Letters To The Editor

Firearms

Gun fanatics, it’s time to back off

In light of the recent rash of gun violence, I am stunned by the number of people and organizations who still spout the pro-gun rhetoric.

When will this stop? How many lives will be lost? How many innocent children will have to be led away from day camp by an armed SWAT team? The Second Amendment should not be used as a crutch by groups that find their arguments indefensible in any other manner. This amendment was written for the sole purpose of maintaining a military force to defend our nation, not for the purpose of private, individual use. The right to bear arms should not be allowed to supersede other, more-basic rights, such as “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” to quote another historical document.

The National Rifle Association and other such groups have held us hostage for too long. Their beliefs are indefensible and it is time for them to start promoting the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. Angela Mitchell McMullin Spokane

Violence

Spare me guilt by regional association

I’m getting tired of the news coverage of individual maniacs who randomly had some passing connection to our Northwestern communities and the innuendoes that our area is so rife with the madness that affects these unspeakably ignorant, deranged simpletons, that we are all indisputably accountable for their irrational acts.

Are we then expected to hold the populations of, say, New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas and all points of the compass responsible for the crimes committed in their areas?

Perhaps I’m too sensitive to the intemperate reporting and political posturing of the fools who make hay (monetary or otherwise) out of the outrageous events that continue to disrupt a society where crime too often goes unpunished - but never unpublicized. Perhaps, too, I’m just damned weary of the morons who believe that spreading the blame for insane acts is a form of expiation for their own incapacity to propose solutions, and laying the sin on the region, rather than the individual, explains all.

How about it, New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, et al? Are your people all individually guilty because of the Son of Sam, the Manson Family, the killings of Kennedys? Because if you believe that, folks, you’re even more pitiful than the purveyors of this nonsense. Paul Wilson Hayden Lake, Idaho

Government and politics

We call this bobbing and weaving

Re: “Nethercutt got early PAC funds” (Aug. 5).

Rep. George Nethercutt reneged on his commitment when he received the first PAC contribution. If he intended to honor his commitment, the first contribution would have been returned promptly with a note of appreciation and an explanation of his commitment to his constituents to serve only three terms. Now comes the spin machine.

The contributions were “unsolicited.” Indeed. Once the first contribution was not returned, the word went around inside the Beltway with the speed of light. Thus did other PACs and party committees pile on - unsolicited, of course - while the constituents who elected him were not informed.

Judge me when (the campaign) is over, he said. Are constituents expected to suspend judgment in the meantime? That’s an interesting expectation.

In six months, the ratio (only one-third contributions from PACs) may be just perfect. May be? What happens if another $247,330 in other contributions to balance the current $123,665 in PAC contributions does not materialize? If the ratio is not perfect or even near perfect, will Nethercutt withdraw from the race, or renege again?

“No,” was Nethercutt’s reply when asked at a news conference on June 13 whether he had raised any money. On Aug. 4, he said he did not recall his previous statement that he had not raised any money. “I didn’t take any money of any significance,” he said. What amount of money is significant in Nethercutt’s view?

Nethercutt got my vote three times. He will not get a fourth, no matter what the spin. James F. Smith Spokane

`Best thing since sliced bread’

Hurray for our side! At last we have a congressman who really works on legislation which makes good, long-range sense to those of us who depend on farm income for a living.

We elected Rep. George Nethercutt to break the long tenure of Tom Foley and the Democrats, and their taxand-spend policies which have had Eastern Washington farmers hanging on the ropes with low prices and high taxes. Nethercutt is working to save the Snake and Columbia river barge facilities from being “Gored” by those who would destroy dams in a questionable gamble to increase salmon fishing. Nethercutt’s voting record consistently makes good common sense.

Outside money is using the unconstitutional term limits issue to oppose the best thing that has happened to the 5th Congressional District since sliced bread: Nethercutt. Allison Hale Schuster Spokane

People in society

Always say `American’ first

I know people of many different races, as most of us do and they all agree. I have asked more than 100 people of color and they all agree. Say “American” first: American German, American Hispanic, American Chinese, American Korean, American African, American Japanese, American Indian, American Italian, American Haitian, American Cuban, American Thai, etc. Never say the heritage first. We are all Americans first!

I do not know how this heritage first thing got started but I believe it is camp building and divisive. If an individual or a group feels it is necessary to highlight their heritage, that is great. Do it, but say “American” first.

Who started this heritage first idea anyway? No one asked me or anyone I know. Somehow, some way, the media got convinced to do it and then we all just picked it up. Well, let’s stop because it is not constructive. It is dividing us. We are Americans first.

Spread the word. Send e-mail, tell all your friends and tell all your enemies. Write your newspaper. Call all your elected officials. Tag a train, make a banner for the game, write the school board, fax the universities, put it on your headstone, shoot a flare, yell from the highest mountain or lowest valley: American first! Paul Alan Grayhek American German hybrid, Coeur d’Alene