Letters To The Editor

GUNS

Criminals to blame, not guns

A tragedy has occurred in Arkansas: five children killed and others injured by fellow students. In the aftermath of this tragedy we see another tragedy: Intelligent people crying out for stricter control, even bans, on firearms, while saying nothing about a society that not only permits such tragedies to occur but even promotes them.

Yes, those two children used guns to kill. The guns did not kill those five children by themselves, nor did they lead the two children to kill. Those children took it upon themselves to perform this act. If they had been unable to obtain guns, they would have found some other way to kill. This is reality.

When a gun is used to kill, we blame the gun and treat the killer as a victim of the gun. This lack of condemnation places a societal approval on the criminal and his/her actions and promotes a repeat of the actions.

Unfortunately, there will always be tragedies so long as we have any vestige of freedom. The criminals will take advantage of that freedom and ensure this. But we can reduce how many tragedies occur by recognizing, and acting on, the following.

1. The problem is the criminal, not the tool used by the criminal.

2. People are responsible for their actions. This is currently a very unpopular concept.

3. A criminal’s age has no bearing on the punishment they should receive.

4. Once a criminal and committed a serious crime, they will probably commit such a crime again.

5. Severe punishment is a deterrent. Shawn M. Nolph Cheney

Gun control starts in the home

Why does the issue of gun control affect only the honorable people? The government is trying to restrict all citizens from keeping any type of gun in their household. It started with requirements to register and fill out bundles of permit papers. Now this requisition has expanded to include guns as a whole. I am against this movement.

Instead of making the barriers of felony prevention sturdier, they are rapidly crumbling, making it easier for convicts to commit crimes and harder for the honest man to defend his family and property. Not too long ago, violent crimes were not an issue to worry about. Every household acquired a set of well-equipped rifles. Therefore, the delinquent thought twice about committing a crime. Now, since the government is taking away this sense of security, every criminal is free to break the law without hesitation. When weapons are banned, the crooks will be the only ones to possess them.

Some people argue this gun-control ban is for the safety of the children. If parents would teach their kids “no” and why, the accidental shootings would decline. Moreover, if the guns were stored empty, and the bullets in a different, unknown area, unintentional deaths would decrease.

The first step to be taken in gun control starts at home with the proper knowledge, respect and training about all weapons. The Fourth Amendment reads, “Every citizen has the right to bear arms.” Obviously the government is changing this to, “Every citizen who is a criminal, or is wealthy, has the right to bear arms.” Roxanne L. Knopp Moses Lake

Letter writer ill-informed

It’s been a long time since I’ve read something as ill-informed and stupid as the April 5 letter by Jim L. Thomson regarding guns ending up in children’s hands.

If Thomson is referring to the recent schoolyard shooting tragedy in Arkansas and other places around the country, he should bear in mind that those kinds of kids would have found a way to commit those crimes without guns. These young sociopaths could have doused the school with gasoline and set it ablaze with the same consequences, or worse.

While I agree that guns should be locked away from kids, unless the kids have had the training to know how to use and respect a firearm, this does not mean law-abiding U.S. citizens should be disarmed, as Thomson clearly implies. Adolf Hitler disarmed his people and we all know the results of that decision.

People who do not like the idea of others exercising their Second Amendment rights should really consider finding another place to live. Like maybe North Korea, Red China or Russia. Daniel T. Anderson Spokane

ANIMAL WELFARE

Humane Society will go on

Re: Letters from Eileen Deaton (March 30) and Ardis Tangen (April 7).

While I agree that Diane Rasmussen has been an invaluable asset to our shelter and she will be sorely missed, I also know that the Spokane Humane Society, having served the Spokane community for more than 100 years, will go on.

Our board of directors is comprised of 12 outstanding members of the community who serve without compensation, bringing their skills to serve the society and the animals in its care. None of these board members were seated 11 years ago.

We have had seven directors since 1983. SpokAnimal is indeed fortunate to have had only one director.

Our shelter is currently housing 50 city strays each month which SpokAnimal will not accept, even though they are subsidized $100,000 annually by the city to care for all city strays.

We have offered to cremate euthanized animals for them at a nominal cost. They have chosen to use the rendering plant as the final disposal of beloved pets.

It’s time for the citizens of Spokane to begin questioning the manner in which the city animal control contract is being implemented, not who is working or not working at the Spokane Humane Society. Dona M. Van Gelder member, Spokane Humane Society Board of Directors

Humane Society’s mission is animals

Re: “Try to match Rasmussen’s dedication” (Letters, March 28, by Sherri L. Hyams).

What an interesting concept. Someone is forced out of a job that had become a way of life because her boss felt she was incompetent - and it’s interpreted as “letting her go.”

Hyams was definitely right when she said they need to replace Rasmussen with someone as dedicated as she was. That means her replacement needs to be willing to work seven days per week when necessary to fulfill obligations (while getting paid for 40 hours), to buy whatever supplies are necessary without getting reimbursed, and to donate equipment to the shelter when a new cage or carrier is needed or a piece of equipment needs replacement. Only someone totally dedicated to the welfare of the animals that pass through the Humane Society could do all that because of a love for the animals.

To regain a place of respect in the community, the Humane Society needs to get rid of those in power with a flawed leadership mentality, so that the Humane Society may again function as a humane society whose mission is the welfare of the animals - not one of publicity for those in charge. The way things are now, people whose main interest is bettering the welfare of the animals in our community are not able to support the Humane Society. Colleen M. Murphy Spokane

IN THE PAPER

An opinion is just that

Eileen K. Thomas wrote complaining of Jim Schamp’s Mar. 1, street level column. I have two specific issues with the contents of her letter.

Thomas starts out her letter about racism with the racist line, “Why do white males resort to a whole lot of speculation instead of facts?” Just as she says to Schamp, “Excuse me, is that a racist remark or what?” I would say the same to her. Perhaps Thomas should step down from her soap box and take a look in the mirror before she embarrasses herself any further.

Secondly, I would like to address the statement “When you write an opinion please make sure your statements are true and make sure you don’t insult mine or anyone elses mentality.” Correct me if I’m wrong, but I was under the impression that an opinion is what a person feels and thinks of an issue. Regardless of what is true for one person and not another, opinions aren’t bound by requirements, facts, data or truth. That’s what makes it an opinion.

Ultimately what Thomas is asking is that everybody she disagrees with should keep their mouth shut. Judging her mentality from her words, if that were to happen, the silence would be deafening. Michael B. Harmon Spokane

Yanni performance powerful

I appreciated staff writer William Berry’s review (April 6) of the Yanni concert. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who recognized and felt the power of a performance given from the heart. I left the concert, not only exhilarated by the music, but sensing a deep truth that his performance seemed to touch upon.

If every one of us performed every deed in our lives with the passion and authenticity demonstrated by the performers Saturday night, what a powerful impact we would make on every life we touch. And if an act cannot be done from the heart, then perhaps it is not worth doing at all. Jean E. Tinder Spokane

Article violated understanding

To compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace, colleges must offer modern facilities, more financial aid, state-of-the-art technology and a myriad of student services unimaginable until recently.

In addition to meeting higher student expectations, colleges must offer competitive salaries and benefits to faculty and staff.

While educational costs are rising, so is the plea from students, parents and government to keep tuition down. This represents a significant challenge to trustees and administrators. While colleges don’t want to price themselves out of the market, they must generate enough revenue to keep pace with student and staff expectations.

Our trustees have responded to these concerns by limiting tuition increases for this year and next to the lowest percentage rise in 20 years. To operate within our anticipated income, we must tighten our belts. Gonzaga is exploring multiple options. Layoffs are one option, but we will look at alternatives and work collegially with our faculty and staff to address these important financial issues. Whatever the decisions, the education of students will remain our highest priority.

The difficult financial decisions Gonzaga faces are the same as those faced today by most private institutions, and many in the public sector. I think readers deserve to know that context.

Meanwhile, we will continue our search to find the best candidate to become Gonzaga’s new Jesuit president. No timetable has been set.

We understood that the purpose of The SpokesmanReview interview last week was to focus on private higher education nationally. In my opinion, that understanding was violated. Harry H. Sladich acting president, Gonzaga University