Letters To The Editor

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Portion of quote missing

Re: Richard and Donna Hutter’s letter of March 28 “Opposition to mine overstated”, which called into question the accuracy of the quote, “Opposition to the mine is 99 percent in Sandpoint and Bonner County.” A portion of the quote was omitted.

The quote should have read, “Opposition to the mine (of those who commented on the Supplemental EIS) is 99 percent in Sandpoint and Bonner County.” To clarify, of the comments received from the public on the Supplemental EIS for the proposed Asarco Rock Creek mine, 99 percent of those received from residents of Sandpoint, Idaho and Bonner County were opposed to the mine. This included comment letters from no fewer than 400 people from the Sandpoint area. I make no claims about the opinion of those in our community who have not commented on the proposed mine. Mary C. Mitchell, Idaho director Rock Creek Alliance, Sandpoint

Perhaps Wheeler will get big picture

Before leaving Coeur d’Alene Mines over a disagreement with CEO Dennis Wheeler’s methods, former CFO James Sabala stated, “we will defend this lawsuit vigorously.” Director of Investor Relations Gordon Bigler stated, “We feel getting this matter behind us is better than continuing to fight it,” in reference to the recent $13 million settlement of the two lawsuits brought against the company.

Bigler called the case frivolous. Perhaps it’s because the insurance companies will pay off the mistakes they don’t think are “serious.” The price of the company’s stock, has fallen from the mid-$20s to below $5 under Mr. Wheelers’ tutelage.

Coeur d’Alene Mines has twice postponed shareholders teleconference calls to report its considerably overdue earnings. Something is seriously wrong at the mines and it’s the CEO’s past performance catching up with him. As I said before, shareholders should nervously await the company’s decisions on its remaining gold properties. Hiring former Prime Resources CFO and controller Geoffrey Burns to fill the vacancy created by Sabala’s defections is interesting, as Burns’ former boss is new CEO of Apollo Gold Inc., successor of bankrupt Pegasus. What these former Prime Resource executives talk about after business hours could create some interesting speculation. Maybe Mr. Wheeler, as did former Pegasus CEO Werner Nennecker, will finally get the big picture. Patrick Wheeler Coeur d’Alene

Open plans to the public

Re: “Idaho land broker withdraws proposal,” (March 31). I believe the next step to take is to make this a public affair. If the community knows about the company’s plans and takes affirmative action, this “swap” may be stopped or resolved. The public and private lands in Idaho are a major concern for many people in this region, and the company should be aware of this. If Clearwater Land Exchange is planning on going ahead with this land swap, they should be concerned with the public reaction, and how they will deal with it.

Personally, I object to the company’s plans. Idaho is a beautiful state, and should not be industrialized or bought for private company’s usage. What will the company do with this land? I would like to see my children grow up in this magnificent territory someday. I don’t want it ruined by logging or other destructive actions.

Thank you for being concerned with our community and it’s opinions, I hope mine will help. Chrissy Paulitz Post Falls

PEOPLE AND SOCIETY

Stand up to National Honor Society

Re: National Honor Society

So, the National Honor Society is refusing to admit two pregnant girls. Hmph! (Teen Views, March 27)

Since when does the condition of ones uterus, vagina, penis, ductus deferens, liver or kidneys have anything to do with scholarship?

When the National Honor Society refuses admission to two girls based on the state of their uterus, with the clear implication that what they did to achieve this state is immoral, then I’d have to say, “Excuse me, but I don’t want to belong to your organization.”

Further, every sensible female and male in high school today should say the same. You don’t need the NHS on your resume.

Stand up, be counted, and be brave, kids! I’m 68 years old but I can still stand up with you! Arden Johnson Colfax

Christians entitled to expression

I am concerned about the number of letters being printed recently that have slammed Christianity. I encourage the writers to avoid judging a philosophy or religion by those who abuse its teachings. Those who abuse the teachings of Jesus Christ cannot be considered representatives of Him or of Christianity.

Jesus told Peter in John 18:11 to “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” This was in response to his disciples’ attempt to defend Jesus as he was taken to be tried and crucified. Instead, Jesus willingly went to the cross, to die for your sins and for mine.

Jesus constantly preached love throughout his ministry. He said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12,13) How many of us are willing to love that much?

Incidentally, Christians are entitled to express their world views. Why is the tolerance that is so freely extended to other religions and philosophies being withheld from Christians? Marcia Gimness Spokane

Youth’s statements `scare’ reader

Re: Lisa Cripe’s and Erin Johnson’s opposing viewpoints concerning the denial of entry into the National Honor Society for two pregnant 16 years olds (Teen Views, March 27).

Cripe’s argument found no fault in the society’s refusal since the girls’ pregnancies exposed their failure to measure up to admission standards. Her statement, “No one can argue about whether high school students getting pregnant out of wedlock is moral or even acceptable,” is as clear and logical as the full text of her column.

I’m hoping Johnson was saddled with the responsibility of presenting the opposing argument despite her personal views. Johnson appears confused as to what morals are. Her statement, “Ask 100 people and you’ll probably get 100 different answers as to what is moral” reflects the sad lowering of standards infecting young people. Johnson also seems to be confused about the definition of the word vague. She states, the Honor Society’s “code of conduct is stated in vague, general terminology.” Later, she states, “the Honor Society has rules and regulations that are presented clearly enough for all to understand.”

Johnson asks if it would have been more moral for the girls to abort and then lie about the pregnancies. The moral thing would have been to not become pregnant in the first place. Johnson’s last sentence, “If you’re going to regulate behavior…,” scares me. I cannot think of any behavior that shouldn’t be regulated. Therein lies one root of society’s problems. Reduced regulation of behavior and acceptance of personal responsibility, resulting in reduced quality of life. Michael G. Wiman Spokane

BUSINESS AND LABOR

Replacement workers part of healing

Re: scabs and the union. The dictionary says that scabs cover a healing wound. I work in the medical profession and know that scabs keep out dirt and infection. So, in this case the union must be the dirt and infection killing the body, which is Kaiser. Kaiser needs to have scabs so they can keep out dirt and kill infection. I would be proud to have a scab in my family. Union works are an embarrassment.

Go Kaiser. Rid yourself of infection. Hire a scab today. Tamara J. Newman Spokane

PUBLIC EYE

It’s time to stop the bombing

The American bombing of Yugoslavia violates the U.N. Charter and further weakens recognized principles of international law. Under American prodding, NATO has shifted from a defensive alliance to an organization prepared to intervene with force in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation. Its true function is to serve as the organizational instrument by which the United States can continue to pursue its interests and exercise its leadership in Europe.

Predictably, the bombing of Yugoslavia has escalated, not alleviated, the humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo. If the defense of human rights can legitimate the use of force, there will be no way of forbidding the use of force anywhere.

We may now see what the “pax Americana” of the 21st century holds in store for smaller nations who don’t toe the American line. They’ll become testing grounds for the latest weapons of destruction, ensuring that the U.S. military-industrial complex will continue to prosper by replenishing the periodically depleted arms pool as raids are carried out against weaker nations. Military Keynesianism, rather than expenditures for public needs, will continue to drive our economy.

We may expect to hear the usual hypocritical pieties in defense of our military policies: if terrorism is directed against us, military action will be justified by antiterrorism; if the terrorism is directed against a nation not subservient to us, then it’s the anti- terrorists who are demonized and targeted, escalating the cycle of violence, more bloodshed, and further breakdown of international law.

Nothing can stop the American military machine except the American people. It’s time to stop the bombing. Rod Stackelberg Spokane