Letters To The Editor

IN THE PAPER

Birth photo tasteful, evocative

Regarding the uproar raised by the Sept. 7 picture of the woman giving birth. This picture was called “in poor taste,” “inappropriate” and “shocking,” among other things.

Honestly, I am appalled at this reaction. Giving birth is a very natural act, a part of life and a way of bringing new members into the community. I actually thought the picture was very tastefully done. After all, we saw none of the mother’s private parts but all of the emotion involved in the event.

If the parents were willing to share that special moment with the rest of us, I think we should say thank you, not, “That’s disgusting!”

Some people complained that it was inappropriate for young eyes. Well, I hate to say this, but there are many things printed in the newspaper that are not appropriate for children and parental supervision is necessary to censor or explain them. Explaining this photo of a birth is much easier and more “morally acceptable” than explaining to a child why the president’s sex life is splashed over the front page for weeks on end.

I am still just amazed that so many were “sickened” by this photo. But perhaps Spokane still has a way to go before the realists outnumber the squeamish and prudes.

Robin A. Pfefer Spokane

I did not want the big picture

Since editor Chris Peck used quotes from our telephone conversation in his Sunday column, without my knowledge or permission, I wish to clarify the main point of my concern, which was completely missed.

The issue I raised was whether it was necessary to show the larger of the two photos on the paper’s front page. I never disputed the natural beauty of the birth process. I simply questioned the choice of photos to be blown up on the front page to accompany the story.

The second, smaller picture of the Smith family and Joe Shaeffer would have been fine for the front page and the other photo could have been moved to an inside page so as not to accost innocent eyes. Mary Helen Larson Spokane

Birth picture fine, if perhaps misplaced

Re: the four letters on Sept. 11 about the front page birth photo.

I can think of many photos of far worse things which are truly unfit to print, things the likes of which are not suitable to mention. The picture was tastefully shot; no blood or anything of a more personal nature was visible.

If the sight of a newborn baby is “disgusting” to you, I seriously question your character. Birth is a natural part of life. While I agree that perhaps there was a better place for the photo within the paper, putting a notice about the photo would have been an unnecessary step.

These four letters are representative of the right-wing conservatives in Spokane who would like to decide what is and is not appropriate for everyone else. I would rather my son see a tasteful and touching picture of a new life than a photo of a smashed and wrecked car where a life was lost. Megan S. Wright Spokane

Booths’ story a welcome one

Thanks so much for your story about George and Carol Booth on Sept. 6. Praise God for people who are willing to do things with no other motive than to help others. Please print more of this kind of article. Phyllis D. Fitzgerald Valley, Wash.

Priggee doused the truth

Cartoonist Milt Priggee must indeed have been pressed for time to draw so inaccurate a cartoon (Sept. 10). He depicts Ken Starr as a fireman watering a weed labeled “sex.” Apparently, it is not a weed but a fire. One waters plants to help them grow, not to extinguish them.

Behind Starr, the fire of “campaign finance abuses” rages. Doesn’t he remember that Starr’s investigations, which began with Whitewater and proceeded to perjury and obstruction of justice surrounding the Lewinsky matter had to receive the attorney general’s approval? Doesn’t he also remember that Janet Reno only recently, and under great pressure from Rep. Dan Burton’s committee, began to consider campaign finance abuses?

All attempts to limit Clinton offenses to sexual matters seem only attempts to obscure the fact that our president is an admitted liar. Moreover, shouldn’t Reno have replaced Starr as the firefighter? Donald M. Barnes Spokane

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Porn report for $2 - what a disgrace

I see by the morning Spokesman-Review on Sept. 12 that the paper is selling the complete text of the Kenneth Starr report for $2. Selling this report is nothing more than selling cheap pornography.

In all my 92 years, I have never heard of such terrible goings on in the White House. This is a disgrace to the country and the people of the United States of America. I believe in freedom of speech, but this has gone too far. Hester Harrington Coeur d’Alene

If not resignation, reading aloud

Now that the fat’s in the fire, a whole new political squabble has burst into flames. It’s obvious that bipartisan can only be defined as agreement with my viewpoint.

If the president should escape with something less than impeachment or resigning, any condemnation by Congress should include a requirement that Clinton appear before a joint session of Congress once a month, with attendance mandatory except for dire emergencies, and read one chapter of Bill Bennett’s “Book of Virtues” to that august body, continuing until he has either completed his term of office or finished the task.

From all we hear, it most assuredly would be beneficial to a significant number of our representatives, as well as the president. William H. Allison Medical Lake, Wash.

Author would’ve understood

After reading the Starr Report, I have come to the conclusion that Clinton has the same philosophy as Rudyard Kipling, who wrote, “A woman is just a woman, but a cigar is a smoke.” Errol D. Sommer Spokane

Sniggering adolescents control events

On Sept. 11, the Republican-dominated Congress brought out its crowning, and in fact only, accomplishment of this session by publishing on the Internet for the American people and the whole world to read, Kenneth Starr’s complete report of what Monica Lewinsky has said went on between her and President Clinton in full, salacious, lip-licking detail.

Many of those voting in favor of this outrageous release openly admit they had not even read what they were voting on, including Reps. George Nethercutt, Linda Smith and Doc Hastings.

Is this kind of irresponsible, venomously small-minded behavior what we are paying our supposed leaders for? Is this the famous Republican moral high ground? The result has been to insult the public, the office of the president, to unnecessarily trash a major world leader and to make this country an international laughingstock.

Members of the House who voted for the release of Starr’s report in its entirety resemble nothing more than a bunch of immature seventh graders sniggering in the lavatory. The idea that these are people worthy of voting on any issue of impeachment is ludicrous.

As for Starr, far from proving himself to be an honorable, nonpartisan special prosecutor, he reveals himself as a psychologically sick man, unfit to hold any office. Joanne V. Hirabayashi Priest River

Next, I suppose, a Gore persecution

Clinton should resign now so that the Republicans can get started on Vice President Al Gore. They could spend another $40 million of taxpayer money before the next presidential election to find out if he had an affair.

It is sad for this country to dig into the private lives of the presidents or anyone else. They couldn’t find anything wrong with Clinton, so they had to dig into his private life.

There will be millions of dollars spent from now on to dig into the lives of Congresspeople and anyone else who runs for office. Joe M. Hilzendeger Spokane

Clinton must not be above the law

The last line of the Pledge of Allegiance states, “and to the Republic for which its stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Forget about Republicans or Democrats. Justice for all is the fair and equal treatment of every citizen, regardless of status or position.

Congress should decide about President Clinton using this criterion alone. If an individual citizen was proven to have committed perjury, would you vote to prosecute or take action against them? If your answer is yes, that should be your vote. That’s the only vote which ensures liberty and justice for each citizen equally under our laws.

Does this set up a legal precedent regarding future trials, if Clinton is proven to have perjured himself, yet he goes unprosecuted? If the president isn’t held accountable, who should be?

Actions do speak louder than words. Therese L. Schroeder Spokane

Lewinsky the real instigator

When is it going to dawn on the press that this sexual case blamed on the president is entirely blamed on the wrong person?

This is not a sexual harassment case. Monica Lewinsky was not an innocent teenager when this affair started. In fact, she had already had an affair with a married man, to which she admitted. She knew exactly what she was doing, according to news reports. It appears that she instigated the whole thing. When you see the kind of books her mother writes, it’s no wonder she turned out to be the predator she is.

I don’t feel one bit sorry for Lewinsky. I think she’s the one who should be punished and the one who should apologize. I have the feeling I’m not the only woman who feels this way, and I am sick and tired of the whole mess. Marguerite C. Perry Spokane

Lewinsky the one who owes apologies

We have heard from Clinton. Now, I would like to hear an apology from Lewinsky. Somehow, she has gotten whitewashed as the poor innocent intern when in fact she went to Washington with a history of having an affair with a married man - a man who could help her progress up the ladder.

Going to Washington was just one more calculated step for her. She did indeed land a big fish. If you’re going to get on the casting couch, do it with someone who has influence.

Lewinsky owes the public an apology, in particular, she owes one to all the women who are climbing the ladder honestly by not employing the casting couch. Carol E. Smith Spokane

Unfair trashing has gone far enough

I can’t believe what’s going on in this country. President Clinton has been accused of crimes by a so-called lawyer who seems to be a voyeur, and has to defend himself against such vicious, sickening and supposedly legal practices by a special prosecutor. I downloaded and printed 70 pages of part of that report last night. It’s sick.

Starr has been at it for years, spent more than $40 million dollars - to find what? If he can’t find any real legal crime, he invents it with the help of all that money.

How would you like to be a man in office and accused every week in the press of some salacious conduct, and then be called before a grand jury, without benefit of the doubt, to be accused of lying about your private life?

Monica Lewinsky is a woman with a history of fast sex. Now, she has immunity from lying. Yet Clinton has had to face a sick situation and you call it lying. I call it setting him up.

More than we really know, presidents have conducted themselves as men first in the White House, and their presidency has been more sexual than diplomatic. House Speaker Newt Gingrich has been divorced. He’s no pillar of virtue. What about Reps. Burton and Chenoweth? Who’s throwing stones here?

It’s more than enough for this citizen. I want these Republican moralists to look in the mirror before they condemn, impeach or judge others. Enough, already. Joanne Peters Kellogg

WILDLIFE

Cougars’ ways misunderstood

In a Sept. 2 article, Department of Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Madonna Luers said bringing back hound hunting of cougars is not the answer because those hunters only want big trophy cats that are deep in the woods preying on deer and elk. Whatever Luers does for the department, she could use an education in wildlife habits.

Cougars are territorial and drive all other cats out of their territory. As the cat population increases due to the stoppage of the only way to effectively hunt them, which is with hounds, they must constantly try to establish new territory in order to survive. Take out the trophy cats and the younger ones will be able to claim that territory without needing to move into the city. If we simply keep the population in check, there will be plenty of room for them in the wild.

When a few more kids are attacked and possibly killed and eaten, maybe we’ll wake up to the deceptive propaganda of the animal rights activists and the anti-gun advocates. Andrew Ferrera Spokane

Put counties in charge of salmon

One silver bullet for salmon recovery became apparent at the House Resource Committee field hearing in Pasco. The Pacific Northwest has witnessed an enormous misallocation of resources in the name of salmon recovery. Salmon recovery is stealing from our future. Spending $4 billion recovering salmon should be impossible.

Will Stelle of the National Marine Fisheries Service had a list of factors that all must be changed to the detriment of citizens in the remote chance of favoring salmon. His record shows he has failed, so why even consider letting him take out the dams? Stelle’s display before the committee became the apex of professional incompetence. It was clear to everyone there that salmon recovery decision-makers are unable to recover salmon. They can only build bureaucracy.

Rep. George Nethercutt explained to Stelle that people are more important than salmon. It was clear that people are of no concern to Stelle. He prefers an irresponsible approach. Irresponsibility has allowed Stelle, the Sierra Club Salmon czar and Trout Unlimited to misallocate resources for salmon recovery, promoting crisis and bureaucracy.

The silver bullet is responsibility. Remove federal and state agencies and tribes from the decision making. Counties should have veto power over Endangered Species Act misallocation of resources. County governments are responsible to the citizens that depend upon natural resources. Mark Booker Othello, Wash.

Demand end to wildlife abuses

Re: “Group Denounces Planned Elk-Hunting Pen” (Aug. 29)

Washington’s sportsmen, like Montana’s should be embarrassed for allowing their wildlife to be incarcerated and domesticated for private gain. What the public does not realize is that our most prized North American elk are being penned up so individuals can pay $10,000 to $20,000 to walk up and kill one for the bragging rights about a their so-called great hunt.

Our elk are being incarcerated so their horns can be sawed off to make voodoo medicine cure-alls for rich Asians. Deer, elk and bear parts are being sold to already overpopulated Asian countries as aphrodisiacs. This has got to stop.

Several western states have had the intelligence to outlaw canned hunting and game farms. But because you’ve done nothing to date, it’s reasonable to assume you won’t do anything until it’s too late. Then, you’ll have to figure out what to tell your children and grandchildren.

Some state wildlife departments’ hands are tied by politics. Don’t let private game farm barons dictate that they have private property rights and can do as they wish with your wildlife. Do something now so future generations will look back and be proud of you. Ronald A. Laws Paradise, Mont.