Letters To The Editor

The media

Overhyping the underwhelming

I’m one of the millions of casual TV viewers who didn’t go totally insane over television’s latest testimonial to what I’m not sure. But that isn’t surprising. I still don’t know who shot J.R., or whatever his or her name was.

I really don’t care what others watch as that certainly is their prerogative. What does bother me is the total media frenzy over such a mundane piece of so-called entertainment. By the time this series finished, the media had you almost believing that if you were not a “Survivor” viewer, you had better go into therapy.

Weekly, we have really worthwhile entertainment on PBS, and I seldom see any publicity on these fine series and programs except for mention in “The Slice.”

Wake up, media, and realize that you don’t have to win a million dollars to have a worthwhile, interesting life. Turn on PBS and see how the real world turns. You might even learn something. James A. Nelson Spokane

Show a travesty, not reality

Don’t you get it? That TV show “Survivor” shows us the worst of our society.

Let’s get rid of all the people who irritate us. Let’s get rid of the weak. Let’s send packing anybody who just won’t get along with the rest.

I know it’s TV, but come on. The show says it’s right to get rid of anyone who is different. In the real situation, people stick together. That is what is right. That is what works.

If this is not true, then why do men get medals for saving their comrades? Why do firefighters go into a fire and save a kitten? Are these not weak? Are they not worthless?

This show is as sick as the one called “Greed.” Everyone turns on the others to eliminate them and get more money.

In a real survival situation, you stick together. You guide, motivate and help the weak to reach their salvation. Terry L. Barnes Air Force survival instructor, Spokane

Beliefs

God’s way, meaning misunderstood

I discovered that I have an ancient and parasitic theology, or so says Conrad Baer (letters, Aug. 22). Why so? Because three burly men preached to a teenage girl like me, who was a Jew.

Beliefs can’t be forced on people. Christians, I think we ought to examine why we are called hateful. Because the whole message Baer scorns is absolutely the opposite of a God who offers redemption from his own cruelty.

The message is that of a crowd of delinquent school kids standing before a judge. The judge groans because he knows all these kids, heart and soul - they’re his own children.

He pronounces their guilt because they are guilty. They aren’t handcuffed in place, so some of them, enraged, run out of the courtroom, crying, “How could he do that to us? What right does he have?” So they miss hearing their pardons.

The remaining delinquents are just as guilty as the ones who ran out. The judge, knowing better than they do what their crimes mean, offers to take the punishment for them. Pay their fines. Being bankrupt, they agree to this.

The love of the judge for his children is so deep I will never be able to fully understand it. He has given me much more than a pardon. Katherine H. Botkin Bonners Ferry, Idaho

People in society

Couple’s case no simple buyout

Re: “Tourette’s sufferer paid to leave condo,” (Aug. 19): I’m writing on behalf of myself and Linda Schappals-McClain, executive director of the Coalition of Responsible Disabled. The above headline would lead readers to believe this was a case in which the condominium association paid off an annoying owner to leave.

The truth is: Jeffrey Marathon and his wife were victims of illegal discrimination based on his disability. Members of the condo association board suggested Marathon leave his wife of 13 years and live elsewhere. One board member stated that Marathon should “go around with pillows on his feet and a gag in his mouth.” The board ultimately sued to evict Marathon and his wife, claiming his disability constituted a nuisance.

The settlement of this case includes an agreement by the association and Alpha Property Management that they will take steps to prevent and eradicate discrimination against any current or future resident based on any actual or perceived disability.

The money received by Marathon and his wife is compensation for the humiliation and distress they experienced due to the hostile and discriminatory actions of their neighbors. Marathon and his wife have chosen to leave Maple Grove due to these actions, not because they were paid to move.

We urge The Spokesman-Review to give appropriate and accurate coverage to cases like this in which the rights of persons with disabilities to live free of harmful discrimination are upheld. Florence R. Brassier executive director, Northwest Fair Housing Alliance

Man really was a nuisance

Re: Judy Hammond’s letter (Aug. 18) about the man asked to leave the baseball stadium due to his loud behavior:

As my family was seated nearby, this man’s commentary and yelling was very distracting and certainly not entertaining. He was not cheering - he was obnoxious. As we had assigned seats, we couldn’t move. We eventually were able to tune him out. However, I’m sure those sitting closer were not as fortunate as he continually was yelling and even challenged an older man to a fight.

When asked to leave, we heard him screaming that his family’s night was being ruined.

The security guards were calm and acted professionally. This individual never realized he was the one ruining the game, not only for his children but also for the rest of us.

I later phoned the Spokane Indians’ office and asked them about this incident. They stated if fans interfere with other fans’ enjoyment of the game, and with sufficient complaints, they will get involved. Apparently, this gentlemen had been warned several times at several games. Many more fans than the three Hammond is aware of have complained about this man’s behavior. Other have even left games early due to his behavior.

Blaming the Indians’ security is ludicrous. They were professionals simply following the stadium rules. Remember, their job is to ensure safety and fun for all during the Spokane Indians’ games. Shayne McCaslin Spokane

What we emphasize is deplorable

Re: “Kingmaker Richard slinks away with prize” (Aug. 24):

The snake ate the rat, and he gets front-page coverage and a whole lot more inside. Three hours of prime time were devoted to `Survivor’ just last night, not including all the hype that even crept into the news hour. This program was not news.

Meanwhile, this morning, buried inside in the weekly Voice section, we see the winners of the Good Neighbor contest - people who are kind, considerate and generous rather than low-down, greedy snakes and dirty rats. Whom would you want to have lunch with?

Why do we focus on villains rather than heroes? What drives us to look at the dirty underbelly of life rather than marvel at soaring eagles? I fear for a society that has made that change.

And to think this TV show had such a strong following that they are going to do it again! Sad. Doug Kaer Spokane

Wildlife

Keep a place for wolves

I read with interest the article by Dan Hansen (“Handful of wolves not considered endangered,” July 12) and the pro-con editorials from the editorial board. The latter were by Jackie Van Allen and D.F. Oliveria (July 14), respectively, regarding the delisting of wolves from endangered to threatened status.

When was the last time you saw a wolf or heard one howl here in Washington state? Never perhaps. In many years of hiking and backpacking the remote parts of the lower 48, I’ve seen two wolves and consider myself blessed. Wolves clearly are a part of a wild and pristine, healthy ecosystem, and I want them there. Where they need to be restored, I want them restored.

Just because they are doing well in northern Minnesota is no reason to change their status here in Washington or in other states where reintroduction efforts haven’t even begun.

Wolves are part of the wild and natural world and should never be extirpated again, as they have been in the last 150 years largely at taxpayer expense. Rather than kill and remove all possible threats to livestock, I propose that livestock raisers take a more responsible approach to livestock herding by keeping a closer eye on their herds. If they are too busy, they should keep their livestock closer to home where they can protect the livestock from predators that belong in a wild and free world. Steve Bradburn Spokane

I give hobo spiders a wide berth

Re: “Hobos looking for nice place to stay,” (Aug. 19):

I am arachnophobe No. 1. Bob Healey’s nephew ran for the couch. I personally would be on the ceiling.

And small? These things are the size of Buicks and they’re about as fast, too. Usually, it’s the summer months that bring them out (or in). But luckily, they usually stay near the ground and don’t go upstairs much. Strangely enough, I’ve seen more of them in Western Washington than Eastern (they make up a third of the population of Mountlake Terrace). But what I want to know is: Who exactly is brave enough to flip these ugly honkers on their backs so you can see the chevron on their abdomens so you know they’re the aggressive kind? I’m sure by that time, they’d let you know. Karey Lawrence Cheney