Letters To The Editor
IDAHO VIEWPOINTS
Time spent making best decision
I particularly agree with the old adage “Don’t judge a man until you have walked in his moccasins.” I know Jim Judd, I know that he spent all of his waking hours trying to make the best decision based on the testimony presented. I’m proud of you, Jim, for your courage in making this decision. Joyce M. Leonard Coeur d’Alene
Bring out the gun boats
In response to “Boater accused of trying to kill deputy,” (Aug. 31), I have two comments: He who shoots at a peace officer deserves what happens next. Sheriff Roos should provide patrol boats with 12 gauge riot guns. LeRoy R. Broun Coolin
Parents can decide what children see
Re: “Documentary on gay, schools to air at 11 p.m.” (Handle, Sept. 2)
To Nancy Bloomer, executive director of the Idaho Christian Coalition and all the lawmakers who want “It’s Elementary” taken off the air: Do all of you have remotes for your televisions? Most remotes have a button that says “Off”, and, get this, there is another button that changes the station. Yes, you can actually change the station on your television.
This is an educational program good for all ages and is better than watching a cable station showing “Terminator” or any other violent or foul-mouthed movie.
Parents can decide what their children can and cannot watch.
The above mentioned individuals should take what Rabbi Daniel Fink of Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel said to heart: “As people who have been persecuted throughout our history, we believe it is wrong to turn a blind eye to others who are persecuted.” Sam Sawatzky Sandpoint
WASHINGTON STATE
Time for Locke to cut losses
When Annette Sandberg was appointed to the position of Washington State Patrol chief, I recall hearing a lot of grumbling amongst the state troopers. At the time, I thought it was just men with their noses bent out of joint but after reading the Aug. 24 article about Sandberg, I have changed my mind.
Gov. Locke took equal opportunity way too far. At the time the position was vacant, why wasn’t an individual, man or woman, with experience, education and life experiences considered for the position? A veteran trooper with 10, 15 or 20 years of experience would have been much better suited for the position than Sandberg. At 32, with most of that in school, how could Sandberg have been qualified?
Sandberg has no life experience, no training for the job, and most importantly, no leadership skills. To put it in simple terms, she doesn’t know what she is doing. Did Gov. Locke think simply putting this woman in a uniform was all that was needed to lead seasoned, capable, competent individuals with years of experience?
Gov. Locke needs to cut his losses and fix what he has broken. The Washington State Patrol is a wonderful group of individuals who are always polite and courteous while affecting our insurance rates. We need to make certain the leadership of these fine people is the best it can be-without Sandberg at the helm. Linda Becker Veradale
SPOKANE INTERSTATE FAIR
Have a smoker-free fair, too
Regarding the smoking ban at Spokane Interstate Fair: I planned to attend the fair this year. Unfortunately, the communistic smoking ban changed my plans.
Punishing all smokers because some didn’t go to the designated smoking areas in the past is unfair. Will you ban food wrappers because some people are litterbugs? Should barbecues be banned because they pollute the air?
If all smokers in Washington state quit smoking, the state would lose a lot of revenue from highly taxed tobacco products. Discrimination against smokers has reached epidemic proportions. I hope all smokers skip the fair. Barbara A. Culver Spokane
Fair smoking ban un-American
Being a frequent visitor to Spokane, I always found the fair to be one of my highlights.
The banning of smoking makes no sense at an outdoor festival filled with vendors spewing smoke from their booths. I am not a smoker but I believe in freedom of choice. Taking away the rights of some is not the American way.
Because of this ban, I will not be attending the fair this year. David L. Jamieson Everett
Fair will miss smoker’s money
I sure am glad that my family and friends - approximately twelve of us - went to the Kootenai County Fair, because we won’t be going to the Spokane Interstate Fair.
Each couple spent between $50-125. That’s $300-750 that the Spokane Interstate Fair doesn’t need from us because we smoke. Now multiply that by even one-eighth of the fair’s crowd. That’s a lot of money.
I don’t understand how the handicapped can have ramps and special accommodations but the fair organizers wouldn’t put up a few smoking tents. I thought the fair was for everyone.
If smokers boycott the fair, next year you will see a difference. Just hit them in the belt. Money talks. Terri L. Coak Pinehurst, Idaho
So, freedom is what you say it is
To the people who govern the Spokane Interstate Fair: I’ve taken my children and grandchildren to the fair for over 30 years and always enjoyed it. Now I can’t go with my family. You decided smokers aren’t allowed anymore.
There is no smoking inside the buildings. Who are we bothering outside? People go into the beer garden and stagger around outside but I guess there’s no revenue in cigarettes.
Do you realize the kids that have one or both parents or grandparents who smoke will either not go to the fair with them or end up not going at all? And you say you’re for the family!
I work with the public and have asked over 50 nonsmokers who go to the fair if they have been bothered by smokers. Not one said yes. They all thought it was unfair.
I know my not being there doesn’t mean anything to you but I really think you’ve gone too far with this one. Whatever happened to free Americans?
Do you own the air too? Sharon R. Clark Spokane
Smokers should unite, draw a line
Spokane County Commissioners have gone too far.
As a person with lung problems and an ex-smoker, I would much rather put up with the cigarette smoke. The cigarette smoke goes away. Diesel fumes from the engines on the rides, the smell of greasy food being cooked and the animal smells in the barns hang in the air much longer. Besides, have you ever stood beside someone wearing too much perfume or after shave? Give me a break; that is just as annoying!
People who smoke have rights, too, and they are slowly being taken away. Is that fair?
I think it is time for the smokers to unite and say enough is enough, and I will be there by their side. Bobbie L. Thoms Airway Heights
PEOPLE IN SOCIETY
Mature view of racism admirable
I think it’s wonderful that there are some adults who think highly of teenagers and don’t automatically believe all teens are bad because of one sour experience or a few bad examples.
I’m 14 years old and have written many essays about racism for school assignments. I can relate to Rachelle Montgomery’s (Your Turn, Opinion, Aug. 21) article about racism and how much it has gotten out of hand in the past few years.
I really admire adults like Shari Montgomery and Victor Bukbazen for their attitude toward teens, and Rachelle Montgomery for her mature view of racism in this country. There is no room for it. Alice K. Hale Greenacres
Courtesy, alas, was something less
On Sunday , a friend and I were leaving a North Side restaurant, having had a lovely breakfast after church. As we started to exit, the double doors swung wide, held for us by two nice-looking young boys, with two more in the background.
I was so pleased, I thanked them. But one said to my friend, “Give me some money!”
We went on past to our car with nary a word but with a much different feeling about those nice boys. How sad. Mari Sullivan Spokane
WILDLIFE
Perhaps other cats were involved
This letter is in response to Chris Lee’s Aug. 31 letter. I have young grandchildren, too, and my front yard is not cougar territory or for any other wild animal, including two-legged ones.
Your suggestion that this cat maybe wasn’t the guilty one suggests that other cats were stalking these children. Maybe the game warden should stake out the place and kill the other ones also. Lloyd K. Brauner Clayton, Wash.
Energies could be better spent
I wish someone would explain why it is so necessary and why we are so determined to artificially reintroduce grizzly bears and wolves into our Northwestern states.
Years ago they were considered threats to our well-being and were hunted and eliminated because they posed a real danger to our families and livestock.
If the grizzlies and wolves are now naturally occurring and thriving in our national parks and remote areas, all well and good. Re-establishing these predatory animals on the outskirts of human habitation seems a huge waste of resources - money and human endeavor - that could be better used to attend to the needs of mankind. Helen M. Rhodes Spokane
OTHER TOPICS
Wonders abound around Dusty
Re: “Get your kicks on Route 26” (Aug. 29)
I look forward to seeing the efforts of the WSU students.
The Dusty Cafe, which was mentioned, is our little secret. If you want to see a slightly larger version, try the Skyway Cafe at Felts Field, one of Spokane’s secrets, good people and great food!
Some of the natural and manmade sights I hope the students didn’t miss are: The Palouse Empire Fair Grounds; the bovine skeleton lounging in the young orchard by the Twin Bridges (don’t look for the second bridge, it’s been gone for years); the twin concrete “One Holers” at the No Water rest area East of Dusty; the eyes in the hillside that watch you go by west of Dusty, the upside down buffalo near Washtucna and Hooper; and the ancestral home of the Big M Fertilizer Company.
Not to be overlooked is probably the biggest sign West of the Mississippi and North of Hollywood over by Othello. It says “Go Cougs.” Being a Huskie (UConn 1959) and a Huskie dad twice (UW 1989 and 1994) I’m not sure what that means. Maybe Cougs are a new variety of crimson potato since the sign is on a spud shed.
Go Dawgs! Kaarl R. “Bob” Hagman LaCrosse
Morality based on higher authority
Gordon Sanders (Letters, Aug. 31) insists that the Bible is looney.
I’m not saying that the Bible isn’t a little incredible at times (like the Big Bang, maybe?), But, the mere fact that more than 40 authors, from walks of life ranging from kings to fishermen, writing from dungeons and palaces, in three languages, on hundreds of controversial subjects, over a period of about 1,600 years, could compose a unified work of prophecy and fulfillment on a single major subject - God’s redemption of man - is in itself incredible.
Try doing this with any great books series.
Sanders may assume that as a teenager I am just “abusing my intellect by dragging ghost and fairy tales into the (morality) situation.” C.S. Lewis, as an atheist, could not reconcile evolution and the fact that our minds - supposedly just an evolved, meaningless flux of atoms - could decipher evolution as true fact.
Ironically, when he became a Christian, he felt clearer intellectually - not to speak of morally.
The Bible has transformed millions of lives.
And morality, sir, must be based on some higher authority.
You cannot expect children, fed on video games, TV, or simply nothing at all, to know instinctively that shooting a roomful of students is wrong. Or you could expect it, I suppose, but you might be disappointed. Katherine H. Botkin, 18 Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Truly, actions speak louder
Morality is taught everywhere. Whether it is good or bad depends on the action, more than the words.
The minister who pontificates and then is caught with a hooker sends two messages, guess which one is stronger.
The parent who parks in a handicapped space with a borrowed tag sends a morality message.
The teacher who is not fair or consistent with each of his/her students sends a message.
A prejudicial statement or act sends a message.
Compassion, consideration, kindness, forgiveness, fairness, trust, love, help, honesty all send a message.
Do you really believe that hate, revenge, bigotry, hypocrisy sends the same message? Stop and think about the messages you are giving in you actions and words. Darryl O’Sickey Spokane
Lindholt letter impressive
Welcome relief for Humanists is provided by Paul Lindholt (Letters, Aug. 29). He takes issue with the egocentric view of Genesis which gives dominance of one species over all others.
He suggests that humans are part of nature, which indeed we are. He gives credit to the environment as the major shaping force of all living matter, ourselves included.
He cites E. 0. Wilson, who in June of this year was named by the American Humanist Association as Humanist of the Year.
What impresses me most about Lindholt: he is extending his world view to his child.
This youngster will grow up comfortable with reality, as he prepares himself to make a contribution. Lindholt is both a good teacher for his students and a very good parent. Other parents could well use him as a model. Ross Woodward, founder Humanist Focus Group Spokane
Tell Congress you support reform
My husband and I buy a variety of prescriptions.
I am trying to control diabetes and heart problems.
He is recovering from a stroke and is nearly blind.
The cost of these prescriptions is astonishing.
This year we started paying half instead of co-paying $10 per prescription per month.
Our HMO is dropping Medicare patients at the end of this year.
As we study the options for joining another HMO, or enrolling in a Medigap policy, we dread to think what our medications may cost in the future.
Many low-income Medicare beneficiaries cut back on heat or food to pay for their prescriptions.
Others go without or substitute over-the-counter drugs for what the doctor ordered.
It’s time to fight back. A Medicare prescription drug benefit is smart medicine. Keeping people healthy and out of the hospital is a wise investment that saves Medicare dollars.
Let Congress know you support Medicare reform that reserves an appropriate share of the federal budget surplus to extend Medicare’s solvency, and includes a prescription drug benefit. Elinor F. Nuxoll Spokane