Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Needy children too often underserved

I appreciated the articles in the Nov. 22 Spokesman-Review by Steve Becker (“I’m hungry”) and Rebecca Nappi (“For the sake of the kids, stay peaceful”). It is important to be reminded of the desperate situation some of our Spokane children are in.

As a public school teacher and one who is aware of many similar situations as both of these, I also know that much may not have been done about these situations. Maybe the children were kept out of the restaurant, or hopefully, a few bags of groceries were delivered. Or when school started, the young boy was able to fit into a busy school counselor’s schedule for a short chat. But who really is stepping forward and making life better for these children? Who is making their needs a priority?

I do not see that happening in our world at this time. My dream is to one day live in a world where our most precious gifts - our children - are truly treasured. Martha L. Nerpel Spokane

Upgrade, computerize traffic lights

Re: “We may not be big, but we’re still slow” (Nov. 18).

Everything I read or hear about Spokane’s traffic problem points to the lack of a north-south freeway. I agree it would help. However, most of us will no longer be driving by the time it’s completed.

My business demands that I drive at least 50 miles a day on Spokane’s streets. I feel that a lot of our congestion problems can be blamed on our traffic lights. Not the amount (although there are some ridiculous ones, such as the light at Montgomery and Ruby); it’s the timing of the lights. A driver can maintain the posted speed limit and hardly ever hit a green light. The stop-go is maddening.

With today’s technology, why can’t our lights be timed to maintain the flow of traffic? Let’s also add the rotation and length of traffic lights remaining constant, no matter the time or day at many major intersections.

Interstate 90 east has been unrealistic and dangerous for years. Three lanes, cut to two on a curve, with an on-ramp from Sprague. What genius designed that? Finally, something is being done about it.

Last, planning a light rail system from downtown to Liberty Lake is a complete waste of time and tax money. The cost would be too great. And where would people park if they did ride it? Use that money toward a computerized traffic light system in our city and county. Michael L. Hall Spokane

Developers meet people’s needs

Just a short reminder to William Waddell of Colbert (“Developers too often get their way” (Letters, Nov. 18).

Developers are trying to provide affordable housing for homeowners. Would you deny a child a warm bed, a roof over his head and a full tummy? Where should homes be built, if not in your back yard? They are building in on my doorstep and I would not even think of denying a family a home.

Please remember, the big, bad developer is not in charge of birth control. Instead, he is involved in providing shelter for the masses. And on weekends, he builds homes for Habitat for Humanity. Come give him a hand and see things from another point of view.

Think about it next time you see a family living on the streets. Elaine A. Mullenix Spokane

WAR AND REMEMBRANCE

Veteran observances should be relevant

The young man who wrote the Veterans Day article made the point that veterans have gone unnoticed in the eyes of the younger generations, and that we fail to show respect for the men and women who have honored our countries. While making this statement, he seemed to disregard those who do respect and haven’t forgotten our fellow veterans. In this case, it was the students and faculty at West Valley High School.

Most Veterans Day assemblies are boring and tedious. They’ll start with the national anthem and flag salute, followed by a long, monotonous speech. Meanwhile, the students stare at the clocks and whisper amongst each other about their weekend plans. These assemblies show little focus on the individuals who have honored us and have no impact on the student body.

The West Valley assembly was different. Students personally invited the veterans they knew to the assembly while also turning photos to complete a slide show that recognized individuals. Also, plaques were awarded to the veterans who taught at West Valley High School.

The veterans watched with their heads held high and eyes gleaming as the color guard, dance team and band performed in their honor. Not many veterans left that assembly without a feeling of praise or pride.

I do understand that this article was meant for good reason, but false accusations were made. West Valley High School did not fail to respect the veterans and we have made a difference in the eyes of those who have served. We have not let them go unrecognized. Melissa A. Dahlquist Spokane

Put veteran exhibit in the Arena

Thank you, Doug Clark, for your column on the Vietnam Wall memorial (Nov. 19).

No one in my family served in the Vietnam War, but I feel very strongly about displaying the exhibit of mementos at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.

I recently visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the Smithsonian display of mementos. I found them both moving and educational. I didn’t go away feeling “bummed out.” I was appreciative of everyone who served our country.

Thank you, Dave Strand, for crafting the exhibit. But let’s get it out of your garage and into the Arena, where it belongs! Robin Fiorilla Spokane

What better place than the Arena?

Upon reading Doug Clark’s column about Dave Strand’s exhibit of Vietnam mementos being housed at the Arena, my husband and I would like to add our support for that project.

Where else should it go? The Arena is supposed to be the veterans’ memorial, so what better place to share this exhibit?

When the traveling “Healing Wall” was in Spokane, we visited it, as did thousands, and it was a heart-wrenching as well as heartwarming experience. If the public attending concerts, games, etc., sees this as they are entering, so what? Those who care will perhaps remember that without these men and women who fought and died in all the wars, they might not be free to go to these functions. Those who don’t care don’t give a damn anyway.

Adding other mementos of other wars would be a good idea but the Wall is a good place to start.

My husband is an Army veteran and was in an engineering battalion in Vietnam in the first stages of the war. Thankfully, he came home in one piece, but bearing scars of buddies he lost and the dangers they were in.

We are members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3386 and he is a member of the American Legion. We ask for everyone’s support to place this great exhibit where it should be: in the Veterans Memorial Arena. Roy and Darlene Burr Airway Heights

GIVING THANKS

Make this day, keep this world, for real

I find myself wondering if people at the first Thanksgiving could have imagined what that day would be like now - another Hallmark holiday, an excuse to gorge on mass-produced food and sit around watching football like a bunch of stuffed turkeys. I bet they wouldn’t have imagined this scenario in their wildest dreams. They were probably just thankful to be alive.

It’s been said that whatever you are grateful for increases. So, I got to wondering what would happen if everyone decided to quietly protest this commercialized day by truly examining what they are grateful for, instead of planning to buy Christmas gifts they can’t afford for people they don’t like.

I started my list as a thank you letter to the spirit that connects all of us in the web of life (some call it God; whatever floats your boat). Here is the beginning of my list:

Thank you for the sheer beauty of the physical world - the desserts and oceans, mountains and rain forests.

Thank you for the diversity of life that dwells in those places. Every living thing has something unique to contribute to the universe.

Thank you for the acts of kindness that people show amidst the chaos. This reminds me that despite all the destruction happening, we are still connected at the core.

Imagine what could happen if we respected our planet and each other enough that in 100 years, the things in this list will still be true, and not just wishful thinking. Laura L. Toussaint Liberty Lake

WHALE HUNT

Traditions, yes, but tally the cost

While I have always been sympathetic to the native peoples of this continent, I feel compelled to point out that at one time, the inhabitants of an island now known as Ireland had a tradition of feasting on human flesh. Tradition is a wonderful thing and we have disposed of far too many in our society without replacing them with better ones. Some, however, are better off remembered than lived because the price is too high - especially in the case of the whales. Barry M. Lychak Deer Park

THE MEDIA

S-R endorsements, thoughts helpful

I had intended to write to The Spokesman-Review and the editorial board and thank them for their obvious efforts to interview, research and be objective in their review of the candidates and issues in our last election. Then I saw a negative letter stating that The Spokesman-Review’s endorsements “stunk” (“Keep S-R endorsers short and sweet,” by Oscar S. Pederson).

It is so important that voters have information available to them during a campaign. I would not want The Spokesman-Review to believe that the community is negative on their commitment to do their community service by informing the public during a political campaign.

I did not agree with all of the editorial board’s endorsements and certainly did not vote with it 100 percent. But I did appreciate its coverage of the elections and obvious efforts to be objective. It was my responsibility as a voter to research all the information available to me in making my decisions in the voting booth.

Thank you for your efforts during the elections! Deanna M. Hormann Veradale

S-R thoughts predictable, slanted

The Spokesman-Review is so predictable at election time.

There is always an election eve story warning voters of the harm they will suffer if Democrats gain more seats in Olympia.

This year, it was the Nov. 1 subhead on the front page of the Region section: “Eastern Washington stands to lose political clout if Democrats take over.”

The article posed as cool analysis of the political realities of committee and floor leadership in the state Legislature. However, the headline appeared a bit yellow as the editorial column seemed to bleed forward into the “news.”

The positions of the candidates and the hopes of the voters don’t matter in what The Spokesman-Review interprets (for us) as good for this region. If we choose conservation, health care, higher wages, human rights or other policies of social responsibility, who loses power?

Probably the plutocrats whose status quo the Review is spokesman for. Morton Alexander Spokane

KREM 2 censorship worrisome

When an acclaimed TV producer such as Don Hewitt of “60 Minutes” fame can be censored by KREM 2 TV director and staff, we’d best all pay heed. What may follow? Imogene P. Havey Spokane

Alleged trash is there for a purpose

Re: “We could all use a little less musical trash” (Nov. 9).

We disagree with this article. Music is art, and art is something that is seen in the eyes of the beholder. It is seen differently by each person.

Korn and other bands sing about life and how it really is. Many people deal with problems every day. Korn sings songs about these problems, such as drugs, alcohol, violence, sex and just plain living in general. When that young man said it was a bunch of profanity and sexual conduct, he was right, but they are able to use it to warn people and help people with their problems. When he was listening to it all, he was listening to it for profanity. He wasn’t listening to the meaning or the message.

If he or anyone else doesn’t like this, don’t buy the CD or listen to the radio station it’s on. And next time you are listening to Korn or a similar band, like Tool, Limp Bizkit, Nirvana or Marilyn Manson, listen to the lyrics. Tim Coldsnow and Dan Thompson Rathdrum