Letters To The Editor

Government and politics

This is not forefathers’ America

An unsurprising statistic from the recent election reveals that city versus suburban-rural folk in equal ratios support opposing presidential visions for America. One vigorously anti-government, one slightly more progovernment. This is understandable because urbanized Americans are no longer as independent as they once were. Independent farm life for most is dead. Wageearning Americans are absolutely dependent on someone else’s capital investments to supply them food and shelter, and big cities don’t provide the sense of community small towns used to.

Attacks on government, by the left in the sixties and seventies and by the right in the eighties and nineties, have weakened Americans’ sense of a supportive community. But in modern America government is how we apportion community responsibilities. What will happen if this sociopathic trend continues? Will seniors with grown kids refuse to fund schools? Should urban Americans not extend roads to outlying communities?

Can suburbanites honestly refuse to fund bus systems in the cities where they work but don’t live? Will the healthy deny help to neighbors who have expensive mental and physical problems? Who will be responsible enough to fund community resources like libraries and parks? This growing anti-government shortsightedness divides and hurts us, increases our sense of isolation and paranoia.

Government is how urbanized America organizes its modern barn raisings and how neighbors help sick neighbors harvest the fall crop! Let’s cautiously reappraise our attitudes about government. A more mature Europe has come to grips with cheek-by-jowl living. When will America? George Thomas Spokane

So this one’s gritty - buck up

I’m amazed at the reactions of some people to the democratic process in action with this presidential election. Have some people just watched too much TV and become brain dead? Or have they just become so apathetic that the excitement of this election just passes them by?

Here’s an election that is truly the democratic process in action. The vote is closer than it’s ever been. That makes every vote count. With all the people in this country, it takes time. Yes, things are messy.

Yes, there is litigation. And why not, when one man who’s so anxious to win that he takes advantage of a slim lead and, in spite of the fact that all the votes are not counted, walks in and starts naming his cabinet? If that’s the way we want our president to act, if that’s the way we’d like to choose a president, then we might as well skip democracy and become like some Third World country that’s constantly in a state of civil war because its leader is the one with the biggest guns and the baddest military force.

Wake up, folks. This isn’t a TV show where all comes up happily tied up and delivered into your living room in an hour. This is life. And aren’t we fortunate to be living it here, rather than under some dictator? Or is that what you’d really like, so you can get back to your football games in peace? Jaquith Ann Travis Coeur d’ Alene

Hand counting should cease

How much more deceit must we endure from the Al Gore political machine? Its attempt to thwart the Constitution and laws in place since our forefathers established them is tyrannical. Disturbed at the idea of losing Florida, they just keep recounting, in the Democratic counties, of course. And now, they want votes not properly punched counted also.

First, the press causes Republican counties to lose thousands of votes because of early miscalculations of who was taking Florida. Some have said over 20,000 voters in mainly Republican counties left voting lines without voting. Then the Republican counties, no doubt with as many carelessly punched holes as the Democratic counties, are not recounted. Just observing present and past actions by these people should make it abundantly clear why Gov. George Bush opposes a hand count. Hand counts are only more accurate than machine counts if the hands that count them are unbiased and honest. Yvonne C. Lee Colville, Wash.

Strange things happening in Florida

I would certainly like to know who impregnated all these Floridian Chads giving birth to so many dimpled offspring which are adding to Vice President Al Gore’s vote count. I know that new birthing technology advancements have made great strides but didn’t know until now of its application to the electoral process. Since it is Chad himself who is being impregnated and not Cathy, I guess that eliminates Bubba, but so far the liberal Democrats seem to be attributing them to some sort of massive Chad immaculate conception theory invented by who else but Gore. However, his supporters may have to find a way to monitor their proliferation so as not to ultimately exceed the number of people who actually voted for him. Ken Van Buskirk Spokane

This is compassionate?

George W. Bush and the Republican Party have demonstrated their commitment to their campaign pronouncements that they are “compassionate conservatives.” They have characterized Florida voters as careless, stupid and senile. This, despite the facts that support contentions that a confusing ballot may have been used, ballots may not have been in compliance with state requirements and that punch cards may not have done their job. Philip Waring Coeur d’Alene

Vote counters have the power

Some helpful wisdom from the past regarding the Florida vote:

“The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.” - Joseph Stalin Alexander P. Brown Spokane

Plenty of blame to go around

As an avowed moderate, I’ve been attempting to process recent election information critically and rationally. I have observed numerous wrongs from both sides.

Republicans were wrong to fill out absentee ballots and send them to voters for signatures. Democrats were wrong to check backgrounds of the electorate to find out who might be swayed.

Republicans were wrong to arrogantly assemble a transition team while Al Gore was still ahead in the popular and electoral votes. (Counting on Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Secretary of State Katherine Harris to pull them through perhaps?)

Democrats were wrong to personally smear Harris. Particularly offensive are Republicans attempts to vilify the good citizens of Florida while they perform their duties.

The Debate Commission was wrong to exclude minor party candidates. Gore supporters are wrong to castigate those who voted for Ralph Nader. And then there were the media - wrong!

But, the voters of Palm Beach were right to question Pat Buchanan’s tally. Citizens of the United States are right to expect a fair vote count. The canvassing boards of Florida have a right to have their recounts legitimately considered. Republicans had the right to request hand counts but did not.

The democratic process is, as always, right on.

Most of this information (especially the news about the accuracy of election machines) has me dismayed and disconcerted. Look out, politicians. I have a feeling I am not the only one! Taryn Hutchins Spokane

Watch what you do, politicians

As was predictable the Florida Supreme Court made a ruling that benefits Vice President Al Gore. I basically do not object to the recount but if the dimpled ballots are counted I will object.

If the unpostmarked ballots of our military, mailed on military bases, are not counted., I will go ballistic. Judith L. Cocking Newman Lake

U.S. and the world

Foreigners should mind manners

International response to election 2000 has ranged from the thoughtful and intelligent to the scurrilous. Foreign observers likening the United States to some corrupt banana republic should be beneath contempt. However, it is irritating to have our democratic, legal, open and scrupulous electoral process slandered by the ignorant and the envious overseas. Those sneering at Earth’s greatest democracy have all the moral standing of a hooligan sticking its tongue out and kicking a respected adult in the shins. Incredulous contempt is generally the response of the adult.

One last thought, an old Middle East proverb: “The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.”

Yap on, pups. Sharon Eide Bridgeport, Wash.

More aid for Honduran women

In response to your article regarding the Women’s Opportunity Fund printed on May 21, we thank The Spokesman-Review and the community for their gracious response.

In the article Mary Farrell relates a story about how several Honduran women bettered their lives through small-business loans raised by women in Spokane. Since then, public response has been supportive and generous. At this point, funds have been raised for a second Honduran Trust Bank. Each bank helps 25-40 women earn a living, enabling them to provide basics for their family and send their children to school.

It is a pleasure to see the positive impact that the media can have and we thank the people of Spokane for their willingness to share and involve themselves in the lives of those less fortunate. Karlene Arguinchona for the Spokane Council of WOF

Clinton wrong in visiting Vietnam

The president of the United States traveled to Vietnam; he represents this country. Bill Clinton evaded the draft and protested America’s involvement in that war. By his actions he gave comfort to the enemy. More than 50,000 Americans died in the Vietnam War.

Ironically, Vietnam today has a communist regime with no love of liberty, democracy or freedom.

Many of the American soldiers who died in Vietnam still have brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers alive in this country. Many of those individuals still believe their family members died for a higher moral purpose than what is embodied in Vietnam’s concept of liberty.

Although trade with Vietnam might serve important economic and strategic interests, I question whether this trip was needed by a lame duck president who has enjoyed all the fruits of American freedoms but who has deliberately chosen not to wear the uniform of the United States. This trip to Vietnam should have awaited a new president who has more in common with the American soldiers who, whether draftee or enlistee, wore the military uniform, knowing when, and if, they got home there would be true liberties awaiting them.

Today, Vietnam’s concept of liberty stands as a pikestaff to totalitarianism. It is no surprise that the Vietnamese leaders who control the media allowed Clinton free time to address the Vietnamese people. It is sad that Clinton would accept the offer. His deeds have shown that he has never had empathy for the American soldier. Robert J. Crotty Spokane

President’s Vietnam trip disgusting

I am a veteran of Vietnam, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I find President Clinton’s hypocritical visit to Vietnam such an offense to the memory of my fallen friends that it’s hard to express myself. I’m surprised he didn’t take his friend, Jane Fonda, with him so she could renew the friendships she made while she committed treason during the Vietnam War.

Clinton is the perfect model of cynicism that he has helped promote in our great nation. It is obvious he is trying to build a political legacy. To this politician I say, you have a legacy - you were impeached. Live with it. Richard M. Munson Spokane

Other topics

For these good people, we give thanks

Recently, an incident occurred that pointed out how very much we have to be thankful for. Our house caught fire! While I did what I could with the flames, my wife called 911 and then returned to help me.

In a matter of minutes, along with family, neighbors and dear friends, fire crews from the 57th Street station and from Valleyford responded. Working quickly, efficiently and professionally, these two fantastic crews put the fire out.

Even while suppressing the flames they called a wonderful EMT who treated a minor injury I had sustained. They did all this with kindness, concern and while taking great care to avoid unnecessary damage.

How fortunate we are to live where we do, where the finest and best young men and women seek out opportunities to serve and protect, even to the point of risking their lives to preserve ours.

These are the children and grandchildren of Tom Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation.” They are certainly continuing the traditions of their parents and grandparents. We thank each of them from the bottom of our hearts and wish them God’s richest blessings this holiday season and forever. Roald and Christine Tangvald Spokane

Make adoptions less necessary

Re: The Nov. 2 article detailing a mother’s trauma over adoption.

I am an adoptive mother of a 10-year-old girl who was separated from her mother as a newborn. My adoptive child, as do many other separated children, suffers from complex post-traumatic stress disorder, otherwise known as reactive attachment disorder, or RAD. This is a controversial dysfunction diagnosis, partly because we live in a society which is predominantly pro-adoption, so many of us do not wish to see the sadder side of separation and adoption.

Embryos have already strongly bonded with their mothers in the womb; they recognize the mother’s heartbeat, the mother’s scent, the mother’s voice - this is the beauty and wonder of nature! When a young child is removed from his or her mother, the stress on the child is unbearable, most especially when the children are pre-verbal. Mothers are meant to keep their babies and babies are meant to keep their mothers. They are irreversibly programmed to do this together.

In a progressive society, we must think of an alternative to adoption. It is inappropriate to punish a parent for poor parenting by removing a child, no matter how protective we feel toward the child. It is inappropriate for mothers to be relinquishing children due to poverty when there is an answer to poverty.

Let’s repair poor parenting. Let’s eradicate poverty. If half the energy and money spent on adoption would be spent more wisely, poverty and poor parenting would be things of the past. Susan A. Jackson Winthrop, Mass.

KHQ, what gives?

I have two questions for KHQ: Why did it feel it was necessary to go to the East Coast to hire a mediocre anchorperson when it had excellent people already on staff? If Randy Shaw was such a terrible employee, why did KHQ sign him to an eight-year contract? Audrey H. Cusack Sandpoint

Some of us can’t get out to polls

I take great offense at D.F. Oliveria’s Hot Potatoes headline of Nov. 12, “All voters should have to find their way to the polls.” Not every voter is as agile and capable as you, sir! Before my husband started having hand tremors, we always went to our polling place. Now he is forced to request an absentee ballot. There’s no way he can hold a pencil steady and fill in that tiny circle on the ballot. He can barely sign his name anymore.

Also, in polling places around the country where voters did make the effort to vote and stood in line only to have precinct doors closed in their faces - is that fair? Mary Jeanne Naccarato Priest River, Idaho