Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Geraghty ‘cares for Spokane’

Mayor Jack Geraghty is a positive individual who works for the good and betterment of the city of Spokane. He has always worked for the future of Spokane.

In the past, when certain individuals haven’t agreed with him, his vision, hard work and dedication have proven right.

If I could, I would vote for Geraghty. What happens in Spokane affects everyone in Spokane County. So Spokane, elect the right man and vote for Jack Geraghty. He cares for Spokane. Joanne L. Poss Nine Mile Falls

My Talbott experience disappointing

I served on the board of a nonprofit organization with John Talbott a few years ago, and in real life, he is certainly a different person than he depicted himself in Sunday’s Spokesman-Review.

While president of the organization, he had several meetings with select members of the board without the knowledge of other board members or the executive director. Yet he claims he is for open meetings.

When he did not get his way over a policy matter voted upon by the full board, Talbott resigned shortly thereafter, which was two months before the end of his term. That is not confronting issues, as Talbott claims is one of his strengths.

Based on my personal experience, I strongly urge you not to vote for Talbott for mayor. Kenneth R. Anderson Spokane

Ignore static and re-elect Geraghty

Don’t be fooled by David Sabey’s and John Talbott’s messages of doom and gloom for our community.

If you were to accept the dark picture they paint, you wouldn’t know that violent crime has plummeted, our new neighborhood councils are making key recommendations to a City Council that listens and has a shared vision, and our children are coming back home to family-wage jobs.

So, look behind naysayer Talbott’s smoke and Seattle developer Sabey’s mirrors and be proud of our great city and the wonderful progress we have made. Vote for Mayor Jack Geraghty to lead us into the 21st century. He cares about Spokane M. Marguerite Womble small-business owner, Spokane

WASHINGTON STATE

Rate increase will enhance service

US West recently asked the Utilities and Transportation Commission for permission to raise monthly telephone rates in order to continue to invest in the telecommunications system in this state. I am responding to a concern expressed by one of your readers.

Washington is one of the most technologically advanced states in the country. Consumers here are increasingly dependent upon fast, affordable and reliable telecommunications in their businesses and private lives.

Building and maintaining an advanced telecommunications system to support the needs of our business and residential customers will require continued investment by US West and other telecommunications providers. US West is committed to building this system, but we need the ability to charge fair and competitive rates. Even with the $3 per month increase, residential rates in Washington will remain some of the lowest in the country.

If approved by the commission, our request would give us the resources to meet consumers’ needs. Following a rigorous audit of our 1996 financial records and executive compensation program, the commission’s own staff agreed that the $70 million request should be granted.

Perhaps no state has more at stake than Washington in ensuring the emergence of an advanced, state-of-the-art and competitive telecommunications system. US West wants to make sure Washington remains a technology leader. JoAnn Ficca, area manager US West Communications Inc., Spokane

Vote down gun control measure

I could hardly believe my eyes this morning on your endorsements. I kept looking to see if I was reading the Wall Street Journal instead of The Spokesman-Review. Maybe your editorial staff has started to move to the center vs. far left of the political spectrum.

I agree with both endorsements and with Penelope Rundle’s special to Roundtable. Initiative 676 is the first step toward confiscation of guns - all guns, not just handguns.

The “limousine liberals from the Seattle cocktail set” have had good luck with buying elections and stadiums, why not guns?

You notice that only the ultraliberal groups are supporting this initiative, while law enforcement and the public in general are not supporting it.

This is not about gun safety, but about gun control. Let’s everyone get out, vote no and not let those limousine liberals win again! H. Wayne Lythgoe Colbert

DEFERENCE

I meant no offense

It is clear that my attempt, in response to the reporter’s question, to put the importance of Yom Kippur in context and perspective for the gentile reader has been misunderstood by many. Even more grievous to me is that many have taken offense at the analogy I used.

To the latter group, I offer my humblest apologies and sincerely ask for your forgiveness. Judaism teaches that “the righteous of all nations shall inherit Heaven (Isaiah 33:15).” I would not be much of a rabbi, nor much of a human being, if I did not take this teaching to heart.

Those in the gentile community, especially my clergy colleagues in Spokane, who know how vital I believe ecumenism to be for the future of our society and how hard I work in the common striving toward ecumenical understanding, realize that any slight was inadvertent and unintentional.

For the readers who do not know me, I urge them to get in touch with me personally (747-3304, ext. 16; fax 747-3112; e-mail jizakson@iea.com) so that I might assure them of my sincerity.

This is not an attempt at proselytizing; rather, it is a plea for understanding. That my attempt towards better understanding was offensive to many is a burden I must now bear. For all who accept my apology and grant me forgiveness, may God’s blessings be upon them.

And to the former group, who, after reading the foregoing, still choose to misunderstand and misinterpret my position, I say, in the spirit of Yom Kippur, may God’s mercy be upon them. Rabbi Jacob Izakson Temple Beth Shalom, Spokane

Rabbi’s statement not a put-down

There has been quite a bit of misunderstanding about The Spokesman-Review’s editorial regarding Rabbi Jacob Izakson’s objection to the Spokane Symphony’s concert on Yom Kippur.

I can understand Christians’ objections to the rabbi’s comment that Yom Kippur is as holy to Jews as “Christmas and Easter combined times ten.” What you must understand is that he was only trying to explain the importance of Yom Kippur to Jewish people, not placing a value judgment on significant Christian holidays.

I can also understand the general community’s annoyance with Izakson’s request that there be no symphony concert on Yom Kippur. I do not necessarily agree with his request, but imagine how angered the Christian community would be if there was a major concert during Easter mass?

The rabbi’s comments were not meant as an insult to all outside the Jewish community, but as a reminder that there are many different cultures in Spokane, all with different needs. Ariel D. Zellman Spokane

Paper had no business getting involved

The Spokesman-Review has done the Spokane Jewish community a great disservice.

First, reporter Kelly McBride, on her own initiative, took an article from our temple newsletter and spun it into a “news” story. The disagreement in question was between the Jewish community and the Spokane Symphony, and not of great interest to the general public.

Secondly, an editor saw fit to print this story above the fold on the front page of the paper, a spot usually reserved for news of significant importance. This story did not qualify by any objective standards.

Thirdly, Opinion editor John Webster’s editorial further emphasized the story.

Lastly, the predictable result occurred. On Oct. 12, several mean-spirited letters to the editor were printed.

Was this your original goal?

As Jews living in the Inland Northwest, we have enough problems without The Spokesman-Review’s irresponsible handling of this relatively minor issue. The article and its prominent placement in the newspaper very effectively stirred up anti-Jewish feelings. Please use better judgment in printing further articles about our community. Louis A. Vogel Spokane

Izakson intended no harm

It is regrettable that Rabbi Jacob Izakson’s attempt to convey the significance of Yom Kippur by drawing an analogy with Christian observances has offended a number of readers. I am sure this was not intended, especially at a time of year when Jews are particularly aware of their obligation to seek forgiveness from any people they have hurt in any way.

Perhaps the significance of Yom Kippur can be expressed better from the source. Leviticus 16:31, in the most familiar English translation, states, “It shall be a Sabbath of rest unto you.” The English word “Sabbath,” according to the Random House Dictionary, is derived from the Hebrew word “shabbath,” which means rest. In fact, the original Hebrew of Leviticus reads “shabbath shabbaton,” which is sometimes translated as Sabbath of Sabbaths.

Sabbath is the most important of the Jews’ holy days. Thus, it is not surprising that Jonathan Martin, executive director of the symphony, has said that a few people have expressed reservations about having the regular concert series on Friday nights.

Izakson did not comment on this. However, he did protest this second instance of scheduling a subscription concert on the Sabbath of Sabbaths. Howard L. Glass Spokane

Sympathy turned to shock

I began to read the front page article (Oct. 8) featuring Rabbi Jacob Izakson and the Yom Kippur-Spokane Symphony Orchestra conflict with mixed feelings of sympathy and bewilderment.

On one hand, people should be free to observe their traditional religious rites and ceremonies. Many times, however, a recreational event has occurred on the same day or night as a religious event in our church. I simply bypass the entertainment. It never occurred to me that it was front page news.

Last year, my son’s first communion was scheduled for Bloomsday morning. Although disappointed, I naturally missed walking Bloomsday without begrudging anyone else the race.

My sympathy and bewilderment turned into shock when I read the Rabbi’s quote, “Take midnight Mass of Christmas and sunrise service at Easter, combine them and multiply by 10.” Jewish holidays are important to Jews, and Christian holy days are equally important to Christians. Am I the only Christian who finds the Rabbi’s number crunching in comparison of religious significance extremely offensive? Cheryl L. Linquist Spokane

Would that Jews had shared tickets

How sad that Rabbi Izakson would urge temple members to tear up symphony tickets in protest of scheduling. How much more in keeping with the spirit of atonement on Yom Kippur if he could instead ask that the tickets be given to those of non-Jewish faith who might otherwise never be exposed to heavenly music. Joan G. Craig Spokane

Missing performance a small sacrifice

The article which ran discussing the importance of Yom Kippur to the Jewish people was interesting and informative. In fact, Rabbi Jacob Izakson’s description of how solemn an occasion it is got the thought across very well. However, I must be missing something.

Since this day is indeed so important, why is it that being unable to get to a symphony then is so devastating? Certainly, conflicts do arise when one does what they feel in their heart and intellect is of utmost importance.

What could possibly have more priority than our relationship with God? How can one expect to have something that affects as many people as symphonies at the Opera House scheduled so that everyone’s needs can be met?

We each do what we have to do, even if it means skipping something we love on occasion. In the long run, isn’t that a small price to pay? Judy I. Wick Spokane

Christians owe rabbi an apology

As someone who was raised in a firmly Christian environment, I am horrified by the “Christian” responses regarding Rabbi Jacob Izakson’s concerns about the symphony concert on Yom Kippur. I am saddened to think so few people apparently know the history of their own religion.

I cannot think of a Christian sect which does not exhort its followers to follow Christ’s example in every daily activity.

Let’s see: Jesus was a Jew. Therefore, the highest and most important holy day he celebrated was Yom Kippur. We know from his response to the money lenders in the temple how angry he could become at transgressions of Jewish sacred laws and customs.

Draw your own conclusions. I hope that afterward, you make your apology to Rabbi Izakson in person. The situation with the symphony was an unfortunate accident, but it happened, and the Jewish community has a perfect right to draw attention to it. If there have never been symphony concerts on Christmas or Easter because they are Christianity’s highest holy days, then it’s only fair that there be no concert on Yom Kippur, the highest holy day of Judaism (and of Jesus). Greg M. Presley Spokane

Spokane ‘rife with bigotry’

Just a few days after the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce acknowledged that it needs to make a major effort to comprehend what diversity means, a flock of bigots descends on your letters page to complain about pushy Jews who are upset that the symphony scheduled a concert on Yom Kippur.

When Rabbi Izakson describes the power Yom Kippur holds for practicing Jews as being comparable to a midnight Mass and sunrise Easter service multiplied by 10, why would any intelligent person take that as a put-down of Christianity? If a priest were to reverse the image and describe either or both of those occasions as having the power of Yom Kippur, or 10 times the power, for practicing Catholics, would that be anti-Semitic? Of course not. Yet these letter writers take Izakson’s simile as an insult. One accuses of Jews of forcing their religious customs on the rest of society, as though asking the symphony not to schedule a concert on Yom Kippur is an attack on Spokane itself.

Everyone in Spokane has either said or heard somebody talk about “Jewing” somebody down, without giving a moment’s thought to what a racist expression that is. This city is rife with bigotry, only it doesn’t know it. Robert A. Glatzer Spokane

THE ENVIRONMENT

Learn about ‘Couch Potato Economics’

We’re beginning to hear about the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project (ICBEMP), the nation’s most massive one-size-fits-all public lands management scheme. It covers an area bigger than New England.

Conceptually, it’s a good idea. Unfortunately, one of the foundation blocks is “Couch Potato Economics” (CPE). The authors actually call CPE contingent valuation, or CV. In essence, here’s how it works: Wanting to determine a dollar value for leaving a tree in the woods, federal employees phoned people from all over, asking what that value might be. Using the most scientific polling methods, they phoned that podiatrist in St. Louis and that CNN producer in Atlanta and asked how much it’s worth to them just knowing, say, that there isn’t a road in this or that particular part of the Colville National Forest.

Since nobody actually had to lay any cash on the table, people said these things are worth a lot. Then, the experts cranked that high value into a formula to determine the true worth. Amazingly, they then put that worth into another formula that included virtually the total number of Americans.

Then, the famous multiplier effect was factored in to inflate what a friend calls “the dollar value of daydreaming.”

If you’d like to learn more about the wonders of Couch Potato Economics, attend the next ICBEMP meeting, Oct. 28 in Colville. The CPE experts will be there to explain it. Eric M. Williams Spokane