Letters for Nov. 22, 2023

Racist language doesn’t belong in newspaper

In a recent Letter to the Editor (“Congress Destroys Nation’s Security”) Pomeroy resident Dennis Cimino lambastes Congress, presumably, for financing Ukraine in its war with Russia and for financing Israel’s war with Hamas, all to the detriment of addressing problems here in the U.S.

He’s entitled to his position, but Mr. Cimino crossed the line into hate speech when he used a century-old and discredited antisemitic (anti-Jewish) trope claiming that members of Congress “have squandered $33 trillion on senseless wars for the military industrial complex and wealthy Zionists who run the world from the shadows.”

While allowing for diverse opinions, surely the editorial staff at the Spokesman-Review could do a better job of identifying and rejecting vile letters like Mr. Cimino’s that denigrate and threaten minority residents in our region. Our Jewish and Muslim communities are currently hurting. The Spokesman-Review shouldn’t be pouring salt on their wounds.

Human Rights Spokane is a united group of community members whose mission is to guard and advance human rights in order to create a region where all people feel welcomed, safe and valued.

We encourage anyone who experiences or is witness to hateful attacks or threats to submit a report to our Hate Documentation Project: ReportHateBias.org.

Thank you in advance for improving your vigilance.

Paul Schneider

President, Human Rights Spokane

Spokane

Respect for veterans

The love of my life was a disabled combat veteran.

All veterans hold a special place in my heart, especially combat veterans and veterans who suffered as prisoners of war.

Our soldiers swear an oath to the Constitution of the United States of America and put their lives on the line in defense of this nation.

Out of respect for them I will never vote for any politician who calls these brave men and women, the wounded, fallen, and prisoners of war, “losers and suckers.”

This also goes for any politician who is unwilling the stand up against extremist power plays that threaten to undermine democracy and national security.

I am speaking to those who enable Sen. Tuberville and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to continue to do the damage they are doing, especially to our military. We have two very dangerous wars at this time and these guys and others who should know better are just screwing around.

In my world extremism (right, left, or upside-down) and cowardice are unacceptable.

Let us continue to work toward a better nation so the sacrifices of generations of veterans will not be in vain.

Karen M. Hansen

Viola, Idaho

Taking action to cure climate anxiety

Don’t be anxious about the climate crisis. Anxiety is a normal response when we see a danger our leaders ignore. But push back instead. Take control. Get active. Because action, no matter how small, is the best cure for anxiety.

It doesn’t have to be a big or dramatic action, just an effective one, and the Citizens’ Climate Lobby has some great suggestions. One of the best actions is the quickest and simplest: Pick up your phone and tell Congress you want action. Try it.

It’ll take less than two minutes, but after you call, you’ll notice a feeling of agency, of having played a small but influential part in solving this global problem. Better yet, you’ll get that unfamiliar feeling of hope and optimism. Put reminders on your calendar, and call as often as you like.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby has a range of tools, guidelines, and resources to make acting easy, such as monthly reminders and emphasizing trust, respect, and civility to ensure leaders hear your voice.

Climate anxiety is real. Please don’t ignore it. Choose action instead.

Simon Smith

Pullman