Letters To The Editor

(From Letters to the editor, January 29, 1997:) James Gordon Perkins’ letter of Jan. 28 contained a typographical error. References to “Jahweh” were intended by Perkins to be “Yahweh.”

WASHINGTON STATE

Studded tire reform should pass

With regard to “Studded tires debated,” (Region, Jan. 23), I think Rep. Bill Grant (D-Walla Walla), made a ridiculous statement when he was quoted as saying, “In the old days, people used to put cleats on horseshoes, so I can’t see what’s wrong with putting them on tires.”

It makes one wonder if the horses in Walla Walla had paved roads to travel on.

Les Schwab is on the right track. Our legislators should pass Senate Bill 5250 and House Bill 1311, requiring aluminum studs with the proviso that each aluminum studded tire sold carry a tax from $4 to $7.50 to cover the cost of road repair. To see why, one need only view the damage to Interstate 90 east of Spokane. It’s damage that those who don’t use studded tires will help pay for. Robert. L. Hopp Spokane

West wrong to ignore voters

Re: “Votes still out on the future of state primary,” about the legislative session getting under way,” (Region, Jan. 24):

Regarding Washington’s mandatory helmet law, which is unconstitutionally imposed on Washington motorcyclists, where does Sen. James West of Spokane get off deciding what’s best for us? We are adults, capable of making our own decisions, including who we vote for.

West is an elected official and he should convey to the Legislature our thoughts as citizens and voters, not his opinions.

Rep. Jerome Delvin of Richland sponsored a measure to have motorcyclists 21 and older decide for themselves if they should wear helmets. Sen. West made this statement of Rep. Delvin, “He’s a cop; he should know better.”

It appears Delvin is performing his duties as elected, doing what his constituents want, not offering his opinion as theirs. West should take notes and learn what he’s been elected to do, regardless of his opinions, be they right or wrong.

Washington’s helmet law has been found “unconstitutionally vague” in Washington’s state Court of Appeals, so it’s clear that it’s stepping on our constitutional rights. I hope West’s forcing of decisions on us will cost him votes next time.

I’m only one voter but I will inform other motorcyclists - there are a lot of us - of West’s decision. Please call and convey your thoughts to our legislators. Don Kirby Spokane

LAW AND JUSTICE

Prosecutor’s decision appears justified

Regarding the Tim Buchanan stabbing:

After listening to Karen Beeman and a fairgrounds security guard speak on the Rick Miller radio talk show, it sounds to me as if the county prosecutor was correct in not bringing assault charges against Karen Beeman.

According to these two people, Tristan Beeman and about 10 friends were surrounded and confronted in the fairgrounds by Buchanan and about 30 of his supporters.

Fairground security, fearing a brawl, escorted the smaller group to the exit gate, where they waited for other family members. After all were together, they walked to their cars but found them blocked by cars from Buchanan’s group.

According to Beeman, a fight ensued, with her son, Tristan, against Buchanan and four other boys. Tristan was knocked down and all five boys were kicking him, including head kicks. She feared for his safety and tried to break it up but was struck and knocked down twice by Buchanan.

Only after that did she resort to using a knife. Even then, she showed restraint and stabbed Buchanan in the buttocks, away from any vital organs. No such restraint was shown by the five boys allegedly kicking her son in the head, which could have resulted in death or permanent disability.

If all this is true, it appears to me that Unity in Action is trying to use the charge of racism to excuse one of its members of possible criminal, or at least very foolish, acts. Bill Rice Spokane

Race card being overplayed

Re: “County asked to file charges in stabbing” (News, Jan. 22).

I don’t understand why everything has to be a race issue. Why does everyone turn everything around and say it’s because they are black. People are people, race has absolutely nothing to do with it.

I feel the same way about the O.J. Simpson case. They kept saying race was an issue, but it wasn’t. He could have been white, green or any other color. He was on trial for murder.

Until people learn to be a little more color blind and realize we are all people, the problem is never going to be solved. Gabrielle Bradley Spokane

Back up contentions or be quiet

Bernice Buchanan and the members of Unity in Action have charged the Spokane County Prosecutor with prejudice. They stated that Karen Beeman would not have been charged with a crime had the student she injured been white. They also say that Spokane County is as racist as Jackson County, Ga., was in 1961.

This is not the ‘60’s and no one will be allowed to serve our county if they are prejudiced against any race. This is also not the ‘70’s or ‘80’s and no one will be called racist just because they disagree with a black person.

I believe, as probably most do, prosecuting attorneys think race refers to the number of convictions versus acquittals, rather than skin color. The burden of proof now rests with Buchanan. If she is going to try this in the newspapers, she should be aware that a different set of requirements must be met.

If her son sits at the feet of God, then provide pictures. If her son is just a normal, happy-go-lucky kid who stays out of most trouble and is a pleasure in the classroom, then open up the school records and, if any, juvenile arrest reports. If her son is a troublemaker who goes looking for fights and confrontations, then get him some help before you have real problems to deal with. V. T. Galloway Spokane

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Put women on plan tailored for them

At first, Robert Michik’s letter Jan. 13 letter, “Tie benefit window to life expectancy,” didn’t seem to deserve a response. But the more I thought about it the more it made sense.

I think women who work outside the home should be exempt from Social Security and Medicare deductions. The money could be put into an IRA and disability plan. Women would then be compensated for their work at home.

You can figure women put in at least 18-hour days. So let’s figure at a rate of $10 an hour, 10 hours a day during the work week (for a woman who works outside of the home) and 18 hours a day on weekends and holidays at time and a half - that would be $1,040 per week times 52 weeks a year equals $54,080. Sounds good to me. This compensation would start at the time the woman is married and continue until she dies (women don’t retire from home duties).

Just think, women could form a national women’s union that would control increases in compensation and benefits. This union would be more powerful than the Teamsters Union and the political clout it would yield would be awesome.

So, I think Michik is right. If women could get this type of compensation, we wouldn’t be subsidized by the men.

That’s what you had in mind, right Michik? Rosey Deal Spokane

You’re getting what you voted for

What a surprise! The president wanting to balance the budget on the backs of the ill - that is, cuts in medical programs. Two points to consider:

One, he has been planning this all along. You just don’t announce it during a campaign.

Two, this is what you get when you voted for him, so don’t act surprised.

And to think, the next four years haven’t even begun. Vernon J. Nelson, M.D. Spokane

McDermott’s behavior criminal

A recent article by Danny Westneat of the Seattle Times relates Rep. Jim McDermott’s position: “keeping mum” on the subject of how he gained possession of the illegally taped Gingrich phone conversation.

The article goes on to say that McDermott is not particularly concerned with making any public accounting for his acquisition and the subsequent channeling of the illegal recording to the New York Times. McDermott’s office says that “everyone from Seattle is supportive of McDermott and he should keep up the good work.”

What’s wrong with this picture?

McDermott, serving on the House Ethics Committee investigating Speaker Newt Gingrich, knowingly accepts an illegally taped private conversation involving the subject of his investigation: felony.

McDermott passes on illegal acquired tape to the New York Times: felony.

The New York Times publishes transcripts of the illegally acquired phone conversation: felony.

Where is the American Civil Liberties Union, champion of free speech and the right to privacy? Somebody’s rights have been violated! Somebody’s private conversation has been illegally taped and exploited to the biggest newspaper in the nation, all by an elected official appointed to an ethics panel.

Perhaps McDummitt would be a more characteristic nomenclature for the honorable congressman from Puget Sound. Bob Asbury Liberty Lake

TOLERANCE

Hill presentation meaningful

Many thanks for your coverage of Anita Hill’s presentation at The Met.

Sponsored by the Gonzaga University School of Law, Gonzaga’s Student Bar Association and the William O. Douglas Committee, it was about the importance of freedom of speech and how dangerous it is for those who express unpopular beliefs because of the hate and scorn that follows their expression, since it’s counter to the perceived dominant voice backed by influence and bucks.

I salute the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations’ honoring of The Spokesman-Review for its “The War Within” series, which detailed the growing acts of domestic terrorism and anti-government crime across our country. They certainly should receive the 1997 Civil Rights Award for their bravery and sensitivity regarding the seriousness and magnitude of these Christian extremists who follow “Jahweh’s law.”

The Jahweh boys are alive and well in our area and have a collective interest in suppressing the press in Colville to meet their own goals of a white, Christian and theocratic government for Stevens County.

Fortunately, many people have seen through this veiled agenda that is strongly supported by the so-called Christian and anti-Semitic John Birch Society, which has been very successful in our area at painting with a broad stroke people who hold unpopular beliefs, i.e. freedom of speech, family values, equal rights for all and emphasizing the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement.

Hopefully, the Washington State Grange Association will take a closer look at who it sponsors in our area, (white supremacist-Christian patriot-militia movement). James Gordon Perkins Colville, Wash.