Letters To The Editor

Prejudice hounds soccer

I notice that during the Spokane Shadow soccer season the coverage is there, but it is lacking. There are few interviews, pictures or articles of any length. And when the USA World Cup team is together, the coverage is just as weak.

And as for Matt Larsen’s letter (April 19), where he insulted players and fans alike with his comment about “running around in their underwear” and then presuming to know what “most Americans want” to read about:

I’m 37 years old and grew up playing soccer. My 17-year-old son played. My 12-year-old son still plays. And I am sick and tired of people who never played passing judgment on this game. It’s as though you think the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL are somehow threatened by the soccer world.

I love these four sports as well as golf, tennis and many others. And I see soccer as no threat to them. So, to you out there who feel soccer is a foreign game with no business in the U.S., wake up and look around.

For more than 30 years, it has done nothing but grow in popularity. And that’s really OK, but the prejudice against it is not. Gary Fridley Spokane

Sonics, nonetheless

I observed a survey in your paper that said 78 percent of NBA players smoke pot. How can I respect that?

If the level of competition goes down clear across the board, they will still manage to look good, even though they are all slacking!

Nevertheless, I would like to see the Seattle SuperSonics be champions, because I am not a fan of the Seattle Marinerds! Wesley A. Storer Spokane

Critics lack class

I’d like to enforce what Melody Kinder said (Letters, April 5), but not so politely.

I, too, was astounded by the vicious attack on (Spokane Chiefs goalie) Aren Miller, even after he was benched. It just amazes me how much courage it must take for a fan to yell from his/her safe perch in the stands knowing full well that Aren will not and cannot respond. Despite what (radio broadcaster) Craig West thinks, there is no excuse for being rude. Last time I checked, fans are there to support the team, especially in bad times.

Aren has more class at 20 than most of the fans in the Arena. This attack came mostly from middle-aged men with what I’m going to call the “Gretzky” complex. This is where one wants to be Wayne Gretzky, yet the dream not realized, becomes a game of pretend. I have just one thing to say to these men who think they are holy hockey gods: Just pretend you are real men like Aren Miller and learn to take it like a man.

Go Chiefs! Good luck Aren and David (Haun). Katy Angermeier Medical Lake