Letters To The Editor

WASHINGTON STATE

GOP outrage embarrassing

I could not believe my eyes when I saw the headline today (July 3). It might as well have said State Republicans try to eradicate last survivors of Eurotrash-Indian wars.

I am already embarrassed to be a white man in this nation that has systematically murdered and evicted our hosts. About the time I think Native Americans might get some peace, an arrogant Republican decides he has the right to destroy the last vestige of Indians’ dignity by dissolving their tribal governments in one more blatant violation of our treaties.

If non-natives want to vote, tell them to get the hell off of the reservations! A white man is a guest on a reservation. But then, we always have been lousy guests.

Between Clyde Ballard and John Fleming, I’m proud to be a Democrat. J. Steven Dodge Spokane

Resolution `a slap in the face’

I am responding to the disturbing article of July 3 describing the resolution passed by the Washington state GOP that would work to end tribal governments and take away the sovereignty of Native American tribes.

Although I am not well versed in the specifics of treaties ratified by the U.S. Congress, I would venture to guess that they are generally in line with the Constitution, despite the claims of the GOP.

This resolution is a slap in the face for native tribes that have been continually persecuted by this country and its citizens. It’s true, non-Indians living within the boundaries of reservations must follow certain rules. However, when people choose to relocate to an area designated as a reservation, it is their responsibility to decide beforehand whether they can abide by these rules.

If non-Indian citizens do not agree with the rules of a particular reservation, then it would behoove them to choose another location to take up residence.

The resolution is sadly true to American style. We designated small parcels of land for Indians after taking billions of acres of what is truly theirs, after inflicting immeasurable costs on their people and nearly wiping out their entire culture. And now, some would have us take back what small compensation we gave.

The state GOP has no right to try to destroy treaties the U.S. signed with Native Americans simply to impose a republican form of government for their own political gains. Cassandra Shelley Spokane

Republicans follow shameful tradition

I could not believe my eyes when I read the article about the GOP resolution to end tribal sovereignty. I thought for a moment I was reading a newspaper from 150 years ago. The U.S. government makes a treaty with the American Indians. When that treaty becomes inconvenient for non-Indian Americans, the U.S. government sends in “the troops” to break that treaty.

Have we learned nothing from our mistakes of the past? How is this different from myriad other treaties broken by the American government, including the tragic forced march of Cherokee along the “Trail of Tears” when gold was discovered on Indian land?

And this resolution was made right here in Spokane. Delegates of the Washington state GOP, I am ashamed of you. Kate McLachlan Spokane

Crossover voting has its virtues

It appears that the Washington state blanket primary may have to change after the September 2000 primary election. (“Justices side with parties, reject blanket primaries,” June 27).

It is a shame that a wonderful open system in use since 1935 may be altered but the court has ruled and some modification must be considered by the parties, the state Legislature and the people. We must work to preserve as much of the crossover capability in the primary election as possible. Party leaders do not like crossover voting but Washington voters have embraced this and like the privilege of voting both for and against certain candidates.

I am a Democrat and will vote for Richard Clear for Congress in the September primary because I have nothing but contempt for Rep. George Nethercutt. I will also vote for Gov. Gary Locke with enthusiasm. This kind of voting is what makes Washington a great and unique state.

As the party leaders and members of the Legislature approach this change, they should keep in mind how popular this crossover primary vote is with the people. The people should also ask the candidates who are running for the Legislature this fall what they intend to do about future primary elections in Washington state. Larry Armstrong Spokane

Initiative foes resort to cheap shot

The opponents of Initiative 745 - the traffic improvement initiative, which will solve our traffic problems, the third worst in the nation without raising taxes can’t seem to come up with anything to attack in the message of the initiative so they showed their true colors and attacked one of the messengers.

On June 28, while exiting the secretary of state’s office after turning in 186,000 signatures for I-745, Tim Eyman was assaulted by two of the opponents who were demonstrating against the initiative. They smashed a pie in his face and then ran off. None of the opposition groups would claim responsibility for this cowardly act. Is this what Washington is coming to? Leo J. Fagan Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

Worthy praise for fine commissioner

My compliments to Opinion editor John Webster on a story well written. Not being a city resident, I try not to send comments to the Opinion Page. However, Webster’s “McCaslin’s tough and decisive” piece was right on the money - the best opinion I have read in The Spokesman-Review, and I have read it since 1957.

As a county resident for well over 30 years and in business for myself, I have been active in many communitywide organizations. I, too, think that Commissioner Kate McCaslin is an outstanding public servant. It has been my experience that she listens, thinks, contemplates the issues with others and renders a wellfactored response. I support her for re-election. She has done the citizens of Spokane County proud in many ways.

I urge others to understand what an asset she is to the well-being of our Spokane County. R. Terry Lynch, owner owner, Park Lane Motel, Suites & RV Park, Spokane

`Desecration’ should be removed

On the 24th of June, I played my guitar and harmonicas under the Wall Street railroad overpass, in order to catch the Hoopfest crowd going downtown. I was amazed to see somebody’s disgusting interpretation of “The Last Supper” on the east wall, with various blasphemous decorations since added. Surely it is the work of Beelzebub and it speaks very poorly of the spiritual disconnections and lack of intellectual cognitive cohesion in the Christian community of Spokane, in allowing such a desecration to exist.

I would buy a can of black spray paint myself and cover it but I have no official capacity to do so. Wesley Storer Spokane

Thank God for new council majority

The front page article of July 1 regarding the vote to kill the Lincoln Bridge project is interesting. You have gone to Councilwoman Phyllis Holmes to get an opinion on what went wrong. She voted to kill the project but five months later, she comes to the forefront and claims she only did it to save the City Council from being further politicized and fragmented.

Holmes says that she knew all along that the city would suffer irreparable consequences from this supposedly ill-advised decision.

Holmes again proves how adept she has become at speaking out of both sides or her mouth. She wants to be on whichever side of this issue that makes her look the best. This piece of doublespeak, dissembling gobbledygook is even better than Rep. George Nethercutt and his famous line, I’m not lying; I just changed my mind.

This also shows the mindset of our former council majority, We don’t want to upset our fellow council members, the staff or certain members of the downtown power structure. It is a herd mentality and shows how the city got in so much financial hot water and why there was no independent thought or analysis by the members of the council on a myriad of different subjects. They wanted to follow each other like a herd of sheep.

Thank God that we have a new majority whose members think independently, ask questions and have the courage to vote their convictions as individuals. Pat O’Leary Spokane

CHURCH AND STATE

Aring’s arguments compelling

Re: Walt Aring’s guest column of July 3.

First, heartfelt thanks to The Spokesman-Review for publishing the guest column and letters to the editor. Were it not for widely read venues of expression such as this, access to the thoughts and wisdom of educated minds, such as Aring’s, would be limited.

In this short column Aring makes one of the most powerful and compelling arguments I’ve ever read for the continued separation of church and state under our Constitution. Educated people, both leaders and the populace, who approach solutions to problems through logic, science and reason, should make the laws and set the direction this nation will take, not those who would invoke God and religious beliefs, Christian or otherwise, as the overriding power in control of our destiny.

Reading Aring’s column should be required in every social studies class in every high school in the United States of America, along with theme papers and thorough class discussion. For only this kind of clear and reasoned thinking will ensure the continued viability of our precious Constitution, of our nation and our liberty. Jim Greer Spokane

Deck stacked against Christians

Rebecca Nappi, in her editorial comments regarding the recent U.S. Supreme Court ban on prayer in connection with government school activities, may have overestimated the scope of the court’s growing animus regarding public expressions of religious beliefs. We do not know how the court might rule on this issue if a Jewish, Islamic or Buddhist prayer, rather than a Christian prayer, were offered on the occasion of a high school sporting contest.

Moreover, government schools have had complete freedom to teach the religious beliefs of American Indian tribes and to involve their pupils in rituals or practices of such religions, all in the name of promoting “diversity” and respecting “multiculturalism.” I don’t think the American Civil Liberties Union would oppose such school involvement in (promotion of) religion and a Christian parent who objected to it would be castigated as “racist” and lacking in appreciation of diversity. Therefore, the Supreme Court will not be given an opportunity to render a finding regarding this type of government school involvement in religion. Leonard C. Johnson Troy, Idaho

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Nethercutt is no statesman

Your recent editorial regarding Rep. George Nethercutt’s amendment to lift trade sanctions against Cuba, Iran and other countries claims that he “demonstrated the skills of a mature statesman” in pushing the legislation through the House.

A reporter much closer to the action described him differently . “He just sat there and whined and complained the whole night, saying, `I’m going to lose. I’m going to lose. I’m going to get clobbered in November.”’ The report in the Washington, D.C., newspaper, “The Hill,” went on to state, “Nethercutt told his colleagues he viewed the compromise as his return ticket to the House next year. The leaders, anxious to retain control of the chamber, gave him the go-ahead.”

It would be difficult to imagine a better description of what we lost in replacing a true statesman like Tom Foley with a sniveling whiner like Nethercutt, whose sole focus is hanging onto the seat he promised to vacate this year. How can you possibly describe this as “an act of leadership”? Clay Bleck Spokane

IDAHO VIEWPOINTS

Discrimination ruined occasion

On June 24, I attended the dance recital for my 5-year-old daughter at the Schuler Auditorium at North Idaho College. The performance was the culmination of five months of lessons and practice, and eagerly anticipated by my whole family. I was accompanied by my 7-year-old developmentally delayed son.

Five minutes before the performance was to begin, I was approached by the dance instructor, who asked me to leave and remove my son from the auditorium. She expressed concern that my son might be disruptive during the show.

I assured her that at the first sign of anxiety or agitation I would leave quietly with my son and return only when he was settled.

At that point, I felt a man’s hand on my shoulder and was instructed to remove myself and my son from the premises. I am deeply hurt by the thoughtless act of discrimination. After months of preparation, I wasn’t allowed to see my daughter dance in her very first dance recital. I was embarrassed and intimidated in front of hundreds of other parents.

No other parents were asked to remove their children.

There are no guarantees that each of our children will be born perfect but it is our responsibility as parents and teachers to guide our children to the fullest extent of their potential by using all available resources, including social and cultural events open to the public. Lisa Langdon Coeur d’Alene

Veterans, supporters, I thank you

Proudly, we veterans stood together and got the attention of the mayor and the City Council, and they finally used their common sense and realized that we respect the flag and symbols of our service to this nation.

Although we could and would bend somewhat to march in the Fourth of July Parade, their continuous disregard for this issue caused us to finally say we would boycott the parade. You can bet the veterans were just as disappointed to not be part of the parade as those who came to see and enjoy it. I believe you saw lots of veterans - could have been a great deal more if the city’s decision would have been made sooner so we could have gotten the word out to all. I have heard some of our veterans who normally would not march because of handicaps or limitations say they marched and did their level best to make it the full route.

By watching the faces of the veterans you saw the pride that was displayed through their service to this great nation and being able to march in the parade.

A great big thank-you to all the veterans and citizens who supported our efforts to be able to participate. Dusty Rhoads Post Falls

Honor veterans’ preference

From a freedom of speech perspective, why shouldn’t vets be able to carry rifles as they present the colors while marching in the Fourth of July parade?

They were there to make a statement about their belief in American ideals. They wanted to show their support for this country and promote patriotism. They wanted to remind the rest of us that they consider these ideas so important that they and their fellow vets suffered and died to ensure that their values would live on.

To try to deny them the symbols they choose in order to convey their message is to deny the core of their ideals. Jerry Shriner Coeur d’Alene

Don’t believe everything you hear

The latest rumor going around Idaho is that Democrats are going to take our guns away. As they say, a rumor will travel clear around the world before the truth puts its shoes on.

Remember that it was just a year ago that the rumor was that the Y2K bug was going to create widespread chaos, especially here in Idaho. Well, the Y2K story was just that, a story - not an ounce of truth ever came of it.

Now, with the latest rumor, I have this to say: I am a Democrat and I don’t want your guns. All my friends who are Democrats don’t want your guns, either. Neither does President Clinton. All president Clinton has ever wanted is a means to keep dangerous people from being able to buy a gun. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. Tom Akren Post Falls