Letters To The Editor
SPOKANE MATTERS
Some competition, some capitalism
Editor Chris Peck wrote: “Competition strengthens the market. Isn’t that what capitalism and business are all about?” (Perspective, Feb. 16)
Basically, I agree. But in the context of economic development in downtown Spokane, the statement was incomplete. The first omission was any direct reference to River Park Square development. The second omission was the word “fair,” as in fair competition.
Any business that wants to invest its own profits in a better operation is free to do so. I fail to see anything fair or competitive about one business obtaining government support through low-interest HUD loans and city-backed bonds, to the obvious detriment of other businesses that can expect no such support.
We need not look as far as NorthTown Mall to find a threatened business. The Bon Marche is right next door. Is it fair to provide millions of government dollars in support of one store and not its neighbor? It seems entirely fair for David Sabey or any other department store owner to be upset with this unfair situation.
Where’s the fairness to Spokane’s taxpayers? We are paying the bonds that built the new library, which will now need expensive renovation and its skywalk will need replacing. We are pledging parking meter funds as collateral for the bonds, even though our streets are in the greatest state of disrepair in anyone’s memory.
Most insulting of all, library patrons aren’t welcome to walk through the skywalk to the new Nordstrom, so the developers propose herding us all through the parking garage. Is this what business competition and capitalism are really all about? Mary C. Gaddy Spokane
Council, not critics, on right track
I’m tired of hearing the same group of citizens bemoan our city’s leadership. People in this group don’t like to be labeled “naysayers,” but that’s what they are. They are the first people to complain about our city’s actions, but the last to offer ideas and solutions to make the city a better place to live.
Now, they are falsely accusing our City Council of using tax revenues for the River Park Square project. They know this isn’t true, but they blatantly disregard the facts in spreading misinformation and calling for “priorities first.”
I agree that our streets are in disrepair and something must be done to fix them. This is where our City Council members should be applauded for their leadership and foresight. They approved a downtown revitalization project that uses no tax dollars to finance, but will generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for the city’s general fund that can be used for future public services, including street repairs.
If the council had passed on this project, it would have mortgaged the future of Spokane. Council members should be proud of their leadership. I am. Rick Rieger Spokane
WASHINGTON STATE
Tell us about bridge, costly study
I am deeply distressed by the recent closing of the foot bridge at the Bowl and Pitcher in Riverside State Park.
I understand that a $100,000 study was done to determine that $250,000 to $300,000 worth of work needs to be done on this bridge. I am so confused. If someone spent $10,000 to get their roof inspected, only to be told they needed a $20,000 roof, I’d call them a fool.
The state owes us some answers. Why did we spend so much money to determine that work needs doing? Why didn’t we just do the work?
What tests did this company actually do that cost us $100,000, anyway? Who got paid the $100,000 and is this company in any way related to the company that will now do the repairing?
Why is the bridge going to be closed for the entire summer? Why can’t it remain open one more season and be repaired in the fall? What specifically is wrong with the bridge?
I use that bridge two to four times a week in the summer. I am upset and confused about the way this is being handled. If the bridge is dangling by a thread and really that unsafe, why wasn’t it repaired last year?
I wonder if anyone has the answers to these questions. I wonder why they haven’t already let the public know these facts. Mary Naber Spokane
Republicans spurn wampum - why?
So the Republicans in Olympia don’t want the “Indians” to donate to political campaigns.
What’s the matter? Isn’t their money just as good as anyone else’s? Don’t the tribes have as much right as anyone else to buy (or maybe just rent) politicians? Or are the Republicans just miffed that the tribes aren’t bidding on them?
Maybe the Republicans aren’t offering what the “Indians” want to buy. Maybe the Democrats are better at stealing from people and giving it to others.
Competition, boys (and women) - that’s what makes America great. A.H. Grayson Coolin, Idaho
NUCLEAR WASTE
Project last thing our roads need
I was shocked to read staff writer Karen Dorn Steele’s article about the moving of radioactive waste through Spokane. Not only am I unexcited about the waste, but the havoc it will wreak upon the already poor road quality. The state has refused to give any more money for road repairs and expansion and a pothole state of emergency has been called. Yet the state approved transporting this waste over our roads.
According to Steele’s article, the waste would be shipped to the Yardley rail yard and then trucked to Ford, Wash. Forty trucks a day transporting 60,000 pounds of uranium, 260 days a year, for five to seven years! That 60,000 pounds does not include the truck weight.
The company that’s doing this, Dawn Mining, said in this article that it will pay for some of the road damage but even that is contingent upon other factors.
I agree completely with Dawn Watch, which opposes the plan. Dawn Watch feels a wealthy company such as Dawn should not be receiving this sort of federal welfare.
It definitely should not be over our already crappy roads. Charlene Hetzel Cheney
ORGANIZATIONS
Operation Rescue up to no good
I’m writing in response to the Feb. 21 article concerning Operation Rescue’s plans to picket local high schools.
As a teacher, I am appalled by their motivation. It’s difficult to get some kids to come to school as it is, without forcing them to observe pictures of aborted fetuses. We in the teaching profession are charged with teaching young people to think about both sides of issues, to grapple with them and arrive at a sensible decision without relying on emotional or religious pressures.
Operation Rescue’s plans to picket our schools will fit right in with a teenager’s other traumas during the day, i.e. choosing not to take drugs, not to consume alcohol, to complete assignments or to skip classes.
I certainly agree with the right to assemble for informative reasons, but when the assembly has the potential for illegality, the potential for bringing harm to others and the hypocritical view that only one side can be correct, it interferes with students’ rights of freedom of choice.
The Rev. Jim Anderson accuses adults of being hypocrites and suggests that the Ten Commandments should be taught in schools. I suggest he take a close look at the history of Ireland over the past 30 years, or perhaps look up “intifada” or the crusades and apply the commandment dealing with killing to those arenas.
Let the kids come to you for answers if they have questions. If a student does not come to school because you are in front of their building, you are breaking the law. Dan Ford Spokane
Learn about NRA contributions
We frequently see articles criticizing the National Rifle Association and little about positive things NRA is doing.
According to the National Safety Council, firearms accidents have been drastically reduced while the population has doubled and the number of firearms in circulation has more than quadrupled. Much of the credit belongs to the NRA.
Game and non-game wildlife populations are at record levels in most areas of the country, thanks in a large part to the NRA’s efforts.
The NRA has ongoing programs to train police officers in lifesaving skills. NRA’s Refuse to be a Victim program shows women how to improve their safety. NRA’s Crime Strike works with victims of violent crime to help ensure criminals remain behind bars.
The NRA Foundation, a nonprofit educational and research organization, helps groups fund safety programs, develop and improve shooting ranges, study environmental issues.
On March 1, the Spokane Area Friends of NRA Committee will hold its fifth annual banquet and auction at the Valley Red Lion. All proceeds go to the NRA Foundation and at least 50 percent of funds raised will be designated to projects here in Washington.
Recently, $40,000 was granted to Washington to provide Eddie Eagle safety training materials to any elementary school that would like to present the program at no charge.
I encourage people who care about the future of shooting sports and the safety of our children to support this worthy cause and meet the people who make these programs work. Gayle Carter-Cook, chairwoman Friends of the NRA, Chattaroy
PEOPLE IN SOCIETY
Adoption painful for birth mother
I became pregnant last year, my senior year of high school. I knew I couldn’t raise my child by myself, so my choices were abortion or adoption.
I did think about having an abortion. I wouldn’t have had to tell anyone I was pregnant, and that would have been my choice. But I chose instead to have an open adoption.
Being pregnant wasn’t just taking nine months out of my life. Being pregnant was my whole life, and it was most like a whole year. Every day I was pregnant I became more bonded to the little baby I was carrying.
I chose a loving couple to raise my baby boy, but in no way did they give me any financial support.
It was the hardest thing I have done in my life, relinquishing my baby. It hurts knowing that my baby is smiling at his mother and not me. I went through a time of deep depression from the loss of my baby.
Don’t trivialize the choice of adoption. You don’t know the pain of this choice until you have been through it yourself. Please support all mothers’ choices. Terra Watson Spokane
Anti-homosexuality mislabeled
I am concerned about recent use of the word “homophobia.” This word has been overused and misused.
I have been accused of being homophobic because I have stated I do not think homosexuality should be so readily accepted and promoted. I am in no way afraid of gays, as the word suggests. I do not hate gays. I simply disagree with the actions of gays and think this new acceptance of this lifestyle is going to contribute to the deterioration of our great nation.
This word has been too widely used to cover too many people. It is a stereotype and bigotry against any who would go against the popular acceptance of homosexual activity.
It saddens me to see such loosening of morals. Our country was founded on strong moral and Christian principles that must be upheld for this nation to continue into the future with the strength and integrity that has defined it for the last 200 years. Ben Stutzke Mead
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Foreign policy takeout, anyone?
Remember when the Reagans were in the White House and the liberal press castigated Nancy when the White House bought china? Well, where is the outcry now that China has bought the White House? Let’s hear it! Phyllis Hyatt Colville, Wash.
China policy about paying back
The American Press was granted specific constitutional protections to ensure that it remained a capable watchdog over government abuses and corruption. At one time Americans could rely on the pit bull tenacity of reporters to uncover the facts and inform the public about what is really going on behind the scenes.
Today’s well-crafted, generic press releases depict a liberal lap dog mentality barely capable of a whimper.
Only a few years ago, the press referred to the brutal dictatorship in Beijing as communist or Red China. With President Clinton embroiled in yet another scandal, the press now conveniently refer to it as “the Chinese government,” emphasizing its ethnicity while downplaying its political reality.
Sadly, the American press has no desire to uncover the truth in the matter. The media would have us believe that all of this merely points out what the president has already said about the need for campaign finance reform.
But this is not about campaign finance reform. This is about the attempt of a repressive communist regime to buy an American president.
In a few short months, the brutal thugs in Beijing will take over Hong Kong. Once Hong Kong is under control they will turn their attention to Taiwan.
When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, George Bush drew a line in the sand. When the legitimate Chinese government in Taiwan is attacked, I bet Clinton won’t lift a finger on its behalf. He’s been paid to forget about Tiananmen Square. Steve Busch Spokane
IN THE PAPER
Gorseth column missed
A group of authors at a recent writers’ conference expressed their regrets that Royce Gorseth’s question-and-answer travel column is no longer in the The Spokesman-Review.
Joan Mochel, lecturer and mystery writer, observed that the occasional use of a similar column by your paper was a poor substitute for Gorseth’s informative column.
Barbara Francis, author of seven novels, remembered that Gorseth not only answered her question but followed it with additional information in a personal letter.
Several writers who have accompanied Gorseth on tours have returned very enriched by his show-and-tell acumen.
The Spokesman-Review’s wide circulation reaches towns with inadequate library facilities for travelers. Even those living in Spokane saved hours of ferreting out answers to pertinent travel questions when Gorseth had his column.
All in favor of returning Gorseth’s column to our paper, join the crusade for his return. Thalia Daley Kleinoeder, branch president National League of American Pen Women, Spokane
Science Olympiad deserved coverage
This past Saturday, over 400 of Eastern Washington’s finest middle school and high school science students gathered at Gonzaga University for the Eastern Washington Science Olympiad competition. They competed for the honor of representing their schools at the state-level competition in April.
In fact, our regional is the largest one in the state this year. Several of our area schools will be advancing to the state competition for the very first time after outstanding performances this past weekend.
I was sorry to see no mention of this competition in the newspaper. I hate to see an opportunity missed for positive publicity for our young people. These students have worked long and hard to prepare. They would appreciate the public recognition of their efforts every bit as much as do our student athletes.
I would also like to thank the many volunteers who gave of their time to make this event possible. It means more to the students than you probably even realize. Cinda Parton Spokane