Letters To The Editor

CARTOONS

Mallard belongs on comics page

I am a 40-year-old who finds Mallard Filmore very funny. The political commentary is much the same as Pogo used to be when I was a kid. I think it belongs in the comic page. Jon Brunett Post Falls

Move Mallard away from funnies

You have Beetle Bailey in the classifieds, Doonesbury in the editorial pages and then Mallard Filmore in with the comics.

I don’t think so, get him out of there. The ideas expressed in Mallard are a joke all right, but they shouldn’t be confused with the funnies.

He belongs elsewhere. Richard Lay Spokane

Cartoon illustrates freedoms we have

I think that Ms. Jean T. Soliz, who currently is the leader of the Department of Health Services here in the State of Washington might consider that, yes, the cartoon with the truck does offend many people but then freedom of the press is alive and well and currently the paper does an excellent job of exposing those elements who wish to remain anonymous and hope to detonate their concept of “leaderless resistance.”

There is nothing amusing about endangering the lives of hard-working and committed state employees and currently one is reminded of the efforts of Chief Joseph to protect the futures of women and children against an opponent who would not negotiate and whose goal fortunately did succeed - the termination of a tribal people who should have been left alone to enjoy the land of their ancestors.

The Spokesman-Review has been a source of accurate and timely news and in my opinion reached out to our diverse communities spreading the word that democracy shall prevail, educating our region about the shadowy efforts of secret cells who wish to become the law of our land through the use of poison, bombs, and automatic weapons.

Why any sheriff would entertain these groups as a viable alternative for solving community concerns — is beyond me and those human rights coalitions who seek to serve and protect every precious and important human being as outlined in our U.S. Constitution. James Gordon Perkins Colville

Priggee illustrations hateful

Milt Priggee’s recent attack on gun ownership, and most recent misquotation of the Constitution indicates great disdain for the millions of law-abiding gun owners in the United States.

Let’s return to insightful political cartooning instead of hateful. Your publication is clearly better with his absence. James Riordan Spokane

IN THE PAPER

Picture fits ‘The Socialist-Review’

The picture on the front page (The region, June 6) was quite disturbing to me. It showed a very large statue of Lanimir Lenin, a man holding the finger of Lenin and holding the hand of a child.

At first glance it seemed strange to me to see a picture of Lenin in The Spokesman-Review regional section. After reading the caption, I became very disturbed. I could not believe that the City of Seattle would purchase a statue of Lenin, the father of socialism, from Slovakia and display it in one of their parks. It says a lot about what is happening in America these days, when you think that the Soviet Union, which is now broken into separate democratic countries, can sell their socialist icons to America.

It’s also interesting that The Spokesman-Review seems to promote this by using it as the main picture in the regional section. It looks like the nickname of “The Socialist-Review,” which more and more people in Spokane are using for the paper, is becoming more and more appropriate. Donn Gehret Spokane

Whitworth not running in the red

I must respond to the June 3 article “Whitworth in red from bankruptcy” and correct some inaccuracies concerning the collapse of the Foundation for New Era Philanthropy.

The headline and lead paragraph state that the bankruptcy of New Era has left Whitworth College “in the red.” This statement is simply not true.

Though Whitworth College does have $3.5 million on deposit with New Era, the bulk of that is money already received by Whitworth, from New Era, as matching grants.

It also is important to point out that Whitworth College has received more money from New Era than it currently has on deposit. This fact is mentioned later in the story but not before the damage is done.

Whitworth has already received calls from people wondering why the college is bankrupt - a notion that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In addition, no New Era monies have been budgeted for college operations. Although New Era’s demise has forced Whitworth to postpone or scale back some capital projects, the college is proceeding this summer with several important improvements to its auditoriums, residence halls and campus-wide computer network.

The article states that “the bankruptcy trustee is asking institutions like Whitworth to return profits.” Although this idea has been suggested by some involved with the case, it is only legal conjecture. No one connected with the case has asked Whitworth College to return money.

The bottom line is that Whitworth is not “in the red,” and remains on a firm financial footing. Thomas A. Johnson, vice president business affairs, Whitworth College, Spokane

LIFE AND THE GOVERNMENT

‘Thought police’ may be coming

An ABC Television program last week aired a terrifying comment by a representative of a Democratic Party political organization.

The story concerned a demonstration by conservatives in Washington, D.C., and the Democrat’s response was, “These are very dangerous ideas. Ideas are more dangerous than guns.”

For years now politicians, bureaucrats, academic elitists, and “do-gooders” have been promoting “political correctness” on both sides of issues. We’ve gone so far as to make it a crime to say something which might be offensive.

What’s next? The “thought police”? Somehow this direction seems inconsistent with the principals upon which this great nation was founded. Ken Beck Spokane

Officials should pay for trips

I think it’s a disgrace that government employees, such as senators or the House of Representatives, take trips with their family and friends at the expense of the people who pay their salaries.

I think if they charge their trips to the people, they should be made to reimburse the money.

I’m sure they make a good salary and can well afford to pay for any trips they make. They should be ashamed of themselves for stealing from the American people.

Carol Hack Spokane

Taxation without representation

Right on, Enid Oswald (letters, June 4). We also own waterfront property in North Idaho and feel we are good stewards of the land and water around us. We pay property taxes which go up every year, buy fishing licenses and boat licenses (no break here either). We also support local merchants and service organizations.

There is one thing Enid forgot to mention. We cannot vote in Idaho, so we have no say at the polls as to how the taxes we pay to Idaho are spent, nor do we have any input in who is running for office. Jean Adams Spokane

WOMEN

Nation needs affirmative action

Recent controversy over affirmative action raised the question of whether federal mandates are the best way to achieve equality, especially gender equality.

Since 1924, when women were granted the right to vote, their roles have been shaped by political and economic events that have been primarily created by men.

For example, World War II provided employment opportunities for women, but they were only ancillary to the needs of men.

Today, even after 20 years of affirmative action, the majority of women’s jobs are still subordinate. This raises the question of why women’s roles continue to be dictated by men.

Even with affirmative action, women are judged by male standards and forced to abandon their feminine qualities. True equality cannot exist until society learns to appreciate the contributions that women, by being women, not male substitutes, have to offer.

Feminine qualities of nurturing, facilitating, and mediating, balancing out male traits of competition and hierarchy, are needed in every courtroom, board room, and classroom if the United States expects to regain its status as a world power. Leslie Ogden Spokane

Community needs to protect women

It’s time to help the women of our community. We need more support for the abused and battered. Our job as a community is to educate the people and let them know what is going on.

Our youth need to know how to treat each other with respect before they can treat their future spouses with respect.

With 85-95 percent of all assault victims being women and two-thirds of domestic murder victims being women, something needs to be done.

It is our responsibility to protect women from the danger of spousal abuse and violence. We need to join together and form a support system. Without the bruised and battered coming out of the closet, we will never accomplish anything. Lisa Lorenzen Spokane

OTHER TOPICS

Protect youth from discrimination

In researching the issue of discrimination against the youth of America, I have discovered that there is an official document to proclaim the rights of the child. As a youth is not yet an adult, he or she is still protected by the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.

These rights include the right to be protected from practices which may foster any form of discrimination, to be brought up “in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, friendship among peoples, peace and universal brotherhood, and in full consciousness that energy and talents should be devoted to the service of his fellow men.”

Our nation has neglected to respect these rights, bringing forth many forms of discrimination. Many adults have failed to respect the next generation, producing stereotypes that do not truly apply to all teenagers. The first step in resolving this problem is for everyone to recognize the problem of discrimination. The next step is for adults and teenagers in each community to associate with each other.

The society of America must protect its youth from discrimination by preserving their rights and dignity and in turn they will ensure a positive advancement in the future of America. Kristin Baumgartner Spokane

Why are they afraid of prayer?

Reading the pro and con editorials on school and commencement prayer provoked a few questions in my mind. What are those opposed to prayer afraid of? What is offensive about thanking God for our children, our schools, our teachers, our country and praying for their uncertain future?

Are the people anxiously protecting people from being offended by God, also protecting those who are offended by having God’s name taken in vain? Are those people concerned about all the peoples’ rights, or only about the rights of those who turn their backs on their creator?

As a parent, what should I fear most in my child’s school: handguns, peer pressure to take alcohol and other drugs, premarital sex, or prayer? Let me suggest that we focus our concerns where they can do some good. Janice L. Whitaker Spokane

Liddy’s statements irresponsible

How stupid and ridiculous does the behavior and statements of such right-wing people like G. Gordon Liddy have to get before decent, reasonable Americans will say enough is enough?

Here’s Mr. We’ve-got-all-the-answers, Mr. We’ve-gotit-all-figured-out, Mr. Anti-government, inciting individuals to distrust all public officials and act as if we are at war with ourselves. Sounds like a call to civil war to me. Treason and insurrection could also be applied.

It was Liddy and his gang of conservatives who watched with terror as the hippie movement of the ‘60s evolved into a call for overthrow of the U.S. government. That was a stupid proposition. Then, suddenly, because conservatives don’t like the trend of government, its okay to advocate lawbreaking and revolution. I grew up during the whole ‘60s thing and I rejected most of it because of the outlandish claims of what would be termed left-winged radicals.

It would be one thing if this were some sort of social backlash to the liberal leanings of aging baby-boomers by their offspring, but it is not. These are grown men who should know full well that advocating breaking the law, or resorting to violence is not the way to change in an open, democratic society. If we were oppressed, if we did not have the best government on the planet, if we were not allowed a voice or a vote, perhaps these folks would have a message that should be heeded, but that is not the case so all of it should be ignored by reasonable Americans. Not only ignored as worthless, but Americans should take action against irresponsible persons like G. Gordon Liddy and contact those who advertise on his program and tell them they won’t buy their products. Steve Nelson Spokane

We don’t need guns for protection

Guns are out of control. On May 18, a 9-year-old boy was shot in a playground fight over a basketball game, and it gets worse.

Your article about rising crime among teens (May 22) said the number of teenagers committing murder with a gun has quadrupled since 1984.

America needs to take a stand and ban handguns. This weapon kills more people each year than any other.

Handguns are involved in over half the murders committed. Handguns are six to seven times more likely to kill someone by accident than kill an intruder.

Ordinary people are shot three to four times more by themselves than by criminals.

People are mistaken when they think they need a gun for protection. Japan has banned all handguns, and only 38 people die there each year. In the United States, over 45 people die a day.

Handguns are not needed. They have no purpose except to kill people. Holly Kirschke Spokane

Keep troops out of Bosnia

I am opposed to any U.S. military involvement in Bosnia. In “Clinton Opens Door to Bosnia” (May 31), the president intimated we will certainly become more involved in that crisis. We currently have troops in neighboring Macedonia, aircraft and fleets active in air strikes, yet no absolute or vested interest there.

Who in Bosnia threatens the United States? Who are we to act as a world police force? The president says we have obligations to our European allies. Doesn’t it make greater sense that they (their neighbor), “not we” work toward Bosnian solutions. We are already involved in Bosnia.

It’s time to redirect our policy. We need to get out of any military involvement and offer humanitarian and/or diplomatic assistance instead. Let’s encourage real leadership, a higher standard and work toward a peaceful solution in Bosnia. Robert Spaulding Post Falls

Nethercutt not being honest

I cannot understand why the newspapers and other media don’t publicize the fact that George Nethercutt is being dishonest with the people in his district, especially senior citizens.

I am 67 years old and I’m on oxygen 24 hours a day. I know that how it stands now, services will be cut, my premiums will rise, my COLA will be decreased and co-payments will rise.

Sometimes I feel the Republicans would be happier if I turned off my oxygen and went to sleep. I’m really afraid.

I learn of my fate by watching the budget resolutions debate on C-Span. It is the seniors and poor people, especially children, that are taking most of the pain of the budget cuts. John P. Llewellyn Spokane

CORRECTIONS

A letter attributed to Dale F. Springer on Wednesday’s Roundtable page was written by Dale F. Steadman.

In Lauren Rants’ June 7 letter to the editor concerning a photograph of welfare recipients, the letter incorrectly identified the welfare recipients who had a computer at home.