Letters To The Editor
Spokane matters
Pure water, yes; fluoride, no
Fluoride is not for washing clothing, baths, watering lawns and gardens or for drinking. Fluoride may poison your body when you don’t know how much you are getting. We need more pure water, as we should drink lots of water for our health. Leatha Mael Spokane Valley
Don’t let dogs foul sports field
Saturday, while attending a soccer game at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex, two men came by with dogs on leashes. At the entrance the complex are posted signs, “No dogs allowed.”
While passing by the playing field, each dog left their waste on the field where the children were playing. No attempt was made to pick up the leavings by either party.
How would these folks like to find these leavings where they play? The hundreds of children using this facility don’t appreciate finding them either.
Please, dog owners, walk your dogs in appropriate places - and clean up after them! Robert and Irene Whicker Spokane
Over the line
Hoping standards cross state lines
It felt just like Christmas again when I read that the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission took a tough stand with Avista.
They decided that the cost of changing the name from Washington Water Power to Avista was not of any benefit to the ratepayers. Likewise, making a film about their ex-chief was of no particular value to those of us who use Avista to heat and light our homes. The search costs and excessive salary and perks for a CEO to run an unregulated line of business were not costs that belong on the rateholders monthly bill.
Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus and there is good in Washington. Let us just hope that our own commission in Idaho has the same standards. Bob Hunt Post Falls
In the Public Eye
Athletes’ behavior `sickening’
It is sickening that the U.S. Olympic 400 meter relay team showed so little regard for the flag and the anthem of the country that supported their efforts and that they are supposed to represent. Their self-aggrandizing antics did not make me ashamed to be an American but did make me ashamed that they are Americans. Terry Griner Spokane
Actions promote racism
Re: Ugly Americans
In regard to the behavior of the American men’s Olympic 4x100 relay team and the American men’s Olympic basketball team, in my opinion, that display has done more to promote racism than anyone or any event in the last 50 years. Joseph O. Sherman Cusick, Wash.
Government and politics
Liberal bias showing through
The editorial headline on Sept. 27 (Region) caught my eye when it stated “Our freedoms not license to do wrong.” Just as Rev. Richard Butler is wrong so is the mainstream media with its liberal bias.
They have an obligation to only report the news, not news with the liberal bias. People are entitled to have all the information before making a decision. Also they write in a positive way about liberals while writing in a negative way about conservatives.
Is the liberal media afraid the liberals couldn’t win elections without their liberal bias reporting? Robert L. Goertzen Greenacres
Gore has nothing good to offer
Before casting a vote for the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, Vice President Al Gore, please consider the following.
Gore, the self-proclaimed “most involved” vice-president ever, has proudly stood alongside of and wholeheartedly defended the presidency of Bill Clinton.
As president, Gore will push for increasing our tax burden and will continue to throw even more of our hard-earned money at what he sees as the answer to everything - an ever-increasing, bloated government bureaucracy. Gore, if elected, will continue to spend more money on this country’s dismal public school systems, while fighting with all he’s worth to not allow parents the freedom to choose any alternative to take their own tax money and use it for their child’s education at an efficient, cost-effective private school.
Gore will continue to pour money into even more inefficient entitlement programs, all the while seeing that our military continues its downhill slide to a point that it will not be effective in any endeavor it is asked to undertake.
Gore brings into this race his record of flip-flops on numerous major issues and offers us a candidate who will say and do anything to get himself elected. Gore, as part of the Clinton-Gore team, represents the most corrupt, greedy and dishonest leadership this country has ever endured. If you want more of the same sleaze and deceit that we’ve put up with since 1992, vote for Gore. Gerry D. Bassen Spokane
Nader would bring out issues
The two main issues affecting Americans today are the lack of fordable, universal healthcare and special-interest financing of political candidates. Did the presidential candidates talk about either one? Nope! Oh, they were pandering to seniors about prescription drug costs, but that was it.
I was hopeful when Al Gore said he needed to finish the other half of the welfare equation. Wow! I thought. Does he actually have the courage to mention the billions of dollars taxpayers spend on corporate welfare? Nope! Not a chance.
The only thing that will pry these two out of their little boxes is to let Ralph Nader debate them. Judy Gardner Spokane
Access to lands important
I read Rich Landers’ Oct. 5 diatribe on the Gore/Bush debate in which he tried to crucify Gov. Bush. I was surprised to find it on the Sports page and not on the Opinion page.
I also read two other articles in the same paper, “Cattle ranchers outbid by environmentalist” and “businesses slam USFS regulations.” All of these “news” items point out a real problem for we people who reside in Idaho. We have the fortune, or misfortune, to live in a state where a large portion of the land is owned or controlled by the federal government, state, USFS, etc. This leaves only a small portion of the land to pay the taxes to support the schools, highways, law enforcement, etc. We are therefore very dependent on government-owned property to provide the jobs and income to support the people who live here. Access to these lands is important to our existence.
We should be able to use the bounty that God gave us, of course with consideration for conserving these renewable resources for future generations, which can be done.
Landers, we know that you enjoy our outdoors as much as we do. Please let us have a reason to continue to live here. Bob Pace Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Writer’s alignment confusing
I read with confusion (Oct. 5) that Rich Landers is throwing his support at Al Gore. Maybe Landers should take note of the anti-hunting/fishing groups Gore is aligned with. Ask any member of PETA which candidate between Gore and George Bush they’d vote for and I’ll bet the venison in my freezer that they’ll say Gore.
This is not even touching on the fact that Gore and his friends can’t wait to knock on my door and take my guns, but that’s a whole new page.
Landers can align himself with the bunny-hugger bunch, I’ll stick with the actual sportsman! Mark Ruhe Nine Mile Falls
Other topics
Colvilles have right, duty
I read an article about the Kennewick Man skeleton in the Sept. 26 Spokesman-Review. As a person who has Delaware (Lenni-Lenape) Indian background I have to agree with the Colville Confederated Tribes. It is their right and indeed their ancestral duty to pay proper respect to this most ancient of ancestors. I find it particularly humorous to read Prof. Jantz’s comments about oral traditions and its inaccuracy.
Indeed, I might ask, can he trace his lineage back even 200 to 300 years on this soil? I think not, scientific arrogance never ceases to amaze me.
To the Colvilles I say, more power to you. You are treating your ancestors’ spirits in the right way. To the scientific community I suggest you graciously accept defeat and get a life! Daniel L. Mattox Spokane