Letters To The Editor

GIVING THANKS

Thanks for good teachers, influences

It being the time of year that we all look upon our lives to see what we are thankful for, I would like to share a wonderful story.

My daughter, Ryann, is a first grader at Keystone Elementary. Recently, Ryann’s teacher walked her bundled-up students carrying rakes to the house of a Mr. and Mrs. Yates. The Yateses, according to my daughter, who are in their 80s, had many leaves in their yard.

The energetic first graders worked enthusiastically, raking and bagging leaves. Once they were all finished, Mr. Yates took their picture. Mrs. Yates brought out a bag of mittens she had knitted for therapy after her stroke and handed each child their very own. The children left so proud of the work they accomplished and so proud of the mittens on their hands. (I wish you could see how much my daughter loves those mittens). As they walked back to the school, they sang patriotic songs they had just learned for Veterans Day.

We are thankful for great teachers like Mary Hicks, for not only teaching our children how to read and write but also how to give from their hearts, and to care about their community. These memories being inscribed in these children will last a lifetime. Every time Hicks’ first graders pick up a rake, for the rest of their lives, they will remember the day they helped Mr. and Mrs. Yates.

For all the wonderful teachers, moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, neighbors, aunts, uncles and friends who have brought a smile to a young child’s face - thank you! Terri Robinson Veradale

THE MEDIA

Story a disservice to minority people

As part of his ongoing support for diversity in Washington, Gov. Gary Locke campaigned during this last election against Initiative 200, which eliminated affirmative action in our state. Moreover, Locke has publicly commented that he, as a member of an ethnic minority, is a product of affirmative action, as all ethnic minorities have been to varying degrees.

Therefore, we, as ethnic minorities, voted no on I-200 per Locke’s campaign and our own conscience.

Given this, we were outraged by the Nov. 15 article, “I-200 backer feels the sting of stereotype.” The interview with this African-American woman does not, by any means, express the opinion of ethnic minorities in general, although you alluded to this fact.

Is it possible, however, that your paper deliberately located and interviewed this one ethnic minority person, who appears to have greatly benefited from affirmative action yet who now publicly supported I-200 (rather than an ethnic minority who may now never have equal opportunities or who voted no on I-200) because she expressed the views you wanted expressed?

Is it also possible that this article appeared on the front page of the Sunday paper to alleviate some of your guilty conscience?

It is our opinion that this front page article was written to give all readers, including ethnic minorities, the impression that all ethnic minorities should have supported I-200. This kind of reporting continues to disregard the voice of the ethnic minority population.

We, as ethnic minorities in Eastern Washington, continue to chase the dream of equality, but now wonder if it’s all a fairy tale. Oscar C. Trevino and Luann Y. Kawata Spokane

Kevorkian segment unwelcome

Bravo, KREM 2! Our family generally watches “60 Minutes” on Sunday evenings, yet nothing would have prepared us for the show’s proposed story on Dr. Jack Kevorkian.

I am thankful KREM 2 took the initiative to block out this segment. It saddens me that members of this community have become so desensitized that they were angry with KREM 2 for not allowing them to watch a human being - not an actor - die before their eyes. Whether I support Kevorkian’s actions or not, this was not appropriate material for the time slot it was set to run in.

Thank you, KREM 2 general manager Barry Barth. Carolyn R. Zorich Spokane

‘60 Minutes’ deletion a start

I applaud KREM 2 for denying Dr. Jack Kevorkian a venue for his agenda by refusing to show the “60 Minutes” segment featuring his most recent killing episode.

Now, I wonder if they would show the same sensitivity toward killing in their entertainment programming. Thomas M. Ryan, M.D., P.S. Spokane

KREM 2 made the right decision

We applaud KREM-2 general manager Barry Barth and KREM’s owner, the Belo Corp., for pre-empting the “60 Minutes” broadcast of Jack Kevorkian’s murder of a disabled man. It is encouraging to see a business refuse to make a profit by degrading human life.

Instead of humiliating and offending human worth, KREM role models the company’s sacred duty to foster the common good. KREM is a true neighbor.

This is a time in our culture when the media are often not seen as a source of information or entertainment but rather as a threat to the very well-being of our civilization. We hope that KREM will advocate with CBS for higher ethical standards.

KREM has been attacked as a censor but that’s to be expected in the current media climate. KREM’s decision is not about censorship, however; it’s about good citizenship.

May KREM and all its staff enjoy the most blessed Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks for the gift of life and the freedom to choose the good. John A. and Cindy J. Omlin Mead

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Chenoweth, your service is needed

Dear Rep. Chenoweth: I wish you were really going to run in 2000. Circumstances have changed so drastically and unpredictably, a revised plan for your political action must be understood by the electorate, if not by your drooling would-be competitors.

We so badly need republican Republicans. Obviously, only liberals will run against you. Accordingly, if you’re going to solicit our assistance, we are going to require yours. Just who else will plead our cause?

Get rid of Clinton before he gets a chance to resign and slip Al Gore in for another four years of schools run by a political monopoly and their liberal philosophy. Too many of our so-called Republicans are busy cozying up to Clinton. Certainly no time to abandon ship, is it? George B. Valentine, Sr. Rathdrum

Politically distinguishing features

How can you tell a conservative from a moderate? Here is one of the best ways. The conservative is usually the person who is working a full-time job and two part-time jobs, all at once. All of these jobs pay about $5 per hour. And he is continually griping, complaining, and blaming everyone in the world, especially our government and the Democrats.

On the other hand, the moderate will say, “I don’t need this stuff,” and move away to another area, like Boise, Salt Lake City or Las Vegas, and get one job that pays $15 per hour. Now, which guy is smarter? The conservative or the moderate?

The bumper sticker that I recently saw over in Post Falls said it all: If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. Tom Akren Post Falls

GOP, there you go again

So, the Republicans have chosen and, again, the leadership is all white and all male. Why am I not surprised? Angel Manuel Fitzpatrick, Jr. Fairfield

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Blame-shifting wrong and futile

Years ago, my husband was a law enforcement officer. As such he testified hundreds of times. It was a well-known fact then, as it is today, that if a defense counsel has no case, he or she will attack the arresting officer and any prosecution witness.

Defense lawyers seldom use this tactic when the case is tried without a jury, as the judge is knowledgeable regarding what they are doing, and why, so he disregards irrelevant attacks on witnesses and officers.

The attacks on Ken Starr at the impeachment evidence hearing before the Judiciary Committee of Congress are a prime example of this distracting procedure. Starr was attacked on issues far removed from whether the president committed an impeachable offense. This tactic was to make him the villain, gain sympathy from the public and to detract from the issue.

The committee, which has in its ranks many attorneys, is not fooled. Clinton supporters hope they have influenced the masses, resulting in the public being against his impeachment.

One should remember, Starr committed no crime. I believe your president did. If he had not, all this would be unnecessary and taxpayers would not have to spend millions on it.

Place the blame where it belongs. Taxpayers should open their eyes and not be fooled by an old tactic. Doris M. Benson Elk

Yager has Yager alone to blame

Re: “Witnesses say suspect talked of hating cops,” (Nov. 14). I hope that Scott David Yager can take responsibility for his actions and realize it is not the cops who ruined his life; he did. May he fry in peace. James L. Clement Valley, Wash.