Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Sure, distant dump site is OK

I am responding to the May 10 letter by J. Tim Jackson, president of IBEX Construction, Inc.

The Graham Road Recycling and Disposal facility (dump) is located next to Fairchild Air Force Base. Jackson’s company is located at 8119 North Regal. Sure he is not opposed to the facility, it is not in his back yard. He is on city water and does not get his water from a well.

Jackson talks about how cost effective this site is to him and the rest of Spokane. How cost effective will it be when Spokane County residents have to pay to bring water to the families that live by the Graham Road dump? Has Jackson looked at any other alternatives for dumping his waste?

This is not a good site for a landfill. Spokane County already has a federal cleanup site within a few miles. Do the people of Spokane County want another cleanup site? Is this being cost effective?

Jackson talks about what a wonderful operation they have. If it is such a wonderful operation why did they get fined for accepting PCBs?

The Graham Road facility is owned by people who do not live in Spokane County. They will accept waste from anybody and any place. I think they do not care about the people of Spokane County. That is why they want to make a 200-foot- high mound.

It is imperative that the people of Spokane County speak up and not allow the expansion of the Graham Road facility Daniel R. Rees Medical Lake

Downtown is downtowners’ problem

There are more than 12,000 city blocks and almost 200,000 people who live in our wonderful community. Private investors without our financial help have provided us great places to shop like NorthTown, Valley Mall, Northpointe, South Hill etc. Parking lots next to these fine facilities add to our pleasurable shopping experiences.

Downtown private property owners are no different from me, other than their buildings being larger. They are responsible for success or failure of their properties. As a taxpayer, I should not be part of their red ink-black ink equation for any reason.

I hear and read the comment, “Downtown will die if we don’t act and it will adversely affect all 200,000 of us.” That’s as false as Tammy Faye Bakker Messner’s eyelashes.

City Attorney Jim Sloane stopped us from voting on this garage issue along with the elected zealots, Orville Barnes (a supposed mall expert), Jeff Colliton, Roberta Greene, Phyllis Holmes and Jack Geraghty. They supported this project and its funding like they were headed to the electric chair. This proves their fear of the intelligent public’s knowledge and good judgment.

One and one-half blocks in downtown should not get funds that are earmarked for the other 12,000 blocks and our 200,000 hard-working residents.

I am pleased I have the choice to shop at a variety of locations. Current council people and the city manager who are questioning ingredients of how this garage project happened deserve our applause and thank you for representing the majority of Spokane’s fine citizens. Jonathan Swanstrom Sr. Spokane

Malcontents say too much

Thank you for the beautiful and uplifting article about our Lilac City’s front parlor (Opinion, May 6). Spokane has many unique and lovely things to enjoy, if we only open our eyes to see them.

No place is perfect in every way but it always makes me sad to read so many negative comments people make about Spokane. The nitpickers and naysayers should either get a life or move on. Rita A. Purkett Spokane

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Don’t judge young by their clothing

I am disgusted about the way society has begun to look down upon teens today. Why is it that a car full of young people who might be wearing slightly baggy pants are looked at as though they were gang bangers or hoodlums? As if just by looking at what they’re wearing you are able to determine what type of a people they are. Should it make any difference what type of clothes they wear?

As a young person myself, I use clothes as a form of expression. As young people we don’t have as much power as I’m sure most of us think we should be privy to. We’re not quite old enough to vote and yet we’re expected to act like young adults. Well, if we were to follow the example that the majority of Spokane’s adult population has shown us, I’m afraid that we’d live in an extremely prejudiced world.

What makes adults the experts on what exceptional dressing is? There is no possible way they actually think we’d want to wear their styles, is there? We are our own persons; we wear what we feel is appropriate. If that means we’re able to set up camp in our own pants or our clothes don’t match at all, then that should be our choice.

I’m not saying that we should have complete control. I’m just saying we shouldn’t be judged by what we wear. Let our actions speak and you’ll see what we really are. Jieshrae Adeeba, age 16 Spokane

Some parents just plain distressed

Re: “Adoption of foster kids up 98 percent in Idaho” (May 4). Foster parent Faith Kalberg dismisses all parents who lose their children to foster care as people who “have already messed up their lives” and shouldn’t be allowed to do the same to their children.

As I read that I kept thinking of the single father in Chicago who couldn’t work full time because of a heart condition, had the electricity to his home cut off when he fell behind on the bills and lost his children because of what the state called “financial neglect.” There’s the wheelchair-bound grandmother in Ohio who lost federal aid for housekeeping help and then had her granddaughter taken because the house became too dirty.

There’s the Iowa mother who stayed home with her sick child, was sanctioned off the welfare rolls for missing work, evicted because she had no income and had to flee the state because authorities were ready to take her children since she had no place to live.

Far more common than parents who brutally beat or torture their children are parents whose children are taken because poverty is confused with neglect. The children suffer the loss not only of loving parents but often of siblings, grandparents, friends, teachers and classmates as they are shuffled form foster home to foster home. Basic help to keep these families together is not only more humane than tearing apart a family, it’s less expensive. Too bad so many people would rather blame parents than provide real help for their children by keeping their families together. Richard Wexler, executive director National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, Alexandria, Virginia

Note who cries `excessive force’

Hurrah! There is someone out there who was reared with standards like I was. I’m referring to Ed B. Booher (“Violators must be dealt with,” Letters, April 29). This gentleman must have been taught to take responsibility for his own actions, too, instead of blaming his mistakes and shortcomings on others.

I’m so tired of hearing about the law enforcement officials using excessive force. All you people who believe that most police agencies use excessive force need to call Randy Weaver, a Branch Davidian, one of Elian Gonzalez’s Miami relatives or maybe even one of Tim McVeigh’s cronies the next time someone steals your property, threatens you or assaults one of your loved ones.

People who obey the law don’t have a problem with police officers. Guess who does? Sharron L. Rodgers Electric City, Wash.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS

Read the menu’s fine print

Re: Letters by Lynn L. Jones (May 2) and Teresa Keene (May 10).

Jones expressed her displeasure at the added gratuity to her meal stating that it was added without her consent. Did she read the menu? In fact, the “gratuity added’ statement must be displayed, usually on the menu itself. Thereby, the act of ordering is giving consent.

It does, however, speak to the fact that we should all read the fine print. It is unfortunate that this came as a surprise.

The statement that tipping was the discretion of the customer is correct but remember that the nontipper has just taken a percentage of the waitperson’s minimum wage. That’s correct - the restaurant receives its fee, just as is stated on the menu, but the IRS receives its percentage of the employee’s total ring out no matter what. It is automatically taken from the employee’s check. Therefore, not tipping is taking from the waitperson no matter your complaint or level of satisfaction.

So, in reply to Keene, being a thief will in no way change the price that the restaurant receives unless you wish to walk out on the bill - but then, yes, that is a criminal act, called defrauding an innkeeper, and will result in the arrival of the police.

Not tipping is an option and, if you practice what you preach, you can bet that the staff of your favorite restaurant knows you by face and name, and dearly wishes you would go to McDonald’s for your next meal. John J. Bottjer Spokane

SYMBOLS

Consider whole meaning of flag

I am responding to Nowell D. Bamberger’s letter concerning the display of the Confederate flag.

South Carolina has an absolute right, under the First Amendment freedom of speech, to display that flag or any other symbol as a tribute to those brave souls who gave their lives to defend “states’ rights” under the 10th Amendment to our U.S Constitution. The Civil War had a lot more to do with states rights than slavery. While slavery was absolutely wrong and prejudice and hate cannot be tolerated, the flag represents far more than one single issue in history.

He says the flag represents treason against the United States. The only difference between a hero and a war criminal is who wins. If our forefathers had lost the war for Independence from England our heroes would’ve been executed as traitors. And so goes the history of every war and conflict throughout time.

The flag should be displayed proudly, not as a symbol of hate but to honor those who died. Jerry G. Weaver Hayden Lake, Idaho

Contemporaneous views mean more

As a seasoned citizen who sometimes uses this forum as a soapbox, I was glad to see your letter, Nowell Bamberger. It reassures me that future generations will continue to mount a soapbox from time to time.

You say that the Confederate flag has become a symbol of racism. You’re right, and that saddens me. It degrades the reputation of all those Confederate soldiers who were opposed to slavery but felt compelled to fight to protect their state against invading Northern armies.

You say it is a symbol of treason. There I disagree, unless you concede that the U.S. flag is also a symbol of treason. Just ask King George. Most, if not all, governments began with an act of treason against a previous government. A patriot to one side is a traitor to the other.

You also say that Union troops fought and died for the demise of slavery. I suspect that’s what you may have been taught but if you believe that, you probably believe that the Persian Gulf War was fought to free the citizens of Kuwait. In both cases, humanitarian reasons were disseminated for public consumption while the underlying economic reasons were not loudly proclaimed.

The best way to find out what the Civil War was about is to read the writings of the people at the time, not what someone, including me, thinks over a hundred years later. I suggest “The Causes of the Civil War,” a collection of such edited by Kenneth M. Stampp and published by Prentice-Hall.

Good luck, and don’t lose your soapbox. Larry Blanchard Otis Orchards

Tolerance in order for rebel flag

Nowell D. Bamberger’s May 10 letter (“Confederate flag doesn’t belong”) reminded me of my belief that if double standards didn’t exist, most people would not have any standards at all.

Bamberger states that the Confederate flag is a symbol of treason, and he is correct. He, in a narrow sense, is applying a double standard as the flag that he refers to as “the flag of freedom” is also a symbol of treason. Gen. George Washington was committing treason when he led the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War against our government of the time. Those who signed the Declaration of Independence would have been hanged if they had fallen into the hands of British soldiers.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and so are symbols. I was born and raised north of the Mason Dixon line and my great-grandfather and his younger brother both fought for northern forces, yet to me, the Confederate flag is exactly that, the Confederate flag.

Those who advocate tolerance should practice tolerance. Picking at old scabs is not the way to advance tolerance. Francis E. Kent Four Lakes

OTHER TOPICS

Kit not for biological agents

The device shown in the photo over your article on “Tools to fight terrorism” is the M256A1 Chemical Agent Detector Kit. It is used to confirm the presence of and identify blister, blood or nerve agent vapors. It is not used to identify biological agents, as described in your article.

The U.S. Army uses an array of equipment to warn, detect and identify these agents (Chem-Bio).

In a tactical situation, anyone using the M256 would be wearing mask, hood, gloves, boots and overgarment (MOPP gear). Otherwise, the vapors they are trying to detect and identify could kill them in about two minutes.

Gas chromatography, as mentioned in your article, is only one way to detect and identify chemical agents. There are several detectors, which can be and are used in the field. First responder preparation for domestic chembio terrorism is a tough mission but absolutely necessary to assure civilian safety. MSgt. Ed Saxon, USAR senior chemical instructor for 12 Western states, Spokane

Quality firms have manners > > What happened to common courtesy?

Being down on my luck and needing a job, I sent out over 50 resumes. Out of all that were sent out, only two businesses had the courtesy to answer or call.

The owner of Alpin Haus & Marina should be very proud of his employees. They were very courteous and honest. They did let me know that a more qualified person was hired.

The other company, Web Property Management, has very nice and honest people. They may be in a young company but they will do well. My hat is off to them.

As for the others, there is not much to say except they will never know they missed a qualified, hard-working, loyal and dedicated individual.

For all of us who are looking for a job and are willing to work hard, not hearing back is gut wrenching. But this may personify how little these companies regard their employees. Sad day. Gerald R. Vaughn Spokane

Americans’ sympathies too one-sided

With all the uncritical gushing over the Anne Frank exhibit at Gonzaga University, this writer would like to know how this exhibit promotes anything other than the advancement of Jewish supremacy?

Much rhetoric is expended on the lessons of the Holocaust as the lofty rationale for focusing so obsessively on persecution of Jews, while largely ignoring all of the other holocausts in history.

Last year the United States and NATO slaughtered thousands of Serb civilians in a criminal “bombing for peace” campaign in Yugoslavia, which was perversely endorsed by numerous Holocaust luminaries, including Elie Wiesel. Schools, hospitals, homes, trains, buses and a television station were bombed.

In the Middle East, the Palestinian people have endured a brutal Israeli occupation for more than a half century. Thousands of Arab civilians, including girls of Anne Frank’s age, have been murdered by Israeli forces. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were driven from their homes and are now refugees denied the right to return to their native land.

Does a visit to the Anne Frank exhibit instill a desire to work for justice for these Arab victims of the Zionist holocaust and for the curtailment of U.S. bombings of civilians in nations stigmatized as rogue states? Or is the Frank exhibit really just a cynical tool for the further enshrinement of Jewish elites and the further marginalization of victims of Jewish power? Michael A. Hoffman II Coeur d’Alene

Writer, students making good sense

Thanks to Fred Glienna for some words of common sense. His opinions on “America’s failing drug policy” are right on the money.

And good for the kids at North Idaho College, too. Let’s hope the right-wing nuts don’t hound them out of school for having the temerity to suggest that marijuana might not in fact be “the Devil’s weed.” Wesley Shaw Spokane