Letters To The Editor

Mon., Feb. 16, 1998

PRESIDENT CLINTON

Don’t judge with your wallet

Support for President Clinton is still strong, regardless of the most recent extramarital sex allegations directed toward him. The basis for much of this support could be divided into about three basic categories:

1. Supporters who believe that the president should be entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.

2. Supporters who like his job performance or administrative agenda enough to tolerate any possible personal misbehavior.

3. Supporters who feel that whatever this man might do in his personal life is no business of the media or the public.

I personally have no problem with the first argument; due process is often undermined by gossip and innuendo. The second two arguments, however, cause me great concern.

Supporters who base their level of tolerance for a president’s behavior on the amount of personal gain they hope to receive from his policies seem hypocritical to me. I don’t think it is healthy for the youths of this country to see adults sacrificing their ethical backbone for the sake of a political agenda or hopes for a more prosperous 401k retirement plan.

True, the media is more intrusive than it was 30 years ago, necessitating a higher degree of integrity from our leaders. Personal integrity from our leaders is our business. Ignoring this is like telling our kids that our personal life is none of their business, as long as we bring home the bacon. We must not forget that today’s youths are tomorrow’s parents and leaders. Bill Egger Colbert

There are larger moral issues

The Spokesman Review asks, “Where is the Outrage?” (Feb. 3). Maybe, just maybe, the American public’s outrage is fueled more by the dubious morality of the “Christian” Coalition, the “Moral” Majority and that self-appointed paragon of moral virtue, William Bennett. Their morality includes the current proposal to eliminate our modestly progressive income tax in favor of a highly regressive national sales tax that would completely eliminate taxes on corporations. And of course, there is the very un-Christian abandonment of all assistance to the least fortunate among us.

These so-called moral voices might do well to remember to whom Christ addressed His ministry. Maybe, just maybe, the American public is human and struggles each and every day with issues of personal morality. Thus, they are able to forgive President Clinton his trespasses as we have always forgiven the trespasses of those who preceded him in office, particularly in the face of his outstanding record of leadership.

That record includes a balanced budget and the lowest unemployment, inflation and crime rates in nearly two generations. It is a time of great hope, prosperity and possibility in our nation.

Our president challenges us now to address the most deep-rooted of our country’s ills the big picture morality. Issues like child care, health care, education, Social Security opportunity for all Americans. The American public, in supporting President Clinton and rejecting the appeals of the rabid right, not to mention the frenzied media, signal their desire to join the president in addressing these larger moral issues. Stephen H. Reichard Spokane

Clinton chose the wrong ‘crime’

So President Clinton may have had an affair and tried to cover it up. All of his insatiable enemies are slobbering and drooling and gnashing their nasty little pointy teeth as the new Nazi-light House and Senate jump to prepare impeachment proceedings (just in case).

My, my. If their charges are true, Clinton did do something wrong. What he should have done is sell weapons to a terrorist enemy nation and then use the proceeds from that sale to secretly finance a band of rebels in yet another enemy nation - and then lie about that. We know he could get away with it, it’s been proven. The vice president should also participate. He’d of course be subsequently elected president in 2000.

Yes, the administration should pick its “crimes” more carefully! Bill Quinn Spokane

Clinton not meeting moral standard

Character does not matter, huh? That’s what many people would want you to believe when it comes to our commander in chief.

I entered the Army as a buck private. When I was promoted to sergeant I was held to a higher standard than that of a private.

I saw fellow NCOs lose their stripes “for actions unbecoming of an NCO.” Although these NCOs did nothing illegal, they did not lead their troops by setting a positive example. They also had not set an example by not having a higher standard of moral character and conduct.

President Clinton is not setting a higher standard of moral character and conduct by his immoral conduct. Clinton is setting a very negative example to our armed forces. Sadly, he cannot be demoted. Character does matter. William A. Hall Spokane

Maybe justice is alive and well

They say it’s not Clinton, it’s really us! We’re the ones who watch the R-rated movies, who are hooked on drugs, who turn our kids over to day care, who cheat on our income tax. We’re branded as being a power-hungry, me-first, sex-driven, rotten-to-the-core society.

But could it be that we sense an injustice within the beltway of Washington, D.C.? Could it be that guilty-until-proven-innocent, trial-by-the-press, let’s-get-this-guy mentality is raising some suspicion within us?

Could it be that we don’t approve of what they say he did, but even more we disapprove of the way it’s being handled? Could it be that Clinton’s high approval ratings are not only due to our economic well being, but also that deepseated moral sense of justice rising within us? Could it be that, in spite of what we hear about our education system, we’ve been taught well?

We can’t describe it, but we can feel what justice really is, that the only way we can make this voice within us heard is to give Clinton those high approval ratings. Could it be that, fundamentally, we are not a sick society? Knowing what justice really is is good, but feeling true justice is greatness. Feeling justice, above all, will keep this nation truly free. People will argue with what they know; they will fight for what they feel. Harry G. Merrick Chattaroy

THE MEDIA

Commercials won out over classics

I was extremely disappointed when, watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was interrupted for a string of commercials. I had eagerly anticipated the chance to see this wonderful work performed by choirs on five continents, connected via satellite with conductor Seiji Osawa, a renowned orchestra and a choir of 2,000 people in the Nagano stadium. It was a very symbolic event, bringing together choirs from all over the world. But this was all summarily cut off and ignored in favor of the almighty dollar. I was unable to believe the lack of respect the network gave to the Japanese effort to put this together and to this beautiful piece of music.

As a student of music, I was naturally excited to hear and see this performance. Also, having just finished studying the communist and apartheid systems in school, I realized what a truly amazing thing it was that communists in Beijing would be singing with people from Vienna; that in formerly apartheid South Africa, whites and black sang together. This was something that brought the world closer together, and television viewers in America were not given the opportunity to witness it. Instead, we were shown another example of the crass commercialism in our society.

What kind of example for young people are adults setting when decisions such as this are made? Lydia Newell, age 15 Spokane

Focus on the local efforts

In writing this letter, I am again reminded that every day we strive for the opportunity of choice. The choice I now face is, do I express appreciation for The Spokesman-Review printing of a notice on Jan. 30 for the Season For Nonviolence opening ceremony, or do I tell of the disheartening realization that resulted from The Spokesman-Review’s choice not to share the story of that event?

Jan. 30 marked the first day of a 64-day period hailed as A Season For Nonviolence, a time during which dozens of cities throughout the world are remembering Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. and honoring the day-to-day contributions of those within the community who work to cure the systemic poisonings of violence. The Spokane opening ceremony was an awesome event. Under one roof were representatives from various Spokane and Kootenai County organizations, and individuals from diverse backgrounds of ethnicity, race, religion and lifestyle. People shared their gifts of song, story and dance. Each person was there because of a conscious choice to express hope for our community and appreciation for the efforts being made.

Unfortunately, The Spokesman-Review chose not to tell Spokane’s story. Instead, Saturday’s paper passed on a story from somewhere else - the United Nations’ opening event. I am grateful for what The Spokesman-Review did do. However, I wish it had chosen to highlight the local efforts toward raising our collective consciousness for more peaceful resolutions. We challenge you and the entire community to be more involved in the remaining 50-plus days and beyond. Holly Elliott, coordinator A Season for Nonviolence, Spokane Task Force

Coverage better than of TV

I would like to commend you on your excellent newspaper coverage of the winter Olympics. It’s really great to see all sports presented, and not just the “glamour” sports.

Also, the coverage has been timely in terms of the event outcomes; take Picabo’s gold in the GS, for example. That particular event did not make CBS’s coverage until a day and a half after the event itself. I was very touched by the story of the nordic gold medalist greeting the Kenyan at the finish line.

I think that for the duration of winter Olympics, I may forget about CBS with its previews of the preview, U.S.-focused, and glamour sport coverage, and look to the Sports sections for a more rounded view of what’s happening in Nagano. Penny A. Schwyn Spokane

WORLD ISSUES

Israel driving U.S. foreign policy

Is the Israeli tail wagging the United States dog in regard to military action against Iraq?

Once again, the U.S. is assuming the role of world policeman despite the lack of support of the other members of the United Nations Security Council. If Iraq were to launch its weapons of massive destruction, it would be the Arab nations and Israel which would be most threatened. Yet it is precisely the Arab nations, with the possible exception of Kuwait, which are most opposed to military action against Iraq.

One of the initial founding principals of the U.N. is based on the concept of collective security. The U.S. should act only in concert, and with the unequivocal backing of the security council, unless it national interests are directly threatened. It was unseemly for the secretary of state to go from country to country, begging for their support to allow U.S. military forces to endanger their lives.

During my 31 years in the U.S. foreign service, I have always been amazed and annoyed by the U.S. policy bias toward Israel. It is common knowledge that Israel has weapons of mass destruction in the form of nuclear weapons, yet there is little or no complaint by the U.S. The Arab nations are correct in asserting the the U.S. uses a double standard where Israel and the Arab countries are concerned. Ed C. Bittner Sagle

Use inspectors, not bombs

The Clinton administration’s proposal to take military action against Iraq will reverse the Bush administration’s brilliant foreign policy maneuvers of 1991. Before the gulf war, our military presence in the Middle East was severely restricted. The gulf war gave us an opportunity to establish a military presence; but more importantly, we allowed Saddam Hussein to remain in power, which gave us a great excuse to maintain our presence after this war because of a shaky peace. By maintaining a military presence, we provide stability for, and have some control over, 60 percent of the world’s oil production. If our military action is overly successful, we will no longer have a legitimate diplomatic reason to maintain our presence.

The main purpose in taking the prescribed military action is to destroy biological and chemical weapons production. Military action is not as successful as weapons inspection for the control of production. The 227,000 bombs dropped in the gulf war have destroyed fewer weapons of mass destruction than have U.N. weapons inspectors, according to a current article in U.S. News and World Report. Aside from the tremendous financial cost of military action, it is more difficult to locate weapons in wartime than in peacetime; weapons inspectors accomplish the job more efficiently and without as much risk of life.

A military strike against Iraq will do more harm than good. Let the weapons inspectors do their job. Dan K. Sheckler Moscow, Idaho

RELIGION

True change comes from within

I can see why many people doubted the sincerity of Karla Faye Tucker’s conversion, not understanding the source of her radical change.

Generally, rehabilitation is a change and improvement tried to be accomplished from the outside in; it takes much work and time and is rarely lasting. “Religion” does not fare much better.

Only the presence of Jesus Christ in a person’s heart, if so invited in, will bring about genuine rapid transformation.

Tucker’s great love for God was obvious and enviable, “But he loves little who has been forgiven little.” (Luke 7:47). Ingrid C. Norris Spokane

You can’t lie to God

I was not shocked to read the front page story in the Feb. 8 Spokesman-Review about lying. Lying was once part of my nature, too, before I became a Christian. That changed, however, as I began to experience the presence of God in my life through faith in Jesus Christ.

God teaches us clearly in His Word that we are all ultimately accountable to Him for our every word.. Jesus said, “And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36) God knows every action, thought and intention of our heart. We can’t hide anything from him. Someday will have to give an account to him on judgment day of every lie and careless word we have spoken. “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13)

There will be no excuses. We are all under condemnation apart from the blood of Christ. He is our only hope. Ron Belisle Spokane

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

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Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

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