Letters To The Editor

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

Only heterosexuals are acceptable

Samuel Adams said: “Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.” Our liberties and happiness are in great danger.

Recently there was a “gay pride march” in Spokane. Even though these things paraded down the street there was no pride, but only shame for America. The toleration of every perversion under the sun from sodomites, lesbians, child molesters and so on is disgusting, revolting and sick. God’s word sums it up as an abomination.

There are even groups that go around promoting these peoples’ supposed “human rights” to be every perversion, along with the diseases they are infested with and spread. These people and the groups like the “human rights task force” who promote and protect sodomites’ rights are unacceptable.

Years ago there were people from all over the world who came to America to see what made it so great. One stated that what made America so great was that it was so good, and when America ceases to be good, it will cease to be great.

When we have parades like this and groups promoting and protecting the likes, that America has clearly ceased to be good. Our forefathers left us with a heritage of freedom founded upon the laws of God. They did not and would not tolerate such evil in the land. We have a responsibility and duty to do the same. Steve Tanner Bonners Ferry, Idaho

Parade about honesty, respect

It was refreshing to see the Gay Pride March presented in a positive light.

Parents need not fear that their children will be coerced into being gay. It’s not a choice one makes. If you are a homosexual, you were born a homosexual.

Those of us who march in the Gay Pride Parade have chosen to accept who we are and be proud of our identity, rather than deny it and live a life of misery and deceit. Our intent is not to flaunt our sexuality, but instead to create awareness that we are everywhere. We are your neighbors, relatives, friends, business associates, students and teachers.

We are productive, well-adjusted, taxpaying citizens who desire and deserve to be treated with respect. Joyce A. Fry Spokane

‘POCATHONTAS’

It’s fiction; let kids enjoy

I am disturbed by all the controversy over the new Disney film, “Pocohantas.”

My great, great grandmother was a full Cherokee Indian, and yet this movie does not bother me. Perhaps that’s because I can decipher the difference between fact and fiction.

The movie is, of course, a fairytale. It wasn’t meant to give out real historical facts. It was made for children to enjoy. I grew up playing with Barbie dolls, yet I was never naive enough to think that I would look like one. Nor do I get upset because “Sleeping Beauty” is not an accurate portrayal of an American woman.

My children love Disney movies and I have no objection to letting them see this one. If they want to know the facts about what really happened, or know more about Native Americans, I am here to answer their questions.

Until then, let them have their fairy tales. If you don’t like it, fine. Don’t go see it. We won’t miss you. Char Dauterman Spokane

Try for a meaningful target

This letter is in response to Sophia Mattice Aldous and her comments on June 17 (“Please, hold the bimbo characters”).

Whoever was helping her with that letter should explain how things work in the real world. Disney is certainly not telling girls to be sexy or portraying them as weak and unnatural women. As far as girls telling their mom that they want to look like her (Pocohantas), there would be nothing wrong with that.

Disney makes her look completely real and girls should be proud to have a body like hers and the spirit that goes along with it. Disney creates cartoons; if anyone has a problem with them, then there are too many unnecessary “opinions” being read into them.

I suggest you focus on something more important that is actually harmful to society. Carolyn Leon Spokane

What’s needed is happy medium

I was surprised to read the June 19 article on “Pocahontas” in the IN-Life section. The only thing more preposterous than Disney’s politically correct “history” was your article describing how accurate it was.

Apparently, a true story of a privileged 10- or 11-yearold Native American girl showing charity toward a struggling British settlement and helping its people survive the winter by having food delivered isn’t interesting enough.

Disney elected to make Pocahontas a woman with a love interest in Capt. John Smith, a tall, clean-shaven, blond. Historical records show that Smith was actually a short, bearded, dark-haired man. It’s very doubtful the two had a budding romance; pedophilia was considered immoral then.

The Powhatans are shown as peaceful caretakers of paradise. The Powhatans were actually aggressive warriors who, by Capt. Smith’s time, had conquered and subjugated more than 20 other tribes. The Powhatans exacted steep taxes, as much as 80 percent, on all they grew, fished or hunted. Chief Powhatan was very rich by any standard. His tribe knew property rights. The penalty for stealing from another member of the tribe was death.

Native Americans need to be seen realistically. We used to vilify them, now we deify them with equal vigor. Need we replace one lie with another? Native Americans were and are like everyone else - men and women who labor to provide food, clothing, shelter and safety for their families. They were people who knew heroes, villains, crime, wars, famine and pestilence long before they knew whites. Brad Benson Spokane

More than meets the eye

Lori Michels (“Indians, allow kids a fantasy,” Letters, June 14) is falling for Hollywood’s bait - hook, line and sinker, and it’s the children who will suffer.

Just seeing the previews of Disney’s “Pocahontas” is scary when one realizes the impact it will have on children. I suspect that subliminal seduction comes into play because of the sensuality and sexuality coming across the screen.

There is more going on than meets the eye or ear (backmasking). Subliminal seduction messages are picked up by our subconscious, with no protection against it or awareness of it.

Students in advertising art are taught the art of subliminal seduction. Advertising and media are full of sexual and seductive messages for persuasion. Didn’t Hollywood vow to gross more income with this film than in past films?

Also, one must question who is behind the production - pedophiles, gays, women haters? A beautiful movie could have been made with truth in history, as well. Wouldn’t a better perspective of life be more constructive for children than lies? Knowing history prevents us from making the same mistakes. Charlotte Misiaszek Colville Tribe, Coulee Dam, Wash.

Fantasy not worth hanging onto

This is in response to Lori Michels June 14 letter, “Indians, allow the kids a fantasy,” regarding Disney’s film Pocohantas.

Lori, is this really your fantasy? Do you subconsciously envision yourself as an exotic Indian princess in a romantic fairy tale with a Fabio-type man? Wake up! Stick to the Harlequin Romances, not Indian history.

Or do you want your daughters to see the world through rose-colored glasses? You are only helping to create these false impressions. What you’re doing, encouraging falsehoods, will only give them hangups, which you’ll have to deal with later on.

You are in a state of denial. It’s your present-day fathers who are making these mistakes. You and they are perpetuating the twisted lies of this country’s recorded history. It’s called genocide - the destruction of a culture.

So, I suggest you find more constructive ways to preserve the innocence of your young daughters, so they will be guaranteed sweet dreams. Alice Stewart Sinixt/Arrow Lakes Nation, Inchelium, Wash.

SPOKANE MATTERS

Streamlining saves money

I support County Commissioners Phil Harris’ and Steve Hasson’s recent restructuring of the County Planning Department. The elimination of Wally Hubbard’s position along with Steve Horobiowski’s and John Mercer’s positions will be an immediate cost savings for the taxpayers of approximately a quarter of a million dollars per year!

As large as the payroll savings is to Spokane County, it pales in comparison to the added costs passed on to the general public by business owners and developers attempting to recover added unnecessary expenses incurred by projects that had gone a snare through the cumbersome planning process prior to Harris’ and Hasson’s restructuring.

The streamlines of the planning department process will improve work flow and develop a more efficient system.

Ultimately these cost savings will be realized by the taxpayer. My hat is off to Harris and Hasson for understanding the message sent by voters on November 8th, “bigger not better,” unless you’re talking about turkeys; and frankly who needs turkeys in the courthouse anyhow? Martin Burnette Spokane

Spokane County being cheated

This is a great time for developers and for those who care little for the environment. Hooray, the great team of Commissioner Cornbread Hasson and Commissioner Good Old Boy Harris have just greased the skids for fun and frolic at the expense of the citizens of the entire county.

First, they put planning under the building permit department - you know, the department that gives the final OK. Now these folks won’t have to bother with obeying planning regulations - they control them. With this control, and the Hasson/Harris blessing, they fired the three top planners. Had to have them out of the way - can’t have anyone questioning decisions.

Are you getting nervous yet? Well, you should be, because there is more. The commissioners are now poised to take over the county health district. As Mr. Cornbread has frequently pointed out, he is only interested in the environmental health section. He wants to bring it over to the county too, so that there will be only one rubber-stamp. And, so far, that rubber-stamp is not in the general best interest of the entire county.

I am nervous. Marjorie Auckerman Spokane

Ounce of prevention really pays off

I don’t want any one to ever blame me. I don’t want to ever be responsible for anything. I don’t want to ever get caught by or turned in to the police.

To some I may seem a shirker, slacker, a no-goodnik in a society of no-goodniks. But that is where you are wrong.

I don’t want to be responsible for causing an accident so I drive the speed limit. I don’t want to take the blame for a fender bender so I come to a full stop at stop signs.

I don’t want the police to catch me tailgating so I leave the proper amount of room between vehicles on the freeway.

I probably sound like a nerd, right? But, if you don’t want cops catching you, for pete’s sake don’t do anything that would get them down on you!

This decision has had more impact on my life than just peace of mind. It has also led me to become a calmer driver.

Now when I get to work, I am actually peaceful. When I get home at night, I am not twisted in knots over all the maniacal drivers on Spokane’s streets. The other result is that I have no tickets and no accidents. Valerie Brady Spokane

OUR CHILDREN, THEIR SAFETY

Parenting classes not needed

After reading “Defense says father didn’t know better,” June 22, my blood pressure rose rapidly. People always ask what’s wrong with the system. It’s obvious when an assistant public defender like Kevin Curtis says that David Pelletier “didn’t know better because he never took a parenting class.”

What a stupid defense for such a horrible crime. How can Mr. Curtis possibly sleep at night after making such a ridiculous defense? Parents have been raising fine families for years with no parenting classes. Mr. Curtis is playing on a 1990s cop-out.

It’s always so easy for violent people to blame it on their parents, lack of something as a child or even society itself to justify their violent actions. It takes common sense to raise a child, not parenting classes. What mother or father hasn’t felt frustration over a sick and crying infant - yet 99 percent never throw them across the room.

Mr. Pelletier needs to take full responsibility for his actions toward Courtney. His immaturity cost her a normal life. What’s wrong with the system? Attorneys who use such stupid arguments to defend the guilty. I pray there aren’t any jurors willing to buy such a completely outrageous defense for such a horrendous crime to a child.

Courtney’s life will be better off without Mr. Pelletier in it. Mr. Curtis, sleep well, and I suggest you be prepared to face judgment day. Cheryl Beck Spokane

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Would future lawyer cheat? Ha

Give me a break! I could hardly contain my laughter while reading the story about alleged cheating on final exams at Gonzaga. Perhaps the professor, Vera Davidson, has been in the ivory towers of higher education too long.

Am I to believe the ethics of lawyers is greater than those of electricians or house painters? It’s a hard sell. Joe D. Campea Elk, Wash.

Attorney torn down, not built up

Shame on you, “Good Paper,” for your gleeful account of a prominent attorney’s misfortune.

References to his shaggy hair and earring, while adding nothing to your story, was calculated to deprecate his character, I’m sure.

Do you suppose his representation of minorities and other disenfranchised people; or possibly his involvement in the Gypsy lawsuit against the city and county had something to do with this obvious character assassination? Gary Roberts Spokane

Principals teach valuable lesson

It came as no surprise to me when Principal Gene Wooley at Willard Elementary took the time to invite a therapist to his school in preparation for the possible death of a child. Educators in this area are doing an incredible job reinforcing the value of empathy and involvement, and we can be proud of them and the students they teach.

As an example, 10 percent of the blood collected for patient use at local hospitals was drawn from high school students in the Inland Northwest.

No one is coercing these individuals. They are giving of themselves because they have learned the value of life. However, this would not be possible if principals did not allow students to take time from their classes to give this precious gift.

Mr. Wooley is setting the stage for students to continue a value for which our community has great esteem: compassion for others. Susan A. Ogan Inland Northwest Blood Center Spokane

THE MEDIA

Polls can be manipulated

Finally, an article has appeared that discusses use and misuse of opinion polls. In the July issue of Reader’s Digest, author Fred Barnes exposes the dangers of believing as fact the polls that commonly steer opinion on a myriad of public issues.

He demonstrates how polls can be made to provide any answer the sponsor of the poll desires. It is complete with examples of how polls can be manipulated. It should be required reading for anyone who takes an active stand on any subject of public interest.

It would seem reasonable to require pollsters to publish the text of the poll and the method of tallying the result. The author describes one poll in which only two results were presented out of a total of 49 questions in order to prove strong support for the survey subject.

On a subject in which I have an abiding interest, polls have been used to convince the public that it wishes to be disarmed. When there are 80 million gun owners, how could an honest poll find that 83 percent of Americans favor drastic government control of firearms? L.D. Standard Walla Walla

KDRK lied to its listeners

Re: the June 18 “Spotlight” article by Jim Kershner, regarding Jay Daniels and Kevin James, the ex-morning guys for KDRK “Cat Country” fame.

Thanks, Mr. Kershner, for letting us know what happened. It was a shock for me that they were fired. For several days I’d turn the radio on and expect the DJ to explain that they were on vacation. (And here I was still wondering what happened to Amy!) That listeners called in and were lied to (told that they took jobs in another city) is deplorable!

I can understand a radio station “looking for a change” if the program is not good, but why try to fix something that isn’t broken?

I know there may be some factors involved here that will never be known to their fans, but isn’t it a shame that it was handled in such a way that left it all open to speculation? Even on down days and Mondays, I’d be smiling and sometimes laughing by the time I got to work (after a 40-minute drive) because of the morning guys. Jay Daniels’ offbeat but lighthearted humor and talent could turn any frown into a smile. Blended with Kevin’s fun and upbeat personality, it was a great way to start the day!

To JD and Kevin, we miss you! Good Luck.

To KDRK, you just lost a listener. Penny Beseler Twin Lakes, Idaho