Letters To The Editor

Wed., Dec. 13, 2000

WASHINGTON STATE

Voting system can be improved

Washington voters have just had a lesson in the importance of and need for the Electoral College. Senator-elect Maria Cantwell beat Sen. Slade Gorton by getting the popular vote in only five of Washington’s 39 counties.

“Her victory hinged on the numerically rich majorities in just three areas: Seattle, Olympia and Everett.” (John Webster, Dec. 6 editorial.) It remains to be seen if she will represent all the people of Washington or play mostly to her base in the west-central section of the state.

A letter to the editor a few weeks ago had a very good suggestion to make elections fair. As I recall, it went something like this. Instead of having a solid bloc of Demarcates or Republications forming the Electoral College in accordance with the popular vote in each state, the vote would pass on to the congressman in each district. He or she would then be required to vote for the presidential candidate who received the most votes in the district, regardless of political affiliation. As this was described, it was intended only for presidential elections. However, it could easily be applied to all statewide races.

The overall majority of the popular vote should not be ignored. To tip the scales in favor of the national plurality vote, both senators from each state would be required to vote for the candidate who received the overall majority of votes in their state. Robert C. Sprint Spokane

Water rights purchase bodes ill

The use of $405,000 of taxpayers’ money by Department of Ecology to purchase water rights from farmers portends a dangerous trend in the use of government power. Land formerly irrigated now cannot be. Its market value drops and its use as a tax base for county revenue is diminished.

Will the county be forced to spend less or make up the loss by taxing others more? Who will purchase land upon which no marketable crop can be grown? Irrigators are being taxed to fund their own demise.

If this state strategy is expanded to auto emissions, burning, carbon sequestering rights, drinking water rights, etc., the state will have the power to stop residentialcommercial construction in areas or depopulate entire areas. It appears this strategy has already been implemented for Eastern Washington. William Riley Moses Lake

SPOKANE MATTERS

Two masters is one too many

I note that Spokane’s business community, this time the Realtors, is again asking the wrong question. This seems to be a Spokane syndrome.

The Realtors are asking if Rob Higgins can continue to be effective in his position as executive officer of the Realtor’s Association now that he is City Council president-elect.

The sensible question is, instead, can he be an objective and decisive Spokane City Council president while still obligated to promote the Realtors’ self-serving agenda?

I think simultaneous success at those two jobs will require divine intervention, a condition not notably present in either organization. Jack Poole Nine Mile Falls

Guilds’ School does good job as is

We are eighth-graders from St. George’s School and we have some concerns after reading the recent article about the Guilds’ School.

We volunteered at the Guilds’ School for the past couple of months and we have seen the good that they do for the kids who go there. Their teaching methods make the kids think that it is playtime, instead of a learning opportunity. They have technology and usable toys for children with all different disabilities.

If this new rule comes into place, the children who use the Guilds’ School will not have the same opportunities. Elizabeth Goossen and Kirsten Fix Spokane

It’s so easy to criticize from sidelines

Enough! I have lived in Spokane for 30 years, and during that time four of our police chiefs have been vilified by one or another of Spokane’s splinter groups. Unfortunately, in one way or another, those chiefs have all departed and now it has started again.

We all make mistakes and perhaps things are sometimes handled in a way with which we disagree. But I suggest that maybe some of you who have been so critical should put your life on the line each day that you go to work, instead of carping over an occasional error in judgment.

I thank the men and women of our police department for doing their job and making Spokane a better and safer place to live. Sandra P. Thompson Spokane

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Youth’s actions a model of good sense

I’m appalled at all the letters castigating the newspaper for running a picture of the youth who used a gun to help chase off a burglar who got into his house. The same goes for complaints about the boy using a weapon.

What do these people have for brains? The story was about the boy having a shotgun and using it to scare off the intruder but not firing it.

Where’s the outrage at the criminal? Where are the congratulations that the boy used restraint and didn’t just shoot the crook?

Should I come across an intruder in my house, I would fear for my life. Who knows what would happen?

What message does this send to young readers and the community? How about this:

1. The young man had hunter’s safety training. Get some for yourself and your children.

2. The young man could have run away to get help. Discuss this with your family, if that option is your wish.

3. This boy acted responsibly and did not shoot. Thank him for his restraint.

What we’re seeing is the PC nonsense that using a gun to defend yourself and home is a “misuse” of a weapon. Not a single letter on Dec. 9 said it was horrible that a criminal broke into this boy’s house - just endless complaints against the newspaper, the boy and guns in general. Good grief! Nancy Parker Spokane

Defensive use of weapon laudable

The Dec. 6 article illustrated the point that many gun owners across the country have been trying to make clear for a long time - that responsible gun owners do more to prevent crime than to create it. Hundreds of crimes are prevented daily as a result of homeowners or dwellers responding to break-ins with a firearm. A gun provides a means to level the playing field against weapon-wielding or drug-crazed thugs by people who are less advantaged to defend themselves, such as the elderly or youngsters (when properly trained, of course).

In Burger’s situation, had that burglar turned violent, as often happens, a call to the police would’ve been moot. I shudder to think of my poor children in this scenario.

It has been proven in numerous court cases that the police have no legal responsibility to actually defend a victim of a violent act. Add to that the possibility of being placed on hold after dialing 911 and potentially slow response times, and one can clearly see that the odds are stacked against the home occupant.

Burger and his parents should be commended for doing their part to take back their neighborhood from criminals who scoff at our revolving-door legal system. Although calling the police may have been a wise option, I recommend an even better one. Call the police, the Fire Department and a pizza delivery man - then report back with which party arrives first! Rod Fuller Spokane

All would be wise to do likewise

So, a teen (who has completed hunter safety classes) points his loaded shotgun at a burglar and says, “Keep your hands up and get out.” Many of you respond that we have a problem with kids and guns, and cite a need for gun control. How politically correct.

Have you considered that the real criminal here is the burglar? Did you know the police won’t do anything about burglaries because there are more important crimes to deal with? Did you know that the burglars know this, too?

Everybody should have a gun and know how to use it. You need one to protect yourselves and your families from burglars. And you should teach your children about them, too. You don’t want to be the victim of one of those more important crimes.

Nick Burger is a hero. Mark S. Tuttle Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Enough of Gore’s stubbornness

This election is no longer a distinguished process as it used to be. Today it is open season on the presidency and bloodhounds are going to great lengths to obtain power in the White House.

Al Gore desperately needs to give up his unattainable, desperate reach for power and bring his troops of lawyers back from their Florida assignment. He is a hanging, dimpled chad with a thread of hope for victory. George W. Bush has entertained Gore long enough by waiting for this process to be completed and it is time he moves in to his new home.

The melodrama of this election has tested patience across the nation, including mine. As a high school senior, I was not able to vote. I hope that in four years I will have the intelligence enough to vote for the person who I intend to, without qualms.

As this election continues to unfold, so does my perception of government fallacy. I don’t ask for a perfect system, because it is impossible, but I would like to see integrity upheld by our government officials. Hopefully, that is not impossible. Kristen Lanker senior, Valley Christian School, Spokane

Gore has gone on too long

Of all the stubborn donkeys I have seen, none is as stubborn as the one attempting to win the presidency, which he has lost.

A victory is a victory and a real man will accept a fair defeat. I firmly believe that George W. Bush has won the presidency fairly and that it is in Al Gore’s best interest to step down and accept defeat like a man. Bush won the initial count. Bush won the recount. Bush should be the rightful winner of the presidency.

But no, since fairness produced an obvious win for Bush, the stubborn vice president must try to win unfairly.

A counting of machine-rejected ballots only in highly Democratic counties is obviously unfair. I don’t fully agree with either Bush or Gore, but Gore has gone too far. He should stop trying to win a lost cause and use his remaining days as vice president to make his legacy or something. Stephen Girdner senior, Valley Christian School, Spokane

High time it was over

At Valley Christian School we have spent a lot of time talking and learning about the election these past few weeks. The things that have happened regarding the presidential race are very interesting. This is history and we have the opportunity to be part of it. Though I could not vote, I support Gov. George W. Bush. He stands for things I believe in and I feel he would be an excellent leader for our country.

Honestly, though, I think this election has gotten out of hand. I am getting very tired of hearing about the recounts, the disputes, the court cases. I’m sure I’m not the only American who feels this way. Many people are to the point that they don’t care who wins, just as long as the decision gets made.

No matter what the outcome is, half of the country is going to be unhappy. That is unfortunate because whoever is elected as our next president is going to have a hard time doing his job.

The news flashes, headlines, political cartoons and never-ending stories were all very exciting at one time but now I just want it to be over. It’s time to finally start focusing on other things. Tiffany Korver high school senior, Veradale

Quit bemoaning Gorton defeat

John Webster’s Our View tirade of Dec. 6 (Opinion) sounds like sour grapes. I’m glad Slade Gorton lost. In my opinion, he did a lot of harm as the Northwest’s congressional delegation’s leader in Indian affairs, environmental issues, etc.

Yes, Maria Cantwell carried only five Washington counties. But she got the most votes. That makes her the winner. Washington does not have a county electoral college system like the antiquated national one.

Give it up, Webster. Cantwell won in spite of The Spokesman-Review and she will be a great senator for all the people of Washington state. Norman L. Kennedy Harrison, Idaho

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

We tell views only to be ignored

I see that Dave Walker put forward a motion at the last City Council meeting regarding our city parking lot that is in direct conflict with the message the citizens of Coeur d’Alene have given in regard to many aspects of the Walker-Macy plan.

We are not willing to give up parking near our waterfront activities or shopping for additional open space. The area behind City Hall is already a public parking area. Therefore, this proposal gives us a net loss of parking and inconveniences anyone who wishes to use the boat launch. It also alludes to the paving of a path on Tubbs Hill and I believe opposition to that plan was also conveyed quite clearly.

In addition to these issues, I am not sure if you will find support for the old carrousel, now privately owned, if it must be housed inside a building.

We attend town meetings and fill out surveys but who is listening? We just rehash the same things over and over again at more meetings.

Some folks are beginning to think they don’t care what the townspeople want. Is that the case? And what about the budget? Isn’t it about time we started operating within it? Helen McFarland Coeur d’Alene

Crapo’s efforts commendable

U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo should continue his attempts to direct $250 million in federal funds to the Coeur d’Alene River Basin Commission for cleanup of environmental problems in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin. The Citizen Advisory Committee voted its appreciation for Crapo’s effort and directed this letter be written to clarify this important funding issue.

The CAC has been involved in planning, settlement discussions, review of documents and consensus building in the Coeur d’Alene Basin since 1991. Nine years of litigation have been expensive and a misdirection of resources and funds needed for remediation. Eventual settlement with the mining companies will only achieve partial funding of needed actions. Federal and state funding are components of the package that will be required for the short-term remediation and long-term management costs.

Critics of Crapo’s efforts were unaware that this funding strategy was first suggested by George Brabb of the Kootenai Environmental Alliance in 1997. Over time the idea has been embraced by the stakeholders.

We thank Crapo for paying attention to our needs and responding with legislative action. We are fortunate his committee appointments increase his leverage to gain these needed funds. Mike Schlepp and Marti Calabretta Citizen Advisory Committee, Osburn, Idaho

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
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