Letters To The Editor

SPOKANE MATTERS

Don’t blow million on lawyers

The local news reported that the City Council meeting Monday night would continue to discuss the budget. One item to be included was the $1 million in legal fees needed to continue wading through this parking garage swamp mess.

One million dollars! And our downtown library is closed on Saturdays due to lack of city funds? That is downright shameful.

Come on, all you guys, let’s get this resolved - now! If one of you has to do the Big Right Thing and give in, so be it. Please. Hundreds of Spokane’s citizens need their Saturday library. Do not selfishly spend the money that might afford that privilege to be restored unto us all. Donna Potter Phillips Spokane

Kitten killed needlessly

I was very sad upon reading Sue Manly’s letter of Nov. 12, “Tell which animals are doomed.”

I have little faith in our animal shelters here in Spokane, but I was terribly disgusted in the way the Spokane County Animal Shelter handled the potential adoption of this little kitten. The employees who heard Manly’s request and did not inform her about the Wednesday euthanasias should be ashamed and fired. If they had cared or had any compassion this precious little kitten would be alive and in a good home.

I suggest the criteria for shelter employees be re-evaluated.

I am so sorry this happened to this kind lady. Shirley I. Alexander Spokane

IN THE REGION

Pay heed to Spokane politics

What is the relevance of Spokane’s recent election results to those not living in the city of Spokane? Lincoln County residents, for example, did not have the mayor or City Council races on our ballot, so why should we care about Spokane politics anyway?

Well, for one thing, the new strong mayor has a responsibility to enhance the business climate of Spokane as a viable area for growth and productivity. This has an important impact on everyone. You don’t have to live in Spokane County to benefit from a city government that encourages and promotes growth support tactics. New business also benefits us in the form of increased revenue, job opportunities and a sound economic base. These revenues are then spread about and have an effect on road construction, city planning and encouraging a climate of culture.

Even if outside counties are not eligible to vote for important Spokane seats, we still have a voice through our own county commissioners and an obligation to keep an eye on the newly appointed policy makers of our area. The goings-on of Spokane politics are an important issue to everyone in Eastern Washington. Jennifer L. Simmons Reardan

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

He didn’t win, yet Nader’s the one

For once there truly was a candidate running for president who wasn’t a typical politician. Ralph Nader was one of the cleanest candidates America has seen and yet he will not become president.

Something is wrong in America when it takes millions and millions of dollars to run for a political office.

Al Gore and George W. Bush spent an incredible amount of money running for president. They have received tremendous backing from corporate America. It’s amazing how corporations will provide presidential candidates outrageous amounts of money to run for office when all that money could be so much better spent feeding starving people around the world.

The press basically ignored Nader because he didn’t have sufficient funds to run for office. He wasn’t allowed to engage in the presidential debates. I wonder why? Something tells me the Democrats and Republicans were afraid Nader would receive attention from the public and make Gore and Bush look intellectually inept.

Nader is a real man who doesn’t hide behind an image. He didn’t receive the 5 percent of vote cast needed to collect federal campaign funds for the next presidential election but I hope the media and public will pay attention to him. He’s a man who could eliminate the soft money and corruptness of politics. Angie K. McNaught-Davis Medical Lake

Bush’s actions hypocritical

“We want you the people to decide what you want.”

“We don’t want the government telling you what to do.”

“We trust the people.”

Where have you heard those words for the past 18 months? Why from George W. Bush, of course. Now the crybabies want the federal government to stop the will of the people in Florida. How hypocritical! Pauline C. Kask Greenacres

Electoral College serves valid purpose

I feel like I am a victim of psychological warfare. Not only with what the media are saying concerning the butterfly vote in Florida but also the rhetoric about the need to disband the Electoral College.

Our forefathers’ wisdom in setting up the Electoral College has seen to it that all Americans who vote will be heard. That includes voters in the Midwest and Western United States - areas with less-populous states than is the case in the East and South. For the same reason we have two senators from every state and Congress members in proportion to the number of citizens in each state.

Let’s not let hysteria about this year’s election cloud our judgment on the wisdom of our Constitution concerning this matter. Peggy L. Orth Spokane

Clinton protege tries to steal election

Today, President Clinton is in Vietnam. Ironic, isn’t it, that he should be there, alive and well, standing on the graves of those he refused to assist. Those who saw their duty and even though they might have disagreed in the cause, gave their lives doing their duty.

And now the man who has learned all the tricks of the trade at the feet of this president is doing his best to steal the election. And in so doing he is driving a stake through the heart of this country.

Who will ever bother to show up at the polls again in future elections? Where’s the morality in any of this? This is a sad day for The United States of America. John Lee Spokane

Those who want a say should vote

Re: Jeri Cass’ letter of Nov. 14.

Well, duh! You didn’t exercise your right and duty to vote but now you want Vice President Al Gore to concede? Crawl back into the woodwork. You forfeited your right to holler! Ike Fortner Chattaroy

THE MEDIA

R-film reviews should be moved

Some time ago I requested this newspaper not allow older teenagers to review R-rated movies for younger teens in Our Generation. Meanwhile, I read with interest the article about scientists discovering adolescent brains are insufficiently developed to provide complete judgment and discernment.

Recently, the Our Generation staff responded to our letters and phone calls with an assertion of their right and responsibility to publish such reviews. How refreshingly original it would be instead for teens to stand against peer pressure and recognize the gimmickry Hollywood uses to deplete their money and time.

Science - and history - tell us this is unlikely to happen.

A reasonable alternative remains ignored: Move the R-rated reviews to the Weekend entertainment section. Surely, teen writers would benefit from facing a longer format, more-challenging criteria and a more skeptical audience. Such a promotion could hardly be labeled censorship.

Are all R-rated movies trash? No. Would this policy halt the flood of garbage movies flowing out of Hollywood? No. Would it be a step in the right direction? Yes. While society, science and even Hollywood are awakening to the inappropriate marketing of violent and sexual images to young minds, the editors of The Spokesman-Review remain in their septic slumber.

To guide adolescents to maturity in judgment and decision making, parents must parent, teachers must teach, mentors must mentor, editors must edit. Parents, teachers and mentors, are you tired of the media making your jobs more difficult? Call and write the editors. Leslie King Spokane

Shaw departs and we may also

It was with great regret that my husband and I learned that Randy Shaw will no longer be the anchor person for KHQ-6. We felt it bad enough when Debbie Wilde was let go, but now Shaw? Some explanation would be appreciated. Otherwise, we shall be watching one of the other local stations. Bonnie Moffatt Spokane