Party-line view 'naive'

I was wondering how long it would take for Mr. Wilhem to sound off once again on "extremist liberals" and all their "venomous comments" ('Liberals resort to venom," July 24). It seems that anyone who is critical of the president is "hate-filled" and therefore should be disparaged (clearly listening to too much Hannity). Apparently only people who agree with the president should be considered credible. That is extremely naive.

He tries desperately to convince us that the Democratic Party has been marginalized and taken over by groups with no other agenda than to simply smear the president.

Open your eyes and ears, man! Do you hot see what is happening right now with Karl Rove/Joseph Wilson scandal? This should not be acceptable by any administration. Mr. Wilhelm does not see the forest for the trees.

Instead of attacking people who would criticize the Republican-dominated government, you should be a little more responsible and at least recognize when many in your beloved party are hurting the very institutions that used to make us proud. Hearing you talk about the "hate" and "venom" of the left, when that is all you speak of, is the definition of hypocrisy.

Joe Aune

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Nominee's past not comforting

I recently read an article in The Spokesman pronouncing the "relief" of the various political parties, but in particular those more progressive or liberal in their philosophies and persuasions, in reaction to Bush Jr.'s nominee, John Roberts, to replace Sandra Day O'Connor for the Supreme Court ("Open minds key for court justices," July 22).

This article must have written in an attempt to propagate the usual "official" spin. How else could you explain such an inaccurate pronouncement form our come-of-age Orwellian media?

Anyone who has followed politics for much of their lives can tell you as a political appointee in the Reagan and George senior's administrations, Roberts worked to derail school desegration efforts, restrict the reproductive rights of women, limit environmental protections and weaken church-state separation - oh yeah, and to weaken the voting rights of African Americans.

But, hey, other than that, I for one feel great relief at the prospect of such a "fair and balanced" (you know, like Fox news) political appointee teking the bench. I'll sleep much sounder as a result! How about you?

Thomas Davis Keenan

Couer d'Alene, Id

The Spokesman Review

Dissent is American tradition

Re: "Why run Bush-hating columnist?" July 22. Molly Ivins' opinion column reflects a discerning mind and pen on all her columns, She, like others, daily dedicate themselves to analyzing the daily performance of our officials in the three branches of federal government.

Our duty as Americans is to be informed as possible and to be discriminating on what exactly is being said and done. To accept carte blanche what any elected official states is, as Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican, said "That we are to stand by the president, right or wrong is morally treasonable to the American public." Remember the U.S. Constitution as amended by the "Bill of Rights" (ratified on Dec. 15, 1791) in the First Amendment, "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech or the press..." Another Republican, Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine -81st Congress, June 1, 1950, stated "...all too frequently...(we) ignore some basic principles of Americanism: The right to criticize, the right to hold unpopular beliefs, the right to protest, the right of independent thought."

Raymond R, Aleman

Osburn , ID

The Spokesman Review

Lies typify Bush remarks

I'm wondering if anyone else feels the way I do. Every George speaks publicly, I feel he is talking down to the American people. His tone of voice and superior attitude sound like he thinks he is talking to a bunch of half-wits who just don't "get it."

I've got news for him. Mr. Bush, I have my own brain; I do my own thinking and draw my own conclusions. One of those being every time you step to the podium I know you are going to lie. How do I know? Easy. If your lips are moving, you're lying.

Your spinners are spinning so fast that they couldn't recognize a truth if it knocked them flat. Truth is not a world in their vocabulary. The American people should be afraid, very afraid.

Gerry Bippes

Farmington, WA

The Spokesman Review

Indignation in short supply

The one question that keeps going through my mind is "Where is the outrage?" Nixon was forced out of office for covering up a dirty trick; Clinton was dragged into an impeachment for lying about sex, which by the way didn't kill anyone; and yet there seems to be little outrage about what is happening in this administration.

Valerie Plame was outed as an act of retribution against her husband who dared to speak out against the propaganda build up for going to war, a war that has killed so many and left so many maimed. When President Bush said, "You are with us or you are against us," he apparently meant anyone who dared use facts instead of accepting the party line.

Karl Rove is the go-to guy for keeping the dissenters in line, and he sure did teach Joe Wilson that opposition will not be tolerated. Where is the outrage?

Mikel Reuter

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Probe of Rove critical

If we want to make sure we have a free, independent and relevant press, our newspapers must continue to examine the issue of Karl Rove's admission that he identified "Wilson's wife" as an undercover agent.

Respect for national security issues cannot be viewed as partisan. That a person with Mr. Rove's role in national government would be so careless as to reveal the identity of a CIA agent does not bode well for any administration.

And if, as some believe, Rove mentioned "Wilson's wife" to a reporter because Rove was angered that Wilson did not believe Iraq was purchasing nuclear materials from Niger, this is an enormous piece of news. It is enormous because as recent reports have indicated, from the Downing Street Memo to all earlier released information, Iraq really did not have nuclear capacity for warfare with our children's lives, our tax dollars and the loss of good faith in the larger world community. In addition, we carry the burden of the equally tragic loss of thousands of innocent Iraqis.

We need a thorough analysis of why Rove leaked this information.

Lanny DeVuono

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

CAFTA widens wealth gap

The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) will not be beneficial in contrast to what Slade Gorton believes. CAFTA exists just for our large greedy corporations to expand their power. Imagine living in one of these impoverished countries of Central America. The lives of the people were not well off before CAFTA and that will not change after CAFTA is approved.

The income of all these citizens will increase, but the rate of increase for the wealthy will be faster than the poor. Thus, the gap between the rich and the poor will increase. And a higher percentage of the populations will be living in shacks in a landfill.

Julia Lipscomb

Republic, WA

The Spokesman Review

Sadly, we can't exit Iraq

I wrestle with the question of bringing our troops home. I want them out of the senseless situation where life is vulnerable to unseen enemies. The cost of Iraqi and American lives since our arrogant invasion is estimated over 100.000.

On both sides, thousands are maimed, mourn the loss of family members and disrupted lives...and face many years of sorrow ahead.

I ache for the daily loss of American and Iraqi lives. I am ashamed of the price that Iraqis who step forward to help their country regain equilibrium and a democratic way of life (our imperial dictum) are paying as they die for a cause they didn't request.

I marched against this war. But my conscience says "We broke it, we need to fix it. We can't leave." It would be a disservice to all those who have given their lives to support us. It is immoral for America to create a chaotic and dangerous mess and then ask the victims to clean it up.

We must recognize how our patriotism can be twisted and used to manipulate us into actions we come to regret. America is all of us. We hold responsibility through our past and future votes.

Valerie R. Smith

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Look at their words

Presidents are judged not only for what they did or didn't do in or out of office, but also for what they said or wrote.

Washington:"The unity of government which constitutes you one people...the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration. Observe good faith and justice toward all nations." (Farewell address)

Jefferson:"When in the course of human events...we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." (Declaration of Independence) "We the people of the United States." (Constitution)

Lincoln: "Four score and seven years ago...that this government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from this earth."

Theodore Roosevelt: "Speak softly but carry a big stick."

Wilson: "I have seen fools resist Providence before and I have seen their destruction...utter destruction and contempt."

FDR: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself...Dec. 7 1941, a date that will live in infamy."

Truman: "The buck stops here."

Nixon: "I am not a crook."

Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

George W. Bush: "9/11...weapons of mass destruction...9/11 weapons of mass destruction." "Mission accomplished!" "Bring 'em on!"

Further comment is unnecessary.

Rod Lord

Loon Lake, WA

The Spokesman-Review

Secularists finally noticed

I was elated to see some space in our newspaper devoted to the secular community (Secularists under siege," July 10). It has been my privilege to know some of the people you interviewed as well as many other "secular people". On a whole, I have found them to be intelligent, well-educated, well-educated, very productive and contributing members of our world. Most important, they think for themselves, without their thinking influenced by fear of myth or dogma.

After being raised in a religious community, including parochial schools, it has taken two-thirds of my own life to break free of the bondage and feel the exhilaration and freedom to think freely. It is a wonderful feeling having the freedom to be a contributing part of humanity without the selfish reasoning of gaining some reward promised by a mythological being in an unknown afterlife.

I will have to admit, I have been "eternally" grateful to the parochial schools for teaching me to read and encouraging reading. With many questions about religions and philosophy, the search for answersww has brought me to my current views.

Again, thank you, Spokesman-Review, for finally giving some space to secularists.

Darrell W. Sullens

Spokane, WA

Spokesman-Review