Letters To The Editor

Law and justice

What so proudly we hail

Many fine flags proudly graced my neighborhood in Coeur d’Alene this Fourth of July holiday, but I couldn’t help wondering how many of those displaying them were supporters of the American Civil Liberties Union, an organization devoted to ensuring that our valued rights and freedoms belong to all of us.

Patriotism consists of more than waving a banner and celebrating our freedom. It also involves working to ensure that the rights we believe in, and have fought for, extend to the entire population.

If we don’t believe in civil rights for people we despise, we really don’t believe in them at all, no matter how many fireworks we shoot into the sky. Fred Glienna Coeur d’Alene

Pursue trail of liability

Re: “Some say law impounds rights” (July 5).

Regarding the front page story about Bob Miniers’ vehicle impoundment and all the people complaining about the law being unfair and punishing primarily the poor, there is an easy answer. People, rich or poor should just obey the laws.

Minier, at age 70, has been around long enough to know the responsibilities of vehicle ownership and the potential problems that can arise from loaning a vehicle. Minier should go after the person he loaned the vehicle to and that person should held accountable to him for the problems. That person should then go after the person who was loaned someone else’s vehicle.

Concerning fairness of the law, just how many laws are fair to everyone? For example, I have three vehicles I pay to take through the emission tests. One is an 1986 model, another a 1992 and the third a 1997. The vehicles have never come close to failing the test. I just paid for two new license plates; neither was close to being unreadable. I could go on and on about things that people pay taxes for and never need or use.

This impoundment law sounds great to me. We all should be held accountable for our actions, whether we’re rich, poor, stupid or one of the people in the lower percentage of our population who create the highest percentage of problems for society. George C. Ragland Veradale

Impoundment law makes sense

“Some say law impounds rights” (July 5).

I really don’t have a lot of sympathy for the man who loaned his vehicle to a friend, who subsequently loaned the vehicle to her boyfriend. The boyfriend had no driver’s license, was involved in a fender bender and the vehicle was impounded.

The impoundment was fair. How far do you want to bend the law to allow unlicensed drivers to drive? If you keep making excuses for them, you will be right back where the law does no good at all.

The gentleman should have been more careful about who he loaned his vehicle to in the first place and probably should not have loaned it out at all. He should have driven her for whatever business she needed the transportation for. Secondly, now that the lack of judgment has surfaced, she should still be held liable for the impoundment charges.

I don’t think the law is unfair to poor people. It was written to give some type of punishment to those who do not want to obey the law and continue to drive because they don’t think the law applies to them.

I am in full support of the law. I only wonder why it took so many years for the Legislature to pass it. Paul Henderson Spokane

`Car control’ measure a good one

“Car control” is a positive and powerful new ordinance aimed at keeping illegal drivers off the streets. Loaning a car to someone with a suspended license can be as dangerous as loaning a gun to a felon.

I sympathize with innocent folks like Bob Miniers, whose cars have been impounded. However, the laws are intended to protect us from those who have already proven themselves to be irresponsible. This ordinance is a heads-up alert to car owners to keep steering wheels out of the hands of those who endanger the rest of us.

Luckily for Miniers, his car only ended up in a fender bender, rather than a serious accident or a fatality.

I strongly support all law enforcement - including towing and impounding cars - that keeps irresponsible and illegal drivers off the streets. B. J. Robertson Spokane

People in society

Too many take too much for granted

Ah, the Fourth of July - a nice barbecue, a big hot dog and a Mariners baseball game, topped off with a wonderful Macy’s fireworks display which honestly brought me to tears when I watched with my hand over my heart and the American flag flying in the background. Sounds like a perfect American holiday.

Unfortunately, several events in the past week added a little ignorance and apathy into the mix. I went for a drive Tuesday, mostly out of curiosity. I wanted to see how many people were displaying the Stars and Stripes on this our greatest national holiday. I probably passed 300 homes. Only three flags.

Then I watched the local news coverage asking basic questions to average people about our history. Of course, no one had a clue to any of the answers to these questions that any second grader should know.

I think back to the last election. A 40 percent turnout is considered good? And that doesn’t even factor in the people who simply don’t register.

Why are we as a nation so apathetic and ignorant? Is it because we live in the greatest country in the world and we have just become complacent? I challenge everyone to vote and to vote responsibly. Spend an hour and actually read your voters’ pamphlet. I know you’re all busy but if we don’t take the time to appreciate our past and look to the future, the visionary ideas of our forefathers will be for naught. J.L. Minnerly Spokane

How far are we going?

Recently, when the media tried to list funniest movies, “Victor Victoria” and “The Birdcage” were nowhere to be found. The latest listing of Walter Matthau’s screen credits makes no mention of “The New Leaf,” which, incidentally, might be a strong contender for funniest status.

Why the omissions? Could it be that the first two titles treat homosexuality as a humorous subject and the latter depicts a plot to murder a wife (a plot that the plotter himself aborted ) as also humorous?

Are we now so politically correct as to justify a failing to acknowledge different views of humor, even to the point of distorting a record? Don Barnes Spokane

Historically, a Christian majority

Anyone who has read much of American history would have to conclude that the vast majority of Americans from the 1600s to at least 1960 were Christians as well. One can argue the merits of such beliefs in a free country such as ours, but at least let’s not distort the facts. John Hodde Colville, Wash.

Adolescence

Story subject not typical

Re: “Key moments” part 4. I have two concerns regarding the content of this story.

First, in my opinion, the subject in the article was certainly not representative of the majority of students at Salk. I am a grandmother of former and present Salk students who attended Woodridge Elementary and entered middle school well prepared for the transition, as have their friends. The tenor of this story, to the casual reader, makes an outstanding argument for private school and/or home schooling.

Second, if the seventh-grade children are unable emotionally to handle the transition appropriately, and comfortably, how do the politicians think younger and less experienced sixth graders would be any more able? Marilyn Sutherland Spokane

Parents have a lot to learn

As an area school counselor at both the middle and high school levels, I have been impressed by the reality displayed in the “Key Moments” series. I am appalled by the reaction of our community toward these young people and their families. It is obvious that The Spokesman-Review took the time to choose kids and families that would most represent the middle road. What courage these families have shown by revealing not only their strengths, but also their weaknesses, to all of us!

I wonder how Ashley Muzatko felt when she read the recent comments. I think we all missed a key moment for her. Being a teenager is hard, whether you have a 4.0 or not. They all need our support and encouragement. As the adults in their lives we are the ones they look to. We can’t point out their faults or ask the media to shut it off because we’d rather read about nicer things.

I invite any parent to visit his or her child’s middle or high school (or simply turn on MTV for 15 minutes). Walk down the halls during passing periods or chaperone a mixer and listen to the talk, watch the actions. Truth is, you may be shocked and even offended but your child is immersed in this every day. This is normal, maybe not pretty but definitely what is normal in our schools today.

Talk to your kids about it. They are waiting for you to ask! Kara Twining Otis Orchards

`Careless article’ a disservice

Re: “Courtside courting” (June 25).

The Spokesman-Review has regularly taken a stance of concern for the teens of our city. For example, articles regarding topics like the high rate of teen pregnancies and discussing the need to teach morals to our young people have been common - and commendable - in your pages. Therefore, I am appalled by this article, which I can see as nothing more than an ad endorsing immorality.

Blazoned across the front page of this newspaper was a declaration to teenagers that dating is a game, that flirting is a sport, and that it is all a lot more fun away from the “prying eyes” of their parents. (Quote: “No babies, no boyfriends, no dads.”)

Then, there were the pictures. Pictures of girls barely 14, parading around in halter tops (or less), with no parents in sight, making eyes at boys not yet old enough to drive, in hopes of being “picked up.”

I don’t understand this double standard. What happened to teaching us morals? Now you are publicly condoning this type of potentially dangerous immorality. Haven’t you told us to be careful and responsible? Haven’t you warned us about STDs, date rape and unwanted pregnancies? Why now are you making light of behavior that will likely lead us down the very path that you have told us to avoid?

I feel that through such a careless article, this newspaper has done a real disservice to the youths of my generation. Jennifer L. Gordon, age 15 Elk

Other topics

Let’s reschedule holiday

Too often, the Fourth of July rolls in on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. This always creates an awkward schedule for employers, summer school students and travelers. This year was no exception.

Why don’t we simplify this holiday as being the first Friday or Monday of July? Independence Day can be observed and we can always remember its origin as the Fourth of July proper. I don’t remember Thanksgiving rolling in on a Tuesday or a Mother’s Day on a Saturday. This day isn’t bound to Earth’s cycle like the solstices or equinox, so it is negotiable. Who’s with me on this one? Gregg Bakker Spokane

Napster tries new arrangement

I read with interest the Our Generation columns (June 26) on Napster. I agree with their position that the record industry needs little sympathy from consumers or artists. But as a performing musician, composer and educator, I feel a need to clarify the point that all copyrighted music, such as a song on a recording or a piece of sheet music, are pieces of property.

Vorhees looks at this issue and asks, “What’s the difference between making a tape of a CD and giving it to a friend, and downloading music from Napster?” The answer from a legal perspective is nothing - both violate the rights of the property owner.

The significant difference, though, is that one act is easily traceable and the other is not. Napster’s business is to provide a service that allows you to take someone’s property without acknowledging the legal rights of the owner. By using Napster, the consumer becomes liable for the theft of the property, while Napster claims innocence because it isn’t forcing its customers to break the law, it is just providing the opportunity.

It is naive of Napster fans to see it as a form of rebellion against commercial exploitation in the music industry. Napster is just another business that exploits the intellectual property of artists for its own profit. (Sounds a lot like the old recording industry.)

As we speak, MP3 has quietly started paying royalties directly to musicians while still offering its service at no cost to consumers, which is what it should have been doing all along. Dr. Robert Spittal associate professor of music, Gonzaga University

Make less-violent movies

I want to see “MI:2.” My mom says no, “It’s too violent.”

Why do movie makers make violent movies? Don’t they think about kids that might be interested in the movie, whose parents won’t let them see it because of the sexuality and violence in it?

I’m 11 and I can’t see some of the movies I want to see like “MI:2” or “007 - The World is Not Enough.” I also like “Star Trek.” I like it because it’s pretty action packed, really interesting and I can actually watch it. One of the nice things about “Star Trek” is it’s not that violent.

I hope some movie maker will read this letter and think, “Hey, maybe she has a point.” It’s just at this time movies aren’t considered great if they don’t have sex and violence in them. Alison L. Forsyth Nine Mile Falls

Protect freedom - refuse fluoridation

Examination of the shortsighted editorial (June 30) favoring the socialistic “safety” of water fluoridation tells it all: “We need only surrender … freedom … for benefits.”

Physically and biochemically intolerant of foods and beverages prepared with water that is fluoride “adjusted,” I’m offended by this term, which is deliberately used to politically camouflage the act of turning a pubic water system into an industrial waste dump for the recycling of radioactive material and other toxins by “dilution.” Be it phosphate fertilizer wash or from aluminum and other metal refining or incinerator smokestack scrubbers, “adjusted” waste fluorides in the water system can give my family itchy skin, rashes or fever.

A Vietnam vet aware of some facts relevant to that infamous era, no fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash is used by members of my household. Candy, processed foods and beverages are avoided. We raise organic vegetables and buy organic meat and eggs. Treats are homemade.

Many medications contain a fluoride base ingredient. Alum (aluminum fluoride) is in anti-perspirants, commercial baking powder and pickles, and is used as a preservative in vaccines.

Ben Franklin, over 200 years ago said it better than I: Those who would give up essential liberty for temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. T.M. Larson Greenacres

Try grape spray to control geese

Maybe the good people dealing with the goose problem should contact the city of Anchorage for advice. They recently had this problem at their downtown park and tried some sort of grape spray for the grass. The geese apparently hated the flavor and stopped frequenting the area. It might be less fun for goose hunters and those selling pamphlets and videos but it sounds a lot better from the goose’s perspective. Rick Spurlin Chewelah, Wash.