Letters To The Editor

Tue., April 7, 1998

ARYAN NATION

Deny group credibility

I disagree with Pete Fretwell’s contention that an active stand is necessary against the Aryan Nations’ march in Coeur d’Alene. Confrontation with Richard Butler’s followers would give his organization the one thing that it most needs: publicity.

The individuals attracted to Butler’s Aryan nations apparently perceive themselves as disenfranchised from society. They lose nothing by confrontation, and if history were to repeat itself, actually need the publicity afforded by conflict with authority. Deny them this, and they are denied a means of attracting a power base.

It is readily apparent the Aryans do not present a threat to our social order in the way that Hitler’s National Socialists were able to destroy the Weimar government. Conditions are different in that the United States is not suffering from massive inflation and unemployment, a lost war and a disorganized, chaotic political system. Therefore, responding to them as though they were a serious political opposition is to give them a credibility that is inappropriate.

One can oppose the National Socialist philosophy by exposing the horror that system inflicted upon the world, which is not the same thing as ignoring the movement. And in teaching this historical lesson, it might be well to remember that after World War II, the communists under Stalin kept Auschwitz open for another three years; only the inmates were changed. George A. Bratina Spokane

Treat nonsense with ridicule

So the Swaggering Warriors of Hayden Lake (SWHL) are planning a parade. Forget all the handwringing and conferences. Let’s use the most potent weapon of all: ridicule.

When the SWHL do hold their parade, meet them with a group of volunteers, 300 at minimum. At least 100 of these should be musicians with their instruments, primarily brass and woodwinds plus some drummers. Divide the musicians into bands of about 15 each, stationed at intervals along the parade route. With enough musicians we could have a band at each street corner. The remaining volunteers would be the bands’ choral auxiliaries.

Distribute to the volunteers copies of the words and music to that Spike Jones classic hit of the early 1940s, the one in a fake German accent that ends, “Ve heil! Ve heil! Right in der Fuehrer’s Face!” As the SWHL approach, each band will strike up this song with the others singing lustily, especially the lines that go something like, “Are ve not der Supermen? Ja, ve are der Supermen!” and then in a mincing falsetto, “Super-dooper Supermen!” All the “heils” should be accompanied with thumb on nose and fingers waving. No obscene gestures, please. No eggs or other missiles. These dull the edge of the satire and mockery.

By the time the Swaggering Warriors finish the parade, they’ll be so sick of hearing this song that they won’t stage another such march for at least a decade. Let’s treat their arrogant nonsense with the ridicule it deserves. Robert Luedeking Pullman

Most Americans deluded

Pete Fretwell vows “never again” (March 29) will he allow the Nazi beast to stir, suggesting like most others that Richard Butler’s Aryan Nations shall not become Nazi terror again. Butler may deserve every condemnation, but how foolish we are to focus on one form of fascism, the term usually used to link German, Italian and Japanese imperialism.

The United States is formally a democratic republic, but our leadership openly enlisted ex-Nazis such as Klaus Barbie and Werner Von Braun after World War II. Pentagon strategists since then have aided and protected fascist movements in Chile, Guatemala, Indonesia and elsewhere.

I suppose Fretwell means “never again” only to resurgent nazis. The truth is closer to what Louisiana’s Huey Long said in the 1930s, “If fascism ever comes to the United States, it will fly the colors of the red, white and blue.”’

All the focus on Butler is a political misdirection. We don’t call our troops Nazis, yet in 1991 our techno-warriors wasted 200,000 Iraqis, taking the ovens to them. Our non-Nazi homeboys exterminated up to 3 million Vietnamese in the war we lost.

We don’t call it Nazi terror when our Army School of Americas graduates torture and murder Central Americans. We sure don’t call the Israeli army a Nazi force, even though thousands of Palestinians might.

Denied knowledge of our real and complete history, Americans remain the most deluded, log-in-your-eye, unconscious people on the planet. Chuck D. Armsbury Greenacres

PRESIDENT CLINTON

Some women not thinking right

A Sunday article entitled “Conflict of interests” presented viewpoints of women towards the sexual allegations and tactics of President Clinton. I was stupefied by the comments some women made in support of Clinton.

It is obvious the evidence needed to convict Clinton has yet to be recovered, though enough is present for one to form a logical opinion or attitude. Some women argue we should let it blow over and focus more on the nation. But if the CEO of a company had this kind of relationship with a 21-year-old employee, it would not be tolerated and his job would be lost. I am angered when power is exploited for pleasure, and in the president’s situation it astonishes me that some women are not offended.

I also find it ironic for some women, especially the manager of women’s studies at Eastern Washington University, to say, “He’s the best president women have ever had.” It is true, Clinton has proposed to improve conditions for women in the United States, including programs for child care, education and family leave. Of course, the only thing keeping the programs from getting under way is a large sum of the taxpayers’ money.

Lastly, feminists point out that Clinton appointed the first female secretary of state and attorney general. This is indeed a great accomplishment for women in politics, but it was bound to happen within time as they step further into the workplace. I just wish some women would logically rethink their opinions toward President Clinton. Greg W. Riches, age 15 Spokane

SPOKANE VIEWS

Talbott, take a good look

Mayor Talbott has gone too far.

It’s time he crawled out of Sabey’s back pocket and took a look at downtown. If he does manage to sabotage things, I suggest a use for the hole in the ground. We could move his office into it and that would be just what he deserves. Nancy A. Sanchez Spokane

City management gone too far

The Spokane city administration has gone too far over the line when it comes to intelligent planning and honesty.

The Lincoln Street Bridge project will do absolutely nothing to help the taxpayers of Spokane, but has already cost several million dollars with no end in sight. The city didn’t even look at their own laws before spending millions. This is gross incompetence.

People accuse John Talbott and Sherry Rogers of working for NorthTown Mall. The entire rest of the city administration is and has been in the pockets of the Cowles family and Nordstroms. If the Cowles and Nordstrom want a new store with a bunch more minimum wages jobs, let them pay for it. Tearing down a building and putting a big hole in the ground is nothing but trying to extort money and an okay for someone’s private gain. You don’t start a project of this size unless you can see it through.

The entire city administration who were in place when these two scams were first brought up, as well as the downtown bus fiasco, should either resign or be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail. Robert. W. Burt Spokane

Downtown parking solution needed

I totally agree with George W. Springer (Letters, March 31), “Free parking needed downtown.” More than once I have circled the entire downtown for 20 minutes, only to give up in disgust and go home because I could not find a space, metered or otherwise, into which I could fit my full-sized pickup. Being of limited means, I will not park in a paid lot, and I imagine many others feel the same as I do.

There must be an answer to the deplorable parking situation. Maybe Springer’s ideas of free parking for everyone have merit. The absence of meters would certainly make a more user-friendly environment, and may help to save our downtown. How about others’ opinions, including some merchants’? Dianne L. Cook Spokane

Hurrah for River Park Square

Three cheers for the River Park Square redevelopment. I’ve worked in this city since 1980. Working in the travel services arena, I’ve had the opportunity to visit all 50 of our United States and most major cities in each. I have no connection whatsoever to City Hall - my only special interest group is my family.

Shame on the naysayers, that tiny core of fuddy-duddy lemmings following Steven Eugster and David Sabey down and under the falls. Perhaps Mayor John Talbott will chauffeur Cherie Rodgers in his new city vehicle all the way back to Youngstown, Ohio, where they will see for themselves what happens to a city center neglected by its leaders. While there, they could invest some of our tax money in plywood sales - hundreds of store fronts are boarded up in a decaying, dying city center.

We won’t need the plywood here, thanks to those forward-thinking people who overwhelmingly supported this project at the public hearings.

My family will continue to shop at NorthTown, as boycotting will not help our regional economy. But I can’t wait to bring my family downtown to hit the movie theaters, enjoy a good meal, not worry about finding a decent place to park, shop in the new stores and continue to contribute to another important sector of our local economy. Keith Currie Spokane

HUMANE SOCIETY

Animals should come first

How sad the changes at the Humane Society have caused Diane Rasmussen to leave. Spokane needs a Humane Society that puts the needs of the animals first. Diane has always epitomized the Humane Society in Spokane. She has always made sure that the every animal entering the shelter had a chance for a forever home. Without her we will lose all of this. Ardis A. Tangen Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Parents should instill attitude

The picture on the front page of the Review on March 27, depicts children smoking and openly defying the law. The act of smoking is only hurting themselves, but their attitude of “I don’t have to obey the law” hurts each and every one of us.

This defiant attitude is typical of young people today. I have often had to avoid teenagers walking abreast down a busy road and openly defying you to hit them. Honk your horn and then face the wrath of who knows what.

Thanks to the ACLU and parents who feel their children should be free spirits in all manners, we have this debacle. When I was young, your conscience and fear of parental authority wouldn’t allow you to openly defy the law or parental authority.

Today with young people screaming and demanding equal adult rights, they and their parents have forgotten discipline, and morals in many cases. This is obvious when almost daily we pick up the paper and read of the heinous crimes committed by children.

Don’t look to the schools to instill this attitude. The church tries but often fails in this endeavor. The real answer lies in mom and dad and hopefully in the conscience of our younger generation, which can only be instilled in a stable home. James A. Nelson Spokane

Smarten up about smoking

Re: “Crack down on smoking,” Mar. 7, 1998.

So Dawn Hannahs and other young people think the law to ban smoking is stupid. I wish they had been with our family and watched the last few hours of my husbands life.

What is smart? How about an oxygen tube hanging from your nose? How about lungs so diseased that all the impurities from your lungs filter and run from your nose and mouth as a sticky, revolting mucus? How about lungs so diseased you can’t breathe. Get smart. Remember, if you smoke now you will sooner or later be on oxygen. Go to a nursing home and take a look. Claudene M. Uttke Greenacres

Anarchy the threat to society

Dave Anthony, refutes an article written by Penny Lancaster stating “There is a difference between correlation and cause.” Mrs. Lancaster did not write that pornography causes rape, but that there is a “critical connection” between them. I would agree with Mrs. Lancaster and add that Pornographic material is not the cause, but it truly fuels the fire.

In a study of 43 pedophiles, the L.A. Police Department found adult or child porn involved in 100 percent of the cases investigated.

Mr. Anthony speaks of a “free society.” Freedom always means to be interwoven with responsibility. Freedom is not free reign to do or say whatever one desires no matter who else gets violated in the process. Freedom without responsibility to and for others is nothing less that anarchy. This, Mr. Anthony, is the greatest threat to our society. Pam K. Lehinger Spokane

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