Letters To The Editor

REMEMBRANCE

Remember those who gave everything

Leonard Chesley was a 19-year-old Navy hospital corpsman serving with a Marine rifle company in 1968. Chesley was awarded his first Purple Heart for being wounded during the Tet offensive, while our company was engaged in house-to-house fighting with the North Vietnamese army in the city of Hue.

He was evacuated to Okinawa to recover. Two months later, he returned to Vietnam. He asked to be assigned to a position in the rear ordering medical supplies but was returned for duty to our company, which was protecting bridges.

Six weeks later, the bridge Chesley’s platoon was protecting came under a heavy attack by the Viet Cong. One young Marine received a gunshot wound to the chest. After Chesley did everything he could to save the Marine, he realized the man would die soon without extensive medical care. At the end of the attack, Chesley put the wounded man into a jeep and drove toward the bridge we were protecting, one mile south. Two-hundred yards from our position, a Viet Cong fired a rifle propelled grenade, hitting the vehicle. My platoon found the wounded Marine, the driver and Chesley dead. Chesley had his head ripped off. I could make identification only through his dog tags in his boot laces.

Chesley received his last Purple Heart that night.

I never knew his views on Vietnam, only that he wanted to get back to the United States and put his life back together.

Please take a moment this Memorial Day to remember the Leonard Chelseys. Bob H. May Veradale

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Postal Service delivers disincentive

I was really angry after reading “Bureaucrats wrap reward with red tape” (May 18).

In an era when it is potentially dangerous to get involved, it is refreshing to read about someone having the courage to do just that. I am outraged that the Postal Service has the audacity to refuse John Nelson’s claim to the reward, after prominently posting the notice that a reward would be given if information led to an arrest.

Nelson has gone through all the hoops that were required to receive the reward, including getting postal inspectors involved. It is not his fault that those inspectors turned the investigation over to local authorities - who, by the way, said that without Nelson’s help the thefts would still be going on.

In the end, if Nelson does not receive any reward - not even a thank you - I say shame on the Postal Service for being too stingy.

It’s responses like this that prompt many people to be unresponsive. M.J. Zimmerman Greenacres

Egos, pettiness power Chertok dustup

I do not know Police Chief Alan Chertok personally. However, I wish I did. My minority friends and acquaintances have informed me that not only has Chertok taken a sincere interest in their citizen allegations and concerns in his nine months in Spokane, but he has also publicly stated that his door is always open to discussion and suggestions to improve the police department.

Chertok’s selection process was both lengthy and in depth, probably much like an orthodox conversion. I truly doubt intent to harm the department or this community by any of Chertok’s faux pas or minor blunders. Maybe he raked his police cap a little too jauntily. Maybe he forgot to clutch his hands in Oriental supplication to the us in power. Who knows?

However, petty ugliness, biased insinuations and ultimate suspension should be examined for what they are: inflated egos about personal turf, regardless of the comb-over or native son syndrome. Olivanne “Ollie” Horton Spokane

WASHINGTON STATE

We’ll act on paradegoer’s complaint

Re: “Guard personnel pointedly out of line” (Letters, May 21), regarding the Washington Army National Guard’s participation in the Lilac Festival Parade on May 15.

Bill Siler’s point is well taken. A weapon should never be pointed at anyone in jest. We regret that any viewers of the parade perceived a threat from the traversing of the HUMMV-mounted machine gun.

Future Washington Army National Guard participants in events such as this will be briefed to be cautious and sensitive when displaying weapons. We pride ourselves on our skill, competence and professionalism as citizen soldiers. We also treasure the relationships we have built with our communities and plan to continue participation in traditional events such as this. Lt. Col. Rick Patterson Washington Army National Guard, Tacoma

SPOKANE MATTERS

More to it than `young blood’

Re: Rob Brewster’s quoted remark in a May 20 article, “If there is one thing this town needs, it’s young blood.”

I wish Brewster success in his venture to add a high rise to Spokane’s skyline, with the premise that it be a positive addition to downtown, sensitively designed and appealing.

After being in business in this town for 30 years and experiencing as many or more failures as successes, my observations tell me that both myself and Spokane certainly need something. In my opinion, that something is young ideas, not necessarily young blood. Young ideas do sometimes come packaged in young blood but the most workable ideas come in old-blood packages that have learned how to apply creativity, to move ideas from the fanciful virtual into reality.

The notion that young blood is the only purveyor of young ideas is pure Hollywood, consistent with the unique view in our country that youth has it all. True perhaps in movies, not in successful development.

Happy, young ideas to you, Brewster. Go for it. John H. Aylor Spokane

Youth group’s program excellent

I had the opportunity to attend the Showcase to the Community event put on at the YWCA by the young ladies and gentlemen of Youth for a SAFE Spokane. The members come from all walks of life and attend high schools throughout the county.

The intent of the group is to have the community be involved, aware of and working to stop sexual violence and assault. Each had a chance to talk about the facts and discuss their feelings.

In addition to being educated by them, I was struck by a couple realizations.

First, these kids are not about negativity and bad behavior. They are about demonstrating the willingness and ability to work to make positive and lasting changes for all of us.

Next, I was very impressed by the fact that these positive, confident young people have the courage of their convictions, are taking a stand and aren’t waiting for someone else to do what needs to be done for all of us.

I thank Karen Boone and Ana Matthews for their mentoring of this group, and for helping to build a solid group of fine individuals upon which our community can continue to grow. Michael J. Maehl Spokane

One number short of good system

I complain as loudly as the next person about Spokane drivers. However, when Garland district traffic lights were out on May 24, everyone drove as though each intersection was a four-way stop. So, when we have to, I guess we can be courteous.

What really irritated me was that I had to call Crime Check to let someone know. I couldn’t find any number listed under City of Spokane Utilities to report an emergency (outside of business hours). I had to tie up a Crime Check line, which could have prevented someone with a real emergency from getting through. M. Louise Long Spokane

`Rocky’ theme was played

Re: Beth L. Amundson’s May 20 letter about bringing back the “Rocky” music. I assume she’s talking about the theme song from the Rocky movies. I just want to let her know that although she didn’t hear it, I and many others, I’m sure, did! As a matter of fact, it was the first time I’ve ever heard it and I found it to be most inspiring. Shauna M. Enterline Veradale

BUSINESS AND LABOR

If Kaiser wins, this area loses

If Kaiser gets its way, there will be 300 more people in Spokane and Kootenai counties who will not be buying anything new or will be trying to sell off what they have, to move to another job that will pay them close to the wage they are making now, so they can pay their bills.

If you don’t think it will affect our state and county, think again. There were 10 people out of 50 who worked in my department alone who lived in Kootenai County. My guess is that out of the 1,100 people at Trentwood, about a third were from Idaho. This strike-lockout is about jobs, not wages.

Can we afford to lose higher-paying jobs and then have them replaced with jobs that pay about half what they pay now to support corporate greed?

Business leaders and neighbors, if you see a Steelworker, ask them what you can do to help solve this situation. Or call either of the Steelworker hall’s in Spokane to see what you could do to help. The locals are 338 for Trentwood and 329 for Mead works. Dale R. Broadsword Rathdrum

Turnout didn’t smack of solidarity

After reading “Steelworkers angered Talbott skips rally” (May 18), I must admit I am a little confused. The article states that more than 150 Steelworkers and their families attended the rally and that the mayor chose not to. But later in the article, it reminds us that “About 2,100 Spokane-area Steelworkers are entering the eighth month of a labor dispute against Kaiser.”

If only 150 of 2,100 Steelworkers attended, that means almost 93 percent of the affected union members had better things to do than go to their own rally. And they’re mad at the mayor. Go figure.

Still further in the same article it states how Councilwoman Cherie Rodgers became irritated with Kaiser security officers for switching on noisy power generators that almost drowned out the speakers.

In The Spokesman-Review a few weeks ago there was a story concerning the shelters at the picket lines. In that story, it was reported by the sheriff’s department that the picketers have done $11,000 damage to Kaiser vehicles, not to mention damage done to private vehicles. It seems to me that if Kaiser guards were raising a lift to document activities, maybe, just maybe the action was warranted.

I realize that under federal labor-management laws and the Bill of Rights, strikers have certain rights, including the right to gather, to picket, collective bargaining and others. When was the right to commit property damage and assault added to the list? Tell me again, Rodgers, who’s worse than children? James Harlan Spokane

Correction

A statement in Edward L. Schultz’s May 22 letter was incorrect. While Inland Empire Paper Co. received some land in the northeast Washington land exchange Schultz discussed, it was not a partner.

OTHER TOPICS

Tribe comes off as low-class rabble

The Makah Indians must feel an overwhelming sense of confusion of victory and embarrassment.

What is there in Makah rituals that would condone the killing of a whale by using a .50-caliber elephant gun? The killing then to be celebrated by a dance resembling a drunken orgy on the carcass of the beached, dead whale! The whale thing has been a shameful travesty.

Can we now expect Indian tribes on the plains east of the Rocky Mountains to ask permission to hunt buffalo in Yellowstone National Park? Can we now expect the Chippewa Tribe of Minnesota will ask for a permit to make a ritual killing of some of their blood enemies, the Lakota Sioux?

I’m confident other North American tribes have more sense of responsibility and cultural pride than to become involved in an unabashed sham like the Makah’s. Ralph B. McCormick Chewelah, Wash.

Somehow, `isms’ got in the way

I take issue with William Stromberger’s statement (Letters, May 11) that Galileo’s heliocentric theory (originated by Copernicus) should not be compared to the theory of evolution. On the contrary, many modern churches should make such a comparison since they are making the same mistake the Roman church made in Galileo’s time.

The Roman church had incorporated Ptolemy’s geocentric view of the universe into its theology because it supported the church’s interpretation of Genesis. Some modern churches support their interpretation of the creation story with “scientific creationism,” a belief system masquerading as science. In 1922, the Roman Catholic Church admitted the geocentric view was correct. Modern theology will also evolve as scientific creationism self-destructs.

As for the provability of the heliocentric theory, it should be noted that astronomy is a science based solely on observation. Not until the 1960s was there any evidence for the heliocentric theory that could be considered even remotely experimental. But there is a plethora of empirical evidence from numerous sciences that a support the theory of evolution. In fact, the evidence is so overwhelming that to most scientists, evolution is the theory that unifies all the sciences.

Admittedly, there are scientists who worship skepticism and make evolution a belief system which Stromberger has correctly identified as “evolutionism.” The conflict is actually between the isms. Creation and evolution (sans the isms) are simply answers to different questions. Creation is something God does (Genesis tells why); evolution is how God does it. P. James Dishon Spokane

Land exchange process given bad rap

Staff writer Ken Olson demonstrated his personal bias against land exchanges in his May 2 coverage. Omitted from his report was how the public benefited from these transactions.

For example, the Channeled Scablands transactions involve critical “shrub steppe” habitat in Eastern Washington. This ongoing series of transactions has so far acquired for the public approximately 40,000 acres of shrub steppe. The BLM describes the shrub steppe of Eastern Washington as having many at-risk species and a low level of protection. Conservation of shrub steppe is among the agency’s highest priorities.

In the April 11 Review, outdoor writer Rich Landers and Kristi Streiffert described the area’s value as critical habitat for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (“State land gets grouse boost”). Sharptailed grouse once formed vast flocks across much of the Inland Northwest. Habitat disruption has reduced these flocks to a threatened species. State, Fish and Wildlife and BLM all seek to enhance sharptailed grouse populations by managing large areas of integrated private and public land. Land exchanges are a valuable part of that process.

Olson also implied the Clearwater Land Exchange is not concerned about the public interest. I’m involved in land exchanges to pursue conservation goals. I’m also aware of the importance of sustaining resources for our communities. The land exchange process is a valuable tool for achieving both.

Clearwater Land Exchange encourages considerable public participation in the conduct of exchanges required by law and policy. To suggest the public is kept in the dark and doesn’t benefit simply isn’t true. Kent Henderson partner, Clearwater Land Exchange, Lewiston