Letters To The Editor

THE ECONOMY

Impediments boost energy prices

Re: “Simple economics” (Perspective, July 23).

No one can argue with the Gregg Easterbrook’s premise that the reason for higher energy prices is simple economics. But he makes no mention of a most critical economic factor. America is by far the world’s largest consumer of oil and gas, yet over the past eight years every conceivable obstacle has been put in place to discourage development of new domestic oil and gas deposits.

The principal theories behind this obstruction are, first, that fossil fuels are bad because they cause greenhouse gas emissions and, second, that we can substitute alternative sources for them.

We can undoubtedly, through conservation and engineering efficiencies, cut down fossil fuel-caused greenhouse gas emissions, but the desired alternative sources may not be at all feasible, or may be decades away. Moreover, the promising hydrogen fuel cell uses the fossil fuel, natural gas.

So the United States now imports 56 percent of its oil, heading for 70 percent. The cost for May alone was more than $9 billion, accounting for 29 percent of May’s record U.S. trade deficit.

If allowed, the United States could produce much more oil and gas than it does now. This could significantly add to the world’s supply and could put a damper on runaway deficits and future price increases. M.A. Kaufman Spokane

Republican take on wealth misjudged

Re: “GOP eager for battle over taxes” (July 24).

This article says Republicans “hope the growing number of Americans with investments in the stock market … suggests growing wealth.”

Humbug. In fact, the top GOP supporters hope that increased legal gambling in the stock market will prove to be a more efficient way of transferring cash from the middle classes to the wealthy.

In the past, Republican governments have used inflation to drive down the value of money. This increases the value of real property held by the rich and pays for it by depleting the bank accounts and fixed retirement funds of those who aren’t so obsessed with money that they notice these things (the poor, in other words).

Unfortunately, inflation eventually causes people to vote for Democrats, and besides, it doesn’t reach far enough into the savvier high end of the middle class.

The stock market is a broader-based solution. While it takes a lot of nagging to get people to put cash in bank accounts, the stock market is a much easier sell. It even produces addiction to gambling in some participants, which the good Republicans would naturally see as a tidy reduction in advertising costs. Jim McDonald Spokane

HEALTH CARE

Blame Legislature, not hospital

Editorial commentary is again critical about discharges from Eastern State Hospital. Our local poison pen cartoonist has even gotten into the act. The presumption is that ESH releases people before they are ready because ESH wants to.

This one-sided and limited reporting overlooks the main question: Who is in control of the population at ESH?

Blaming ESH for overcrowding is the sensational way of hiding the truth. ESH does not determine who comes in its front door. Control rests with the Legislature and state law.

State law says anyone in danger of harming themselves or another person must be admitted to a psychiatric facility. State law also says that ESH cannot refuse admission to anyone. When uncontrolled admissions outnumber discharges, something has to give.

The census must remain below federal mandates. Discharges must take place. If no patient is ready for discharge, the most ready must be discharged. They might not be totally ready. They may be forced to leave without adequate housing or follow-up care. Nevertheless, reality says that someone must leave to make room for new admissions. The professionals at ESH have no control over this reality.

The media perpetuate the misconception that ESH has control over the hospital population. The truth is that choices made by people other than professionals ultimately are in control of ESHs population. The professional journalist will emphasize that aspect. The hack will continue to feed on sensationalism. Joe Adams Spokane

Don’t force fluoride on me

Walter Becker (Letters, July 16) suggests that having fluoride in our drinking water makes beautiful teeth. I did not have fluoride in my drinking water and I have good, sound teeth. I brush and eat a good diet.

I don’t happen to want to be forced to ingest fluoride. Everyone wanting to use it already has it availabe. They have a choice. If you put it in my drinking water, I will nothave a choice. Pearl Schmitt Spokane

CHURCH AND STATE

Anti-God types violate Constitution

Over the years the American Civil Liberties Union, Supreme Court and organizations such as the Spokane Human Rights Commission, along with naive politicians like Councilman Steve Eugster, have twisted and manipulated the true meaning of the First Amendment. Thus, they have almost succeeded in removing or banning all religion (especially Christianity) from public life. Eugster, the ACLU, SHRC and the Supreme Court are violating the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment by “prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” with respect to religion.

One’s right to pray or to express one’s religion - even in public - is a constitutional right and that right comes not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God. William A. Hall Spokane

Theocracy not our way for good reason

That America never was established upon Christian principles is irrefutable. Washington said as much in the Treaty of Tripoli: “The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” The Zeitgeist of yesteryear was, in fact, Deism, not Christianity. From Grotius to Locke, the natural rights of man were predicated upon the belief that even if there was no God, human rights would exist by reasoning alone.

Check out some web sites on deism, like http:/ /www.postfun.com/pfp/worbois.html.

Jay Henning’s carping (Letters, July 25) is another example of the very reason the First Amendment was included: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …” How smugly insulting he is to Jews, Buddhists and Moslems. How vainly assured he is that Christ meant to set up an earthly kingdom run by proud, bigoted men.

Henning’s ilk are the very antithesis of liberty. Even a cursory reading of the apostle Paul would disclose that Christians are given all kinds of liberties, although not all are edifying. We are free to choose. But these fundamentally cancerous demagogues are persistent in their efforts to enslave others to whatever religious tyranny is expedient. Recall that Christ ran from a crown and upbraided Peter for wielding a sword in his defense. Christ’s love and government’s force are opposed. Judge the tree by its fruit. The fruit of every theocracy has been bitter and noxious. The fruit of liberty is very sweet but delicate indeed. Stravo Lukos Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Such a narrow, literal take on faith

In the July 23 issue Mr. and Mrs. Rodger Burk assert that “if you have a generic prayer, you might as well pray to a fire hydrant for all the good it will do you.”

In support of this, they quote one of the truly hard sayings of Jesus: “Whatever you ask the Father in my name, believing, you shall receive.”

This scripture has broken the hearts of countless children, spouses, parents and friends as they watch loved ones die despite their heartfelt and continuous prayers. Then again, the very one who said it did not have his own heartfelt prayer answered: “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want” (Mark 14:36 NRSV). As Hebrews 5:8 says, “he learned obedience through what he suffered.”

I very much doubt that anyone can come forward with a scripture proving that God listens only to prayers of the theologically correct. Rather, I suspect that God accepts all the prayers addressed to the mis-known gods and to the unknown gods.

“Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, `Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, `To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” (Acts 17:22-23). Timothy J. Rolfe Spokane

Kershner, get thee to a lance sharpener

Jim Kershner’s commentary on the Mallard Fillmore strip served to remind me of a man from La Mancha who tilted at windmills.

Kershner, too, should be better equipped with more effective weapons (sharper) before he commences his attack. Ron Van Tassel Spokane