Letters To The Editor

WASHINGTON STATE

Where’s McMorris’ better science?

Re: the CFC bill Rep. Cathy McMorris, R-Colville, would like to pass: Ignorance is bliss if she is so convinced the “CFC ban was based on unreliable and unsubstantiated studies.” I’d like to see her scientific study that backs this belief and not just a tightrope between her and interested parties.

It would also be of great benefit if she would poll the people she represents in the 7th District, to see of what importance they feel this issue is, since it does affect everyone’s health.

As far as creating enormous and expensive problems, I ask for whom? We should also consider the expenses one may have to deal with, such as skin cancer or other ailments that may occur as a result of her bill. Is there a price tag we can hang onto what our health is worth to us?

This does make one wonder if the hole in the ozone layer is affecting our legislators in ways one cannot explain. We will definitely keep this in mind when McMorris’ seat in the Legislature is up for election in November. Jean Johnson Mead

SPOKANE MATTERS

Planning Commission behind delay

I read with surprise Robbi Castleberry’s (Feb. 4) letter advocating a hasty adoption of the Critical Areas Ordinance draft.

I can only assume she hasn’t compared the current draft with the original document drafted by the Citizens Advisory Group. Otherwise, she would quickly realize that the document before the county commissioners has been stripped by the Planning Commission of the cohesive, consensus-oriented traits of the original and has been modified with more severe buffer standards. They don’t respect the advisory group’s three and one-half years of effort preparing the compromise document.

Does Spokane really want land use regulations more stringent than those in highly urban New Jersey, the most severely restricted state in the country? Does the fact that deer occasionally walk across your property really mean the entire surrounding area should be fenced off as a “critical area”? These are only a few of the results to be expected if commissioners blindly pass this in its current form.

The Planning Commission, by unilaterally changing the very nature of the advisory group’s draft, made a hearing imperative. The commissioners’ action shows appreciation for the advisory group’s hard work and dedication, and for the members’ goal of producing a consensus document.

I applaud Commissioners Phil Harris and Steve Hasson for voting to schedule a public hearing on Feb. 27 that will allow all of us to have a part in a decision that will affect us for decades to come. George Wells, president Spokane Home Builders Association

All the traffic will bear and more

I would like to offer the Spokane Valley Business Association another view.

I live on the South Hill and work at Liberty Lake. I avoid Sprague like the plague, unless I have a specific destination in mind. I am more likely then to hop on the freeway and exit at the closest point to my ultimate destination.

Because I am avoiding the nonstop traffic on Sprague, I’m not likely to find out that your business even exists. If Sprague traffic were reduced to a reasonable level by diverting through traffic to other routes, I’d take Sprague to my destination when I have the time. Then I might even see your business, stop in and become a new customer.

I remind commissioners Phil Harris and the infamous Steve Hasson that they represent more than the special business interests in our community. When the majority of citizens favor a project, their inclination ought to be to support it. Transportation in this community is a mess, and missing an opportunity to improve the situation due to the influence of special interests is an abrogation of the fiduciary responsibility our elected leaders bear. Melanie Alexander Spokane

PEOPLE IN SOCIETY

We must notice and help the hurting

Three deaths and the life of a beautiful 14-year-old in limbo. Where is it all to end?

We state we love our children and then fail to appropriate adequate funds so classes aren’t so filled and teachers can’t see that one precious child is being scarred beyond repair as that child sits unnoticed among some 30 others.

How many more times are we to witness tragedies before we become responsible citizens? Citizens who recognize there’s not a cheap fix to educating our young? Citizens who have compassion for those who find a different way to live their lives? Citizens who become educated, informed, and voting members of our seriously threatened republic?

If we continue as we are, we must rehear Shakespeare’s prince in Romeo and Juliet, when he screams in despair “All are punished.” Indeed, we are all punished by the tragedy in Moses Lake. What indescribable harms have we done to our children when they think their only recourse to hate is murder? Roger Riggs Spokane

Keep the indigent in perspective

After reading the front page on Jan. 30, concerning the difficulties homeless people face in the recent weather conditions, I felt I must comment.

It’s sad that some choices people make have sad consequences. Although I would never wish pain and misery on anybody, I find it difficult to sympathize with someone who has made a conscious decision to drink themselves to death and live under a bridge.

Maybe it’s because the day the story ran, when I left my house for work at 5 a.m., it was dark, windy and 10 below zero. When I arrived, I noticed several crews were out all night fixing downed power lines, trees and assorted trouble. When I went home 10 and a half hours later, half the crews had not returned yet.

Millions of men and women, linemen, road crews, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, police, etc., go to work early and come home late in this type of weather, to furnish the things we need for our comfort and sometimes for survival. I salute them and I thank them.

As for the problem with too few beds at the House of Charity and several people having to sleep on the floor: To someone working outside in the middle of the night in subzero temperatures after his normal shift is long over, a cup of coffee, a bowl of soup, a blanket and chunk of floor, if offered, would be closer to nirvana than a problem. M.A. Palmer Spokane

Slapping the poor won’t help

Doug Clark’s column on tramps (“Tramps chose their lifestyle of grimy leisure,” Feb. 6) is yet another in a landslide of press that disenfranchises the poor.

Yes, Clark may have found a group that milks the system, and asking why might be a good exercise. But the unwritten assumption is that everyone who asks for handouts or is on some form of public assistance is a lazy bum.

When will we catch on that the immense amount of violence in our society is a result of pretending that a whole group doesn’t exist? We contain them in big-city ghettos, put them to work at jobs the rest of us don’t want, pay salaries one can’t live on, and on and on. It’s like cutting off one foot because it doesn’t function quite as well as the other one.

Welfare reform is sorely needed - the kind of reform that creates jobs and makes it possible for people to earn a decent living.

Economic justice is also needed. There’s no excuse for one working person making 1,000 times more than another person working the same number of hours.

It’s not up to churches to take care of people. That should be everyone’s goal, and should be directed through our government.

I’d much rather be able to walk safely through our streets than to be able to buy a new whatever. I want the security that can only be provided by people working together - creating health care, housing, food and education for all. R. Alan McFarland Spokane

Better missions than handouts

Doug Clark’s Feb. 6 column was offensive because of the bitter style in which it was written. I do, however, agree with the message concerning some of those we call “homeless.”

The message, plainly outlined above the headline, is that it is all right not to hand money to beggars. If our society would hold to such a policy, we would all benefit. Their cash flow eliminated, these “tramps” would be forced to seek other sources of assistance. They would help themselves or seek out a mission or shelter that would encourage them and help them find work.

Homelessness is not as simple as Clark implies. For every con artist with a sign there are men, women and children made homeless by mental illness, addiction, domestic violence, disabilities and other circumstances.

Unfortunately, Clark’s column does not give the public any alternatives to handing money to beggars. Money that goes to these beggars would be more wisely spent as donations to the Union Gospel Mission. Missions have a well-organized, structured system that allows them to determine who needs what type of help and assist those people. It is their job to help these people and they are good at it. Funding, however, is frequently a hindrance in their quest to better the community and its members. Joseph P. Lonergan Cheney

THE MEDIA

Incivility: People see, people do

Much is being said about violence on TV and in the movies, and the belief is emerging among those concerned with the increasing turmoil and crime in our midst that this could well be the major cause.

While it is an interesting theory, I believe that a more compelling reason should be considered: rudeness.

If one pays any attention to the dialogue of some of the sitcoms and Hollywood trash offered today, most of it is a mishmash of insults, slang and profanity. Our children hear these verbal and vulgar exchanges among the so-called adult performers, assume this is normal conversation and use it on their parents, teachers and each other.

Rudeness in speech easily degenerates into rudeness in thought and action. It destroys consideration and compassion for one another.

When Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-84) published the first comprehensive English dictionary, he was asked what he thought was the most important word it contained. He answered without hesitation, “civility.” I sometimes wonder if anyone is left who knows the definition of the word. William E. Dudley Kettle Falls, Wash.

Quayle put-down unseemly

The Feb. 1 heading, “Cheap seats,” would have been more appropriately named Cheap shots. A cheap shot is what you took at Dan Quayle as a cute wrap-up of the “Bush league antics” article.

This is typical of news media jabs at Quayle that destroyed the career of one of the few men who could lead this country out of its doldrums. Quayle is a man of intelligence, integrity and ability whose image has been distorted by the news media to that of a bumbling idiot. Shame on you.

I dare any of you to publicly say he was wrong about Murphy Brown and her views about illegitimacy. Yet that was one of the nails you drove into his coffin.

Three cheers for Quayle and another shame on you. Ivan K. Brewer Spokane

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

They won’t lay a glove on Hillary

I applaud Hillary Clinton for her courage and fortitude for appearing before the grand jury composed of Republican inquisitors who have an almost maniacal hatred for the Clintons and the Democratic Party.

These ultraconservative radicals are going all out in their effort to slander and demean Hillary Clinton and to try and prove that the so-called Whitewater crimes are on a par with Nixon’s Watergate. Their efforts will surely fail.

There isn’t one shred of evidence that will convict her and her husband of any wrongdoing. Let those accusers who are without sin cast the first stone - Sen. Al D’Amato, House Speaker Newt Gingrich and others who are attempting to publicly crucify the first lady with their lies and innuendo.

With her high intelligence and love of people, particularly children, she has chosen to become involved in the problems and solutions of her husband’s presidency.

Her enemies will continue to attack her until the ultimate truth will prevail. She will emerge innocent of all charges and will emerge not unscathed but stronger in her convictions and beliefs. She will continue to be a strong supporter of human rights and a caring person for the world’s children.

Keep up the good work, Hillary. Sell your book and continue your good works with the children of this troubled world. A.K. Stirling Spokane

Amend’s words promote hate crime

Last year the Spokane Human Rights Commission called for Coroner Dexter Amend’s resignation. Afterward, we heard from several individuals who felt the First Amendment guarantees Amend the right to say whatever he wants.

The Supreme Court ruled in Schenk vs. United States (1919) that an individual’s right to free speech exists only until it poses a “clear and present danger” which would result in “substantive evil.” Amend’s statements have clearly endangered Spokane residents by increasing the likelihood of hate crimes based on sexual orientation.

Recently, several victims of the coroner’s statements have been the children of Spokane. We again appeal to Amend to resign.

During the past 13 months he has consistently shown an inability to perform his duties in a fair and professional manner. Should he choose not to resign, we urge county residents to contact their state legislators and encourage them to support HB2398, to get an appointed medical examiner. We desperately need an individual in this capacity who can serve the highest interests of our entire community. Janet Stevenson, chairwoman Spokane Human Rights Commission

OTHER TOPICS

Players not ready for prime time

Who’s responsible for the federal budget stalemate? America has rules; let’s figure it out.

The Constitution says Congress is responsible for passing a budget that allocates spending. This required budget can become law in one of two ways: with or without the president’s signature.

The Constitution says the president can no more singlehandedly pass a law than he can stop one. If a president chooses to veto legislation it does not become his job to rewrite the legislation to his own liking and ask Congress for approval.

So, can we agree President Clinton is not responsible for the lack of a budget?

Congress is to blame. It is Congress’ job to either forward a budget the president will sign or pass one that can draw enough votes to override the president’s veto.

Republicans have said they are so principled and incapable of compromise that they cannot do their job. Every budget passed by every Congress in history, Republican led or Democratic led, has been achieved by a majority-led compromise. Republicans have their long-sought majority status and they still cannot govern.

They gloat, drunk with their own power, and accuse the president of not doing what is not his responsibility to do. Republicans do this out of unwillingness to accept responsibility for their own inability to act.

I know the feeling - I was an immature child once. Marc Lawrence Potlatch, Idaho

Grain supply cause for concern

In the spring of 1995 I had several reports about a warning, one directly from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, predicting a shortage of wheat and other grains.

Many storage facilities were empty or only half full then. Also at that time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted U.S. exports would have to be shut down to supply our own needs. In case of a natural catastrophe, starvation could be possible worldwide - even in the U.S.

A Jan. 25 article in the Spotlight, a national publication, had more bad news. U.S. grain reserves have fallen to their lowest level in 25 years, adding to the danger of world shortages. According to USDA estimates, the U.S. as of Dec. 12 had only 31.2 metric tons of stored grain. This means that the nation has a low 9 percent carryover at the end of the year of consumption and exports. This, according to some analysts, is nearing an “uncomfortable” level.

Poor harvests in South Africa, Australia and the Midwest due to erratic weather patterns are responsible for this year’s low global reserves and unending stocks.

Some analysts are counting on American grain stocks to rebound. However, Midwestern farmers are expecting another bad winter wheat harvest because of dry cold weather conditions that are prevailing in that part of the nation. Anton W. Andor St. John, Wash.