Letters To The Editor

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Keep access to Sanders Beach

As a Coeur d’Alene citizen who appreciates the lovely beaches that make this a nice place to live, I ask the Coeur d’Alene City Council to preserve the character of, and access to, Sanders Beach.

Sanders Beach is used by a large segment of Coeur d’Alene’s population, not just those living in the immediate neighborhood. Hundreds of families enjoy using the beach throughout the summer.

The proposed building on Sanders Beach would dramatically change the character and accessibility of the beach for the worse. The enjoyment of hundreds of people would be sacrificed for that of a few. I understand that the Save Our Shorelines ordinance was developed to protect the visual and recreational qualities of the city’s beaches. Building on Sanders Beach would violate this principle.

I urge the City Council to be firm in enforcing the ordinance. It is for the benefit of all the citizens of Coeur d’Alene. Robert Fredericks Coeur d’Alene

Anti-Semitism rooted in envy

The plethora of letters pursuant to a rabbi’s comments about possible conflicts between public-interest activities is, in my elderly judgment, simply a continuation of the age-old practise of anti-Semitism.

When I was in the third grade, almost 80 years ago, I told my oldest brother I thought a certain girl was pretty. He sneered and said, “But she’s Jewish, Edgar.” This remark challenged my preadolescent values and left a deep impression.

Throughout my continuing growth into adulthood, I had many opportunities to explore anti-Semitism. I was a musician and I discovered that my Jewish fellow players seemed to be more talented than non-Jews.

My brother and I fulfilled a youthful agreement to open a retail clothing store and again, I found myself associating with a high preponderance of Jews.

Now, as a octogenarian with a tested perspective, I firmly conclude that Jews are superior to gentiles in high moral and ethical practices, have a wonderful sense of family solidarity, have durable material success through hard work and astute business acumen, and have an admirable stability by which they deal with bigotry.

One of the principal causes of anti-Semitism is just plain human envy. We gentiles are subconsciously jealous of our Jewish fellow toilers. Edgar Roberts Coeur d’Alene

Photographs were ‘masterpieces’

Sometimes, as we hustle our way through the morning paper, we just glance at the photos and then hurry on. We are missing something.

During the past few days, several pictures that have accompanied news articles were masterpieces of photography. I’m referring in particular to: “Avoiding Traffic” by Craig Buck, “School of Survival” by Jesse Tinsley and “Solitary Stroll” by Christopher Anderson.

These photographs not only tell the story but are, in and of themselves, a thing of beauty. E.R.W. Fox, M.D. Coeur d’Alene

Rankin-bashing just about figures

Assaults on Kootenai County Commissioner Ron Rankin do not come unexpectedly. Monetary interests are greatly disturbed by truth.

The veil of sacred suppression in the property tax assessment process has been lifted again and many see the manipulative machinery by some of the very rich. Only a thorough independent investigation would reveal the extent that such million dollar reductions have been successfully made in the past.

Property taxes are excessive and unfair. Solution: the market value is only determined by the purchase price, plus capital improvements and automatic increases equal to Social Security upgrades. Levy rates are capped.

For reasons everybody knows but nobody admits, only a minuscule number of officials have the ken and the guts to publicize the truth.

Truth haters try to demean it by calling it inflammatory. But they are merely exposing themselves as eager mercenaries in the propaganda workings of the really powerful.

The people who elected Rankin wanted an upright man with common sense, courage to tell the truth and to identify and correct inequities. He is doing just that, and more like him are indeed badly needed.

Glaring tax injustices have been exposed anew. Are they going to be suffocated again with lies, distortions and defamations, as usual?

If you want property tax reductions of 75 percent, contact Rankin’s attackers. G.E. Milow Coeur d’Alene

Weaver turned wise tragically late

I read with interest a recent newspaper letter by Gary Tucker. Tucker referred to the statement, “the judicial system does work,” by Randy Weaver.

Isn’t it a shame Weaver didn’t realize that sooner? All he had to do was put his trust in the Lord, put his hands in the air and walk down that mountain. Three people and a dog would still be alive. J.E. Carpenter Coeur d’Alene

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Reese’s conduct, attire unbecoming

I attended a Lakeland School Board meeting on Oct. 13 at which one of the subjects to be addressed was Halloween. During this discussion, William Reese, the chairman of the board, stated that Halloween was “evil.”

“It’s not a holiday I’m going to allow to be celebrated,” he said.

I was outraged by his long-winded sermon that followed on the religious history of Halloween being an “evil” holiday.

Reese’s conduct that evening was appalling. He used his position as chairman to impose his religious beliefs on others. Reese’s religious tirades at this meeting were insulting, discriminatory and prejudicial.

The patrons of this school district should not be subjected to Reese’s lengthy religious diatribes at these meetings. A person in his position should show impartiality for people of all races and religions as well as neutrality toward all students and staff members.

He also shows complete lack of respect for the school dress code and policies, with his slovenly attire worn at the meetings. His overall lack of professionalism is an embarrassment to his fellow board members and a disgrace to the community, and should not be allowed to continue.

A man who obviously has no compassion or tolerance for people of different religions should not hold an office that governs our children. Pam L. Abram Spirit Lake

I don’t want anything goes policies

Re: “Little men too big for their breeches,” (Letters, Oct. 19) by Marilyn I. Roberge.

Two years ago, in the “spirit of Halloween fun,” my 6-year-old son was read two stories by his first-grade teacher; one about decapitation and the other about a boy coming back from the dead. My son had nightmares for weeks.

To this story, most people say, “That couldn’t happen. A teacher would never do that.” It happened. Teachers are human, and when Halloween curriculum and parties are left up to their discretion, wise choices are not always made.

During the Halloween party that year, the first-grade class was dressed in career day costumes. But the older kids at John Brown Elementary were paraded through the classroom. Several students were dressed as witches, monsters, vampires, Jason (from “Friday the 13th” movies) and Freddy Krueger(from Nightmare on Elm Street movies). Their costumes included fake blood, machetes and knives.

We need to prevent our children from being desensitized to death and gore.

Roberge states, “our country protects the few from the cruelties and injustices of the many.”

Do I differ from the majority just to be noticed? Am I “cramming my personal beliefs, opinions and morality down others’ throats?” No, I’m simply trying to raise my children in the most loving and safe environment possible. I also help pay the bills around here and it’s my district, too.

I am grateful to the Lakeland School District administration and the school board members who have chosen to set guidelines in regard to school parties and celebrations. Janine R. Baxter Rathdrum

WASHINGTON STATE

I-676 an imposition on the NRA

Every year, the National Rifle Association spends large sums of money to train young people in safe gun handling. The organization also sponsors training for local and state law enforcement officers in weapons proficiency.

The necessity of spending precious resources defending law-abiding gun owners against the thinly veiled efforts of organized gun grabbers in all parts of the United States bleeds precious dollars from these vital programs.

Any accounting of the amount spent pro and con on Initiative 676 must include the value of the free publicity given the anti-gun forces by the liberal media. Newspaper, radio and especially television time given freely to the antis must be countered by advertising purchased at great cost by the National Rifle Association and its local affiliated organizations. This, despite the fact that the pro-676 forces are bankrolled in part by the world’s richest man! Donald R. Larson Spokane

Don’t accept breach of rights

Wake up, you people who have been duped into thinking Initiative 676 is about child safety.

I-676 is about taking away the one constitutionally protected right that allows citizens to protect all other rights - the right to keep and bear arms in the protection of their property, family, state and country.

Nowhere did the founding fathers even consider a citizen would have to pay a fee or attend a class to exercise a right protected by the Constitution.

If child safety is the real issue behind I-676, we could do far more and save many more lives by concentrating on the following points:

In Washington, the child death rate from handguns is less than one per year.

Far more children are killed each year, in the Spokane area alone, by their mother’s boyfriend or significant other.

Far more are killed in automobile accidents, in bicycle accidents, by drowning, by fire.

I-676 is clearly not about child safety. I-676 is about denying law-abiding citizens their constitutionally guaranteed rights. After we let them take away our Second Amendment right, which right will you be willing to give up next - freedom of the press, of speech, freedom from unlawful search and seizure, freedom of assembly? William D. Wright Spokane

Gun advocates ply their own reality

Recently, letters appeared in Roundtable lamenting the woeful ignorance of Americans about their Constitution. That claim has since been proven by the spate of letters denouncing Initiative 676.

A common theme in these attacks is the claim that individuals have an absolute constitutional right to own handguns and that responsible citizens are powerless to demand that gun owners act responsibly.

There is no argument that the United States has always been liberal in allowing gun ownership, especially by white males. That’s as it should be, but a far cry from a right.

The Constitution names the courts as the only valid interpreters of law. Gun advocates claim court rulings in their favor, but reading any of these decisions will show that the court actually contradicts all their claims.

Unfortunately, gun advocates routinely refuse to read court decisions. The 1983 Quilici v. Morton Grove decision, for one, declares that there is nothing in federal law to suggest that any individual has any right to own a handgun.

The gun advocates’ mantra would appear to be, My mind is made up. Don’t confuse me with facts. Edward B. Keeley Spokane

I-676 foes motivated by fear, money

A great deal of outrage has been expressed against Initiative 676, much of it incomprehensible to me. I’m still waiting for a well-reasoned, historically accurate explanation as to why the Second Amendment is socially and politically justifiable in the late 20th century.

But let’s face it. This isn’t really about rights, is it? If we were all truly righteous, we’d be up in arms (pardon the pun) about infant mortality and domestic abuse.

No, this is about fear and money. We have plenty to fear, as the media incessantly remind us, and the security (however misguided) that a handgun can offer is so much more convenient and instantly gratifying than addressing the roots of our problems by building communities, bridging the gaps between the haves and the have-nots and facing our mortality with spiritual maturity.

And, money. More than ever before, the weapons manufacturers are in need of your support. Hard pushed to justify large sales to the Pentagon, they turn to you, hoping your fears will obscure the unpleasant details (armed gangs of kids, accidental deaths, etc.) while they use deterrent mentality to create what amounts to an intranational Cold War. Not a healthy environment in which to raise families, is it?

I’ve read the entire text of I-676 and it doesn’t seem too extreme to me. Inconvenient, sure. But, all told, obeying the new law will involve considerably less hassle and expense than buying, licensing and learning to drive a car. Don’t let fear and misguided political zeal influence you. Vote yes on Initiative 676. James D. Hunter Spokane

Why pay to exercise basic right?

Have you recently exercised your freedom of speech? Have you ever signed a petition? Have you ever peaceably assembled?

How would you feel if you were compelled to pay a fee to exercise your freedom of speech?

How would you feel if you were required to possess a government-mandated license before you signed a petition or attended a rally?

Please protect your constitutional freedoms. Vote no on Initiative 676. Christian D. Perreiah Spokane

I-676 ‘wasteful and misdirected’

Trigger locks and handgun safety licenses seem like reasonable ideas.

In reality, Initiative 676 will enlarge a state bureaucracy, divert already-stressed law enforcement resources and drain millions of dollars a year from a fragile economy, with virtually no identifiable benefit. Moreover, it will spend all this money to harass and intimidate law-abiding citizens who keep handguns for personal protection or sport.

Proponents say trigger locks will save lives, but the trigger locks don’t prevent pulling the hammer back.

Proponents say the law will keep handguns out of the hands of criminals. But criminals don’t buy guns from dealers or even from private parties - they steal them.

Wouldn’t you rather have police officers on the streets preventing real crime than searching your home for an unlicensed handgun?

Wouldn’t you rather have millions of dollars paying for police or fire protection, or street maintenance, than going to feed a state licensing bureaucracy?

I-676 is wasteful and misdirected.

Vote no. Ken C. Beck Spokane

Keep our freedoms intact; Reject 676

My dad, who was a hero of the trenches in France in World War I, taught me to shoot a shotgun when I was a young girl not yet 9 years old. We ate a lot of “China pheasants” in the boonies of Eastern Oregon in the 1940s.

I haven’t fired a shot in decades, yet I joined the National Rifle Association (the year George Bush chickened out) because I began to see how insidiously our American freedoms were being eroded.

Please vote no on Initiative 676. Alice F. Peck Liberty Lake