Letters To The Editor

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

More money needed for education

In regard to Gov. Kempthorne’s stand on education, talk is cheap. A true leader would do more to rally the troops.

It’s appalling how little regard we have for our children’s needs anymore. We have become so immature and selfish as adults in this nation. The children know.

The public supports doing away with the infamous supermajority nonsense. Supposedly, our new governor wants to do more for education (just so long as you don’t mention money). Let’s get it on!

Paul Wilson Hayden Lake

Reform school funding now

The Republican rhetoric of last fall has disappeared again. There is no funding coming now for school facilities or for our children. To lower the supermajority without the state picking up its fair share of the cost of school construction will not pass.

With the backlog of over $700 million in construction need, our legislators need to keep their campaign promises in mind and vote for proper state funding for our schools. Then, we can and should lower the supermajority requirements. Come on, Idaho, it’s time we did show a commitment to our children. Fund our school construction from the state level, not on the backs of the property owners. Larry L. Kenck Post Falls

Tell legislators no on levies bill

Every Idaho taxpayer should ask our legislators if they were sent to Boise to protect us or destroy us. Some conniving persons have introduced a bill that would allow school districts to impose a levy on our property tax without a vote of the citizens.

If that rings your alarm, you can call the Legislature at (800) 626-0471 to send a message to: Reps. Hilde Kellogg and Wayne Meyer, district 2; Jim Clark and Jeff Alltus, district 3; or Don Pischner and Larry Watson, district 4. Ask them to vote no on House Bill 278, the school safety and health levy. This is scheduled for debate tomorrow, so immediate action is required.

HB 278, if passed, would give school districts the right to declare a need for more money to correct a health or safety problem, which covers a multitude of situations. While a district levy is limited to a certain percent, the bill also allows for “judicial confirmation.” This means one judge can declare more money is justified, without any limit. This is a bad bill and would set a bad precedent. The only possible way to stop it is for our legislators to hear from enough people now. Dee M. Lawless Post Falls

Sen. Keough doing a good job

Our senator from the the 1st Legislative District, Shawn Keough, is a member of the Education Committee and is vice chairman of the Transportation Committee.

She is working hard to support and enact legislation that will both ensure the best possible education for the children of Idaho, and to provide them with schools that are safe. She supports legislation to create an Idaho public school safety commission and supports legislation to provide that 100 percent of lottery proceeds be used for capital improvements and maintenance, instead of the current 50 percent.

She also favors having voters decide on several bills, such as the constitutional amendment to allow approval of school bonds with 60 percent of the voters consenting (SJR 102).

Keough is an intelligent individual who listens to and works hard for her constituents. She’s always open to comments and never fails to contact those who have communicated with her. She does a great job representing the 1st District. Donna M. Hutter Sandpoint

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Hoffman guilty of dedicated service

A Franklin County judge found Patricia Hoffman and Janet Tenold guilty of trespassing on rural farm land, to monitor field burning. They were sentenced to 90 days in jail, with all suspended but five days of community service.

I’m glad there are judges who protect society from such vicious criminals. I’m sure that whatever community service Hoffman does, there will be a great benefit. She has been providing community service nearly every day for years. Is this double jeopardy or what?

The community will never receive a bill for the thousands of dollars she has spent and the thousands of hours she has provided, that we may enjoy clean air, better health and blue skies in the future. Most people will not even know who Hoffman is, nor will they realize the pollution-free air and skies. People with lung disease and parents whose children’s lives have been saved will notice. The tourist, recreation and convention industry will notice. People who love the outdoors and nature would have noticed, if Hoffman had not traded her veterinary career to become a citizen activist. One person persevered when every Washington legislator gave grass growers free reign to pollute our air as much as they pleased. She has been relentless since that day. Allan LeTourneau Spokane

How much will Democrats `condone’?

On Feb. 24, NBC aired the Jane Doe No. 5 interview with Lisa Myers, which accused Bill Clinton of rape. Since then, with few exceptions, there has been a vast silence. Even Clinton’s supporters agree that Juanita Broaddrick’s story seems very credible and that all the circumstantial evidence points to the truth of her story.

A poll taken after the show indicated that over 60 percent of the respondents believe Broaddrick’s story.

So now we have a president whom the vast majority of Americans (and probably the rest of the world) believe is a perjurer, an obstructor of justice and a rapist. Yet the Democrats keep telling us we need to “move on” and sweep it under the rug. Is there any limit to the crimes the Democrats will condone in order to keep their man in power? And where is the outrage from the women’s organizations? G.P. James Sagle, Idaho

Broaddrick a see-saw storyteller

Juanita Broaddrick would be believable if she hadn’t changed her story of a 20-year-old assault by saying it didn’t happen when presenting an affidavit in the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit, then saying to Kenneth Starr’s operatives it did happen, on condition of immunity from prosecution.

There is no proof this event took place because the hotel has been burned down, no records remain that might have placed then-Arkansas Attorney General Bill Clinton in that hotel and no witnesses have stepped forward to buttress Broaddrick’s claim.

Syndicated columnist Maggie Gallagher (“We’re inured to the wrongdoing,” Opinion, Feb. 26) would be believable if she were to recall that Anita Hill made a claim similar to Broaddrick’s against despised conservative Clarence Thomas, at the behest of the Democrats. Hill was smeared by conservatives for years afterward. Now that it is despised Democrat Bill Clinton, should a conservative be believed? Joan E. Harman Coeur d’Alene

Three reasons for beating rap

Recently, we received an unexpected visit from our young granddaughter. Among the subjects discussed was the TV interview with Jane Doe No. 5 held the night before. Our granddaughter asked me if President Clinton would have to register as a sex offender.

All I could offer in response was, “No, honey, for three reasons. No. 1, President Clinton lives in the other Washington, not Washington state, where the sex offender law is in effect. No. 2, it would appear that our president does not have to abide by the laws that we humble taxpayers do in any event. No. 3, President Clinton has not been found guilty of being a sex offender - yet!” Herman J. Benson Elk

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

No-account society breeds violence

The rock-throwing incident by Lake City youth that nearly killed 15-year-old Josh Loveless was not about rivalry. There are many intense sporting events that do not erupt into violence. And doesn’t it seem odd that it was Lake City students (LCHS won the game) who made the attack?

No doubt, many parents came to North Idaho to escape the risks of violent activity endemic to metropolitan areas. As this tragic event testifies, our region is not immune to the socio-cultural forces driving such behavior. A society that feasts on violence and sensuality cannot expect to remain free from the inevitable consequences. A culture that embraces unlicensed freedom without moral education will come face to face with bat-wielding, rock-throwing 13-year-olds who have little grasp of the gravity of their choices.

We are reaping what we have sown and the Josh Lovelesses of the world will be the trophies of our decadent and arrogant attitude. Don S. Otis Sagle

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Local justice blind, deaf and dumb

Boundary County is where a double standard is strikingly evident from the prosecutor’s office, the police and the so-called human rights advocates. Six years after federal agents gunned down four local citizens, killing two, only one agent is charged with manslaughter?

His excuse is he did not mean to kill that particular person; he was trying to kill someone else.

Hello! What about the Constitution and common sense? We have had kids on drugs who are chopping and burning up someone, and as long as they tell where the few small charred remains are, they are granted immunity. Is anyone out there repulsed by this disgusting scenario?

We have someone playing chicken on the highway and his brother dies in the ensuing accident. Is he charged with anything? Is he out driving? Does anyone care? We have twice-convicted child molesters walking the streets after being released from a short jail stay for “good behavior.”

In days gone by, we thought of the good guys (cops) getting the bad guys. We used to have peace officers who cared about right, wrong and the rule of law. Now, we have cops seizing property that directly enriches their own departments. We have police constantly arresting and jailing people for not having their “travel papers” in order. Paper crimes enable cops to push people around, swear, intimidate and harass, while justice falls right into the gutter. The so-called justice system, the people who represent it and the supposed human rights supporters are nothing more than prostitutes who have sold justice, right and truth for the trash we have now. Bill Clinton would fit right in here. Does anyone care? Steve Tanner Bonners Ferry

Deputies in schools a good investment

Re: “Deputies in schools a waste of funds.”

I am a freshman at Mt. Spokane High School and I think hiring deputies in public schools would be anything but a waste of money. Sure, the chances are slim to none the deputy would be at the exact spot at the exact moment a student may decide to take extreme action, but he would still be there to help and to protect bystanders.

Although it may not be obvious, young people do possess a certain respect, even fear, of the police. Having a deputy in schools gives the students a chance to get to know a law enforcer personally. He may even have the chance to break down some of their stereotypical ideas about the police. He may also have the opportunity to befriend willing students and act as a mentor or a friend.

The fact a deputy is down the hall, ready to act, may stop even the biggest, baddest students from doing something they might regret. Although he won’t stop all violence, having a deputy around may reduce the number of hallway fistfights. Not only that, knowing he’s there to protect us will give a certain feeling of added safety.

Hiring a deputy is not a waste as much as it is an investment - an investment in students’ safety. Emily Kovach Colbert

Traffic deputies just what we need

Re: Jeff Reyburn’s Feb. 17 letter, “Sheriff exhibits offensive priorities.”

Nine new deputies hired by the county get a hold on speeders doing 60 mph through Bigelow Gulch, 40 mph through school zones and addressing drunk drivers on our country roads doesn’t seem idiotic to me. Citizens are aware of the accidents and deaths on our county roads and know the only way to slow people down, unfortunately, is to write tickets. Like it or not, you see a cop and you slow down!

Let’s put up a big, “Please slow down,” sign on the Deer Park Highway. Hello? I don’t think so. School zone signs have been up from the beginning of time and on any day, you can see speeders fly through.

Remember, deputies are now required to investigate accidents on county roads, taking them away from investigating neighborhood crimes. Why not put traffic deputies onto our roads and help keep our community safer, freeing other deputies for nontraffic calls?

Taxpayers know funds are hard to come by, so let’s make lawbreakers pay for the new traffic unit. If the shoe doesn’t fit, you don’t have to wear it. Sue Ivy Spokane

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Heartening news on depression front

We have reason to celebrate. At least two lives were reported saved in the Feb. 25 newspaper. Some readers may have missed the significance of these stories.

First, a forward-looking, enlightened Spokane Police Department used a humane and life-saving bean bag gun to subdue a suicidal man who was threatening them with a knife. In many cities, this despairing, hopeless man might well have been shot to death.

In the second story, Cougar basketball player Steve Soltmaker saved not only his own life but, by a brave example of candor and honesty in telling of his personal trials with clinical depression, may well save other lives that might be lost to this quite treatable medical disorder. Untreated depression is the leading cause of suicide worldwide.

Last, reporter Carter Strickland got his facts about major depression and suicide exactly right, thus providing not only a solid story of hope and recovery for those who suffer from mood disorders, but powerful, accurate, and helpful information to the reading public. Paul Quinnett, Ph.D. Spokane

THE MEDIA

Seems feminism is a partisan thing

“Decent people can act out also,” says Jamie Tobias Neely for the editorial board. “Be part of the solution, write a letter and stop hate.” Maybe an afterthought would be to make everyone smile, too.

The Spokesman-Review editorial board is sanctimonious. Preaching to the choir will never change people who have been brought up with bigotry. In most cases, it’s far too late to step in as substitute parents and change the past. The thought that racists or terrorists care one bit what other people think is naive and laughable.

Better that these editors might influence women’s rights in America. Yet, they remain silent. My daughters understand feminism. They understand sexual harassment, also. But they missed the class in women’s studies where it said feminism applies only to political Democrats. They wonder why Sen. Patty Murray of Clarence Thomas and Bob Packwood fame is silent. They wonder why the women editors at the newspaper are silent.

It’s easy for me. I know that they are hypocritical and feminism will always come last when it comes to the misdeeds of a Democrat. James Allen Spokane

S-R should enlist in culture war

Again, as usual, there are vacuous responses by enlightened media folks to the men and women who confront such societal rodents as Brian Wilson (aka Marilyn Manson), who would prey on the souls of their impressionable teens. Specifically, staff writer Winda Benedetti has likened the protesters to the “morals police.”

Interestingly, I don’t recall the protesters of the Aryan Nations parade being so likened. I guess it would depend on the definition of morals and police.

These assaults (Sunday at 7 p.m.) on faith, good taste and civility are sadly described as the result of “pop-culture smarts” by Benedetti’s pathetically condescending article.

It seems righteousness has become oh-so-unchic to the robots in the press. It would be wonderful in the views of some if people of faith would just keep their mouths shut and stop all this pesky chatter about God and evil, etc. Can’t you just imagine how much better off we’d all be if the Weekend supplement had been available in ancient times to expose other morals police like Moses and Jesus? Isn’t it our right to worship idols and conduct commerce in the temple? Those two were always so intolerant of popular culture!

I suggest your newspaper stop tearing down individual efforts of the people on the front lines in this culture war and start to help to extinguish the wildfires looming on the perimeters of all posterity (and not just a threat to the progeny of the morals police). Christopher Rabensteiner Spokane