Letters To The Editor

GAMBLING

On the slippery slope to ruination

Why are we allowing casino cardrooms to enter our area? After six years of working on the regulation of harmful pornography outlets, isn’t it obvious that it will be just as difficult to gain reprieve from the effects of the vice that gambling brings to a city?

Be certain that the expenses to attempt to rehabilitate people who fall into any form of addiction will soon erase any perceived benefit to the city. Isn’t it clear that gambling is a blight on those Native American tribes that rely on it, and upon the Vegas-Reno-type cities that flaunt it?

To invite bad company corrupts good morals.

Gambling allures people to risk their family security - at infinitesimal odds - for a chance at sudden prestige.

Gambling is ruin to the work ethic. Do we want our citizens to cease from applying themselves to high and honorable goals and ideals that require all their faithful devotion over many years to achieve? Gambling fosters idleness and frivolity, which results in immorality. Its decadence undermines financial stability, so that our outlook for genuine prosperity is tenuous.

Our city is bribed into collusion when it receives income from such a source. Any income taken it should be applied directly to efforts to remove ourselves from obligation to such corruption.

Please begin at once to seek leverage that will free our city from the death grip of all forms of subterfuge. Our true help is in the worship of the Lord our God.

If we all worship as we ought, we’ll have more wisdom than to be duped by such schemes. Bruce C. Wakeman Spokane

Trouble starts at state level

In a July 7 editorial, Opinion editor John Webster tells us of the evils of gambling around the nation.

Gambling causes everything from divorce to bankruptcy, says Webster, so we should ban Indian casinos at Airway Heights.

Why pick on the Indians? They are recent arrivals to the gambling scene. We would have massive gambling across the nation and in Washington state even if no Indians were involved in gambling anywhere.

Let’s instead address the granddaddy of all gambling, the state lotteries and pulltabs.

In the state of Washington, we have to endure very stupid TV ads that tell us how we are going to get rich quick if we just buy a ticket. These ads are paid for by state government.

If these TV ads were put on by a private company, that company might be charged with consumer fraud. These TV ads appeal to people with limited education and limited income who cannot figure out the odds against winning.

Another scam from the state lotteries is the use of some of the money for education. How ironic! The state encourages people to be dumb enough to buy lottery tickets and somehow, our children will become smarter.

This also discourages people from voting for needed school levies. (Hey, I paid a buck for a lottery ticket, so why should I vote for the school levy?)

Why don’t we join the 14 states that do not have state lotteries. Until that happens, let’s get rid of those TV ads. Greg J. Works Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

Wal-Mart, go where you’re wanted

As I read the July 7 Spokesman-Review I became quite angry and frustrated. I refer to “Wal-Mart appeals zoning denial.”

I have but one question: Do the people from Wal-Mart realize not only how much land is available but what a huge financial gain they would have building a store in Airway Heights? Out north they have the competition of Target, ShopKo, Kmart, just to name a few. Out here, we have nothing.

Just recently, The Spokesman-Review did an article on how the population of Airway Heights has doubled just over the past few years. Yet residents from Fairchild Air Force Base, Cheney, Davenport, Reardan and Airway Heights must continue to drive into Spokane just for the essentials.

We would welcome your noise, parking lot lights and traffic, Wal-Mart! Let the North Side “win” its appeal; those people will really be losing. And their loss will definitely be our gain - all of our gain. Trish Morgan Fairchild Air Force Base

Restrooms too few and far between

At the recommendation of friends who live in Spokane, my husband and I drove from Western Washington to attend the July 4th festivities at Riverfront Park. While the entertainment was good, the crowds seem well-behaved and he fireworks were fantastic, the lack of women’s bathroom accommodations was horrendous.

The distance between restrooms, in my opinion, is absurd. The females in my group had to endure long lines and extensive waits at the limited restrooms we located.

It is my hope that the organizers of this event will be encouraged to make the necessary improvements. Pamela Moomjean Bainbridge Island, Wash.

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Weaver promo held on the wrong day

Re: “Weaver book sale criticized by GMC” (July 9).

I don’t criticize the signing or the sale of Weaver’s book. I don’t criticize Doug and Greg Scarff for having it at their Buick dealership.

I do believe it was wrong to have it on Independence Day. To me, that goes against everything our great nation stands for.

It seems to me they are trying to justify their actions for making a bad judgment. Or does this mean they would stoop to anything to sell a few cars? Leta L. Donahoo Spokane

Clinton the root of all disrespect

In the July 5 Parade magazine, former President Gerald Ford laments the damaged presidency and conveys his hope that respect for the presidency will soon be restored. Ford chose not to comment on why he feels this damage has occurred, but most of us know exactly why this presidency has been damaged. One person and one person only is responsible, and that person is William Jefferson Clinton.

Unfortunately, should the uninformed, gullible and brain-dead people of this country continue to elect Democrats such as Clinton and, heaven forbid, Al Gore, to the presidency, this damage will continue to occur.

To gain respect one must earn it. Contrary to what the mainstream liberal press would have you believe, it does not come automatically with the territory. Bill R. Klein Nine Mile Falls

STARS AND STRIPES

Flagpoles plentiful but mostly bare

Where have all the flags gone?

After seeing the young man from the radio station climb to the top of their antenna to put up a flag on July 4, I started looking up more. I was disappointed with what I saw. There are flagpoles on top of most of the buildings downtown, but this Independence Day, they all stood empty.

I hope the example set by that flag atop the radio antenna will inspire others to fly the flag more often. Erin Blair Spokane

Let’s get those flags aloft

This Independence Day, I did something that some say was a little crazy. I climbed KSBN radio’s broadcast tower, which is located on the roof of the DeLaney Building in downtown Spokane, and placed a flag at the top.

I did this for publicity, patriotism and just the simple thrill. I was rewarded more than I could have imagined. Climbing over 300 feet above the ground was definitely a thrill, as was looking down at the thousands of people gathered in the park. KXLY News 4 showed the climb on its evening broadcast, which was nice publicity. But believe it or not, the biggest thrill and the greatest reward for me was to took up from the ground and see the flag flying high.

I hope to make the climb and fly the flag again next year. In the interim, I am installing a flag mount at our offices and getting a flag regularly flying on the DeLaney Building’s dormant pole. Flying the flag is its own reward, and I challenge business owners, building managers and area residents to fly the flag proudly as often as possible, especially on patriotic holidays.

As an added incentive, KSBN Radio will broadcast onair salutes to any business that pledges to fly the flag on a regular basis for the next 12 months.

Please, let’s remember and teach our children what our flag represents, and show the world we take pride in our heritage. Jeff Knox, general manager KSBN AM-1230, Spokane

CONSUMER ISSUES

Phone utility due for comeuppance

Is it just me or is there anyone else in this town fed up with US West? I lived in Hawaii for many years and thought I had seen it all with Hawaiian Telephone. Hah!

Expensive phone service here does not equal efficient service. Calls that take forever are pointless since the service ordered rarely is delivered. I only wish the same lame excuses US West offers me for its poor performance were acceptable from me when it comes time to pay the bill.

I look forward in this era of new technology to choices for consumers on local phone service. This coercive, disorganized and highly frustrating utility will be only a good laugh some day: Remember when, in the old days, you’d be put on hold, promised services that were never delivered and then treated rudely when you balked? Why, back then they actually expected you to pay for services you had canceled three and four times! Mary C. Butler Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Oliphant drew bad conclusion

Pat Oliphant’s July 7 cartoon showing Pope John Paul II and the Chinese president agreeing on “the need to ruthlessly curb liberal dissent” equates the unequatable. China’s government was not instituted by Christ, the son of God. The church is only here to carry out Christ’s mandate to “make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19)

Adhering to Christ’s mandate may appear totalitarian but, unlike Chinese citizens, we all have a choice about followng Christ. The worst that will happen to us is not being tortured or imprisoned but being prayed for. Walter and Velda Weid Spokane

Scurrilous bigotry and shameful

The July 7 Oliphant cartoon is scurrilous bigotry at its worst. To denigrate the Pope as it did is shameful.

The Pope is Christ’s personal vicar on Earth. As such, he is the bishop of bishops. He has the obligation to lead the church. His job description is included in the gospel according to Matthew, 28:18-20. Its author is Christ, and Christ did not say he would be with cartoonists until the end of the world. He reserved that promise for the Pope and the church. F.T. Westmeyer Coeur d’Alene

Pope is advancing freedoms

Re: Roundtable cartoon of July 7.

While living in Poland, Pope John Paul II experienced and resisted both Nazi and communist Russian occupations. The Pope spoke out against religious persecution in Poland. Some probably considered him a liberal.

Recently, while in Cuba, the Pope openly criticized the Cuban government for its lack of human rights. Today, there is a slow opening of Castro’s Cuba. Maybe there are now “liberal dissenters” in Cuba.

Pope John Paul II equals human rights. Michael T. McGuire Spokane

OVER THE LINE

Human rights signs a good idea

Re: “CdA detours human rights road signs,” (July 3). It wouldn’t hurt to have them. I am a native of Sandpoint, and you all know about the signs there that are similar. I think it will serve to remind the bigots to keep to themselves because they are a minority in their belief of hate.

I feel very strongly about this even though I haven’t grown up with a lot of exposure to other races. Just the same, I respect them and find them to be of interest in getting to know each one individually. Every human being creates for themselves a reputation and it cannot be typified to a race because we whites are certainly not innocent.

The message on the sign could be something to fall back on when we have another request for a ridiculous parade of hate next year. I don’t think at this point there could be too many signs. They are reassurances that the boundaries of unconditional acceptance of human beings won’t end when they reach a particular neighborhood. Lisa R. Gates Spokane

Hate is just not the way

Re: “Aryan march will go on, Butler says,” (July 1). Get a life, old man. While I will let God and Jesus judge you as is their providence, your ideas are pathetic.

It’s simple: God commanded that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves, no exceptions. Hate is not the answer. Wes W. Albert Rathdrum

Renewal efforts encouraging

Re: “Stream created on Superfund site,” (June 30). It is nice to see the stream being restored in Government Gulch. I grew up at the zinc plant and have not been able to get near that location in recent years due to the Superfund status. Thanks for including the photo. I hope that I will one day be able to again walk upon the ground I grew up on. Alan K. Roehl Vancouver, Wash.

Why not determine safety of water?

Re: “EPA faces critics in North Idaho,” (July 7). I don’t understand why the public would not want testing done. My family uses both Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River for recreation. Is it safe for my kids to swim? Joshua J. Hunt Spokane

CLARIFICATION

Humane Society policies misstated

Regarding the two July 13 letters concerning the Humane Society. The writers’ intentions were good, however, their facts were confused.

Stray animals, regardless of where they come from, are kept at the Spokane Humane Society a minimum of 72 hours to give their owners a chance to find them. After that, they are kept as long as they are adoptable and as long as we have room.

The Spokane Humane Society is open every day and does not place a time limit on any animal. Spokane County Small Animal Control is closed on Wednesday. Both letters address the irresponsibility of many pet owners. Until all pet owners learn to care, the three local organizations - Spokane Humane Society (funded entirely by donations), SpokAnimal CARE and Spokane County Small Animal Control will all stay in business - unfortunately. Diane L. Rasmussen Interim director, Spokane Humane Society