Letters To The Editor

In the paper

Bula’s words seek to open minds

We applaud Kathy Bula’s article, “Medicated mood.” The messages in Bula’s article are well balanced and written with accuracy and intelligence. We applaud the courage of the two teens interviewed by Bula to speak out and help dispel the ignorance behind the “common perception” of mental illness.

As members of the Spokane Chapter of the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI), we would like to reiterate the point that mental illnesses are medical conditions with a biological component. At NAMI, we are all too familiar with the destructiveness of the stigma and myths that surround mental illness.

Through various programs, NAMI-Spokane provides support, education and advocacy. “Educating the Next Generation” is our educational program for teens, which is presented in the classroom via an arrangement with the teacher. The program consists of empirical evidence based on information about mental illnesses. The goals of our program replicate those highlighted by Bula’s article. Our immediate goal is to eliminate stigma and myths with scientifically based information. Long-term goals include early intervention, early effective treatments and suicide prevention. Statistical data from the Washington State Youth Suicide Prevention Program indicates “that on average there are two youth suicides in Washington state each week. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15-19 year olds. A leading cause of suicide is untreated mental illness, especially depression.”

Congratulations to Bula on an excellent article. Thank for helping to “open your generation’s minds” to the truth about mental illness. Becky Bates and Bil Jensen National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, Spokane Chapter

Important news inadequately displayed

One day recently pictures and stories of Richard Butler, our local contribution to world disorder, largely dominated the front page of this paper. On page 6 of the second section, an action by the Bureau of Indian Affairs was reported that may be the most important event ever in that agency’s history.

The reporting was inverted that day. The important event was America’s apology to Native Americans. The non-event was about Richard Butler and the Aryan Nations.

After 175 years of violating most of the precepts on which our nation was founded, the BIA finally apologized to America’s native people for acts of “racism and inhumanity” including massacres, forced relocations and attempts to destroy languages, religions and customs.

It seems ironic that we have difficulty in recognizing that Gen. Custer and Pastor Butler are twigs on the same sick branch of the human family tree. Both have a pathological love for violence and killing; their excuse is a large heap of rubbish about “inferior” people and “racial conspiracy.”

To me, choices are clear. Celebrate our free and democratic maturity by publicizing our request to be forgiven for having abused our native brothers. Or add to the myth of racial superiority and give Butler, Bertollini and Story newsworthy status. Like Billy the Kid, they are punks with good press.

However, we cannot do both with moral credibility

Butler deserves a place in the news, of course - perhaps the Region section, lower third page, and small header. There are important things to read elsewhere. Jack Poole Nine Mile Falls

Arts and entertainment

Hurrah for Spokane Opera

Thank you again and again to Marjorie Halvorson and Bill Graham for their truly superb production of “Madama Butterfly.” We have long been supporters of Spokane Opera and have watched it grow and become a civic treasure.

In the 15 years since its beginning this partnership has encouraged and nourished the fine talent Spokane has in abundance and has provided a venue for it to be seen and heard. We are grateful for it and appreciative of their long labor of love. George and Stell Telfer Spokane

Long’s support of arts will be missed

I want to thank Derald Long of Hot Flash of America, recently located at 509 West Sprague in downtown Spokane. Long has been a strong supporter of the arts in our area. He has hosted many wonderfully creative art exhibits in his unique and very interesting antiques and art gallery store.

It was a sad day when I heard that Hot Flash of America had closed its doors. I am not sure what led to this decision, but we have surely lost a main downtown attraction and an outlet for working artists. I will miss his style, class and heart. He truly cares about his artists and has gained many admirers.

I wish him all the best in his future endeavors and hope he will stay involved with the arts. He certainly has gained my respect. Marty Johnson Spokane

Government and politics

Bush tax plan direct, simple, honest

As the campaign rhetoric heats up, the contrast between the two presidential candidates is becoming clear. Nowhere is it more striking than in the design of their respective tax plans. Al Gore’s tax plan is narrow, confusing and ultimately dishonest. It is narrow because it will only reach a certain economic group of people. It is confusing due to the myriad of requirements one must fulfill in order to qualify. CPAs (of whom I am one) will make bundles off this quagmire of rules and regulations. And it is dishonest because many will not qualify, and he fails to include the costs of his tax cuts in his overall economic plan. Furthermore, Gore’s plan proves that he will not, as our president, represent all of us, but rather a few key constituencies to whom he has made particular promises.

In contrast, George Bush’s tax plan is direct, simple and honest. It is direct because it will reach every single taxpayer in the country. It is simple because there are no limitations or procedural loopholes. And it is honest because he has included the full cost of his tax cut in his economic plan. Additionally, Bush’s plan is better because it demonstrates that, as our president, he will represent the whole of the country and not just a few selected voting groups.

Ultimately, the tax plans show that the voters have a choice between big government (Gore) and limited government (Bush). I suggest you choose the latter. Jayne T. Deife Odessa

Education

Players must make single commitment

Doug Floyd characterizes the dispute between Liz Hail and the Coeur d’Alene School District over Hail’s participation in school and club soccer at the same time as a conflict between individual rights and social values. I’d call it a conflict between individual rights and institutional rights.

We create institutions, including schools, for a specific purpose. This purpose, whatever it may be, usually cannot be accomplished without giving the institution considerable power to make rules that can sometimes be quite undemocratic. In the case of schools, imagine the mess we’d have if kids were allowed to come and go as they pleased, carry any weapon or substance that’s legal in the community and exercise their full rights to freedom of speech and assembly! Imagine the sorry state of our school athletic programs if coaches couldn’t impose curfews and training rules on their athletics.

When our boys played school soccer, we had the same conflict. Kids sometimes missed games -including playoff matches - because they chose instead to attend an Olympic Development or Premier League tournament. To allow this to continue would have meant permanent second class status for the school soccer programs.

It’s both right and responsible that schools now require the player to choose one or the other. It’s also good to teach young people to recognize and respect legitimate authority, and that life involves some hard choices. Apparently these are lessons Miss Hail’s parents don’t think their daughter should learn. L. Jim Shamp Cheney

Information on Texas schools inaccurate

I find it necessary to respond to Tom Akren’s letter because his information is inaccurate and hurtful to all the students, parents, teachers, administrators and taxpayers in the Lone Star State of Texas.

My first inquiry is the source(s) of Akren’s information about Texas school rankings. Where did he get his data? My own research does not support Akren’s charge that Texas ranks 40th of 50 states.

I was a public school teacher at an inner-city school in central Texas (pop. 75,000) during the 1999-2000 school year. My pay as a first-year teacher was $1,474 more than first year teachers receive in the school districts in Spokane and North Idaho. Additionally, I received a $1,500 sign-on bonus and I recently learned that my particular district’s teachers received another $1,500 across-the-board pay raise for the current school year.

I also had a choice between two very fine health benefits packages that included medical and dental care. Even my husband and children were covered under the plans! So, I ask Akren, which one(s) of the 1,062 independent school districts in Texas does not offer health benefits to their certificated and classified employees?

It is important that citizens make informed decisions and I would challenge anyone to check the other side of the coin before making firm decisions of their own about a candidate for political office.

Any achievement in any area should be lauded and supported. Karen L. Sego-Coughenour Deer Park

NEA home-school resolution valid

The Sept. 11 editorial by Monica Hillard, “NEA resolution is contradictory,” is itself pretty confused. She says that because home-school students “cleaned the clocks of the competition” in national geography and spelling tests, their “great showing” demonstrates their superiority.

Really? Both contests are based on simple rote learning; answers are either right or wrong. Few depend on rote learning in adult life, while most of us use our ability to analyze and compare, combining ideas and evaluating information daily. What evidence proves that home-schoolers excel in these areas?

The NEA recommends regulation of the home-school curriculum and student testing, something those parents have fought against continually. If home schooling produces excellent students, why don’t parents insist on testing that proves it?

Hillard states, “Most parents home-school their children for well thought out reasons.” My own 28 years of experience with large, diverse school systems showed that many parents home-school as a way to control their children’s access to ideas, for example in emphasizing fundamentalist beliefs and creationism.

Hillard argues that because home-school parents pay taxes, their children have a right to participate in extra-curricular activities. However, everyone pays taxes; but each school’s funding is based only on actual hours of daily attendance. Shouldn’t home-school parents accept the consequences of their choice instead of expecting a free ride from a system they won’t support?

Yes, NEA, until impartial testing provides information about the effectiveness of home-schooling, parents must be held completely accountable for their decision. Joanne V. Hirabayashi Priest River, Idaho

Systems could mutually benefit

Monica Hillard’s Sept. 11 editorial, “NEA resolution is contradictory” is right on when she writes, “The `us vs. them’ mentality needs to stop” in regards to the NEA’s hostile stance toward home-schoolers. As a public educator and a former home-school parent, I can say from experience that there is, and always will be, plenty of room for improvement in both arenas.

The public school system has excellent teachers and terrible ones, too. The same is true with home-school situations. Can’t the comment that the “NEA believes that home-schooling programs cannot provide the student with a comprehensive educational experience” also be applied to the fact that the public school system doesn’t always provide a “comprehensive educational experience?”

We try, and in many instances we try very hard, but you have to admit that we (public education systems) are not always successful in every instance.

The other statement by the NEA, “The Association believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools” is simply discriminatory. I would rather see an attitude that says: Maybe we can take the best and learn from each other. Maybe we can mutually benefit each other. Maybe, despite our definite differences, we can join together for the good of children everywhere. Peg B. Waterman Newport, Wash.

Environment

Proceed only on basis of all the facts

The fires of 2000 aren’t through burning. The impacts have not been assessed, yet politicians are boldly offering “fixes” before they have the facts. Let’s evaluate the impacts, both positive and negative, before we jump to conclusions on future forest management.

Many mistakes in forest management occurred in the West over the last century. Fire suppression was used to control fires but the consequences of doing that were ignored for over 50 years. As early as the 1940s scientists warned of the consequences of fire suppression. Land management agencies were unable to see the big picture and tell the public about the consequences. The time frame of forest cycles was too long for them to comprehend. Let’s not repeat mistakes.

There are many variables in the fire equation. Making recommendations about how to deal with forest fires based on this summer is premature. All the specifics of fire intensity, size, topography, vegetation habitat and more isn’t available yet.

Thinning will not fireproof the forests. Many of this summer’s fires were in roaded and logged areas. Thinning in the urban wild land interface areas may be useful if done correctly. The potential for abuse of thinning is great and might actually lead to increased fire risk. Larry O. McLaud Moscow, Idaho

Benefits of mechanical means omitted

“Prescribed burns face tough public relations battle,” (Aug. 27), lists logging and fire suppression as reasons for the wildfires now raging. Political activist groups using lawsuits and lobbying to block forest management aren’t mentioned.

But for a decade, no attempt to thin thickets or reduce the fuel load mechanically has gone unchallenged. Even roads for fire fighting into insect and disease-infested tinderboxes needing only a spark to explode have been blocked. Timber sales that could have helped pay for thinning and other management dropped to a quarter of what they were a decade ago, and the money available went to improve habitat for certain species of wildlife instead.

Nowhere in the story was any mention of the Los Alamos fire this year. There, a proving that this is a dangerous situation.

Most responsible forest officials, forest experts in academia, and even the less extreme environmentalists now agree that reducing the fire hazard by mechanical means is the preferred or at least part of the solution. The Spokesman-Review story doesn’t even mention it.

This is either grossly incompetent journalism or lying by omission to further a political agenda. If this is the kind of reporting and editing we can expect in the future, then truth faces an even tougher battle than a particular forest management technique. But The Spokesman-Revie’s readers should be used to that sort of thing by now. Edwin G. Davis Spokane

Roadside sign speaks volumes

This sign on a roadside fence near Conner, Mont. really says it all.

“To the fire fighters:

Thank you for all your efforts!

To the U.S. Forest Service:

Everything that we love is gone… up in smoke.

The mismanagement of out forests has turned

our beautiful valley into an ash heap!

To Bill Clinton and Al Gore:

Because of your environmental policies, the jobs are gone.

the way of life is gone, and now the beauty is gone.

What’s next? Shame on you!”

All I can think to add is, Amen. Clyde Nicely Clarkston, Wash.