Letters To The Editor
PEOPLE IN SOCIETY
Let me get on the ban-wagon, too
The smoking ban at the Spokane Interstate Fair is bringing out the self-righteous bugs in droves. It must feel good to be able to dictate to others what they can and cannot do, and I’d like to get in on that good feeling.
I would like to dictate to everyone that they walk to the fair. Leave your automobiles and the Spokane Transit Authority buses in the garages. I don’t want to inhale the exhaust fumes from them.
Don’t exhibit your animals anymore. I don’t want to inhale the odors. Don’t exhibit your flowers. I don’t want to inhale the allergens. Shut down all the food booths. I don’t want to inhale the smoke.
Don’t bring your children. Their screaming hurts my eardrums and you don’t have a right to subject me to that.
Wow! Dictatorship sure feels good.
After the fair ends, perhaps we should invade people’s homes and insist they all live good, clean lives. After all, if they don’t, they’re affecting me in some harmful way and they don’t have a right to do that. Carol A. Allen Spokane
Thomas goes by the numbers, lamely
Syndicated columnist Cal Thomas relied on “facts (as opposed to politics)” in recounting the two-year National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuals (NARTH) study? (“Must be because of a political agenda,” Opinion, Aug. 19.)
Ascribing the American Psychological Association’s skepticism about “reparative therapy” to a pervasive gay rights cabal, he evidently missed that NARTH (“among the most successful”) conceded a two-thirds failure rate.
And unless Thomas has repealed percentages having to sum 100 percent, some 10 percent must have been primarily straight before treatment. If the 22 percent bisexuals were equally “successful,” fewer than a dozen originally gay subjects may have actually rid themselves of all their “unwanted homosexuality.”
With 54 percent of the after-treatment group remaining “more homosexual than heterosexual,” most of the “repairing” was to persuade 80 percent of the gays they now were really gay bisexuals. And this is granting NARTH’s data are valid to begin with.
Highly motivated subjects convinced their orientation is merely learned behavior can “change” a great deal, but only rigorous follow-up studies extending far longer than a few years can verify just how permanent such transformations are.
A political agenda certainly can distort reasoned debate. Thomas demonstrates this by going into neutral once he has results confirming his religious and social expectations, for to consider that any of those 13 percent that even NARTH couldn’t budge might be naturally gay would undermine his broader civil arguments about “special protection” (a vague catch phrase of most dubious character).
Future digestion of Thomas’ editorial recipe might benefit from a more substantial dosage of salt. James Downard Spokane
Don’t generalize about people
I am writing in response to the article about the autistic man who finally has a home.
I have a brother, Derek, who is autistic and he is the absolute opposite of staff writer Kim Barker’s description. He is one of the friendliest little guys I’ve ever met. He hugs people he doesn’t even know. He likes to push people in wheelchairs. He sometimes giggles uncontrollably and even gives me an occasional high five. His teacher adores him, too.
Derek’s speech is not the kind we’re familiar with, but I usually know what he’s saying. I feel sorry that he cannot express himself.
I feel that I am lucky to have such a sweet brother. I think people should not make generalizations about other people because they’re usually not true. Whitney A. Porter Spokane
PRINCESS DIANA
‘Unnecessary death is shattering’
For us who have felt too tall, too fat, too shy and too insignificant, watching Diana’s metamorphosis from a gawky girl to a self-assured young woman gave us hope and the guts to keep on pushing ourselves. Her unnecessary death is shattering.
Paparazzi: You have cost us our inspiration and yourselves the goose that for you laid so many golden eggs. Karen J. Buck Spokane
More evidence that avarice dominates
Perhaps by analogy, the tragic death of Princess Diana demonstrates humanity’s greatest problem - the manner in which we slowly are destroying everything bright and beautiful.
Our environment, our animals, our Earth itself all are being steadily wrested from us by thoughtless actions and individual greed. Irene B. Anrode Spokane
Turn away from tabloids, exploitation
I wonder what the pack of wolves will photograph or write about now that one of their golden geese has died. Sure, they can write about the “true story” of how Diana died. Perhaps they even will have pictures returned to them from the authorities that they will be able to print showing the crash scene.
No doubt they will photograph Diana’s two young sons entering or leaving the cemetery. But after that, what or who are they going to go after? I suppose there always will be fodder for them.
What I really wonder about is when are we going to stop picking up the tabloids to peruse the pages, finding out about the “true story” of how JonBenet Ramsey died or the “true story” of what’s going on in the last days of Elizabeth Taylor, or the “true story” of what really happened the night Nicole Simpson died.
Are our lives so empty that we have to snoop into the private lives of others? Maybe it is time that we should refuse to contribute money to the coffers of a multimillion-dollar industry that dines on the lives of anyone it cares to.
I feel so sorry for Princess Diana’s family. But the only thing I can do is let them grieve in privacy, by not purchasing these tabloids - not even looking at them while I am waiting to purchase my groceries.
I urge everyone to do the same. Jeff E. Osborn Spokane
Blood is on public’s hands, too
Who is really to blame for the death of Princess Diana? The tabloids and the paparazzi who hounded her constantly or the voyeuristic public whose appetite they were trying to satisfy?
The photographers were driven to such extremes by their greed. They hoped to make money selling their pictures to the highest bidder. And the source of that money, ultimately, is the public.
Everyone who ever has bought a sleazy tabloid with Diana’s picture on the front or sat down to watch one of the many pseudo-news shows at night that dwelt on her life has helped to destroy her.
The insanity has got to stop. Contrary to what we’ve been conditioned to believe, we don’t have a right to know.
Public figures notwithstanding, these people are entitled to their privacy. Imagine being followed everywhere, having your picture taken at any and every time of the day or night, never being able to go out in public or even out in your own back yard or in front of an open window in your own home without worrying about being photographed. It would drive any human being crazy, and Princess Diana was every bit as human as the rest of us.
To those who couldn’t get enough about her life: Get a life!
To Princess Diana: Rest in peace! Jeff H. Manza Spokane
Et tu, Spokesman-Review?
I have spent the last two days watching and listening to the so-called legitimate press denounce and decry the paparazzi and the tabloid press.
If they all are so horrified at the involvement of the paparazzi in this tragedy, why did legitimate press (including The Spokesman-Review, which is undeniably a very conservative newspaper) buy pictures of the twisted wreckage of the car in which Diana was traveling and may still have been trapped, then publish them less than 24 hours after the accident?
Some paparazzi took those pictures and sold them. The legitimate press bought and used them. Tell me again, carefully, so I can understand. Who is guilty? Carol E. Bordeaux Medical Lake
‘Villainous predators’ must learn
The saddest part of Princess Diana’s death is not only the way she died but also the message it has sent.
Unfortunately, a person who symbolized a style of beauty, grace, humanity and charisma worldwide was no more than a game of cat and mouse to the world of the paparazzi. And we all know the tragic result of that game - that, eventually, the mouse dies.
The time is past due for these villainous predators to be aware of the damage they have inflicted on everyone, everywhere. Charles T. Bowman Spokane
‘Wonderful person’ will be missed
With dismay, I was watching television and heard of the death of the Princess of Wales. CBS should be congratulated for its fantastic coverage of this tragic event.
I watched it through the night and couldn’t believe it. Diana was a wonderful person and a great mother. She will be missed by everyone. Sympathies to the two princes. Tessa M.D. Williams Spokane
Media deserve to be shackled
Again, the media have blood on their hands. The tragic death of Princess Diana and possibly three other people with her, which was caused by the media, is incomprehensible.
Then they have the gall to offer for sale her death pictures for $1 million. Incredible!
I’ll bet you 10 to 1 that some media outlet pays the price and the pictures are on the street in a week. I really hope this causes a backlash that the media will never forget.
I have witnessed firsthand the media feeding frenzy when they think there’s a juicy story breaking. They are rude, crude, obnoxious, arrogant, insensitive, biased, opinionated and virulent.
I sincerely hope this latest fiasco will bring about laws that handcuff the media, that they no longer will be able to hound someone of fame, print pictures of people without their approval or print stories using anonymous sources.
I also hope that stores will quit selling tabloids. Is what little profit is brought in by selling these magazines worth lives? If people would quit buying these types of magazines, they quickly would go out of business.
The same applies to the so-called dramatized news shows. On the other hand, when money and ratings get in the way of common decency, something is really wrong.
What is really amazing is that no one in the media really believes they are responsible. H. Wayne Lythgoe Colbert
MILITARY SERVICE
Separation is part of the deal
As a female retired U.S. Navy veteran, I disagree with Sandra Haats’ attack on Rep. George Nethercutt’s office (“Nethercutt’s help not much help,” letters, Aug. 28).
I also had to sign documents giving up custody of my children so I could continue to serve in the force I volunteered for. When I swore to defend my country against all enemies, foreign and domestic, there was no clause saying as long as I didn’t have to go to sea or leave my children.
There are many nights that both male and female service members tell their children long-distance that they love them. That is the decision one makes when he or she joins the military. During combat situations, you may go for months without contact with loved ones. Anyone who volunteers for the military and doesn’t understand this is out of touch with reality.
Being stationed aboard the Carl Vinson doesn’t mean that Haats’ daughter cannot be with her. She is paid basic allowance for quarters to provide housing for her dependents. She has chosen to leave her child here with her parents. I cannot consider a five-hour drive from Bremerton a hardship.
I don’t see how two periods of sea duty in a 20-year career could cause such hardship. My husband had 16 years of sea duty during his 22-year career and we always managed.
As a chief, she has an obligation to her subordinates to set the example. She has done a pretty poor job by questioning her orders.
Also, all of my dealings with Don Gillespie have been handled professionally and with sincere interest. Deb J. Bowcutt Spokane
If you can’t take orders, leave
Sandra Haats (“Nethercutt’s help not much help,” letters, Aug. 28) makes several points I take exception to.
After 17 years in the military, she should know that you go where you’re sent. Because this is a volunteer force, she has had numerous opportunities to leave the military if she didn’t like the conditions.
The first thing you do if you have dependent children is sign a custody agreement. Because apparently her daughter was born after she had served five years, Haats should have been well-aware of the requirements.
The military grants hardship discharges every day and she easily could have applied for one.
I deal with Don Gillespie regularly on military and veterans affairs. I always have found him to be courteous and helpful. Never has he given a “politician’s talk.” Regardless of political affiliation, he always has maintained a professional attitude and worked to resolve any issue that I have confronted him with.
I take great exception to any member of the military considering it a burden to obey orders. Anyone who doesn’t like the heat should get out of the kitchen. It isn’t as if Haats were ordered to enlist - and re-enlist and re-enlist and re-enlist. Esther L. Westlake Spokane
LAW ENFORCEMENT
School neighbors’ reports ignored
As a very close neighbor to Shaw Middle School, I was upset to read about the recent rape that occurred on the school’s play field.
Several of my neighbors and I have stressed concerns both to Crime Check and COPS Northeast in regard to activities in our neighborhood. We all have experienced vandalism and/or property damage these past few months. I personally witnessed seven young men exiting Shaw’s roof after one recent incident involving fire on my porch.
We all have tried to warn the powers that be of numerous activities that seem to take place from about midnight to 3 a.m. almost every night, many of them on the school’s play field. We all feel ignored and helpless in our efforts to deal with this.
Is anybody listening? Darlene R. Lockert Spokane