Letters To The Editor

THE MEDIA

Media abortion hypocrisy exposed

Thanks, Spokesman-Review, for carrying the column, “They are so terribly thoughtful,” by George Will. Those of us who support life for all genders, races and ages have long experienced the national media’s repulsion for violence done in a woman’s womb. Violence everywhere else has passed for acceptable “entertainment” for decades now, but not the violence suffered by pre-born babies. It’s easier to use words like “choice,” “unwanted” and “termination.”

Thank you, too, for including the testimony of the nurse about the violent killing of the Down syndrome baby. Where are all the cries of “hate crime” when we regularly terminate the life of a person just because they are less than perfect?

How can we act superior to hatemongers who are Jewhaters and yet condone the devaluing of life on another basis? What thousands of Americans have really hated all these decades since legalized abortion is inconvenience, responsibility and respect for life itself. We are a nation of hypocrites, led and fed by hypocritical media and political powers.

May God have mercy on us as a nation and not give us what we deserve! Mary Denise Taylor Coeur d’Alene

Deny Aryans the publicity they want

I am enraged at the coverage your paper has given the Aryan Nations. It is humiliating to live in Spokane. Every day I can expect to open the paper and read about these boorish fools.

Instead of reporting their downfall you glorify their lives. The workers at The Spokesman-Review have greatly misunderstood. The remedy is not glorification. These people want to open the paper every day and read about their hate group. Congratulations! You have now become their primary recruiting tool. In doing so you have drug the city of Spokane through the mud. Christy Martin Spokane

WAR ON DRUGS

Marijuana use not so benign

An article in the Sept. 4, 2000, issue of Forbes magazine (p.40) states: “Advocates for legalizing marijuana are starting to suffer some scientific setbacks.” It seems a UCLA study has found a link between marijuana use and increased risk of head and neck cancers. Another UCLA study has found there is a chemical in marijuana that can cause cancerous cells to proliferate. The study also suggests that inhaling this substance may be a greater lung cancer risk than inhaling cigarette smoke.

The article states that: “It’s ironic that many advocates for legalizing marijuana are also fierce foes of the tobacco industry and cigarette smoking.”

This same issue of Forbes quotes an article from the London Free Press which states: “Today’s grow-light hemp is a high-octane drug 700 percent to 2,500 percent stronger than the twig-and-seed specials smoked by Boomers.”

Advocacy for legalizing marijuana is irresponsible! Thomas M. Cromwell Hayden, Idaho

5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Nethercutt has earned re-election

Rep. George Nethercutt is running for a fourth term. Trust is an issue in this campaign. It is time we honestly examine the trust our congressman has earned.

In 1994, we asked Nethercutt to represent us so we could balance the budget, reduce the size of government, cut taxes, inhibit the level of federal government intrusion in our lives, represent a social agenda many of us believe is critically important and, yes, institute term limits for all members of Congress and the Senate.

Nethercutt was one of the leaders who brought President Clinton kicking and screaming to the table and after a three-year battle, finally got him to accept a balanced budget.

Nethercutt has voted for every law that provided for responsible reduction in government. He introduced bills and voted for laws that reduced government regulations. He introduced legislation and voted for every bill that tried to impose term limits on the Congress and Senate. He has voted for tax cuts every year he has been in Congress. He has voted for all legislation that promoted pro-life values, including the prohibition of late-term abortions. He has been the proud and successful author of a series of laws that have protected our farmers against unfair competition.

Has Nethercutt earned our trust? Has he proven to be a man of honor who truly believes his greatest calling is to serve the people of the 5th District? Yes he has. To deny this is to deny a record of accomplishment that has clearly earned him the right to continue to represent us. Richard M. Munson Spokane

We don’t need Term Limits’ help

Citizens and voters of Eastern Washington, by now we’ve all seen the attack ads against Rep. George Nethercutt put forward by U.S. Term Limits. At the end of the commercials they list the congressional office phone number and tell you to call him and complain.

I figured that since I like Nethercutt and the job he’s doing, I should turn the tables and call U.S. Term Limits to tell them what I think of their ads.

Whoops, I hit a snag. How can I call them if their number isn’t listed in the phone book? Nor is there any listing for a headquarters.

Hmmm, they have enough Washington, D.C., money to buy a trailer with the congressman’s picture on it and a costume that looks like Goofy in drag but they can’t afford to rent out an old storefront for the few weeks until election? I think they are simply afraid to take the same beating they’ve been heaping on Nethercutt.

Come out of hiding, Term Limits! You blast Nethercutt for taking money from outside the district but you have yet to show you’re not absolute hypocrites by proving that the majority of your money doesn’t come from outside as well.

Whether you plan to vote for Nethercutt or not, tell Term Limits to go home. Tell those people we have the courage, intelligence and power to decide for ourselves and don’t need a D.C. special interest group’s help. Aaron Gutierrez Spokane

Nethercutt not a man of his word

George Nethercutt is the best we can do? We need him? Get real.

Nethercutt is just another attorney who has fallen in love with the perks and power of D.C. He said one thing and he did another.

Today, the facts don’t seem to matter. He did say one thing and do another. And supporters are willing to excuse this. He based his campaign on this promise and then he didn’t deliver. Why can’t we expect more? He said one thing and he did another. Why can’t we demand more?

I am a fellow conservative. We are the people of new ideas and personal responsibility. But, we are too willing to forgive just because he is on our side. I don’t care about control of the Congress at the cost of one’s word.

I care about voting for someone I can be proud to represent me and my family. He is not the one. Mike Robb Spokane Valley

Nethercutt beset by outsiders

Except for my military service in two wars, I have lived and voted in Spokane all my life. During that time, I have never, ever seen an attack as uncalled for, vicious and disagreeable as the one being waged against Rep. George Nethercutt.

I don’t know who those people in Washington, D.C., are but how they have the nerve to come to our state and try to tell us how bad one of our elected representatives is is beyond me.

Whether Democrat or Republican, I hope everyone will reject this underhanded, dirty campaign that is coming from people we don’t even know. Hayes M. Sanderson Spokane

Change of mind not a crime

I have just received another piece of junk mail from the term limits people in Washington, D.C., attacking Rep.

George Nethercutt. As if their TV ads are not bad enough and based on half truths, they have to bombard us with this mail garbage. Where do they get all their money for ads?

I’m an independent voter and Nethercutt represents his district to suit me. I’m going by his record and how he represents the people who voted for him. He is not a liar. If it is a crime to change your mind, were all guilty.

As situations change, so must the individual. Alice C. Johnson Spokane

SAFETY

Train and license boat operators

Re: “Woman dies after watercraft hits dock.” It’s unfortunate it takes an incident like this to raise awareness of the public regarding watercraft safety. Unlike cars, watercraft operators are not required to have a permit, take a test or read material regarding governing laws concerning their equipment’s operation. Only a few years ago one of my friends swimming near a dock was hit by an intoxicated boat driver and it was almost a fatal accident.

Boat operators should be required to have an operator’s permit and juveniles operating this type of machinery should be required to take a safety course. Many of these watercraft are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 80 m.p.h. and can turn very quickly. I pray for Gail Lambert and hope people realize that watercraft can be fun and enjoyable but use some common sense. If accidents keep occurring, maybe the public should go one step further and require permits. We do for autos, right? Travis L. Simpson Cheney