Letters To The Editor

Sat., May 23, 1998

RESPONSIBILITY

Blame shifting just horse puckey

Something in Cal Thomas’ May 16 column struck me odd. He quoted Frank Pittman as saying “Clinton was … the badly flawed man who could save his soul by saving our lives. But we see now that his services come too high, requiring too much compromise of our values.” In what sense does it compromise our values when the president sins?

I thought Republicans stood for personal responsibility, but they seem to feel they are partly responsible for the president’s actions. I think most people would agree with them, which seems odd to me.

I read in Newsweek recently that the pilot of the jet that snipped the ski cable in Italy told his family,”We did nothing wrong.” Excuse me? You killed 20 people! That’s not wrong? Lon Horiuchi escaped prosecution for killing Vicki Weaver because he was “under orders.” I thought the I-was-under-orders defense went out with the Nazis.

May 2, there was a riot at WSU. You all know how many people have weighed in with pungent commentary, blaming a culture of this or a group of that. Well, horse puckey. If you did it, you’re responsible for it and no one else is. It’s as simple as that. People who want to blame larger groups for individuals’ sins only confuse the issues. Greg H. Simpson Pullman, Wash.

Bad habits personal, not corporate

For all of you who think raising the price of cigarettes is the answer to stopping kids from smoking, guess again. This will be a great deal for the cigarette smugglers to make a fortune.

It never ceases to amaze me all the hulabaloo on cigarette smoking. Let me assure you that I am not a smoker. I sure know that cigarettes caused me to have triple bypass heart surgery in 1985. The tobacco companies did not make me smoke from two to four packs per day. I did that on my own free will. I knew they were bad, but every smoker makes the choice to smoke.

Recently, some local college kids went somewhat crazy on alcohol. Then two college children died on Highway 195, again supposedly alcohol related. I sure don’t hear anyone trying to stop alcohol sales.

Both alcohol and cigarettes are very bad. But I have yet to hear of college students rioting from cigarette smoking or having accidents due to smoking.

Everyone makes the choice to smoke or drink. Don’t blame the manufacturers. Joe F. Leonti Spokane

TECHNOLOGY

Y2K - a heaping helping of trouble

Last Saturday, at Fairchild Air Force Base, I watched the skies as the Thunderbirds performed with cutting precision. The announcer pointedly informed us that the computer system in these F-16s is so advanced, it practically controls the plane.

If man’s technology has come so far, why does the mystery of Y2K loom menacingly in the distance?

What is Y2K? The year 2000 problem. My understanding of this situation is that most computers cannot process dates beyond 1999. Computer software not updated can only read the last two digits of the year. The year 2000 will register as 1900. All processing will come to a halt.

There is much speculation on the effect of Y2K. Some suggest our power supplies will be crippled as the entire country’s electrical grid is linked by computers. What will happen to our banking system? Airline travel? Home PC’s? China boasts a simplified air squadron that does not rely on computers. Will our illustrious fleet be able to fly?

There may not be a presidential election in 2000, leaving the Clinton administration intact. (Is that why our president did not mention the Y2K problem in his last address to the nation?)

Think this all a farce? I tried to use my new credit card the other day. It expires in the year 2000. The merchant’s computer rejected it, determining the expiration date to have been back in 1900. That was enough for me. I’m starting a Y2K survival plan.

Wake up, America. Y2K is closer than you think. Cindy Scinto Greenacres

Nuclear energy begone, for good

This letter is in response to India recently detonating five nuclear bombs.

I find it incredible that we, as a human race, are nearing the next millennium and nuclear weapons testing is still going on. This is unacceptable.

Every living thing on Earth should be able to exist free from nuclear war and man-made radioactive waste.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not totally against nuclear science. Just keep it off my planet. J.D. Thresher Colville, Wash.

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Clinton epitomizes all that’s wrong

Cal Thomas’s May 16 column was very interesting. Both Gary Hart and President Clinton’s philandering is representative of their character and degrades the office of the president. Philanderers are liars and cheats. If this is how they treat loved ones, you can only imagine what they think of the general public.

Thomas quotes Frank Pittman, “Philandering requires a life of duplicity, constant betrayals, sexual obsession and gender preoccupation. It may be a good way to build seductive skills, but not a good way to develop character or responsibility. Philanders lie.”

This is obvious, but it’s ironic that there’s little difference between a philanderer and many politicians.

Pittman’s quote would be equally valid with only minor changes as Politicians require a life of duplicity, constant betrayals, power obsession and special interest preoccupation. It may be a good way to build political skills, but not a good way to develop character or responsibility. Politicians lie.

Many politicians are lovers of power who care little about the ones they hurt while satisfying their personal desires. Clinton is merely the poster boy for a society in desperate need of change. Douglas E. Kearsley Spokane

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