Letters To The Editor

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

‘Ignorance is not the solution’

Re: Peter C. Dolina’s letter, “How far to an enjoyable life” (Dec. 1).

As a Lewis and Clark High School student, I find it insulting to see my high school treated as a villain in the eyes of some. I am very proud of Lewis and Clark and we, as students, are surrounded in a very caring and loving environment. This is largely due to the LC faculty, including the administration.

I am also proud of my school for printing the Planned Parenthood message, and I would encourage other schools to run similar messages.

Since this topic has turned into a religious debate, let me say that I consider myself a Christian. However, I believe that ignorance is not the solution to educating teenagers on their sexual options. We have been taught since the fourth grade that abstinence is the only 100 percent effective method of birth control but some teenagers still have sex.

It is a disservice to the community to not have public messages about safe sex. An ad in a school newspaper does not advertise sex as OK, but merely shows us another option in our personal lives.

I have talked to some of my peers and they feel that the adults writing complaint letters are not seeing the big picture. Those messages are only telling us that adults do not understand the world we live in and are not trying to understand it. Lee C. Douthitt, 11th-grade student Spokane

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Mental illness stigma a blight itself

The tragic passing of Col. Walt Hodgen spoke of a very disturbing dilemma seen in our societal attitude: a denial about certain illnesses.

Today’s world, riddled with artificial sentiments and real discriminations, confuses the facts and heaps a needless sense of shame on those who face even brief mental care. The fact is, many people who seek help were very productive until they simply “hit the wall.” Very often, the failure is extremely intense, like the successes.

Some need only brief treatments, with an extremely high likelihood of overcoming the illness. Unfortunately, there is a deeply entrenched avoidance of getting help for mental distress. In our society, help for that illness stirs fear and shame.

Needing help is not failure. It is those who perpetuate the fantasy that a successful person never has obvious setbacks who fail to understand true success with its failures. It is society’s failure that views medications for mental illness as a sign of weakness.

This demonstrates ignorance. It’s easier for us to condemn others and act like Job’s friends, who lay all blame on poor failing Job and make seeking help an admission to being an unworthy failure.

Our Western culture will eventually bear the shame of our willingness to further burden any distraught or ill person’s life with guilt and blame. Let’s become civilized and leave behind our self-righteous condemnations. Learn to admit that we all need help occasionally. Learn to applaud the courage required to accept both failure and success, and the courage to be weak and to stay strong. Holly G. Swanson Spokane

Let your ex be there for children, too

It shocks the conscience even to imagine: A so-called responsible parent leaving a newborn infant in the care of a young girl in an animal-infested building with no heat, no electricity, no indoor plumbing. Yet, this very event led to the celebration of Christmas today.

According to the story, God sent his son into this situation, giving up primary residence of his son with him for Christmas in order to share his son with others. Many of us believe the story to be true, but even those who don’t believe admit that it’s a powerful story and illustration.

These days, many children are blessed by having two parents, although those parents no longer share the same dwelling. During this holiday season, I urge every parent to be willing to share the children with the other people in their lives. After all, God himself already set the example by giving up that constant contact for an entire lifetime. Surely, it isn’t too much to give up a few hours for the other parent in our children’s lives.

God also led by example when it comes to the importance of step-parents. He provided for and encouraged Joseph to be there for his son. Please remember the step-parents during this holiday season and do not dismiss them as not “real.” Many are very real to the children.

Occasionally, there are circumstances where the best interests of the children will not permit such contact. But, if at all possible, share the children during this holiday season for a least a few hours. It’s the noble and godly thing to do. Sara L. Tingley attorney, Spokane

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

School district should remain unified

Today, Bonner County residents vote on whether to split our school district in two. I fear the decision to split may be based on anger over past sins, rather than improving our children’s education.

Our board of trustees has succeeded in reshaping the district administration, giving us a team actually interested in education. Superintendent Roy Rummler, his staff and our teachers are now working together to improve school programs throughout the county. I’m afraid this effort will be disrupted if we split. Also, our financial situation has improved and the district is operating in the black.

This is partly due to a levy, but it’s also true that no school district in Idaho is able to operate without local levies because the system is designed that way.

Splitting the district won’t solve any problems we can’t solve right now by working together. If we can’t work together, can’t trust the people in charge, we’re in serious trouble and it doesn’t matter where the district office is.

Splitting our school district is a step backward, particularly if it’s just an expression of anger. Chester A. Wood Priest Lake

Post office the hub of Spirit Lake

There are many good things in our town, but the Spirit Lake post office is the best. It stands alone and looks like an old wooden ship moored on the sidewalk. One of the reasons our post office stands tall is because of our most beloved postmistress, Collet. She always does a good job. She runs a tight ship and is always considerate and kind. She even has a place for us to tether our dogs.

The post office is almost a social club. It’s a place where old friends meet and new citizens have come to be known. When the mail is out, there is no whistle or bell but somehow, it is known. Like the gates at a race track, all of a sudden, from every part of town and back in the country, cars, pickups, bicycles, pedestrians and Spirit Lakers converge.

There are little groups mingling on the porch. Sometimes, discussions occur across the street at someone’s vehicle window and a small group will gather there.

The post office door swings open and shut. The eager patrons’ greetings are merry or curt as they hurry in and out. As time dwindles, only loners show from time to time, until tomorrow, when the race is on again. Robert R. Root Spirit Lake

OTHER TOPICS

Kids want both parents for Christmas

My friend was hired to be Santa Claus at the mall this year. I asked him what the funniest request had been so far. He replied, “I only remember the sad ones.”

“Like what?” I asked, amazed.

“The many little faces that ask Santa to bring their mommies and daddies back together again.”

Dear, dear parents, are you listening? This is what the children want for Christmas. Ellen P. Collyer Spokane

Clinton a potential security risk

The American people knew Bill Clinton was morally corrupt, but they elected him anyway. To impeach him on grounds of moral turpitude would indeed undermine the electoral process.

Clinton should be impeached not for immorality, not for punishment, not to serve as an example for youths, but because he represents a serious security risk to the United States.

Clinton, by virtue of his disarming charisma, good looks, quick wit, undeniable charm and incredibly powerful office, could choose to dally with any number of high-powered, intelligent, discreet women who would have a great deal to lose by being discovered. Instead, because of his nonexistent impulse control, he allowed himself to be seduced by an immature half-wit who was so twitterpated that she couldn’t resist flinging the cat from the bag.

Clinton’s desire to be seen as something other than he is was so great that he apparently perjured himself rather than admit to weakness. He lacks not only a moral compass and an ethical road map but the courage to admit he was lost. If a man would perjure himself to cover up sexual indiscretion, he could just as easily give away a few military secrets (missile technology, for example) to keep a foreign power (China, for example) from revealing damaging information about him.

It’s long been an effective technique in espionage to entrap the enemy in compromising sexual situations to extort national secrets.

Any Republican congressman who backs off from a full-court press to remove this security risk from office because of public opinion is too shortsighted to be an effective leader. Jim Hundrup Spokane