Letters To The Editor

ENVIRONMENT

Greenhouse gases must be reduced

A New York Times front-page article on June 8 told of more evidence that global warming is occurring. Every month in 1998 has broken global temperature records, with the global average for January through May an unprecedented half a degree higher than in the same period in 1997. Incidentally, 1997 was the hottest complete year since data has been collected. El Nino contributed to those higher temperatures.

More evidence is accumulating not only that global warming has caused the more frequent El Ninos during the last two decades but that we may be entering a period of near-perpetual El Ninos.

To reverse global warming requires many centuries. The total global catastrophe of global warming can (perhaps) be avoided by near-term global reductions in the production of greenhouse gases.

Our region has (not yet) had unusually hot weather which is consistent with global warming theory.

Polls show that the American public is informed and concerned. One poll, before the Kyoto meeting of 160 nations in December, reported that 65 percent of Americans were in favor of unilateral U.S. action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions even if no other country did.

A congressional majority is under the control of contributors from the fossil fuel and auto industries who oppose any actions that would reduce their short-term profits. K. Julian Powers Spokane

Forestry being made impossible

“Boise Cascade forms Chilean joint venture” (Spokesman-Review, June 4) is a symptom of our forests’ declining health, government waste, fewer high-paying jobs and higher costs for consumers.

Unlike some, the forest industry is not going overseas to get cheap labor. It’s leaving because regulations introduced by nature cultists and outdoor clubs, and supported by their dupes, make forestry next to impossible here even on private land. Ironically, the results of such regulations are often the opposite of their stated purpose - preserving species, clean air and water, and sustainability.

The worst impact has been on our state and federal forests, where political pressure has all but ended stewardship. These forests are now silvicultural slums, chocked with blowdowns, overstocked and sick with forest-killing disease and insects that spread unchecked. Far more timber now dies, rots and burns in them than is harvested.

It will get worse. The Olympic National Forest, for instance, plans to cut one-third of its staff next year because of the drop in its budget from $20 million to $8 million, a result of the timber harvest declining to 5 percent of what it was 10 years ago.

National forests have never harvested more timber than they generated, or more than 1 percent of their area annually. Soon, however, Sierra Club members may be hiking in 100 percent of our public forests without having to look at logging, instead of just 99 percent. They’ll see a lot more sick and dead trees or black stumps. Edwin G. Davis Spokane

Put quality of life over tourism

D.F. Oliveria and Mayor Steve Judy make quite a pair. Oliveria condemns the EPA for wanting to clean up the mess in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin and Judy wants to use the taxpayers’ money to force the EPA to stop badmouthing our region.

These guys would sell a toxic ice cream cone to their own kids if it meant a buck in their pocket. If it’s a mess, let’s clean it up!

Judy represents business only, certainly not the average Joe who lives in this region. Let’s have these two “leaders” march hand in hand down Sherman Avenue and show us dummies how it’s supposed to be done.

Thank heavens for some rational thinking in our neighboring state of Washington and from local citizens like Bob Templin in Post Falls.

Let’s start thinking about our quality of life, not just the tourists who wander in and out in the name of the almighty buck. Shame on you guys! Bernie L. Knapp Sr. Coeur d’Alene

GOVERNMENT/POLITICS

Support Steve Thompson for senate

It’s time for the boomer generation to take the helm and move into leadership positions being vacated by the silent generation. It’s time for the silents to step aside, to mentor the 13th (X) generation and to allow the boomers to reshape our country for their children and grandchildren.

Steve Thompson, candidate for the U.S. Senate, is a boomer. Here’s his take on some of today’s issues: Abolish the national Department of Education and return schools to parents’ rule with assistance from local government. Abolish the national income tax and the IRS, and fund local solutions with local taxes. No gun control, no foreign aid, no NAFTA, GATT, WTO or “fast track.” No attacks on private property. The national government would be small, frugal and very limited. That’s what the founders gave us and it’s called liberty.

There are 535 members of Congress and many know these changes must be made. Thompson will not be alone, but will become a member of an ever-growing group of citizen legislators who understand liberty. If you want him to take part in implementing these changes, help fund and/or join Steve Thompson’s campaign now. We’re not talking a life-long commitment here - just five months. There will be a shortfall in funding that can be overturned by lots of volunteers. That’s the American way to campaign. Jon J. Tuning Spokane

Policies keep people out of Navy

An answer to the article concerning the Navy and the economy: Hogwash. The reason people are not entering and staying in the Navy is due to President Clinton’s policies on homosexuals, women as combatants and the fact that medical care that was promised is being denied, thanks to Hillary’s influence.

I was in the Navy for 20 Years and would certainly not have stayed should we have had a draft dodger and homosexual promoter as a commander in chief. Nor would I allow any of my offspring to sign up with this, the most morally corrupt administration this country has ever had. I expect most veterans think as I do on this issue and influence their offspring as well. Gary Tucker Oldtown, Idaho

Kenneth Starr, enough already

Re: Spokesman-Review article of June 5.

Correct me if I’m wrong. Kenneth Starr has carried on his campaign against President Clinton for 1,400 days at $30,000 per day. That is $42 million of taxpayers’ money. Who has approved this ongoing personal vendetta? That’s what it amounts to. Enough already. K.V. Flores Chewelah, Wash.

Is proposed amendment necessary?

Re: “House to vote on protecting school prayer” (June 3).

This article was about a proposed constitutional amendment to protect student-led prayer. As a high school Christian, I feel that I have the right to pray whenever necessary. I agree with Chet Edwards when he says, “It is unconscionable to try to amend the Bill of Rights for the first time in our nation’s history for the purpose of a 30-second campaign commercial.”

The fact that the Christian Coalition is planning to spend $500,000 on radio commercials is even more ridiculous. The supporters say they are hoping for less violence and more prayer in our schools. What about spending that $500,000 on drug and violence prevention programs instead?

This proposed amendment would allow students to show their beliefs and would not require that others join in. I know that there are many prayer groups and people participate in prayer in school without making anyone else join in. Is there a reason for this amendment, apart from the political gain of the Christian Coalition? Emily E. Fuller, age 16 Spokane

PEOPLE/SOCIETY

Boomers should join AARP

Boomers have been in the news lately: “Boomers in denial when it comes to joining AARP” (June 2); and Frank Bartel’s June 7 column, “Boomer talk doesn’t jibe with action.”

The American Association of Retired Persons held its 40th anniversary convention in Minneapolis June 1-4. As an elected delegate, I attended meetings before the convention opening, and sessions during the convention.

In a special presentation on June 3, Vice President Al Gore received a huge AARP membership card, though he had joined recently when he became 50. “I’ll need a bigger wallet,” he quipped.

In his remarks, Gore announced four commitments to help seniors seize the opportunities of a new century: 1) cracking down on fraud in the Medicare system; 2) fighting to reserve any budget surplus to save Social Security first; 3) renewing calls for investments in biomedical research; and 4) calling on Congress to enact a patients’ bill of rights.

“As a proud new member of AARP,” Gore declared, “I am here to tell my fellow members that I am committed to protecting American seniors…” I am a mother of six boomers and I wish they’d feel like “proud new members” when they receive gift membership from me at age 50. More likely, their reaction will be, “Am I that old?” Thanks to AARP’s excellent publications, boomers begin retirement planning and many join us older members in our advocacy efforts to save Social Security and Medicare for future generations. I hope to see more young folks at AARP’s next convention. Elinor F. Nuxoll Spokane

IDAHO TOPICS

Thanks for senior party support

On behalf of the Lake City High School senior parents, we would like to thank the local businesses for their donations of cash and merchandise for the all night senior party.

We raised more than $10,000 through fund-raising and donations to purchase fantastic gifts for the graduates. We shopped right here in North Idaho with business people who support our schools year-round.

We’d like to give special thanks to Black Sheep, Target, Shopko, Al’s Auto Supply, The Long Ear, and Instant Replay for their generous discounts that allowed us to purchase more gifts for our dollar. We were able to provide a safe and fun evening for our graduates with the help of an awesome business community. Thanks again. Pam C. Houser, Claudia J. Brennen, Coreene R. Cohen LCHS Senior Party Committee

Magazine sends mixed messages

It has been said many times that freedom of speech comes with some responsibility. Columnist James Brady and Parade Magazine showed little responsibility toward our young people in Brady’s “In Step” interview with Johnny Depp (May 24). At the end, Brady found it necessary to include an anecdote about Depp and Hunter S. Thompson shooting at a homemade bomb. The glee in Depp’s (or perhaps Brady’s) voice leapt off the page: “We even built a bomb and shot at it! What a boom!”

As the shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield, Ore., made so tragically clear, preoccupation with guns and explosives is an unfortunate part of our culture. For Parade to print a column like “Fresh Voices,” which is plainly meant to attract a young readership, and then follow it a few pages later with Brady’s glorification of a Hollywood star’s amusement with hazardous sport is nothing short of morally offensive. It is a very obvious case of mixed messages to urge children to wear safety helmets when riding your bicycles (pages 4-5) and then a few pages later glamorize bomb detonations by a young movie star. I’m not so old as to have forgotten which message is going to seem more “cool” to adolescents.

I wonder if Universal Studios paid Parade or Brady a fee to print an outrageous tale in order to fill movie theaters? Laura M. Lambert Hayden Lake, Idaho