Put Clark out to pasture

Accolades to Karen Kearney (“Clark is bad for city,” Feb. 11) on the subject matter. Doug Clark is a one-trick pony and it is time The Spokesman-Review turned him and his negative nagging out to pasture. All he seems to do is use his bully pulpit to denigrate this community, and the individuals who try to serve and make this a better place to live.

He acts like a carrion crow consuming tragedy and spewing dissent. Perhaps he would be happier in Kandahar or Detroit.

God knows he does nothing of value to enhance the literary content of your paper or the reputation of Spokane.

He is a legend in his own mind, but then again he has proven to be mindless.

Thomas K. Collins

Spokane

Do businesses flee from Clark?

Just read the Feb. 11 letter from Karen Kearney concerning Doug Clark, and it does raise some interesting points. Now, I’ve never thought of Doug Clark as a journalist, per se. His column to me is more like an opinion piece: “The World According to Doug Clark,” if you will.

If he were indeed a journalist, then, yes, he would have to adhere to the rules of the game (and I assume they’re all still in place). Ha!

As things stand, I generally find his take on things interesting and, on a good day, highly entertaining.

Now, if Kearney can find a legitimate example of someone who decided to locate his or her business elsewhere because of that darn Doug Clark, then maybe she’s on to something, but otherwise … puh-leeze.

Doug MacKenzie

Spokane

Columnist raises awareness

Karen Kearney (Feb. 11) thinks Doug Clark is bad for Spokane. I don’t. Doug’s a gadfly, making the comfortable uncomfortable and providing a greater awareness for us all. It’s a service that’s badly needed in Spokane.

Spokane is a generous, friendly, compassionate city, and also one of the most parochial places I’ve ever lived. The Good Old Boy network is very strong. Thank goodness Doug isn’t afraid to step on toes and gore sacred cows. This doesn’t mean I always agree with him. I don’t, but he always gets me thinking.

He hasn’t shown disrespect for our way of life; using his freedom of speech is part of our way of life, even if you disagree with what’s being said. If Doug has shown disrespect toward the Spokane Police Department, I don’t think he’s alone. Last time I looked, Doug wasn’t under investigation by the feds and hadn’t beaten anyone with a baton.

If your chief executive friends think the image of Spokane is hurt more by Doug’s column than by the scandals he writes about, or the fact that every exit off of Interstate 90 has a group of scruffy panhandlers present, then maybe they, and you, should think again.

Kevin L. Edgren

Spokane

Compare facts on budget plans

A suggestion since House Republicans “are preparing their version of Obama’s budget … ”: I would like to see one or more analysis articles outlining their proposals, including specific cuts, impact on government and individuals and benefits. In short, the pros and cons.

A similar analysis of President Barack Obama’s budget would be fair, and both would offer citizens a rational chance to compare proposed solutions.

The election year presents a chance to consider, fairly, two (at least) different and competing strategies. With so much at stake, voters should have the opportunity to inform themselves, and not just have inflated rhetoric as a basis to choose.

John Severinghaus

Spokane