Letters To The Editor

Sat., June 12, 1999

LAW AND JUSTICE

A conduit for spite and mischief

I am concerned about the “nuisance abatement law” here in Spokane (“Court orders woman to leave her home,” June 8). This law can be invoked whether or not any charges have been filed against the accused. The neighbors were described as “vigilant.” Notice how close the words “vigilant” and “vigilante” are?

Our society encourages us to spy on each other and to report deviant behavior. This is often abused.

I was visited recently by detectives from the Serial Killer Task Force. Why? Because I had filed an anti-harassment suit against a neighbor who was stalking me. His method of getting even was to call the Secret Witness program and report me as a “satanic cult leader, involved in the prostitute murders” here in Spokane. This person gave direct quotes that I allegedly made and tried to smear the work I do (with prison inmates).

After being interrogated by detectives and being forced to defend my religious beliefs and myself, I was informed by the detectives that “this sort of thing happens all the time.”

I can’t help wondering how much time and taxpayer money is spent by police having to follow up every lie and defamation vicious individuals report.

The Secret Witness program was developed so that concerned citizens could get involved. This program is being made a tool by those who want to hurt someone or to cause them embarrassment. If you are turning someone in, please be sure they deserve it. Rev. Gayle Murray Universal Life Church, Spokane

Urge civil forfeiture law reform

Re: “Drug house shut down by vigilant neighbors” (June 8).

The “little-known state nuisance-abatement law” that allowed Judge Sypolt to declare a private home a “drug house” and shut the owner out for a year without even charging the owner with a crime, has a big brother on the federal level. Under the guise of fighting the war on drugs, current federal civil asset forfeiture laws allow law enforcement to seize your home, car or money without ever charging you with a crime. This is one of the scariest and most abused police powers in America today.

In more than 80 percent of the cases, the owner of the property is never even charged with a crime, much less convicted. There’s no limit on the assets law enforcement can seize for even the smallest suspected violation.

Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) has introduced civil asset forfeiture reform legislation in every session of Congress since 1993 and again this year. The reform package would force the government to prove that seized property is related to a crime, create an “innocent owner defense,” whereby property owners unaware of criminal activity occurring on their property could recover seized assets; provide compensation for property damage caused by federal agents; and other provisions to protect property rights.

The war on drugs, for the best of intentions, has resulted in many injustices. The civil asset forfeiture law is a gross violation of our rights as citizens. Please talk with your elected representatives about this issue and urge support of Hyde’s reform package. Diane Rae Davis Spokane

Hasty end of paroles was mistake

Ex-convict James D. Heitstuman, now being investigated for possible involvement in a homicide, had previously been arrested in January 1996. His case was dismissed because he had not had a speedy trial.

In 44 other states he could have been held as a possible parole violator on a valid warrant issued by a parole board. If his conduct was deemed a violation of his parole agreement, he could then be returned to serve more time in prison. Not true in Washington, which abolished the parole board in 1984. After his automatic release from prison, having served the maximum sentence, less good behavior time credits, the state lost any further legal control of the ex-convict. Conviction of a new offense with a new sentence would be required before a return to prison could occur.

This is what the state of Washington lost by adoption of the “fixed” sentencing system without a parole board, or right to return an ex-convict to prison for violation of the parole agreement. Other states have experimented with the “fixed” sentence and returned to the indeterminate sentence. Why hasn’t their experience and reasons for the repeal been determined by our correctional administrators? A. LaMont Smith, D.P.A. retired deputy director Arizona Department of Corrections, Spokane

REMEMBRANCE

Honor Caudill by backing her cause

I graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1993. For a large part of my junior year and part of my senior year, I was a care attendant for the late Holly Caudill, former assistant U.S. attorney in Eastern Washington.

Caudill, the well-known and much-loved quadriplegic Gonzaga Law School graduate who was buried recently in Spokane, was a good friend to me. I was shocked and horribly saddened by her obituary in the Seattle Times.

When I knew her, she was so inspiring. Her life of loss and pain belied her beautiful nature and caring spirit. She was dogged and relentless in her studies at Gonzaga, when I helped take care of her, and I knew she was going on to great achievements when we parted ways. We shared many tears and many bouts of uproarious laughter.

The obituary mentioned HR2020, the legislation Caudill was championing in an effort to enable physically challenged Americans to receive their funding no matter where they lived. I can only imagine the tremendous stress and hardship it caused her when her funds for attendant care were cut short. I imagine her relocation to California to pursue her appointment in the border crime unit was a thrilling fulfillment to all her hard work. For her triumph to then be dashed by bureaucratic red tape is appalling. I challenge everyone to do whatever it takes to see that HR 2020 becomes law.

Caudill, this world was not worthy of you but you sure made it a better place. Danielle Desrosiers Seattle

EVOLUTION VS. CREATION

There is evidence in support

The word limit precludes even a brief summary of evidence supporting evolution as requested by Larry Locke (Letters, June 1). But there is indeed evidence from astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, paleontology, archaeology, genetics and ecology that does so. Unfortunately, many who believe evolution and creation represent an either/or choice aren’t swayed by evidence.

Contrary to Locke’s belief, the fossil evidence does provide very strong support for the theory of evolution. Locke mentioned the Second Law of Thermodynamics (natural processes go in a direction that increases the total entropy of the universe). It is applicable to the universe as an isolated system (one in which no external force is exerted). Evolution can occur without violating this law because the Earth is not an isolated system; it receives a constant influx of solar energy.

For instance, the gestation of a human embryo (a decrease in entropy) does not violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics because it does not happen in an isolated system. My belief that this process is a creation act by God does not require me to reject the scientific explanation of eggs and sperm. God is the author of nature, and He works primarily through natural processes. Fertilization and gestation are natural processes; so is evolution.

There is no conflict between Genesis and evolution. The Bible is not a science textbook. If one thinks science makes God a liar, then he lacks an understanding of science or of God’s word, or both. P. James Dishon Spokane

Proof aplenty if you’re open to it

Larry Locke (Letters, June 1) asks where is the evidence for evolution. The fact is that there is overwhelming evidence for evolution if one would just look and not just read creationists’ propaganda and watch “700 club.”

All of the creationists’ arguments have been shown to be inaccurate. The problem is that Christians in general only listen to one side. For those that want to hear the other side of creationism, go to www.talkorgins.org and click on the link “Browse the Archive.” It is a good place to start to see what real scientists say in response to the arguments made by creationists.

Creationists never attempt to publish anything is science journals. One reason for this is that they know they are distorting science. Scientists are not the intended audience. They know that most Christians will never listen to a scientific response to their flawed arguments.

Maybe the creationists should use the same level of skepticism they have for evolution when checking on the accuracy of the Bible. Just a little research will turn up numerous flaws, errors, contradictions and a very questionable history of how the Bible came to be.

A good place to look is at http://www.infidels.org/ library/modern/theism/christianity. Steve Corton Spokane

THE MEDIA

S-R gaining on true diversity

Re: Rebecca Nappi’s article, “Discarding the race card” (Perspective, June 6).

I applaud The Spokesman-Review’s continued effort at making diversity part of what it means to be a “good paper.” A few years ago, I worked on a research project looking at media bias in newspaper coverage with some of my Gonzaga University students for the Spokane Human Rights Commission. The results of that study indicated that what bias could be discovered in The Spokesman-Review was not done with intent but was rather a reflection of the values, beliefs and cultural customs of the writing and editing staff. Without diversity, the paper would continue coverage that made members of the community invisible and at the same time limit readership.

Over the past few years the paper has taken positive strides toward being representative of the many voices which make up the Inland Northwest and for this you are to be congratulated.

The real test for our community will be for our other media outlets - papers, radio and TV stations - to emulate you and take the same positive steps of inclusion. John S. Caputo, Ph.D. professor of communication arts, Gonzaga University

Clark logic `wildly amok’

Sorry, Doug Clark, but your idiotic piece on the mascot question wins the prize for mind-numbing.

Your brand of logic runs wildly amok among too many complex issues, issues that cannot be boiled down to simplistic, sardonic quips about PC or New Agers - in spite of your desire to get a laugh from a cynical audience with the bumper-sticker mentality that passes for thinking these days.

The use of Native Americans as sports mascots has absolutely nothing to do with saving whales, vegetarianism, school prayer or Kosovo. And your glib reference to Chief Joseph’s heartbreaking “I will fight no more forever” is shameless and blatantly offensive. Do you know anything about history?

I’m appalled the paper printed such blather disguised as political satire (failed political satire, that is. I refer you to Swift, whose logic was focused and razor-sharp).

Regardless of anyone’s high school loyalties, Indians are not “colorful,” and I believe the SS had something to do with Nazi atrocities (and nothing to do with the trivial business of choosing high school team mascots).

Get your allusions and your history straight. You’re a writer; it’s your responsibility. Lynn R. Schott Kettle Falls, Wash.

Thanks a lot, Darth Writer

On May 20, columnist Doug Clark gave his criticism of the new edition to the “Star Wars” saga, “Phantom Menace.” In it, he pokes fun at “Star Wars” fans who shared the line with him at the opening of “Phantom Menace.”

Clark also insulted Rock 94.5, which provided him with free tickets. I consider myself a “Star Wars” fan and enjoy listening to Rock 94.5 from time to time. These comments insulted me. Clark has a right to his own opinion but goes too far by saying Darth Maul kills Liam Neeson’s character. I really did want to know part of the end of “Phantom Menace.” I’m really glad Clark didn’t have the decency to let me know what happened on my own. If it wasn’t for Clark, I might have actually enjoyed the movie. Carlos D. Barbour Spokane

Anti-breaching story being ignored

Once again, staff writer Dan Hansen refuses to report the impact that breaching dams would have on our local farmers, port workers and timber industry (“Breaching dams gets nation’s attention,” June 9).

He does not mention a word about the economic link the Snake River waterway creates with our community. One would think that your editors would remind Hansen that reporting should be done fairly and objectively. As the chief reporter on the dam issue, Hansen has not even come close to relating the concerns and issues of the residents in Whitman County.

Does he realize that we exist down here? Why doesn’t he hear our voice? Wylie Galt Gustafson Lacrosse, Wash.

Kershner lowdown top-notch

Jim Kershner did it again! I really like his May 30 Bottom Lines column, the way he calls a spade a spade.

I felt from almost day 1 that City Manager Bill Pupo and his band of “officials” tailed Police Chief Alan Chertok with a magnifying glass to find fault. I wonder how long it will take to find a new chief who will want to come to Spokane after all this pettiness? Leta Donahoo Spokane

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.