e. failure to have control over their teenagers.

Whatever happened to “Do you know where your kids are?”

The parents of these vandals should be made to pay for the damage caused through their obvious lack of control over their kids. And not through community service or other less-demanding ways of paying, but with cold, hard cash. The kind I use when I pay my taxes. Maybe then parents will wake up and take responsibility for their kids’ behavior.

Just sticking them in jail isn’t enough. Then, I end up paying again. I’m sick and tired of paying through the nose to keep criminals housed, warm and well fed. Dary D. Liepelt Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

End catchall funding bills

According to media reports on political activity in Washington, D.C., we have a blueprint for a balanced budget. But we know we don’t yet have a balanced budget.

As I understand current rules of Congress, the next step is the appropriations process. This is very important, if we really want a balanced budget.

There are so few appropriations bills, it seems impossible to me that Congress can sort out the funding, with members voting on the basis of conscience. For certain, as voters, we cannot sort it out and judge our members of Congress. An example of this problem is that veterans benefits, HUD and AmeriCorps are all in the same bill. Can anyone explain and justify that?

The rules and procedures should be changed to give Congress members a line-item vote on all appropriations and legislative matters. Voters could judge their members of Congress on how they voted on both trivial and important matters. Voters could judge when these legislators are inhibited or influenced by lobbyists and special interests. Voters could also judge the level of greed, prejudice and other factors. Let the majority win on each line item.

Too much time is being wasted on trivial things, many of which shouldn’t be a power of the federal government. This change would bring political bickering down to a manageable level, sort out the right versus wrong and gradually reduce the size and cost of government. We need that. Floyd R. Damman Colbert

Chenoweth attitudes already known

D.F. Oliveria’s editorial, “Let her keep a civil tongue” (May 14) regarding Rep. Helen Chenoweth was very thought provoking. It seems to me that her constituents were well aware of her strong views and her right wing rhetoric when they re-elected her to represent them. In fact, this newspaper supported her candidacy while downplaying her rhetoric!

Now, the people have gotten what they voted for and need to take the consequences of their action.

Educated minorities, including gays, most likely will not choose to move to an area whose population support 1950-type attitudes about social justice issues. They already fought these issues in mainstream America in the 1960s and ‘70s. I don’t think it is a matter of them being offended about something they already know.

The message sent was to certain white folks whose attitudes about discrimination are quickly replacing the potato as Idaho’s trademark. That message is come on up. Donald P. Orlando Spokane

Skin color doesn’t tell the tale

I have a poster that states: It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.

Perhaps I’m missing something in this Chenoweth brouhaha. Isn’t ethnicity a matter of your culture and upbringing, not just a matter of skin color? It seems to me that many people in the Washington-Idaho area are negating any ethnicity if it includes people who need a tan. Many people with pale skin are also of different cultures and ethnicities. It doesn’t seem to be very popular to take note of that, however.

Chenoweth stated the truth. Perhaps she spoke without cringing behind the servile mask of political correctness, but the truth is not always conveniently packaged. Skin color should not make anyone’s ethnicity superior to anyone else’s. To follow that tack feeds the rightful paranoia of angry white folk who see their heritage being demeaned.

We are all important. It just seems that some of us want to be more important than everyone else. What a waste. Dawn J. Shaw Spokane

Chenoweth statements ‘bizarre’

I feel lucky that Rep. Helen Chenoweth represents Idaho and not Washington. Her comments in the May 10, issue are bizarre.

It seems as though she has harmed the people who have put her in office. A small group may give Idaho an undeserved bad reputation. It doesn’t help when their congresswoman comes off sounding racist, also. James F. Sothers Spokane