Don’t burn fellow soldiers

Incredible that some criticize the president for apologizing for our troops burning Qurans in Afghanistan. First of all, it is unbelievable that troops can ignore all the orientation they receive in regard to the religious customs and sensitivities before heading to Muslim nations. By the actions of a few, they put the lives of all their fellow soldiers at risk.

For all those who condemn the president for issuing the apology, they must care little for the safety and lives of our troops, who need the cooperation of Muslims, cooperation that is so essential to the defeat of terrorism and preventing Afghanistan from becoming a Taliban- and/or al-Qaida-governed nation.

Allan LeTourneau

Spokane

Focus on water, potholes

What is Mayor David Condon trying to say, “It’s good to be the king”? What the king should be doing is working on (1) getting residential water rates cut by 10 percent every year for the next four years, and (2) getting the pothole situation under control, especially the potholes that have been in the same places for the last five years!

If the mayor would do just these two things and forget all the “It’s good to be the king” stuff, he would likely be re-elected to a second term down the road.

Larry Vandervert

Spokane

Thoma has strong case

Regarding the reinstatement and settlement with Brad Thoma. I just read about the City Council’s condescending and prideful display for the constituents. But, as usual in Spokane, pride goes before a fall.

I have no personal connection to Thoma at all, but a cursory examination shows that, other than turning down the dubious offer of “some other job with the city, if available,” Thoma did everything in his power to make right his off-duty transgression, initiating and successfully completing treatment, making prompt restitution, and offering to pay for his patrol car’s interlock device. No, he dotted his i’s and crossed his t’s. He has an excellent case.

While one and all at City Hall strut and gloat publicly in their self-righteous power, it would surely be more prudent to research existing case law to make sure that this is a fight that the city can win when Thoma runs his case up the appeal chain and turns our $275,000 bill into millions, all for the sake of our petty politicians’ holier-than-thou attitude.

When will this town stop wasting the taxpayers’ money and stop making itself a laughingstock?

Barry Smith

Spokane

Thoma should be in prison

The debate over whether or not alcoholism qualifies as a disability deserving of recognition under the Americans with Disabilities Act is a red herring designed to distract from the only reason that former Sgt. Brad Thoma was fired from the police force: He broke the law. Alcohol is a contributing factor, but it is not an excuse, nor does it warrant sympathy for Thoma’s actions.

As an analogy, replace the use of prescription drugs for alcohol. There is no cause of action against someone for taking his own legally prescribed pain medication; however, should that person be caught selling his prescription drugs, he has then committed a crime. His personal drug use – even if it is addiction – is not the issue, his criminal activity is.

Whether or not alcoholism can be classified as a disability is a moot point. Thoma was not fired from the police force for being an alcoholic; he was fired for criminal behavior. He has accepted zero responsibility; indeed, he has given every indication that he is an unrepentant, habitual drunken driver and will repeat offend.

My daughter was killed on Sept. 16, 2011, by a repeat-offending drunken driver.

Thoma belongs in prison.

Susan Schaar

Spokane

Huppin was a fine person

Both my wife, Suzi, and I have known Sam Huppin and his family for over 50 years. When I first moved to Spokane in the early 1960s, Sam befriended me. As a newcomer, he was very kind to me, as he was to all people he knew, or came into his store.

He and his family over the years built a very successful small business. It grew because Sam liked and was empathetic to people and his employees. He sold quality products, at a reasonable price, and insisted good service be given to his customers. He always enjoyed telling you a story.

He was an active participant and strong supporter of the small, vibrant Spokane Jewish community. His political support was for the Democratic Party and candidates. Yet he gave me support when I ran for the Legislature as a Republican in the Dan Evans era. Furthermore, his business succeeded under whatever tax structure was in place. His example of succeeding in business runs counter to the currently prevailing political rhetoric.

He possessed the business acumen necessary for success. More importantly, he was truly a fine person and a strong community supporter. He will be greatly missed by friends and family.

Ron Johns

Spokane

Medicare unfair to doctors

Last November, Group Health in Coeur d’Alene closed. We had to search for a new family doctor. Almost every doctor’s office we called told us that they would not take any new Medicare patients. We had lists of doctors to call, which were provided by Group Health. We also went through the phone book and did everything we could to find a doctor.

I recently had a series of surgeries and saw all the billing. I was in shock at what was billed and how little Medicare paid to my doctor. They did, however, pay a more reasonable amount to the hospital, anesthesia, home health care, etc. The surgeon received the least from Medicare and was the most involved over a four-month period. I can now understand why doctors will not take Medicare patients.

I did contact a number of Idaho legislators regarding the problem and received very little response. There should be a reasonable amount paid to the doctors from Medicare. I do not know if Obamacare is part of the problem or not. If Medicare is not fairer with their reimbursements, seniors will not be able to find a doctor at all!

Roy Tiefisher

Coeur d’Alene

Don’t gamble with Fairchild

Wake up, Spokane! (“Casino, base may be compatible,” March 3)

The Spokane Tribe has a reservation with 155,000 acres, with two operating casinos and alternate support industries, such as mining and lumber. The Spokane Tribe does not qualify for an off-reservation casino because of their existing assets. A Spokane Tribe casino jeopardizes Spokane and our state overall by setting a precedent allowing any tribe to build a casino off reservation.

The Kalispels were given an exception as they had no industry to support their people on their 4,500-acre reservation, where one-half of their land is a flood plain and the other half is on the side of a hill.

Budget cuts and encroachment issues by the Spokane Tribe all put Fairchild Air Force Base at risk – don’t gamble this base asset away!

Bret Michael Wheeler

Spokane

Fixing wrong roads

With all of the road construction in Spokane, one would think the potholes on multiple roads, including Francis Avenue and Bigelow Gulch, would be taken care of. The roads that are being worked on aren’t in the worst shape, and if the focus is set more on these roads that need the extra attention, then driving would be safer and wouldn’t damage as many vehicles.

The city may not have enough crew members to conduct such a project. There are many people willing to work, so it would give the city an opportunity to provide jobs. Also, there might be a lack of funds. I’m sure people would be willing to donate to such a project.

There are a number of unemployed citizens who are looking for jobs, and a project like this would be a great opportunity to provide more jobs for people. Money would be a major factor with this project. If the city focuses more on the streets that are in desperate need of repair and sets the other streets aside for a while, the money that would have been used on those streets would be used to fix the ones that need repair.

Katrina M. Boyd

Spokane

Three Stooges are back

Rejoice, Three Stooges fans; they are back, with a new cast. Moe is played by Mitt Romney, Larry is played by Rick Santorum, and lovable Curly is played by Newt Gingrich. In these new episodes, the Stooges are running for political office, with each show presented as a debate. Madcap ideas abound.

Each week, they come up with one scheme after another. Curly/Newt has the U.S. colonizing the moon during his administration. Moe/Mitt is now Richie Rich wealthy, with little use for the poor, and considers women as second-class citizens. My favorite is Larry/Rick Santorum. He wants to take us back 100 years, especially where the reproductive rights of women are concerned. His regime would have the government in our bedrooms but, to his credit, he has come up with a new use for aspirin.

So tune in each week, where the Three Stooges will bring hilarity into your home.

T.J. Wolferman

Coeur d’Alene

Bill an attack on women

I have never written a letter to the editor. However, after reading the Feb. 18 article “Bill would require ultrasound for abortion,” I absolutely could not keep quiet. What does Senate Assistant Majority Leader Chuck Winder, R-Meridian, think an ultrasound will prove? It’s just another hoop a female will have to jump through to make her free choice.

Why isn’t Winder spending his time and effort improving Idaho’s educational system, working to increase Idaho’s hourly wage, and bringing more industry to Idaho? That would improve living conditions for Idaho’s children. There’s an elephant in the room that is being ignored. Why doesn’t Winder come right out and say a female has sinned (having sex) and will have to pay for it? What next? Will he want a female burned at the stake for her sins?

Jane Walter

Priest Lake, Idaho

Preserve food assistance

The March 6 editorial on the continuing budget debate in Olympia misses a key program slated to be eliminated in the Senate supplemental budget, rammed through late at night without the opportunity for public comment. The program is State Food Assistance, a food stamp look-alike program created in 1997 by Washington’s Legislature to provide food assistance to legal, documented immigrants. These immigrants include families from the Marshall Islands, described in Sunday’s front page article as a growing community in Spokane with strong family and cultural values.

Denying the Marshallese access to food assistance when they are obeying the rules set by the United States in the “compact of free association” we signed as an acknowledgement of the environmental and human cost of nuclear testing in the 1940s and 1950s would add another sad chapter to U.S.-Marshall Islands relations.

The values held by our governor and Legislature in 1997 – that immigrants played a positive and significant role in our state’s economy and in the vibrancy of our people – were the right values then, and they are the right values now. I strongly urge the Washington Legislature to uphold these values now.

Linda Stone

Children’s Alliance

Spokane