Letters To The Editor

GOVERNMENT/POLITICS

Supreme Court ruling no surprise

Re: “Ruling bad news to 8,000 homeowners” (Spokesman-Review, July 31).

So the State Supreme Court ruling reportedly was lauded by county assessors; they will once again be unleashed in a taxing frenzy. It is a disgrace for justice to decide in their favor in a challenge to a latent portion of Referendum 47, yet turn a blind eye to their disregard in complying with other portions now supposedly in effect.

A disgrace, but not a surprise. This same Supreme Court ruled less than two months ago that politicians don’t necessarily have to tell you the truth. So be a little skeptical when King County Assessor Scott Noble tells you this was a victory for you, the average taxpayer.

The court’s decision is diluted. It cites constitutional grounds against allowing “tax breaks,” yet ignores Article I, Section I, by striking down a mandate of the people. The law is intended to be fundamental. It appears it has become us against them, taxation without representation. What are “we the people” to do when our voice is ignored at the polls?

I’m not a rich man. I’m not even a property owner, but still am angered at this latest development.

Michael F. Harrington Richland

Say no to Initiative 694

I have recently learned that persons wishing to deny to women the right to choose the time when they will bear children have collected enough signatures to ensure that Initiative 694 will be on the November ballot. Because of the way in which it is worded, most now-legal abortions would become illegal and result in the prosecution of women and doctors who would offer assistance to them in terminating a pregnancy.

Reproductive choice is a right established for all citizens of the United States by an act of the U.S. Supreme Court 33 years ago. Passage of I-694 would, therefore, probably be found unconstitutional and create much confusion.

There is no question that every religious group may determine the moment that life begins and set up its own regulations as to what is permissible to its members in regulating their families. However, the founding fathers insisted upon separation of church and state in the Constitution. This clearly denies to the government the right to use the directions of any religion in setting up rules pertaining to regulations on family size, planning, etc., for all of its myriad religious and non-religious citizens.

It is this vital separation which has kept the United States from the religious strife which has proved so costly in other parts of the world.

It is up to the voters of Washington to ensure that no agency or religion will have the legal right to deny contraceptives or abortions to the women of this great state. Defeat Initiative 694. Fred Meyer Coulee Dam

NEA should be funded privately

Joshua Habermann has provided us with an opportunity to address the emotional strife that exists between those who assail the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for its support of offensive art, requesting termination, and those who would defend it as constructive and necessary, deserving continued government funding.

While both sides have accumulated evidence to fortify their perspective, the solution to the argument is simple government withdrawal from unconstitutional entanglements, of which the NEA is but one.

Why should the government take money from me to support the Ladies Select Choir from Salt Lake City High School as they attend the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho in Moscow? Or why should my son-in-law be forced, through taxation, to pay for Habermann’s training with the American Boy Choir School? Should the hard-working farmer, mechanic, school teacher, nurse, etc., be required to pay for the NEA-sponsored, “Original Multimedia Work,” by Guillermo Gomez-Pena, which includes a Jell-o Jesus figure that was eaten by party guests? The Washington Post reports that Gomez-Pena’s Web site includes items featuring “racial sexual fantasies” and carries a request for viewers to “share with us your favorite racist joke.” Gomez-Pena can now be heard on National Public Radio, also funded by the NEA.

The redeeming quality of the law is its impartiality, objectivity and absence of favoritism. Funding for the NEA is not an enumerated power according to our Constitution.

Let the NEA find its support through private donations and the marketing of its product. John Beal, congressional candidate Spokane

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Christians also have rights

Re: “Hypocritical Christians, watch out” (Letters, Aug. 2).

People who purport to be students of the Bible would do well to read the whole Bible. If, indeed, the Bible is true, it must be all true. It cannot be God’s word and be in error. The parts that hurt can’t be explained away so that we can accept the parts that comfort and encourage.

Sin is sin. God’s word says he hates sin, the sin of adultery as well as the sin of homosexuality. Both are spoken of several times in the Old and New testaments. A lifestyle of adultery lived, taught and encouraged is no better than a life of homosexuality. To repent of adultery is to be forgiven by God himself. To repent from homosexuality is to be forgiven by God himself. He promises forgiveness with repentance - the key word being repentance.

If one chooses to be a homosexual, it is that person’s right. But please do not rewrite the Bible or condemn those who are trying to walk a Christian life. If you do not believe the Bible, what difference is it to you what others believe? Just please stop forcing your lifestyle. You demand our children be taught it’s an alternate lifestyle. You demand your right to insinuate your lifestyle on every single person in the country and then cry foul when someone rebukes you. Shame. Christians have the right to defend their beliefs as much as you do. Carol Ann Lewis Liberty Lake

IN THE PAPER

Compassion what’s needed, not satire

I was saddened and angered by the July 31 editorial cartoon (Toles’ bit on the recent Capitol murders of the two policeman). How dare someone take a tragedy such as this and try to make it into a political issue! Our country should be pulling together in grief and support for the family of the fallen men; not dividing into political factions and placing blame on one particular organization.

These men gave their lives defending fellow Americans and their sacrifice is mocked by calling the shooting a “pro-handgun demonstration.” This is not the time to further one’s own agenda, but the time to show true compassion, the type of compassion that respects the families who are suffering a great loss and the type that doesn’t seek to abuse their sorrow to further a political cause.

Two fathers died. This is what matters. Don’t make this into a clumsy attempt at satire. Don’t demean yourself by abusing these families in their grief. Jackie L. Dorothy Deer Park

Law would invite moral decline

On the front page of the Aug. 2 Spokesman-Review was an article about a proposed ordinance to give privilege to persons of certain sexual orientation, yet on Page 1 of the Outdoors & Travel section, persons of a different sexual orientation are called “creeps.”

If the City Council decides to give special conditions to homosexuals, I think they should broaden the language to include all persons of sexual and moral deviance. This would include voyeurs, pedophiles, rapists and anyone else with perverse sexual or moral appetites.

While I certainly don’t endorse this, I believe if we open the door we are inviting a flood of moral decline that will, in time, envelop our whole society. It’s already bad, let’s not make it official. H. Duane Brown Spokane

Carol Taylor deserves praise

Re: “Grandma declares war on vice” (Spokesman-Review, July 21).

Hurray for Carol Taylor. If there were more people like her in our midst, these undesirables in neighborhoods would have fewer shadows to slink around in. Linda Swanson Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

Steve Tucker right man for job

Re: “Sweetser late to the fairness party” (Letters, July 15).

I’m sick of hearing from Jim Sweetser’s so-called loyal staff about what a great and fair man he is. Anyone who has created such dissension and apprehension in his own office is clearly the wrong man for the position of head prosecutor. He is also the wrong man for Spokane.

I’ve seen for myself the selective prosecution practices and, like Mr. McClaine, will not only vote for Steve Tucker, but I will volunteer to work for his campaign. John Martin Spokane

Dennis Crumley an honest man

I’m writing in support of Dennis Crumley for county commissioner. As a colleague of Dennis’ for over a decade, I know that Dennis is a man of honesty and integrity.

Throughout his 19-year career at the Spokane County Juvenile Court, he has demonstrated he is a skilled leader and sound decision maker. As a detention supervisor, where critical health and safety issues are decided daily, and in his role as president of the county supervisory union, Dennis has acquired the respect that runs throughout county government.

A recent comment by political opponents suggests otherwise by saying “she knows him.” Her comment suggests a significant lack of familiarity with county government. It’s a rare opportunity to be able to elect an individual of Mr. Crumley’s caliber. Citizens should take full advantage of such an opportunity. Rand Pratt Spokane