Letters To The Editor

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Driver too quick to judge

Before introduction of handicap plates/placards, those choosing to park in handicap parking took a chance of being accosted/assaulted by handicap vigilante enforcement goons. Registration/issuance of handicap credentials was meant to stop such confrontations.

The same goons have nothing better to do but hide in wait for legally authorized persons to park. Then they determine in their own mind if that person is handicapped enough to occupy said space.

Following my doctor’s orders, I applied for and received my registered handicap placard. Recently, I parked at a local supermarket (handicap placard properly displayed). Upon exiting the store, a white Jeep Cherokee swerved, almost hitting me. Then the vulgar jerk driving it stopped and said, “You aren’t (profanity) handicapped!” as he sped away. Then I found his nasty note on my windshield. What a coward.

This is just one of many personal encounters.

If these self-serving individuals can determine one’s level of handicap by mere sight, by all means heal the multitudes. But, until you master walking on water, can we just get along? Please. Cathy Matheson Worley, Idaho

`Biker run’ a mischaracterization

Reporter Bill Morlin’s comment concerning the “outlaw biker run in Sturgis, S.D.” begs for clarification.

Obviously, Morlin has never attended the rally in Sturgis because if he had he would certainly know that the Sturgis rally is not composed of outlaw bikers. The attendees of the rally represent all walks of life, ranging from doctors and lawyers and bankers to movie stars such as Peter Fonda and Larry Hagman, to ironworkers, bakers and government workers such as myself, and countless others. There are, of course, people who belong to motorcycle clubs in attendance as well. However, they are by far in the minority.

To characterize the Sturgis rally as an outlaw biker run does a disservice not only to your readers but to the people of Sturgis as well. Gary Lee Cooper Spokane

SPOKANE MATTERS

Churches group behind fall march

At the May 18 Washington State Human Rights Commission meeting I was invited to present information on the various community-based initiatives designed to improve race relations and encourage greater community involvement in human rights issues.

I offer a correction to the May 19 article, “Disability-related issues top complaint list” that mistakenly reported, “Reyes noted an anti-hate groups march organized by the Task Force on Race Relations and other groups, including Churches Against Racism, that brought out 1,800 people.”

Please note that the Churches Against Racism, not the Task Force on Race Relations, organized the Oct. 10, 1999 March Against Hate that led 1,800 community members from Temple Beth Shalom to St. John’s Cathedral. I suspect the confusion occurred because I belong to both the task force and churches group.

I appreciate The Spokesman-Review covering, and offering multiple perspectives on, diversity and human rights. Although it’s important to acknowledge the negative incidents of injustice or exclusion in our community, it’s equally important to realize that Spokane is making a sincere effort to do some positive things. As the bumper sticker reminds us, “Diversity is a journey, not a destination.” Sustainable social change is an ongoing process with tangible results.

Although we have a long way to go, I’m proud to be part of this community and its efforts to make Spokane a safe, respectful, inclusive place where everyone can enjoy being alive and have a responsible desire to contribute to the common good. Raymond Reyes associate vice president for diversity, Gonzaga University

City ornery about my tree

The city recently notified me that I must remove or cut back a large fir tree for better visibility at our corner. I called the city to explain my indigent situation and requested help.

In the interim, a friend did cut it back at no charge. Now, the idiot high school drivers can continue their speeding, along with all the other drivers who do not slow down from either direction. Having complied with the city’s request, I called back to ask that the city provide pickup and disposal of the trimmings. No can do! Now I have debris leaning against an already weak fence and will probably be cited by the city for excess debris on my property.

For the last 30 years that tree has been growing. Where was the city when the tree was planted barely three feet from the city curbing and when it continued to flourish all these years?

Surely the city can send one truck to pick this up and dispose of it, since the city ordered its removal. Or maybe they need an expensive, full environmental impact survey done to see if it’s worth their while.

Or maybe some other good Samaritan will come along and do it out of the goodness of his heart. Patricia Adkins Spokane

Hutton hero for all women

On Sunday, May 20, I toured May Arkwright Hutton’s mansion. After sharing my visit with my daughter, Klara, from California, she asked me to write to the paper. We want to say how sorry we are that the city could not afford to purchase this home. It should be a monument to May Hutton so other young women could be inspired by her courageous life.

My daughter wrote a paper on May Hutton in junior high which made her proud of being a woman and proud of living in Spokane. What a shame that the mansion is not available for other daughters to become acquainted with May Arkwright Hutton.

Hutton worked hard for the woman’s right to vote. She did not forget single mothers and women in trouble. We feel she is a hero of the past and should be honored for years to come. Joyce Bergtholdt Colbert

IN THE NEWS

Policy a distinction without difference

Your May 24 front-page article “Why trade with China, not Cuba?” about normalizing trade relations with China and why not with Cuba again proves why Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., should go back to “Ole Miss” and resume his career as a cheerleader. His assertion that there is some profound difference between Cuba and China and the way we should conduct policy toward them is obviously a move to pander to extremist Cuban immigrants and not the result of any logical thought process.

He claims a distinction between the two countries and their style of communism. There may be, but it is a distinction without a difference. He claims that Castro is running a repressive dictatorship. Didn’t he watch the news while the Chinese crushed the students at Tiananmen Square?

Does Lott really believe that China is no danger to us but little tiny Cuba is? Let’s see - 1.3 billion people as opposed to 11 million Cubans. Good Lord, after 40 years Castro hasn’t even been able to dislodge us from Guantanamo Bay. I don’t think he is too scary.

Fidel Castro is an evil man, but as long as we continue to demonize and attempt to punish him by depriving the Cuban people of normal trade and cultural relations, he will be able to point at the United States and blame us for the economic and social problems of his small country. This will be an ongoing rallying cry to keep the people on his side.

It’s time to end this flawed policy. Pat O’Leary Spokane

Moms against guns will regret stand

This is in reference Shirley Singleton’s May 20 letter, “Moms going after the wrong people.”

I pay cheers to Singleton. I too am a mom and a grandmother and there have been guns in the houses of all four generations of my family. The children have always been taught to respect these guns and also the proper use of them.

I am elderly and all by myself and am very thankful for the comfort and protection I feel from owning a gun. All the moms who are against guns will be sorry I’m sure when the only ones owning firearms are the outlaws and criminals. That’s what will happen if the gun control laws are pasted and our second amendment is abolished. Edna A Gardner Coeur d’Alene

Spencer’s work is delightful

Please offer Kathleen Corkery Spencer a permanent position with your paper before this very talented writer is discovered and scooped from our midst. I would love to see her thoughtful philosphy and warm wisdom every Sunday.

Her recent column caused this overprotective mother to allow a few more inevitable mistakes with grace and to miss a sister I never had. C.J. Porter Spokane

Column had inaccuracies, innuendo

I must take exception to John Kafentzis’ editorial, “Downturn risk is just too great” (May 26) in which he cautions against proposals to allow Social Security taxes be invested.

Inaccuracies and innuendo.

Kafentzis says the market averages 7.6 percent growth. True, but it averages more than 10 percent “total return” (dividends included) vs. 2 percent growth for Social Security. Increasing one’s return by five-fold is significant.

He fears for people who “cash out their accounts” during a “bear” market at retirement. Retirement is a process that lasts 20 to 30 years! During that time there will be several “bull” and “bear” cycles. Historically, total return still averages 10 percent. Does anyone “cash out” on the day they retire?

And what about a “no-lose” stock like Microsoft that plummets? I own several funds that own Microsoft. The result is negligible because the funds are diversified. Also, the Microsoft story is not over. Check back in 20 to 30 years (or one or two).

In addition, we are discussing a proposal to invest 2 percent of one’s FICA taxes into the stock market. Two percent! It is also optional. If women or others who tend to “rely more on Social Security” are concerned about reducing their guaranteed benefits, they can opt out and retain the present guarantee. The rest of us can make prudent choices and take managed risks in hopes of beating the current 2 percent government promise. William N. Boaz Liberty Lake

Comparison at level of barbarity

In her May 25 letter, “Whale hunt about identity,” concerning the grotesque Makah whale hunt, D.J. Fredericks demonstrates that even in this era it is yet possible to shock.

To compare the morality of needlessly slaughtering a whale - a feeling, thinking (possibly at near-human levels), aware being - with pulling up a carrot or a weed requires a level of barbarity that beggars the thesaurus.

This disgusting parade, a purely commercial proposition ultimately if clandestinely sponsored by those few nations that want to resume unlimited whale hunting in the face of world opinion, would be a joke if it weren’t so tragic.

“They hunt whales for the same reason I hunt weeds in my narrow strip of garden.” Dear God, have mercy on us all. Eric Walker Ritzville, Wash.

Barak miscalculated

The Israeli withdrawal from Southern Lebanon this week is a sad day for Israelis and for the Christian Lebanese. In 1978, when Israel formed the border zone as a buffer between terrorists and the northern Israeli settlements, no one could imagine that 22 years later the PLO would be replaced by Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerillas. No one could have guessed that Israel would abandon Christians living in the security zone. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has proven to be helpless to ensure the safety of Jewish or Christian settlements. Will they step forward now?

I doubt it. Now, the Christians left behind are at the mercy of militant Shiite guerillas. Israel’s northern border is no longer secure. The vacuum left by retreating Israelis leaves our pro-American, democratic allies in the border zone helpless. And as world pressure mounted for an Israeli withdrawal, no one said a word about the 30,000 Syrian troops in Lebanon.

Why? In his desperation for peace Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak made a terrible miscalculation. He demanded no protection for Christians in South Lebanon. He brokered no contingency agreement with Syria. He made no demands on the UN. In other words, he gave up everything and gained absolutely nothing in return. Don S. Otis Sagle, Idaho

OTHER TOPICS

Put end to inhumane trapping

James A. Layman (Letters, May 17) says the cruel trapping of animals is a meaningful resource. He also states Initiative 713 ignores established wildlife conservation and management practices that are based upon sound, proven, scientific principles.

It is torture for any animal to be caught in a steel trap. They’ve been known to chew their own leg off where caught to try to release themselves from the agony they are enduring.

As I told one avid trapper, slam the car door on your hand then wait for someone to come and release and kill you after you have suffered for 72 hours or longer.

Metal traps are one of the most inhumane things ever invented by humans. To treat another living creature, sometimes even someone’s pet, in this manner should be outlawed, period.

Quick death is one thing, untold agony is another.

Layman says those of us who are for I-713 are uninformed political activists whose only agenda is to eliminate all consumptive uses of our natural resources. We are trying to save or natural resources. Please sign I-713 and help stop this horrible cruelty. Eileen R. Deaton Spokane

Please don’t burn wheat fields

Being asthmatic, I can fully understand the impacts of wheat burning. When the burning season rolls around in late summer and early fall, I’m forced to live with numerous inhalers, nebulator treatments and restrictions on playing outside with my friends.

Some aren’t fully aware of how extremely harmful the smoke from the fields can be. Burning fields releases particulates into the air, 90 percent of which are 2.5 microns or less. Small particulates such as these stay airborne for a long time and penetrate deep into cells of the lungs. These particulates also carry cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which get lodged in the lungs easily. An analysis of grass burning, a practice similar to wheat burning, showed the emissions contained carcinogens, including the carcinogen most often associated with cancer from smoking cigarettes.

This practice must stop at all costs. All industries except agriculture are government regulated and expected to pay the price for pollution-reducing equipment. Although farmers may experience economic difficulties, public health is far more important, in my eyes. Remember that only a few farmers can poison the air for everyone.

Wheat burning is optional but breathing is not. Whitney Tenold Spokane

Don’t we all use timber products?

Re: “It’s all about protecting wild lands” (Letters, May 18).

Marlene Renwyck, of the Kettle Range Conservation Group, states, “Using common sense, one can easily conclude timber-hungry corporations will never be satisfied. They will always be able to find reasons why they need to cut more trees and will continue to bombard us with their paranoia until we cave in to their demands.”

My question is, who uses the products that are produced from the timber that these terrible companies harvest? Is it not the everyday consumer purchasing lumber to remodel or build a new home, paper products for all of us, fabric for clothing and a myriad of other products? If we as consumers did not purchase these products then there would not be a market, thus the trees would be safe. I wonder if Renwyck is a consumer of any products that are manufactured as a result of the evil timber industry. Mike Sudnikovich Nordman, Idaho