Letters To The Editor

CUBAN REFUGEE

Miami family shaped events

A little boy is rescued and finally reunited with his father. He was not kidnapped, as some of the Miami Cubans and even politicians are saying undoubtedly to gain votes from the Miami Cubans.

Many of these Cubans, who have come to our country because they wanted to live in a land of freedom, seem to think that means they’re free to do anything, even break the laws of the land. They even went as far as burning the flag of the country they wanted to escape to, and then started waving the Cuban flag!

To these people, I say, if you’re so dissatisfied with this country and it’s government, go home.

Kudos to Attorney General Janet Reno and the agents who helped bring this situation, without anyone being hurt physically, to a midpoint. There is still a lot to be accomplished.

If the Miami relatives of Elian had cooperated in the beginning, what took place April 22 could have been avoided. Kenneth Burley Hayden, Idaho

Reno, Clinton right to end standoff

Our congratulations to Attorney General Janet Reno for finally taking the stand of returning little Elian Gonzalez to his father and to President Clinton for backing her decision. This has gone on long enough and from what we can see from the news reports Elian is delighted to be with his father again.

As for the Miami relatives, they are getting what they deserve. They kept father and son apart for five months. Now it is their turn to sit and wait. Mr. and Mrs. Don L. Thoms Airway Heights

Photo shows power play

What a marvelous (April 23) front page photograph! It could only be improved by the following caption: “`’Political power flows from the barrel of a gun.’ Chairman Mao, People’s Republic Of China.” Alexander P. Brown Spokane

Dissatisfied Cubans, vamos

I don’t understand, or I’m missing something.

As I watched the saga of Elian unfurl on television, I saw the people who claim they came into this country to get away from their homeland because they were being oppressed, they wanted to live in a country that afforded them more freedom, a place where they could speak out if they were dissatisfied without fear of being persecuted. Yet these are the same people who chanted against the U.S. government, who were caught burning the American flag, while another group waved the Cuban flag.

The following came to mind: If you don’t like it here, go back home.

Actions taken by the Justice Department and the Immigration Department were done within the law. Elian was being held in an artificial environment, one that would make most any 6-year-old think that this was the land of Oz. He was being held from his father, who has been accused of abuse against both the boy and his mother. Where is the proof of this?

Don’t blame the U.S. government for the upheaval. The blame belongs elsewhere - the people who burned the American flag, the same people who came to this country wanting freedom. C.M. Cameron Hayden, Idaho

Spare us the political hot air

I’m already sick of all the right-wing rhetoric surrounding the raid to get the boy back to his father. I ask this of all people (regardless of political party): If someone was holding your child against your will and the only hope to get that child back to you was a carefully planned operation such as this, would you take it? If you answered no you are either a liar or you don’t love your kids.

This is not about Castro or Cuba. It’s about a father being denied the most basic of rights. It’s not our place to judge this father’s political beliefs or that of his dictator. That is not the issue here.

So stop all the rambling about how un-American or barbaric this was just because it fits your political agenda. John Mundy Post Falls

Another case of father disposal

A subtext of the Elian Gonzalez case, occasionally mentioned, is the anti-father syndrome. Political arguments failed to carry the day, so standard attacks on Juan Gonzales followed.

First, a political dupe. Then, questionable character and a bad parent. Finally, “Elian is afraid of his father.”

Interestingly, domestic custody cases often follow this pattern: One parent constructs a court political climate, and, failing in this venue, attempts to solicit family and friends with startling fabrications - perhaps assault, stalking, mental disorders, molestation, etc. Finally, per the Elian fiasco, the most sophisticated and violent abuse appears - namely, behind-the-scenes indoctrination, with the hoped-for result - a child without a father!

Hurray for those who support the father-son reunion! Ronald H. Jensen Spokane

HIGHER EDUCATION

Academic freedom not the issue

It appears that a couple of key points have been overlooked in the recent Gonzaga University-Planned Parenthood debate.

First, the platform denied Planned Parenthood was not part of an official academic syllabus. Rather, it was offered by a club. Clubs, by definition, are groups of like-minded individuals united in pursuit of a common interest. Their activities are neither subject to the standards of academic rigorousness nor are they protected by the concept of academic freedom.

Second, Planned Parenthood’s interest in addressing the Gonzaga Women’s Club was not scholarly debate. Its purpose was to further its own agenda. This point involves a subtle detail. While abortion has been identified by the Church as profoundly evil, it is discussed in classes at Gonzaga along with other moral issues of our day. But these discussions take place within a framework of objective and rigorous scholarly inquiry, the goal of which is identification of truth. Planned Parenthood can claim neither these methods nor their goal, and Gonzaga thus owes them no platform. In short, academic freedom is not the issue in this case.

Furthermore, a higher reality is at stake. Gonzaga is a Catholic university and as such is bound to uphold and proclaim the teachings of the church. In canceling this event, Father Robert Spitzer was not only within his rights as president of the university but was acting in a manner consistent with his very duty as a Catholic priest and defender of the faith. Michael and Susan Cain Spokane

GU hasn’t made much progress

Re: “Gonzaga refuses Planned Parenthood speaker” As a graduate of Gonzaga University, I was disappointed to see that it has not made much progress in the area of academic freedom since the 1960s. We used to attribute the schools narrow-minded views to the Black Robes being out of touch with much of the real world but today the board of directors seems to control what is taught and what is said.

Certainly, I would have expected there to be groups of students and faculty protesting the speaker and the speaker’s views. Perhaps they could have even solicited a debate with both sides represented. To not allow Planned Parenthood to even speak insults the intelligence of the students and faculty members who would liked to have heard the speaker’s views. Robert Cannata Spokane

It all depends on who is to speak

Regarding the criticism of Father Robert Spitzer over rejecting the Planned Parenthood speaker, I suspect it is not so much a matter of educational freedom, more a matter of whose chain is being pulled. Those who promote a Planned Parenthood speaker would be the first to object if a student group had wanted David Duke or Richard Butler as speakers.

Odd, though, that in defending Planned Parenthood they are defending an organization founded by Margaret Sanger, who fully agreed with Adolf Hitler’s approach to eugenics (breeding the “master race” by eliminating the “unfit”). Walter Weid Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

Sunbathers use park responsibly

I am a 20-year-old college student on the Dean’s List at Eastern Washington University writing in regard to the April 18 article about People’s Park.

I have been sunbathing at People’s Park every summer for 15 years. During those 15 years, we, the nude sunbathers, have cooperated with the police and parks departments in an effort to keep our beach clean. From my experience, the nude sunbathers have tried continually to be a part of the solution and not part of the problem at People’s Park.

People’s Park holds many fond memories of volleyball, swimming and potlucks with people who have become lifelong friends and mentors. Yvonne L. Ahlborn Spokane

U.S. AND THE WORLD

We can be great by being generous

One issue that is not being covered by the candidates of either major party is that of debt facing developing countries.

According to Oxfam International, “Debt repayments have meant health centers without drugs and trained staff, schools without basic teaching equipment and the collapse of agricultural extension services.” In Pakistan, where the government allocates more than 40 percent of the national budget to debt repayment, people are dying of treatable diseases such as meningitis.

Nineteenth century President Chester A. Arthur once said that “The trouble with capitalism is capitalists.” They are too damn greedy. We are constantly being told that we are in an era of economic expansion and that we can expect it to continue for the near future.

One can debate whether this economic expansion is real and who benefits from it but one truth is that the developed world has the power to alleviate untold suffering in numerous poor countries.

In the United States, private citizens through their elected officials can advocate that poor country debt relief be adopted and passed.

Martin Luther King Jr. said that “all can be great because all can serve.” With debt relief, this country can truly be great by showing the world that people matter more than profits. Robert Stirling, MSW Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Higher taxes last thing we need

Additional taxes are being suggested to repair our roads. The facts are that we are overtaxed and the federal and state governments have huge surpluses that are increasing every day, far exceeding any estimates. The correct solution is tax reduction and reallocation.

Government mismanagement and waste is documented daily in the news. Recent congressional hearings established once again that our money is mismanaged. None of the federal agencies (energy, defense, HUD, education, IRS, etc.) could pass an audit. Tens of billions of dollars are just “missing.” Through reorganization, elimination, prioritization and privatization, billions can be saved. allowing tax reductions and adequate funding for government (primary and secondary education funding a No. 1 priority).

Reduce federal income tax and distribute more money to the states.

Reduce state sales and property taxes and share more money with the cities and counties.

Reduce city utility taxes and other fees.

The government will tell you that it can’t afford to make these reductions and reallocations of money. The same pre-695 spin. A recent example of your government at work: the price of gas doubles in six months and the Justice Department investigates Microsoft.

During the last 40 years the total cost of government for the average family has gone from approximately 15 percent to 40 percent of their gross income. The cost of government is stealing people’s present opportunities and future savings. Your payroll deductions, property taxes, sales taxes and fees total more than the cost of your food, clothing and home - absolutely outrageous. Tell Congress and our state legislators to return more of our money. Dave Hamer Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Remember victims as people

I think that throughout this serial killer investigation, the victims’ dignity has been lost. The word “prostitute” has prevailed over the word women or victim.

The one thing we must remember is that we are not in a place to judge these women’s actions now. We can only mourn their deaths and feel rage against the person responsible. By placing the word “prostitute” in the same sentence as the victims’ names, we are disrespecting their lives. It is important that these women be remembered for themselves and not for a choice they made. Kristin E. Goodwin Spokane

Bias apparent in Yates story

Re: “Suspect defended guns in 1994 letter to editor” (April 21).

It seems the most important thing we learn about Robert Lee Yates Jr. is the fact that he was an opponent of gun control. No doubt that explains everything.

It is implied that I and all other opponents of gun control are somehow responsible for his and others’ crimes with guns. Anyone who still wishes to defend the Second Amendment should now meekly drop the idea, because it’s been proven by a reporter in Spokane that if you support such things you are without doubt a horrible person.

Suppose Yates had said he favored gun control or suppose he said he liked grizzly bears. Would that fact have received such negative and front page coverage? The answer is easy.

Really, articles like this make a paper’s bias easy to spot for the discerning reader. Marcus Byler Bonners Ferry, Idaho

There you go again, you S-R leftists

The Spokesman-Review showed your real liberal leaning in the Public Periscope of April 17. There you accuse Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris of making an incorrect statement as far as the percentage of opponents of the fuel depot.

First of all, percentages themselves are not so simple to compute and the commissioner talks about a fraction of a percentage which is even more complex. But mainly is this a pre-algebra class or real life? Who cares about some silly percentages? As long as we know the commissioner is against any environmental regulations we know he is a real pro-business conservative and that is what counts.

By implicitly requesting that people check their beliefs against reality you go much further than just attacking Harris. You try to yank away the foundation of many conservative concepts: The concept that gun ownership guarantees democracy and increases personal safety. The concept that if homosexuals are allowed to enjoy life as everybody else the “traditional family” will fall apart. The concept that the more pro-business and anti-environment this region becomes the more high-tech companies will desire to relocate here.

I am not canceling my subscription. I still hope you can change. There are some encouraging signs: You run the comic strip by Bruce Tinsley, who can hardly be accused of sticking to reality, and you run regularly a column by the vastly intelligent and benevolent Laura Schlessinger.

I only hope that the good tendencies will soon prevail. Peter C. Dolina Veradale

Rabbits can be great pets

In response of your April 18 article on house bunnies, I’m glad you did mention that they are easily litter box trained but the accurate information pretty much stopped there.

Contrary to your article featuring the opinions of a few people that only have had limited experience with bunnies, rabbits are intelligent and very affectionate. Rabbits can learn to come when called, and scratch the door to go out and come in again. The behavior varies from rabbit to rabbit because all rabbits have different personalities. They are all individuals.

Since they are not predators, their behavior is different than dogs or cats; they run from things that scare them. So you, as the responsible pet caretaker, must adapt to that.

Rabbits make even better pets when they are spayed and/or neutered, even if they are alone. You may need to rearrange furniture and hide electrical cords and phone wires to accommodate your house rabbit but the rewards of watching the antics of a well-adjusted house rabbit are well worth it.

As for wire rabbit cages carrying tetanus, that is ridiculous. As with any pet, if you keep things clean there is no problem. Besides, keeping them in little cages is cruel. Rabbits need exercise and a stimulating environment to live happily and to their potential.

Rabbits are not for everyone and they can live to around nine years, so it is a long-term commitment. It should not even be considered unless you are well informed. A good source of information is the House Rabbit Society home page, http://www.rabbit.org Tracy A. Martin Spokane