Letters

Smoking ban unnecessary

I feel this new smoking law that states no one is allowed to smoke in public buildings is unnecessary and unfair. Restaurants throughout America have a smoking and a non-smoking section. This splits them up and leaves everyone happy. Now smokers have to go outside and leave their friends inside.

I also think that when you go into a bar, you should expect smoke. Most bar-goers have accepted this and have no complaints, otherwise there wouldn’t be people going to the bar. This law will throw everyone off and leave all smokers unhappy. Most people that go to bars tend to be smokers anyway, so bars would lose a lot of business as well.

I have never had problems with smokers. If the smoke is obnoxious, typically there would be a “no smoking” sign. The measures the state has taken are unnecessary and should not have been taken.

Alden Skeie

Mead

Smokescreen of war fading

Roger McMillian’s letter “We cannot abandon Iraq” (Nov. 29) is such a mishmash of distortions and lunacies, it’s hard to know where to begin.

Actually, invoking hate, confusion and fear does nothing to address issues of strategy in Iraq. If the U.S. is more unsafe today, it’s precisely because of Bush’s politics and actions. This administration has enriched itself in terms of money and power by firing up distortions and fears, and frankly, I’m thankful the mirage is disintegrating.

Last week, Sen. Barack Obama asked the president to work with Congress on finding the best solution for reducing troops and transferring power. Let’s hear it for reason and intelligence, which in my book is the foundation of patriotism.

J.G. Sugg

Spokane

Clues about WMDs

Did Saddam Hussein have WMDs? He said that he did. What happened to them? He said that he destroyed them in order to get the U.N. inspectors off his back. Does that make sense to you? How could he expect to be credited with destroying them when there were no credible witnesses to verify the destruction?

So, what happened to the WMDs? Odds are that they were transported across borders into Syria, Libya, etc., etc. To any place he could find anti-American groups who might make use of them. Not necessarily with the overt blessing of the various governments, but then again, they probably would not have been very much inclined to interfere with the process, either.

How were the gaseous types of products transported? Probably in those special-built “fertilizer” trucks.

It has been reported that Iran has the detailed plans needed to build atomic warheads. What was the source of those plans? And what were the sources of the nuclear data and materials that Libya so graciously gave up?

Floyd C. Braaten

Spokane

Lawmakers, stand by your votes

On the front page of the Nov. 26 Spokesman-Review’s Region section, Rep. Norm Dicks stated that President Bush “doctored” the intelligence report (“Dicks has change of heart on Iraq war”).

Mr. Dicks, to prove your point of changing your mind about the Iraq war, please print word for word what the intelligence report said. Then print word for word the “doctored” report the president presented to you and all the other liberals who have claimed they we misled (or lied to). Let us read for ourselves the real truth.

If you are unable or unwilling to do so, then you are just speculating and that could be considered deceitful or maybe an outright lie.

Mr. Dicks, you and you alone are responsible to thoroughly research all bills and legislation that come before you for a yes or no vote. Please have the backbone and respectability to stand by your past and future votes.

Gene Scolavino

Spokane

Support for war missing

Our political system has degenerated to a point that the liberals know the only way they can regain control is to demonize and destroy the administration’s attempt at conducting the war on terrorism. They win if the president, in his attempt to bring a representative government to this area of the Middle East, fails.

Statements like those of Rep. Murtha, Sens. Durbin, Kennedy, Kerry, Reid, Pelosi and others do nothing but undermine the morale of our troops and aid and abet the enemy; they are encouraging the insurgents as sure as Jane Fonda encouraged the North Vietnamese.

Should our government lose its resolve to fight this war on terrorism and prevent any more 9/11s, then as our Declaration of Independence instructs we must initiate another revolution to replace an unworthy government! “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.”

Will the mainstream media give the coverage to Sen. Lieberman’s support of the administration in Iraq as it did Rep. Murtha’s call for an immediate withdrawal? Very doubtful!

Gary Tucker

Oldtown, Idaho

We must defeat terrorists

Come on, folks! It’s not hard to remember the events of only three years ago when most of today’s Democratic critics of the Iraq war publicly and emphatically stated the need to depose Saddam Hussein. But now they go negative, seeing an opportunity for political advantage among a public-gone-wobbly due to one-sided press coverage. (Troops on the ground overwhelmingly support the effort and can’t understand why stories of their success go unreported at home.)

Even the Washington Post’s Dana Milbank and Walter Pincus, while obligatorily critical of the president, conclude that, “Intelligence agencies overwhelmingly believed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction” (Nov. 12). Was the president supposed to act contrary to the best intelligence available? In a post-9/11 world could the president turn a blind eye to the “gathering storm” as did his predecessor? And any clear-headed person can see that an immediate withdrawal or an announced timetable would create either an immediate or time-released bloodbath against the freedom-wanting majority in Iraq.

So why not pipe down and support the only sane way out of the conflict: soundly defeating the terrorists of “al-Qaida in Iraq.” A sign placed over I-90 last week said “2000 dead. Why?” The answer: freedom for millions!

Paul Steenblik

Spokane

Speculation is not science

In regard to Mr. Rob Leach’s statement that the Earth is not billions of years old, “and that, my friends, is provable,” I was disappointed that Mr. Leach declined to share this established “evidence” with us (“Evidence burns evolution,” Nov. 8). Instead, we’re presented with what Mr. Leach refers to as “speculation” about the properties of the sun. Speculation should never be confused with science.

As the main premise appears to hang on the age of the Earth, it should be noted that the U.S. Geological Survey Web site states that the Earth is at least 4.3 billion years old. This has been determined by radiometric dating, which is a firmly established scientific method.

As for the notion that there is no evidence to support evolution, I paraphrase Bill Shakespeare, “… get thee to a library.” Libraries are chock full of information and they’re free. Consider “The Origin of Species,” circa 1859. And one might also discover that being a scientist does not mean that you’re also an atheist. Go figure.

Hal Lower

Spokane

OHV column ignored facts

Jim Furnish’s guest editorial on Nov. 24 titled “Put brakes on off-highway vehicles in forests” doesn’t provide all the facts. He doesn’t disclose that every national forest has a forest plan that details the use of our national forests and that there is a process for review and revisions. A series of public meetings has been held during the last year to obtain input into the current revisions. These collaborative meetings have been attended by local citizens representing environmental, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, logging, ATV, snowmobile and other interests.

Mr. Furnish doesn’t disclose the fact that there are state restrictions and requirements placed on off-highway vehicles and many areas, roads and trails are already off limits. Additionally, newer off-highway vehicles are significantly quieter and are subject to tighter mandated industry standards.

I firmly believe that the vast majority of users of our national forests are responsible and want to see the forests protected. Mr. Furnish failed to disclose a number of key facts, but when you live in Washington, D.C., it may be difficult to understand and appreciate the collaborative efforts of local folks to use, preserve and protect our national forests.

Miles Fuhrman

Spokane

Clark column a turkey

I’m a 15-year-old who doesn’t usually pay much attention to anything remotely political. I have my own opinions on the subjects but basically I try to steer clear of arguments regarding individual standpoints.

Thanksgiving morning my family took the newspaper in for a neighbor (we don’t subscribe, and after that day I am strongly reminded why) so I decided to peruse it, checking out the horoscopes, comics, whatever.

When I saw the cover of the Region section, my eyes jumped down to a column of italics; it was Mr. Clark’s witty reproduction of “Favorite Things” (“And the hits, they just keep on coming”).

Eh heh heh heh.

Not only was this article completely rude, absolutely disgusting and totally uncalled for on Thanksgiving Day, it also failed to follow its own pentameter in some areas. The humiliation of our mayor has been stretched five times further than it should have been. The lack of maturity in the humor of this piece is astonishing.

Next time I’ll reconsider before looking into a copy of The Spokesman-Review or the Doug Clark column, at least.

Rachel Brow

Spokane

Whitworth deserves apology

I have never chosen before to not read an author’s column. Here is my first. I am not going to read Doug Clark’s column until he apologizes for such a childish column about Whitworth College (“Whitworth’s new moniker happy news,” Nov. 17). That column reveals a failed attempt to be funny. His remarks were not humorous. They were cruel. Clark shows poor taste and lack of decency. He should get to know the dedicated college staff and then write another column about the college.

Robert Ruby

Moses Lake

UI values diversity

Shawn Vestal’s UI is foreign to me (“Area universities falling short in quest for ethnic diversity,” Nov. 28). I teach in Warden, Wash. In the past three years, 12 “diverse” students have left for UI, with good financial aid packages and an excellent support system in place to help them with the transition. It is too bad he neglected to speak to any of them. You don’t allow space to tell all their stories.

One student I know arrived in the U.S. in the ninth grade speaking no English. She graduated from WHS in May and is now a thriving freshman at UI. The people at UI went out of their way to facilitate her entry to the university, as they have with all the students from Warden. There are also two Gates Millennium Scholars from Warden attending UI – their scholarships will pay for any university. They chose UI because they are diverse and knew UI would welcome them and provide a positive university experience.

Regardless of what is written in this paper or any other, the proof will be in the product. Of the 12 kids I know at UI, all diverse, all first-generation high school graduates, I will bet on every one of them beating the odds.

Angie Dorman

Moses Lake

WASL not worth it

How much more must we tolerate? Again, the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Terry Bergeson, is asking for more. And for what? For summer school for high school students who do not pass the WASL (“WASL has students in suspense,” Nov. 26).

To date the Washington Assessment of Student Learning has cost Washington taxpayers a total of $151.2 million. Now another $42 million to fund summer programs for high school students who cannot pass a test that has never been validated; a test that costs $72 per student per administration; a test that causes the curriculum to be narrowed at the expense of the very students who most likely will have to retake the test.

Why? Because those students engaged in traditional vocational programs are those who are finding those offerings reduced or eliminated from typical high school curriculums. Even if they are offered, these students may not have the opportunity to take them because they are forced by their Individual Student Learning Plan to drop these courses in favor of remedial WASL classes!

Washingtonians, I urge you to write your legislators and tell them “enough is enough!”

Bob DeBuhr

Clarkston

Rx plan is a start

Responding to J.M. Paul’s “Thanks for Rx mess,” Nov. 26.

You are correct, the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage plans available seem to be a mess and will have to be adjusted along the way. The fine-tuning of this plan will take time. At least it’s a start.

We seniors, most of whom are average or above in the school of “hard knocks,” at least earned the right to ask for fair pricing for prescription drugs.

Ask the question: Why are pharmaceutical drugs not imported like automobiles, appliances, apparel, etc.? Surely you don’t believe it’s to protect the U.S. economy.

Our political expertise is to be questioned. However, we are learning from our mistakes. Our Social Security pension trust was borrowed, never to be returned.

Your preschool statement is an insult.

Wayne A. Springer

Spokane

Public employees overpaid

Very nice letter, Mrs. Barbara Davis (“Pay our teachers more,” Nov. 24), but I feel the need to get on my soap box.

I had the misfortune of working for a defense contractor and being a sailor in the U.S. Navy. I can say with complete certainty that 75 percent of federal government, including defense employees, are overpaid and underworked, and basically are just sucking off the government teat, to put it bluntly. Teachers, on the other hand, are whiners and snivelers, and if I had children they would be home-schooled.

Basically what I am saying is that all public employees are overpaid and underworked. I have not met a teacher or other public employee who was struggling to make ends meet unless you count the ones who have three and four cell phones, cable TV, brand new SUV, etc., etc. I have a feeling that the people complaining the loudest are the ones with the most toys in the back yard.

Scott Spray

Athol, Idaho

Audit the audit process

Regarding “Met auditor wants protection,” Nov. 27.

An audit is an examination of records for their accuracy. Using only supplied records is sloppy at best, if not criminally negligent. Such derelict actions can never be called audit and no rhetoric can ever change that, or can it?

It appears that the meaning of financial standards can obtain a miraculous flexibility and fluidity, growing with the amounts involved. It appears that financial accounting methods are largely out of control.

That certainly is also the impression one must get when governmental actions stop the operation of a business because it has 6 percent less assets than credits and then wondrously manages to project an allocation of maximum 14 percent to the bona fide investors. There is an 80 percent gap. Can you blame people when they get curious seeing $320 million disappear right in front of their eyes?

A public discussion of such matters seems really urgent and appropriate.

Gunter Milow

Coeur d’Alene

Preserving architecture important

It’s been said that architecture is both the first and highest art form. When Howard Roach says in his Nov. 26 letter to The Spokesman that he’s toured the Rookery and Mohawk buildings and that they are nothing special (“Buildings aren’t that special”), I suppose it’s akin to someone looking at the Mona Lisa and saying, it’s just a picture of a homely woman.

Had Mr. Roach paid attention to Professor Matt Cohen’s and Dr. Patricia Hansen’s testimony he would understand the architectural, historical and social significance of the buildings. If he, and council members Cherie Rogers, Al French, Brad Stark and Bob Apple understood what makes an area like the Pearl District in Portland and the Belltown neighborhood in Seattle vibrant, they would know the critical role historical buildings play in creating a thriving urban landscape and how a new building, like the American West Bank building, does not make an equivalent contribution.

Had the aforementioned council members understood this, they would know why preserving art and architecture is critical to public well-being and public safety, and is thus a crucial role for government. The city should revise its position and immediately purchase the buildings because their value greatly exceeds their monetary asking price.

Glenn Tanner

Spokane

Motorists not paying full fare

The appropriate response to Leonard Nunn’s question (“Cyclists’ rights questioned,” Nov. 22) is to state that rights in our country are not assigned according to who pays the associated taxes. But I cannot refrain from commenting on the implication that motorists alone have paid for the roads through gas taxes and vehicle registrations (and therefore should not have to share them with cyclists).

Cyclists rarely travel the highways, so let’s consider state, county and local roads. Revenues to build, maintain and police these roads come from a variety of sources, including property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes – varying by state. These taxes are paid by all citizens, cyclists and pedestrians, as well as motorists. If we compare the road-wear impact of a bicycle to that of an auto, it is obvious that cyclists pay more than their share of the bill.

Until motorists pay increased taxes (probably a dollar more on a gallon of gas and a thousand dollars more for yearly tags) to cover all of the road expenses, the cyclists and pedestrians will subsidize their privilege of driving.

So smile and wave “thank you” to a friend as you carefully pass each cyclist.

Pete Duffy

Spokane

Need the truth about AIDS

AIDS is a worldwide tragedy. For nearly 25 years the main methods of transmission have been obvious: intercourse that causes trauma and IV drug use. For all these years, the “experts” have insisted on intermediate methods like needle exchange and condoms while ignoring the cause.

When the media accuse the public of having its head in the sand about condoms and more explicit sex education, remind them:

During that same time, teen pregnancies have been reduced by teaching and promoting abstinence until marriage to the youngest populations. Schools in most states have required HIV education, most focusing their time on condoms as the prevention method. HIV information Web sites have proliferated, especially for men having sex with men. Taxpayers now pay for condoms distributed at bars and places where those engaging in the riskiest of behaviors frequent.

Virtually every American can tell you how HIV is transmitted and that HIV kills. When do we call “emperor’s new clothes” on those who want freewheeling sex but do not want anyone to suggest that the root cause is sex with multiple partners, especially traumatic rectal intercourse?

Real compassion means telling the truth about methamphetamines, rectal sex and condom reliability.

Carlos Jones

Spokane