Letters To The Editor

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

See who fares poorly at marriage

It is commonly argued by members of the religious right that a church-centered lifestyle offers the best approach for developing proper family values. Late last year, a Christian pollster, Barna Research Group, conducted an extensive, nationwide survey on divorce that calls the validity of that argument into question.

The poll revealed that the highest rate of divorce occurred among those belonging to nondenominational Protestant churches (34 percent). Among the denominational churches, Baptists experienced the highest rate of divorce (29 percent). Overall, Protestant churches reported a divorce rate on par with the national average (25 percent). The group with the lowest rate of divorce was the much-maligned agnostics and atheists (21 percent).

Most people will agree that divorce represents a serious deterioration of family values. If the religion promoters were truly interested in the betterment of these values, the poll indicates they should encourage everyone to become nonbelievers. At the very least, they should be honest enough to admit that there may be some alternative approaches which are more effective than their own.

Some defenders of the faith will no doubt argue that polls can be rigged to give erroneous results. But this poll of nearly 4,000 people was conducted by a respected Christian organization whose motto is “Strategic information you can trust.”

Just think how loudly they would have proclaimed the results if they had turned out in their favor. Jack R. DeBaun Sandpoint

Whale hunts are simply barbaric

Timothy Phillips has very eloquently expressed his opinion about the Makah whale hunts (Letters, May 30). Every point he makes hits its target.

I’ve often wondered how a whale hunt could possibly be rationalized in a civilized society. Let’s call it what it is: killing defenseless creatures for sport. I raise my glass to Phillips, and to all the whales that get away. Ann Kirihara Spokane

Whale hunt keeps tradition alive

The Makah whale hunt has begun again off the coast of Neah Bay. This ancient hunt should not be opposed but looked upon for what it is - a great tradition.

This time of year, when the gray whales migrate, was always a momentous time for the people of the Makah Tribe. They did, and still do, kill for food. They kill not just for pride but to feed their people. Great ceremonies are held to honor the life of the whale. For the Makah, the whale not only brings food but pride and joy to the tribe.

Some who oppose this hunt do so because it isn’t in the traditional manner. It really is but with an added sense of humanity. The whale is stuck by many spears but not killed in this fashion because it takes so long and is painful. So the Makah end the whale’s suffering by shooting it with .50 caliber rifles. This is how the whale is killed, not by just a gun shot, like many think. First, it is speared to follow tradition, then it is shot, to make it more humane.

There are enough gray whales so the Makah are not killing an endangered or threatened species. In fact, our government encouraged the hunt by granting money to the Makah.

Whale hunting by the Makah is a time-honored tradition. The hunt s still traditional but in a humane way. The gray whale will not go extinct because of one simple hunt. Tyler Grippi Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Story behind students’ outing missed

Recently, you showed a photo of some high school students having fun at a science event at Silverwood amusement park. I looked for some text that might explain the science events the students participated in, since the students had their adventure on a school day. There was not a story, only a photo of some girls enjoying ice cream.

How about giving some substance and letting your readers know there was an important educational component and competition to this event participated in by many area high schools? I can’t imagine seeing a high school sports photo without a story and box score. Why not give the same attention to academic pursuits?

As educators are trying to “raise the bar,” what might be done by the media to help celebrate the academic pursuits and achievements of our outstanding youths in high school? Who knows, it might encourage them to continue in their field of interest and one day discover a cure to a disease or a new advancement in physics, aerodynamics, veterinary science, medicine or some other area that would be of service to humanity.

When we begin to fully notice the achievements of youth, be it in sports, academics or whatever, we might help promote an optimistic attitude about some of the positive things young people have to offer our community and future.

For the science box score, Harrington (of golf course fame) received a first-place trophy in physics. Philip Eager Spokane

Schulz tribute touching

Re: May 27 comics page. Thank you! I have never before found myself crying over the comics section of the newspaper, so today was a first. Charles Schulz was beautifully remembered by his peers this Memorial Day weekend. As his strip was featured in the Stars and Stripes newspapers we read while stationed in North Africa and Europe, and was always a great morale booster for all of us military members and families, it seems entirely fitting that he be honored at this time. We will never forget him! Jolene Feher Spokane

FIREARMS

So much for restrictive laws

An example of what pro-gunners have been advocating for years was demonstrated in New York City: five people murdered, two more wounded, in a robbery at a fast food outlet.

Pro-gun owners contend that adding more gun laws, restricting purchase and ownership of guns, will only effect honest citizens. They claim criminals do not abide by laws already in effect and will not abide by new laws. Criminals will still obtain and use guns, regardless of any law.

Craig Godineaux and John Taylor, who have confessed to the murders, are prime examples. They possessed handguns in a city and state noted for extremely restrictive gun laws. Both were in possession of those guns, contrary to state and federal law prohibiting felons from possessing any firearm, even a .22 rifle. Laws, already on the books, sure didn’t stop them. One or both are already awaiting trial on other criminal charges.

I note that the liberal, anti-gun media have not made mention of the fact that here is an example of how laws do not prevent criminals from possessing and using guns. Anti-gun factions will not admit their agenda for the elimination of handguns only harms law-abiding, honest citizens. You can bet your life - and you probably will if restrictive gun laws are passed - these two culprits did not obtain their weapons from a legitimate source. Neither will criminals in the future.

Lawmakers had best open their eyes and use some common sense before passing more ineffective laws. Bennie Benson Spokane

Good intentions can beget grief

Re: “We’re a million strong and we mean business” by Cat Wyatt (Opinion, May 24), concerning the so-called Million Mom March. More accurately, it should have been called the “Misguided Mom March.”

Wyatt traces its roots back to the Civil War, when moms cared for each other’s fallen sons. But there is a more accurate correlation with the mothers who followed Carrie Nation and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, those moms from recent history who helped to bring about Prohibition.

These moms, too, were filled with good intentions. Armed with the certitude of moral superiority they imposed their will upon the nation with a force as unyielding as the cruelest tyrant. And yet so narrow was their focus that they failed to see that what they had bought about would end up causing far greater harm than good.

What I resent most deeply about Wyatt and her ilk is this need to impose their will upon others and take away freedom of choice. If Wyatt wants “sensible” (a euphemism for “more”) gun laws, let her go back to Washington, D.C., where they have the greatest number of gun laws - and not coincidentally, one of the highest rates of violent crime.

Without exception, every municipality in this nation with the most numerous gun laws has a higher rate of violent crime than exists in communities without such laws.

I surmise that Wyatt is a sincere, caring individual. However, I resent that she and so many others like her have been co-opted by a dishonest political agenda. Ron Yorke Spokane

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

Best Wilson contribution: Leaving

The “recent” problems in Riverside School District with Superintendent Jerry Wilson have actually been going on for many years. As a former patron of Riverside, with children who attended there for nine years, I have experienced Wilson’s arrogance and disdain.

I went to Wilson to discuss moving my child from the Chattaroy school to Riverside Elementary, to give him a teacher I knew to be an exemplary educator. Upon being ushered into Wilson’s office, I was greeted by a man who had his feet on the desk and never took them down during the whole meeting.

Wilson is detached from what really is important for children’s education. Riverside has consistently low state test scores; very few Riverside students attend first-tier four-year colleges. Many Riverside students are being denied the background they need to excel.

Equally at fault is the school board that blindly goes along with anything Wilson demands. I find it repugnant that a man who heads a small, rural school district, one of the economically poorest in our area, has a salary that rivals that of the governor of the state of Washington.

It is up to the school board to remove this man from a position that is supposed to bring together all elements of the school: teachers, children, staff and parents. Fortunately, Wilson is close to retirement age. If Riverside is lucky, he may choose to do so. Lyn F. Cunningham Deer Park

Anything, just so you say it nicely

“Courtesy goes to school” (May 28) expresses an excellent idea. Kids need to learn to be polite.

I taught high school for one year in the 1960s back East, and I’ll never forget Joe (we’ll call him) Smith. Polite, well dressed, not into hippy wear when it was just coming into fashion and totally nonconfrontational. He was a model student and the son of a nondenominational minister. He had courtesy in spades. He went on to a Bible college in Texas after he graduated.

It was only several years later that I learned from some of his fellow students that he was the biggest drug dealer at the high school. They told me they had seen him turn on and off the manners, depending on who was in earshot. He could change personalities in a split second, they said. He was a smoker (I knew that much) and his dad never even caught on to that.

It was not Joe, it was the kids who were more open about who they were that kept getting into trouble. Joe learned his lessons well.

Yeah, what we want is more superficial manners. Yes, sir and no, sir, and pass the hash. George T. Thomas Spokane

LAW AND JUSTICE

Purpose is discovering truth, not guilt

The May 28 article on the responsibilities of justice did an excellent job of illustrating some of the problems with the jury system. Particularly interesting were the comments of Peter Dolina, who stated, “If law enforcement built a case against a criminal, then he or she is more likely to be guilty. Maybe the prosecutor does not formulate the charges precisely, maybe there are problems with witnesses, but the jury must try to protect public safety …”

This attitude doesn’t belong in the jury box and is the antithesis of what our criminal justice system is about.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If the prosecution fails to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, it is a juror’s duty to find a defendant not guilty, not to assume his prosecutors did a poor job.

In being selected to serve on a jury, Dolina doubtlessly swore to be fair and impartial, presume the defendant innocent and base his verdict solely on the evidence. It is these principles that keep innocent people from being wrongly convicted on a daily basis in this country. Unfortunately, while most of us are familiar with these canons, they are often forgotten when we serve as jurors.

Despite our feelings about crime, criminals or defense attorneys, when called for jury duty we must remember and abide these principles. After all, as you would want no less from a juror judging you or your loved ones, as a juror you must do no less for the person for whom you sit in judgment. David C. Brody Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Political sign stealing backfires

Campaigning is hard work at its best, but when you have to redo your work, it really gets frustrating.

Yard signs were put up for a temporary display at Chase Middle School on April 22, where the Republicans held their county convention. Only one candidate had his signs stolen or defaced.

Now the signs are being put up in yards of his supporters. These people have been contacted personally by the candidate and have agreed to have them displayed in their yards. These signs are disappearing at an alarming rate. Even the signs from the yard of the candidate himself have been stolen!

Too bad the people stealing them don’t realize the black eye they are giving to their candidate. Paula Davis volunteer, Richard Clear for Congress, Spokane

Marijuana-phobes make lame case

Thomas M. Cromwell’s recent letter stating his opinion on the merits of marijuana legalization proves again that merely saying something doesn’t make it so.

We learn from James Q. Wilson that “When the Netherlands ceased enforcing laws against the purchase or possession of marijuana, the result was a sharp increase in its use.” Perhaps - but so what? What harm was done? Has the Netherlands become a vast sinkhole of drug abuse and degradation? If so, the secret is well kept. But neither has the Netherlands filled its prisons, as we have, with marijuana growers and smokers.

According to Cromwell, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reported that “Of the nearly 182,000 teens and children who entered treatment for addiction in 1996, nearly half were admitted for abuse or addiction to marijuana alone.”

How interesting. One wonders how the poor youngsters were treated for their addiction - given the fact that marijuana is not addictive. Maybe those administering the treatment confused marijuana with cigarettes, which are addictive.

As for the rantings of Joe Califano, not only is he rabidly opposed to marijuana, even for medical purposes, he is even - foolishly - opposed to the cultivation of hemp. And, he cries, “Smoked marijuana is a carcinogen.” I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. If Califano is so worried about the public’s health, why don’t we hear him railing against alcohol and tobacco?

In sum, the evidence does not demonstrate that marijuana is either addictive or a serious health risk. Wesley Shaw Spokane

Labor not politically independent

We have heard a lot about campaign finance reform lately. Unfortunately, cold, hard cash is not the only compensation that can influence the legislative process. Guaranteed votes and provided precinct workers are almost as important.

The AFL-CIO, which claims to speak for all the workers in our country, although only one out of six workers are union members, discovered that neither can always produce the votes necessary to guarantee that their viewpoint on a situation will prevail in Congress.

While there is much complaining about corporations providing funds to the Republican Party, I haven’t heard any of their chief executives crying bitterly when something doesn’t go their way, as AFL-CIO President John Sweeney is doing. Despite his threatening attitude, we know his only recourse is the Democratic Party. Otherwise, we shall see Republicans in complete control for the foreseeable future. William H. Allison Medical Lake