Letters to the Editor

by Inlander Readers


Providing Shelter -- Thanks for Mike Corrigan's cover story, "Signs of Fear: Sheltered Existence," (5/ 20/04). Your local Red Cross has been providing relief to victims of disaster for 90 years. The Red Cross provides community disaster education and "Together We Prepare" information that helps families and businesses plan and prepare for all types of possible disaster situations (wild fires, storms, floods, earthquakes as well as the most common disaster -- house fires).


The Red Cross offers first aid and CPR training that empowers people to respond effectively when emergencies occur. We invite the community to visit our local Web site at www.SpokaneRedCross.org and the national Red Cross site at www.RedCross.org to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies. Please call the local Red Cross at 326-3330 for more information.





Pat Moseley


Executive Director, American Red Cross





The Mainstream Misses -- I have only one question and a challenge to you regarding the cover story about Ahmed Chalabi, "Neo(Con) Man" (5/27/04). Why doesn't the mainstream media have all this information all over the news? Who is stifling or repressing this information?


This is so critical for all Americans to know that we have been conned by this jerk. I can't believe we had to find all these details through a small paper like the Inlander. I plan to send this article to everyone I know and attached to every Web site possible -- conservative or liberal, it doesn't matter. This was unspeakable to all Americans and all have a right to know.





Marilyn Rosenbusch


Spokane, Wash.





The ABCs of Preschool -- The Inlander's Last Word article, "Surviving Preschool" (5/27/04), is brilliant. This story is so insightful! I too am a mother of a three-and-a-half-year old who will turn four in October. Not only am I struggling with a school I like, I'm struggling with the age. Do I send him at four or do I wait until he's almost five? But then, when he graduates, he'll be the oldest in his class, and I'm not sure I want that either. This article hit the nail on the head. Bravo, Lisa Fairbanks-Rossi.





Kelly A. Johnson


Spokane, Wash.





Where Credit Is Due -- Of all that Ronald Reagan can be given credit for, the collapse of communism is not one of them. The latter-day Soviet system, like any fallacy, collapsed under the weight of its own hypocrisy and a general failure to evolve technologically with the West. In fact, the seminal efforts of Bill Gates and his technophile counterparts, as well as the increasing global fungibility of the dollar and other Western currencies, had more to do with the demise of the Soviet Union than did the designs and desires of President Reagan.


Definitive credit for the eventual collapse of the scheme destined to fail, regardless of who was running the show, need be accorded Joseph Stalin, not Ronald Reagan. Having been in charge of the party apparatus and its organizational framework since the inception of the Soviet system, Stalin faced little genuine opposition when, in 1929, he assumed total dictatorial control over the nascent socialist state. Through a series of show trials, political purges and a "Reign of Terror," Stalin had by 1939 murdered, imprisoned or sent into exile virtually every ideological communist once part and parcel of the incipient Soviet system.


Like many Americans, I did admire Reagan and his easy-going, less-government-is-better nature. However, to credit the Gipper with the collapse of the Soviet Union is like crediting me with the successful moon landing in 1969. Like Reagan when the Soviets decided to call it a day, I just happened to be hanging around when it all happened.





Robert Glenn


Spokane, Wash.





Neither in Water or on Ballots -- I worked as a registered nurse for 34 years and had experience in many different arenas.


Let's talk about voting -- good in some situations but not all, especially in regard to our own health and medications.


When I was employed in hospitals there were times when we nurses felt a certain dosage for a patient was inadequate or inappropriate. We nurses did not have a meeting or a vote on the issue -- we called it to the attention of the physician. Doctors should prescribe medication -- always!


Thus I do not believe fluoridation of our only water source should be decided by a vote. If people desire or need fluoride, it should be prescribed on an individual basis -- not forced on all citizens.


Forget the voting and forget about fluoridating our only water supply. It's medicating us without our consent with a toxic substance. It's different than the fluoride used for prescribed drops and topical application.


Soon coming to our public libraries is a recently published book, "Fluoride Deception," by Christopher Bryson, or log on to fluoridealert.com for some interesting information.





Pearl Schmidt


Spokane, Wash.





Mining Mess -- I believe the misconception regarding the Rock Creek mine is yours, Mr. Ebish (Letters, 5/27/04, "Mining for Facts"), in that the government, its agents and agencies LIE, the Mass Media LIES, corporations LIE, all to get their way and line their pockets. Then the taxpayers get to clean up the horrific mess at their expense (some things can't be cleaned up, i.e. Coeur d'Alene Basin). The other often overlooked aspect of the Rock Creek Mine is the fact that the Troy Mine closed because of low metal prices (the prices are even lower today). So if an already existing mine can't afford to continue, how can it pay to start over in a new location?


What this is, is an elaborate scam to hoodwink investors, to run off with the money and to leave the consequences to the taxpayers and residents. If the Montana DEQ is so stringent, why does it matter that the Clark Fork River is so huge that it would provide plenty of dilution -- dilution of what? Clean water? You sir, should get a clue.





Michael Wilson


Sandpoint, Idaho





Publication date: 06/10/04