Conservation effort overdue

The price of gas is skyrocketing and we now know that oil supplies worldwide are finite and limited (even without the political unrest in the Middle East, Africa and South America). In addition, global warming and its consequences, which are one result of the world's overuse of oil-based fuels, is scarily real.

So why is there no loud cry for conservation and a real push by our elected officials to develop alternatively sources of energy? Where is the leader that can "call us to arms" to actively conserve and be part of the solution? Are Americans just too selfish, too interested in instant gratification today that they are unconcerned about the future of the planet - the only home we have?

Many of us care deeply and do what we can as individuals, but we need a focused, concerted national effort on the part of our elected officials and leaders.

Claudia Craven

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Give peace a try

What constitutes violence, what causes it and its cures are all very debatable. That it's here andnow is hardly open to discussion and the debates are slowing down the process of reduction.

We can't develop and practice nonviolence by rational thought. Not because it's anti-reason, but because it's unnatural. If somebody hits you, being nonviolent requires that you not hit them back. Difficult, to say the least. Violence is the easier path to follow and leads only to temporary outcomes. While nonviolence comes without a guarantee of success, it's often less lethal.

Many of us, myself included, are not ready to be completely pro-life. At most, we can only be pointed in that direction. A person can be against abortion and favor the death penalty. That's possible, but it sure is inconsistent.

Here's some more inconsistency. You don't have to be anti-war to support other nonviolent causes. War's a biggie and only one issue amonth the many issues of nonviolence.

Peace is much more than the absence of war. Peace is also about well-being. Start small, check on a neighbor. Can you or your family do something to improve their well-being? Maybe small is not the right word.

Jon J. Tuning

Spokane WA

The Spokesman Review

Give whistleblowers protection

Even before 9/11 there was a push in the federal government to reclassify documents in the name of "national security" that have been declassified over the years.

We have secret meetings held by the president and vice-president.

We have a Congress that demands to know about domestic phone taps, data mining and other secret programs that trample on our constitutional rights, and when asked about it they say they cannot tell us because of 'national security". They cannot even tell us if it violates our constitutional rightsk, let alone what the program is.

The only way we find out is by whistleblowers who believe the nation is better served by exposing misconduct by the government than the secrecy that hides it, even when classified under the veil of "national security."

Now the Supreme Court has handed down a ruling that scales back the rights of whistleblowers.

It doesn't matter whether it is a Democratic or a Republican Congress, the fact is that is is happening to us. No more secrets, no more lies. Congress must strengthen the legislation protecting whistleblowers.

Lawrence Schuchart

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman-Review

Chicks entitled to opinion

In reference to Terry Griner's comment ("Chicks sing a different tune,"); I have been thinking about this for a long time and the last time I checked, we live in the USA where everyone is entitled to their opinions no matter who they are.

I just recently bought their last CD and it is wonderful. Free speech, isn't that what we are fighting for all over this world? At least one of the rights everyone should have anyway. People, get a clue!

Janelle Baker

Spokane Valley, WA

The Spokesman-Review

Thank Bush for democracy death

Congratulations fans of the Bush administraton! You're almost there. You've just about wiped out 230 years of the building of democracy. Isn't it great to cheer on your leaders as they strip constitutional rights one by one?

Torture of innocent people? Fine by me, you say. Spy on Americans without a warrent? Great! Lock up people with no trials for years? No problem there. The FBI investigation of the League of Women Voters and the Quakers? Oh, they must be terrorists, you muse.

Now several states, including Florida, are imposing draconian laws about voter registration to make it much more difficult to both register voters and to vote. No problem, you say! The elections of 2000 were clearly fraud in Florida. Database Technologies Inc, hired by Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris to purge the polls of "felons," netted 97,000 people, the vast majority both non-felons and minorities who tend to vote Democrat. Since Bush "won" by less than 600 votes, do the math.

Oh , that's just liberal ranting, you say as you dismiss one atrocity after another, lie after lie, massive incompetence (Katrina) and massive corruption. No, just stick to your beliefs, don't question authority and cheer on America's demise. Congratulations. You "won"

Mary Weathers

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman-Review

Speaking out against the war

This war has gone too far for too long. It's time for all of us parents to say stop! We have to get out of this war that should never have been started.

Two, no three, more innocents were killed May 30 ("U.S. troops kill pregnant Iraqi," June 1). Two Iraqi women were rushing to the hospital, one of them about to give birth. The pregnant mother's name was Nabiha Nisaif Jassim. She lived in the town of Samarra. They failed to stop at the new observation post in the side road.

What a sad situation thier daily lives must have been, that a beautiful human phase of life was a deadly undertaking.

Those of you who are my age, that have children Nabiha's age, imagine these young ladies as your precious daughters. You are parents of the world and they are the daughters of the world and they have been killed.

Stand up, join a group to stop this war and stop more children of the world from dying needlessly. Peaceful protesting will be heard!

Rebecca F. Peters
Spokane. WA
The Spokesman-Review

When the music's over

Mr. Jay Matous, you're correct (Democrats show demonstration," Sept. 28): Democrats smell blood; not Republican blood - blood of 2,000 of our brave service people and wounded thousands; blood of 100,000 dead Iraqis because of our president's hubris and lies. They died "free." Ever hear the phrase, "the doctor cured the disease but the patient died?"

We smell a stench emanating from bodies in New Orleans. Louisiana (Democrats) repeatedly requested help. None came. Bush reduced funding at FEMA and placed inept croneis in vital positions; a huge deficit; rampant spending; cost-plus contracts; the arrest of David Safavian, the top procurement officer for the White House; huge tax cuts at the expense of our social support systems; Bill Frist, Tom DeLay; suspension of the Bacon-Davis Act; gutting of EPA; actions of the FCC and FDA; biggest corporate profits ever; Social Security; farces of Medicare prescription benefit and No Child Left Behind.

There's a reason Democrats held Congress and presidencies for 40 years and that many locally officials and state governors are Democrats. My Aunt Minnie once said, "The difference between Democrats and Republicans is that the Republicans want to keep it all." Nothing's changed much.

Mr. Matous, listen carefully. The music has stopped.

Vivian Latham

Elk, Washington

The Spokesman-Review

Military moms wield power

The proud mothers who smile through their tears and send their children off to war are, and always have been, a lethal weapon of mass destruction, ready to be used on command. Like the child who murders his parents and pleads for mercy because he is an orphan, women who sacrifice their own children on the altar of an immoral war expect us to grieve with them when their child is returned to them in a wheelchair or coffin.

I grieve with them and I also hold them responsible for our collective grief. They expect to be honored for their "sacrifice" and the majority (now opposed to the war in Iraq), unwilling to hurt their pride, helps them to believe the lie, "their children died for freedom."

Instead of basking in accolades from the trickster-in-chief, more and more grieving mothers are giving up their pride and honoring their children by joining an effort to end this shameful war. These mothers are heroes in their own right, and their children's children and children everywhere will honor them. They have changed a weapon of mass destruction into a powerful force for truth, justice, compassion and peace.

Gretchen Nielson

The Spokesman Review

Spokane, WA

Where is help after Katrina?

It's hard for me to comprehend why people are still dying in the disaster area. Why is there no food, water, medicine and evacuations of the critically ill? The government has fallen flat on its face on this one.

Hopefully, this will contribute to the administration's demise, as well it should! I would bet that if these victims had been wealthy white folks, the relief would have been much more expeditious. Perhaps the voters will think twice about waging war around the world when our own population lives with a crumbling infrastructure and 30 percent of New Orlean's people living below the poverty level.

If this doesn't qualify as a Homeland Security failure, I hate to imagine what would!

Pamela Galloway

The Spokesman Review

Spokane, WA

Keep MAP operating

The situation with the Multi-Agency Adolescent Program (MAP) is a travesty. This school has helped so many kids get through school and live a normal life.

The kids who that go to MAP school would be shoved aside in the regular school system. District #81 is not capable of educating these children. These children don't have just have behavorial problems, they have mental health disorders. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, multiple personality disorder and other mental disorders.

To make any cuts in the way the school operates would be detrimental to the kids it serves. Also, the future of the school remains unclear. This is unacceptable. We need this school in this community; it must remain for the kids that may need it in the future. My daughter was helped a great deal by the MAP school. Julie and BJ helped her so much.

We are casting aside so many kids. Indeed we are casting aside so many with mental disorders. We are shameless!

Helen Wilkerson

The Spokesman Review

Spokane, WA

Life goes on; death too

The Bush administration "cooked" the intelligence to justify invading Iraq. "Faulty" intelligence didn't take us there, lies did. The cost has been tens of thousands of lives, the numbers growing daily.

Now this president is on a five-week vacation at his ranch. He has time for Republican fundraising parties adn to "go on with my life," as he puts it, but no time to speak with Cindy Sheehan, mother of a dead soldier.

A quote in the Waco Tribune-Herald sums up reality in Bush world: "I think the people want the president to be in a position to make good, crisp decisions and to stay healthy," he said when asked about bike riding while a grieving mom wanted to speak with him. "And part of my being is to be outside exercising....so I'm mindful of what goes on around me," Bush added. "On the other hand, I'm also mindful that I've got a life to live and will do so."

Well, live your life, George, while others are losing theirs. No regrets, no empathy, no honesty, no responsibility. Would your exercise regime be an overriding concern if your daughters were fighting in Iraq?

Linda McHenry

Spokane,Wa

The Spokesman Review

Iraq war damages U.S. name

Sandy Clark got one thing right: we need a Marshall Plan for the Middle East ("Iraq was as needed as WWII," Aug 12). Clark forgets about Hitler and Tojo actually having and using menacing weapons and using them. Had Bush been president on Dec. 7, 1941, we'd have likely attacked Spain.

You see, we did go after the source of the attack, only to be diverted on a family grudge. If we were still actively seeking the enemy we'd have been successful by now. All we've done in Iraq is squander our good name and image, along with 1,800 of our children, while manufacturing new terrorists with our heavy-handed bully act.

One thing that should not be dismissed is the fact that bin Laden was providing his own Marshall Plan, and thusly won over many to his cause. Of course, our incursion into Iraq has given him credibility. The world sees us kicking down doors, abusing prisoners, and killing innocents, and we look bad.

Let's not forget who sold the poison gas to Hussein: Rumsfield, and again after he used it. Disgusting!

Bob Amerine

Deer Park, WA

The Spokesman Review

WWII comparison misguided

Two recent letters critical of Rebecca Nappi’s Aug. 6 column (“War in Iraq won’t end with parades”) can’t go unanswered. An Aug. 12 letter stated “this war…is just as necessary and required as WWII” (“Iraq was as needed as WWII”). As a member of the WWII generation, I find that as offensive as it is wrong. Anyone with the slightest knowledge of that war knows better.

The other letter (“War yielding a bright future,” Aug. 13), aside from uncalled-for snipping at Ms. Nappi, gets carried away with praise for this Iraq war’s accomplishments (“The future is bright. Freedom is blossoming, etc.”)

The writer forgot to mention that , by attacking Iraq, we didn’t achieve our president’s mistaken goals of (1) finding all those WMDs and (2) defeating Saddam in retaliation for his part in the 9-11 attack.

But to ask, “Can anyone say that the results (of this war) aren’t worth the price?” is to forget that such judgement can be made only by those who are paying the price: our troops and their families. The rest of us, including our leaders, have paid nothing. (Which, by the way, is in stark contrast to WWII.) Even the dollar cost of this war is being deferred - requiring surviving GIs and their offspring to help to pay for it in future years.

Bob McClure

Post Falls, ID

The Spokesman Review

Slide of city services alarming

Spokane is a mess. The delivery of public services has been in a regrettable state of decline for years, and now that decline seems about to accelerate. And please, let’s not pat anyone on the back for some long overdue paving. I see the death of a good library system, rampaging crime and citizen apathy. Do we even want this city? Or should we give it back to the county?

But if we are serious about keeping our city, we need to elect leaders who are willing to place a sustainable tap on the substantial wealth that is available here in Spokane. Also, current attitudes in Olympia must change.

But it is essential that we do establish an ongoing progressive funding of the city’s public needs. Without a rich public life, we all suffer and invite disaster. The investment the wealthy make to maintain such a public life is actually a reinvestment of what they have reaped from the past. It’s the honorable thing to do. And if those unwilling to pay their fair share for such as a true public safety and a quality library want to leave, I say good riddance. The more worthy will take their place.

Ron Meyers
Spokane, WA
The Spokesman-Review

No vacation for protester

Cindy Sheehan, the mother of Casey, a young soldier who was killed in Iraq last year, is spending the month of August in Crawford, Texas, vacation home of our president (“President passes protesting mother,” Aug 13.) He is on the 50th vacation of his presidency. She is not on vacation. She is working to get answers from our leaders – answers about the war.

It seems clear that the administration is hoping she will not be noticed by the people of the U.S. or the news media, and she will give up and go home. So far, they are wrong. The world is watching, and she is not going to be pacified by the same tired rhetoric that we have heard now, for years.

Our president is not a king. He is answerable to the people. Ms. Sheehan’s questions must be answered. If he is such a strong leader, what can he fear from this woman? How much longer will we tolerate this war? How many more excuses will we tolerate? How much longer will the people allow themselves to made fools of and how many more people – what is the magic number – have to die?

Patty G. Elliot
Spokane, WA
The Spokesman-Review

No action behind pro-war words

There’s a mother camped out near Dubya’s ranch in Crawford, Texas, who wants to know what her son died for (“President passes grieving mother,” Aug 13). George has uttered the usual platitudes, “Noble cause, stay the course, I feel your pain.” No, I guess it was Slick Willie who felt the pain. After a while, the hogwash politicians regurgitate all sounds the same.

And thus, I wonder whether Bush and his war supporters are sincere or hypocritical. For instance, has Bush publicly exhorted his daughters to enlist? Those young ladies couldn’t go overseas: security problems. But they could help.

We all know folks who are big supporters of the war, some young, some old. Few are enlisting or encouraging their kids to enlist. Too dangerous! Forty percent of the citizens still support Bush’s war. The U.S. has 50 million folks ages 17 to 30. That’s 20 million supporters who could enlist. If only half could meet standards, the country would have 10 million war hawks who could serve. If less than 1 percent enlisted, the Army would meet its goal of 80,000 for the year. They won’t. I guess Bushies are hawks as long as someone else does the fighting.

Don Schroeder
Loon Lake, WA
The Spokesman-Review

The president says the economy is really growing. He didn’t mention it was a wartime economy. It is tainted with blood and deficit spending.

David Olson
Spokane, WA
The Spokesman-Review

Quit wasting American lives

This should not be a political issue, but an issue of common sense. How many more deaths have to happen and how many more billions of dollars wasted before citizens, Republican and Democrat, say enough is enough?

President Bush is unbelievable. With that insipid grin, he talks of deaths of U.S. troops in Iraq being for a noble cause. I strongly believe Bush used the 9/11 attack to justify the invasion, knowing most citizens would support him because he was, after all, protecting his country. He knew Americans would be reluctant to question or criticize their government after such an unbelievable attack.

There was not an imminent threat by Iraq to this country. It’s not unpatriotic to not believe every thing your government says. This letter is about supporting the troops and calling for a withdrawal from the quagmire Bush, Rumsfield and Cheney got our troops and this country involved in.

I strongly believe history will prove Bush to be one of the worst presidents this county has suffered. We will be paying for this war in countless ways for many years to come. Let’s bring our troops home before we pay with more American lives.

Chris Powell
Spokane, WA
The Spokesman-Review

Government of the people

We live in a democracy: by, of and for the people. Our leaders believe that our government is designed to fill the greed of large corporate interests, rather than the needs of the citizenry.

They tell us that there is no inflation, despite gas prices at twice what they were a year ago, health care soaring, food going up. They tell us the economy is booming, despite flat exports and a 6 percent increase in imports last month. Jobs are going overseas, instead of products. The economy is good for the very rich. The rest of us are seeing flat or decreasing income and increasing costs.

Who is benefiting from this? Large corporations and the very wealthy. We are funding a war that is increasing terrorism to benefit oil companies. We have "lost" $9 billion in Iraq. The war, they promised, would be paid for by oil revenues. Instead, it is breaking our budget, and compromising our future.

We must elect representatives who will represent us. We must pay attention to what they are doing and kick them out if they aren't meeting our needs. In 2006, let's elect Democrats, then hold them to their promises.

Ann Warwick

Sandpoint, ID

The Spokesman-Review

Bush has time for donors

For days now, Cindy Sheehan has been camped outside of the sprawling Bush compound near Crawford, Texas, waiting to ask Our Dear Leader one simple question: "What is the 'noble cause' that my son and over 1,800 other sons and daughters have died for?" Recently she has been joined by other mothers who have lost sons or daughters in the occupation of Iraq.

Mr. Bush's motorcade drove right past them - headed to a fund-raiser where the "haves and have mores," also known as Bush's base, greeted him with $2 million in contributions to the Republican National Committee ("President passes protesting mother," Aug. 13). I wonder how many of the 200 or so attendees to that soiree had children fighting and dying in the desert half a world away.

Obviously, Cindy and the Gold Star mothers have it all wrong. If you want to get the attention of this president, having made the hardest sacrifice a parent make just isn't enough.

For this president, it's money that talks. If you are not Halliburton, Exxon Mobil, or a Bush Pioneer you aren't worth his time or attention. Just how does he sleep at night?

Ellen Lewis

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman-Review

Soldiers fit the definition

Thank God for the insurgents and terrorists who are now our nation's heroes that gave us our nation. These are the people who signed our Declaration of Independence and eventually gave us our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Thus we should think of insurgents and terrorists as either good or bad, depending on which side we are looking at them.

Our Constitution has been working well for 200 years. Now, unfortunately, if we push too hard to get our given rights, we are now declared un-American in accordance with the Patriot Act, which Congress enacted in a state of hysteria, promoted by the administration after the 911 terrorist attack.

John Gaines

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman-Review

U.S. economy for sale

While walking out this morning and listening to public radio, a commentator gave the latest statistical report on America’s economy. He highlighted the good news of greater than expected job creation in all sectors except manufacturing, which continued its downward spiral. He also pointed to a slight upwards pressure on wages that would likely cause some concern for Alan Greenspan’s Federal Reserve as the sole negative in the numbers.

This is just one more clear sign that the American worker should no longer expect to share in the fruits of increased productivity as he did in the years before the large multi-national corporations bought the media and our government. Ultimately, this short-sighted culture of corporate greed will crush the average American’s ability to support a healthy market economy.

When President Bush thanks our valiant fighting men and women for the sacrifices they are making in a quest for world freedom and democracy, he is really speaking for the Haliburtons of the world, which long ago abandoned loyalty to any single nation. Their freedom to pursue profits regardless of the costs to the American people has become the primary consideration in political decision-making.

Former President Clinton embarrassed the nation with his lies. His successor and his cronies are destroying it with theirs.

John. C. Goldthorpe
Veradale, WA
The Spokesman-Review

No time for vacation

Let's forget for one moment that our troops never found the WMDs in Iraw as was promised by the Bush administration, and that it was only 27 months ago that President Bush stood on the deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, standing in front of a large banner declaring "Mission Accomplished".

Just for a short time, let's move past all that.

Instead, let's focus on the 21 dead soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines killed by roadside bombs in the last few days. While all this was taking place, our fearless leader was packing his bags in anticipation of his 33-day vacation at his ranch in Texas, which, by the way adds up to some 319 total vacation days since his term as president.

Hmmm. Maybe George W. Bush ought to spend some of those days offering his condolences, face to face with the mothers and fathers of these fallen soldiers, instead of clearing brush and falling off his bicycle while getting back to his "Texas" roots.

Just a thought.

Ronald Wells

Spokane Valley, WA

The Spokesman-Review

Help preserve roadless areas

The Friends of the Clearwater and Idaho Conservation League need your help to speak up for wild places. Millions of acres of roadless areas are in the hands of western governors to protect or develop.

Adopt an area by visiting it, document your visit and raise awareness about special values or threats with the site. With more than nine million acres of undeveloped land in Idaho alone, you have plenty of unique places to choose from.

Pot Mountain Roadless Area is a roundish-shaped landscape lying like a huge inverted bowl with the North Fork of the Clearwater River at the bottom edge of the bowl.

Wetlands, waterfalls, a large pond, high lakes and about 50 tributaries, many of which start at the higher ridges, flow intothe North Fork. The river, mile after mile, charges the air with its fragrance and energy telling your ears, nose and skin a thousand stories abouthe myriad of places and beings these waters had touched. Let's retain this scene for posterity.

I believe we have an obligation to speak as powerfully for the bull trout and ancient trees that speak no louder as they are being annihilated than they do in health as we speak for our financial selves.

Fred W. Rabe

Moscow, ID

The Spokesman-Review

Tax Big Oil for war

President Bush: I know it is expecting way too much to have you apologize for the irreparable damage you have done to the U.S. economy, but you could atone to the American people somewhat by enacting an excess-profits tax on gasoline and diesel sales.

There is no longer an doubt that this ugly conflict in Iraq is all about oil. Despite your pleas that this is for "Iraqi Freedom," or "fighting the war on terror," it is obvious to anyone with a lick of common sense tht is it totally about protecting Big Oil's interests in the Middle East.

I feel it would be appropriate at this time for you to encourage your Big Oil brothers to contribute tohelp reduce the trillions of dollars in deficits incurred by conducting this immoral and un-called-for war. I challenge you to do the right thing for the American people.

Ray Blowers

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman-Review

Congress ingores people

I would like to extend congratulations to our Congress; it only took them over four years to pass an energy bill, which only benefited large corporations. It did nothing for the average American.

I would like to suggest that we cut Congress' work schedule to six months a year; after all it seems they are on vacation two or three times a year. What a savings! Cut their wages and benefits in half and pay down the national debt.

Seniors, be sure and let your congressional representative know you expect a 10 to 15 percent COLA this year. Don't let them fool you. They are talking 2 to 3 percent inflation.

Gas is twice the price it was two years ago; look at bread, meat, milk, insurance all have increased much more than 2 or 3 percent. Our Medicare costs should be going down; not up; poor management. It is time for Congress to represent the people, not big business.

William Monday

Evans, WA

The Spokesman-Review

Inflation is real

It is an insult ot our intelligence to constantly read and hear our economy has no inflation. The talking head Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve banking committee constantly states there is no inflation. Then Rachel Beck wrote in the Spokesman-Review an article entitled "Inflation fears may be overblown, evidence shows"(Aug. 6) that the price of T-shirts to toys have not realized an uptick in price. These statements are unintelligent.

We have seen our paycheck buying power shrink in the past two years. Everthing that touches our lives has increased in price from housing, medical, prescriptions, food, utility bills, travel, tuition, autos, gas and taxes. Everything necessary in our lives has increased in price. So how can they say there is "no inflation?" Do they not realize what the greed of the oil executives and war has done to our economy? Try to explain to us how oil prices and war cost can increase weekly and not cause inflation?

The talking heads and our government should be honest and tell us eh truth; we do not need the propaganda "all is well" when it is not.

Herschel Stoops

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman-Review

Preserve roadless areas

The best of Idaho's fishing and hunting is found in our vast roadless areas because trophy elk, deer and bighorn sheep and the hunters seek out the solitude and outstanding habitat in those wildlands.

Clean waters coming from roadless wildlands support fantastic wild trout, steelhead and salmon populations both in the roadless areas and downstream where anglers can drive to their favorite waters.

Gov. Kempthorne has until Nov. 13, 2006, to scrutinize 9.3 million acres of existing roadless areas to determine if and where roads should be allowed for logging,mining and other economic development. As hunters and anglers, let's tell the governor that we want the 9.3 million acres of prime fish and wildlife habitat left alone.

As a huner and angler in Idaho's back country, I want our remaining wildlands left unroaded. If you want the same, go to the Web site of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership at www.trep.org to learn how to make your voice heard.

When considering important conservation issues, the TRCP challenges sportsmen to ask themselves, "What would Teddy do?" When it comes to managing our state's roadless areas, Teddy would make darn sure our governor knew exactly what he thought about those special places.

Toom Kovalicky

Retired forest supervisor

Grangeville, ID

The Spokesman-REeview

Heed view from space

Discovery Commander Eileen Collins' report on Thursday was unsettling. She described the widespread environmental destruction on Earth as seen from the shuttle.

Sometimes you can see how there is erosion, and you can see how there is deforestation. It's very widespread in some parts of the world. We would like to see, from the astronauts' point of view, people take good care of the Earth and replace teh resources that have been used."

From Mr. Bush's refusal to sign the Kyoto Treaty to the signing of the energy bill, with its lavish gifts to the oil industry, this administration has assaulted our environment.

I wonder if Discovery Commander Eileen Collins will be given early retirement on her return back to Earth.

Linda Krogh

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman-Review

Religious extremism troublesome

Did anyone else catch the delicious irony in last Saturday's editorial section? On one page you have Jane Eisner's commentary about tolerance and understanding of religion being the key to dispelling myths about Islam (and that applies to other religions, too) ("Ignorance of Islam appalling, foolish," July 30) and a letter to the editor talking about the Ten Commandments and saying "everyone will be judged by God's Law" (God's law the ultimate arbiter).

My question is, which God will we encounter when we go to heaven, or nirvana, or Valhalla, or wherever... the Baptist God, the Jewish God, the Catholic God, the Hindu God, the Buddhist God, the Islamic God or some other deity?

Eisner hit it on the head...we all need to understand and accept each other's beliefs, regardless of what tag we put on them. The problem is not religion, it is extreme intolerant fundamenta views on all sides and a "don't confuse me with the facts, I'm right" attitude.

Ed Simpson

Spokane Valley, WA

The Spokesman-Review

Neocons hold little appeal

I fail to understand why anyone would vote for the neocons. Except for the wealthiest Americans who see their prosperity in the annihilation of the middle and lower classes, whom they can then enslave, voting for this breed of neocons who call themselves Republican is analogous to sitting high on a tree limb while cutting it off the trunk with a chainsaw.

It is often said that voters chose Bush ove Kerry because they could better identify with him. It is said he is the average Joe you can go out and drink a beer with. Personally, I should only be drunk and out of my mind to be able to vote into the White House an average Joe that I can go to a bar and drink beer with. Who in their sound mind would want a beer drinking average Joe for the president of the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the history of mankind?

Hami Abghari

Nine Mile Falls, WA

The Spokesman Review

Good-old-boy network lives

It would appear that the president is taking advice from a past generation of mothers who told us "take the cod liver oil because it is good for what ails you."

Most of our previous presidents filled positions with candidates who were qualified through education and experience. Our current leader seems to feel that being a loyal friend of George W. or inner circle members satisfies the criteria for leadership.

Sending John Bolton to the United Nations is like sending a demolition crew to remodel a house. "Bring it on" strikes again.

Cliff McLean

Coeur d'Alene, ID

The Spokesman Review

All fundamentalists are terrifying

Help me understand religious fundamentalists. As I understand it, three religions came out of the Middle East: Jews, Christians and Muslims. Each has a fundamentalist aspect that says my way or the highway to eternal damnation. These folks feel obliged to kill anyone who worships differently.

Now I have nothing against Christians, Jews or Muslims; still these fundamentalists worry me. A fundamentalist believes that they are absolutely right, without a doubt right, right without tolerance. How can there be peace while these people feel that killing those who disagree with them is acceptable? Each has used bombs against the other, some dropped from planes, some delivered personally. Each calls the other "terrorist."

I think they are all terrorists. They all terrify me. Sadly, one of them sits in the White House. He has declared war on all terrorists; kill them all, no need to understand them, no need to understand what might drive some teenager to surround his/her body with explosives. Hatred breeds hatred, violence breeds violence and only love and understanding will stop this process.

In declaring war, we have closed our minds, excluded all possibility of understanding, and love is left with no voice.

Ed Parker

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Impeachment too good

Recent news headlines read "Majority believes Bush misled the people." That's a brilliant deduction, "majority." What was your first clue? Were his lips moving at the time?

"Impeachment proceedings" are nearly as preposterous as the conflict in Iraq itself, offering the criminal a friendly "pardon" - opportunity to escape all responsibility, blame and hard-earned punishment that is properly due."

Nothing less than this president's dearly guarded capital-punishment policy is sufficient for the monstrous crimes George W. Bush has committed against every life on Earth. How extremely appropriate it seems for the words "capital" and "punishmente" to have collaborated as cohorts in our society to denote nothing less than "death."

Nevertheless, mere impeachment seems to be the conservatively chosen course. Bush gets off the hook and his overtly covert mission gets accomplished. The mission? Accumulate more capital in one "transaction" than any since the Louisiana Purchase.

Is this a bad thing? If you don't already know the answer to this question, ask your children and/or grandchildren in about twenty years. Those who are still living to respond willmost likely provide some very provocative answers.

Meanwhile, congratulations, America. You took the bait again...or did you? I'm still rooting for you, America. Yay team...

David Kendall

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Renewable energy ignored

In your July 29 article titled "Energy bill has billions in tax breaks," I was pleased to see extensive coverage of many aspects related fossil fuel industries.

In fact, it was so detailed that you ran out of room to include any relevant information about renewable energies. It is possible that the bill did not include any amendments toward wind or solar energy industries.

It is a shame that The Spokesman Review has overlooked the bigger picture that our government provides billions of dollars more in subsidies to oil corporations than it does to the renewable energy companies. This bill did not help to level the playing field, and neither did The Spokesman Review.

Gabe Shulman

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Logic of Bolton continued

As expected, President Bush has made the pocket appointment of John Bolton to the U.N. Bolton, who has voiced disdain for the U.N, if you recall, had literally dozens of people show up for his Senate confirmation hearings, voluntarily, to describe him as a "kiss up/kick down" kind of guy, who tried to have underlings fired if they did not provide him with information agreeing with his biases.

Most, if not all, of the volunteers were not liberal hacks, but Republicans who felt it their duty to prevent the nomination, a most unusual occurance.

There is an apparent lack in conservative circles of arrogant and aggravating personnel, requiring Bush to appoint Bolton via the back door, even though he was not received well by the Senate, who held up his confirmation.

Following this logic, I would soon expect a rash of new appointments before the Senate reconvenes.. Here are a few of my predictions: Bill O'Reilly, ambassador to France; the Rev. Louis Farrakhan, ambassador to Israel; Madalyn O'Hair (if she were alive), ambassador to the Vatican; an Irish IRA supporter, ambassador to Great Britain.

D. Neil Fitzgerald

Spokane Valley, WA

The Spokesman Review

Bush increasing wealth gap

President Bush and his Repubican Party have found the answer to all problems facing America. If the economy is bad, tax breaks and subsidies for failing businesses. If the economy is good, tax breaks and subsidies for successful businesses (to create jobs). Ignore our free enterprise system that is to weed out the inefficient and allow the successful to create jobs though private enterprise.

His system increases the economic and social differences between the extreme wealthy and the rest of Americans. He is out of touch with reality. Will George Bush go down in history as the American Marie Antoinette?

Phillip Waring

Coeur d'Alene, ID

The Spokesman Reviw

White House harms security

We are not safe, and we never will be completely safe. This administration, however, continually claims to have made us safer since Sept. 11, despite clear evidence to the contrary.

Steps have been taken to improve our national security. But all those precautions will gain us nothing if White House insiders, in order to discredit investigations that contradict their predetermined stances, vindictively reveal undercover intelligence operatives' identities.

If the intelligence is good, if the position is correct, they don't need to carefully filter the intelligence to slant it towards their point of view - the only picture worth having is a complete picture. That is the only way we can make wise, informed decisions about going to war, something that should never be done unless absolutely necessary, and demonstrated to be necessary by a preponderance of evidence. Such was the case in Afghanistan. Such was not the case in Iraq, and Ambassador Wilson and his wife's inquiry showed this.

Demand accountability for this act. Demand Karl Rove be fired.

Patricia Alberts

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Another president's quote

Here's a president's quote Eric Webster can add to his list (Selective quotes revealing," July 26).

Ronald Regan, during the Iran-Contra scandal: "We did not, repeat, did not, trade weapons or anything else for hostages, nor will we."

Ken Murray

Pullman, WA

The Spokesman Review

And the rich get richer

In a recently published editorial, USA Today referred to Republican efforts to undermine the estate tax as misleading and inaccurate; they also describe these efforts as a blatant attack on the middle class. Only 1 percent of all Americans, with estates worth many millions of dollars, pay this tax, and that 1 percent represents the corporate and political elite of this country.

Despite scary (and blatantly untrue) Republican propaganda, the Census Bureau reports that not one family farm or business has ever been shut down by having to pay the estate tax. It is interesting to see who benefits from repealing this tax. The Washington Post showed that repealing the estate tax would save President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and 11 of their cabinet members, all extremely wealthy individuals, a total of $344 milllion. Repealing the estate tax will create a new class of super-rich Americans, and the middle class will have to pay the $1 trillion that this move will cost our one-democratic country over the next 10 years.

I was once a middle-class Republican. I will forever be a member of the middle class, but will never call myself a Republican again.

Floyd Bonheur

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

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

Editorial confirms the facts

I want to thank you for your editorial presenting the facts about the judicial nominee situation currently occupying the floor in our Senate. (Judicial posturing not just principle," May 20). I thought you presented the information in a very clear, straightforward, unbiased manner.

I have watched much commentary about this judicial "up and down" vote on C-Span and am quite worried that the rights of the minority in the Senate are going to be squelched. The filibuster has served the Republicans and Democrats well, and I am opposed to eliminating it for the approval of judicial nominees.

I don't think President Bush or any president should have carte blanche to push his nominee for these lifetime appointments through the Senate. I applaud your willingness to present the facts.

June McBride

Hauser, ID

The Spokesman Review

Demand lower gas prices

Higher gasoline prices at the retail pump have dominated the printed and TV news recently to the point of ire on the part of the public. Many have felt used by the system and frustrated because they think they can do nothing about it.

Wrong! It's very obvious that the push of prices is primarily a political ploy, similar to the higher prices in the early '70s during the Nixon administration being blamed on "a shortage of oil". This wasproven to be a lie after the oil companies got their higher prices. (How many of us waited in line only to be allowed to squirt a few drops into our tanks!)
Very likely, the politics behind higher prices is that our illustrious star-studded U.S. predident and his cronies want to destroy one of the last remaining pristine areas on earth by drilling for oil in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Some of us have some very strong opinions of this, similar to BNSF railroading local governments into permission to poison our previously pure drinking water supply, the Spokane aquifer.

If you want to stop lining the oil companies' pockets with your wallets at the pump, write your congresspeople!

John Brown

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

War dead caused by errors, too

So the president is upset about the Newsweek story regarding desecration of the Quran at a detention center. The resulting effect of this story was the riot that cost about 15 lives. So this was a critical error by Newsweek, which should have checked its facts for accuracy.

So who is to blame for the WMD fiasco and the resulting 1,500 plus "coalition" lives and thousands of Iraqi lives. Can this be classified as a "critical error"?

Cliff McLean

Coeur d'Alene, ID

The Spokesman Review

Why trust Bush again?

After the miserable planning Bush did with Iraq, why would we want him to develop a plan for Social Security? Or for that matter any other planning.

Tom Berg

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Iraq invasion a costly deception

Concerning the May 6 article "Memo shows early invasion plans," and the May 13 article "Former U.N. inspector challenges Bush facts." This first article indicates that in Augusts of 2002 President Bush had decided to invade Iraq, even though he was still publicly stating that he was seeking a diplomatic solution and not made a decision to invade. This article further indicates that the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy to justify invasion.

The second article indicates that Iraq's weaponn of mass destruction were destroyed in the early 1990s, and the Bush administration was fully aware of these facts.

President Bush invaded Iraq knowing there were no weapons of mass destruction, no Iraqi funding of terrorism, no connection to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, or to bin Laden. The entire basis for the invasion of Iraq was based on fraud, lies, deceit and deception.

Now 150,000 of our troops are trapped in a quagmire of civil and religious war. This invasion of Iraq has now given 300 million fundamentalist Islamic people a new cause to fight and die for. Tens of thousands of religious fanatics are pouring into Iraq to fight this new holy war.

Mark Johnson

Nine Mile Falls, WA

The Spokesman Review

Bush cutting red-state programs

Now that George Bush has safely been installed for a second term he can start to cut funding for programs in order to pay in part for his large tax cuts for him and his wealthy corporate cronies. This does not surprise me.

What does surprise me is the cuts to programs that benefit supposed "red staters", like farm subsidies, veterans benefits and Medicaid that many low-income rural residents depend upon. Even proceeds from timber sales to counties are on the chopping block.

While Bush/Rove used phantom issues like gay marriage to scare you into voting for them, his budget office was hard at work figuring out ways to cut programs to make it seem he is trying to cut his deficit back.

The only things the red staters are really going to get from this president are tough talk and red ink. You lose.

Jeff Duty

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Standardize voting procedures

After close and contentious elections in Florida in 2000 and again here in Washington last year, we are finally hearing rumblings that perhaps it would be a good idea to address the procedures that are used in the conduct of the elections, and perhaps it is really not about voting systems that are being used, rather it may be the procedures to mail out, receive, process and tabulate the votes.

Aha! At last! A glimmer of light in the darkness! Absolutely, it is about procedures, and the fact that all election administrators (if not nationwide then at least statewide) should be on the same page when it comes to the conduct of elections.

There needs to be statewide standardized written procedures promulgated by the office of the secretary of state so that in future elections there will be little or no question about what is being done and how it is being done.

Perhaps a good place to start would be for the Washington state county auditors association to form its own task force committee to brainstorm those procedures to be submitted to the secretary of state.

Voter confidence in future election results may well depend upon such a proactive stance being taken.

Tom Wilbur

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Go ahead, call me liberal

All of a sudden, during the presidential election campaigns, "liberalism" became a profane word, a stigma that no one except the brave Howard Dean wished to be associated with.

All the liberals out there that shy away from being called "liberal" should re-examine what "conservatism" and "liberalism" stand for. It is as simple as looking up the definition of these words in your Merriam-Webster's dictionary.

Conservatism is a political philosophy based on social stability and tradition with a tendency to prefer any existing situation to change.

Liberalism is a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race and the autonomy of the individual.

Go ahead, make my day. Stigmatize me with liberalism. I am proud to be a liberal.

Hami Abghari

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Bush is supposed to protect the poor

This is so confusing to me and others. President Bush evidently does not realize that the object of having him in office is to serve all the citizens of our country. He needs to be reminded that, as the man in charge, he is expected to take from the rich and give to the poor. There is something wrong with the picture as it is today.

Betty Jean Blackman

Spokane

The Spokesman Review

Bush invested in bad idea

Guess what! Our president is a liar! I know that may be troubling news to some, but unfortunately it is a fact.

This person who claims to talk to God on a regular basis, was investigated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - not a noted liberal institution - for possible insider trading while at Harken Energy. Not a big deal, I suppose, unless you count the fact he made a big old pile of money.

Wait! Doesn't Bush want us all to invest in the stock market instead of maintaining Social Security? In fact, he does! Well, that wouild work 0ut great for him and his honesty-challenged rich buddies, wouldn't it? Then they could swipe some of everybody's money instead of just the money of people who had enough to actually invest in the stock market.

If this is the "freedom" Bush wants to export, the freedom to lie, cheat and steal with the impunity of the wealthy, no wonder there is such resistance to the U.S. style "freedom" around the world. It is nothing to be proud of.

Nancy Runyan

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Bush is fattening the calf

The Japanese have a method for fattening Kobe beef that entails suspending the calf in a sling, force feeding it to the bursting point and massaging it to keep the fat and muscle well marbled and tender. At the proper time the calf is butchered and sold for hundreds of dollars per pound.

The stock market is President Bush's Kobe beef, which he plans to force feed to the bursting point with diverted Social Security funds. Inflated stock prices will result from too much money chasing too few stocks. At the proper time the butchers will arrive to carve up the carcass.

Butchers such as Jeff Fastow, Ken Lay, Bernie Ebbers, Michael Milken or their spiritual heirs will divide the carcass among themselves and send the scraps to the dog food factory. From there working people and the middle class can feed themselves in their old age and watch the feast with their noses pressed against the window.

Glenn A. Lange

Marcus, WA

The Spokesman Review

Expect expansion of war

Nations make war mostly because they want to, not because they have to. The American expansion of war in the Middle East will begin soon. You doubt it? President Bush's evangelical mission of liberation continues unabated.

Syria is now on the menu, and the administration is accessing Iranian nuclear capabilities, looking for an excuse to attack. If the administration doesn't find one, expect the usual contrived emergency to justify American action.

Bush already believes he has justification for his war policies. The election, he said afterward, supplied all the accountability he needed. In other words, once a president is elected he is no longer accountable.

Bush also said that the freedom-loving people of Iran are waiting for us. So you doubt his intentions? Bush could get political support from people and institutions who wait too long to oppose him.

This newspaper supported Bush's re-election, but opposed the war in Iraq. The editors should now oppose war with Iran and Syria.

Everyone who is disenchanted with the Bush Doctrine should speak now to tell the president that he is not a king and is still accountable to the Constitution and to the people who didn't vote for him

Lee Freese

Pullman, WA

The Spokesman Review

Congress to blame for SS mess

Congress has yielded to the overwhelming temptation to "borrow" from the giant surplus of the Social Security fund for every purpose under the sun, promising the full faith of the U.S. government to repay the money borrowed, plus interest.

If the Social Security system had been left alone, it would be in a great shape for the foreseeable future. Congress made it top heavy, raiding it for many purposes, and Congress is to blame that these certificates cannot be repaid and will default. It has little to do with who or how much is or will be paid in - it has to do with Congress destroying it.

Congressmen should take their golden parachutes and extensive retirement benefits and repay the funds. Furthermore, the people should decide when and if congressmen and senators get a pay raise, not Congress itself. The common taxpayer is subject to performance reviews on his or her job; Congress should get a review from the people as to whether they merit pay increases.

"More paid out than will be paid in" would not occur in the future if Congress had left the program, its funds and its codification alone as it was originally intended.

Robert L. Wimp

Spokane, WA

The Spokesman Review

Freedom to snoop

Freedom and liberty! Oh how George Bush trumpeted these rights 42 times in his inauguration speech of Jan 20.

A few days before the inauguration, I received the 2005 update of costs and coverage from my health insurance, Group Health Cooperative. On page three of the brochure is the following statement: "OPM will use and give out your personal medical information...to law enforcement officials when investigating and/or prosecuting alleged civil or criminal actions."

I looked at Medicare 2005 and on page 67:"Medicare must give out your personal medical information...where required by law." This is freedom and liberty? Oh, I have questions.

OPM oversees federal employees, both retired and active, so are my senators and congressmen subject to the same intrusion? Is this provision written private insurance? Why does the government snoop into my medical records, but not into my purchase of an assault rifle: How does this prying into my private life make us/me safer?

If I ask quesitons, will my asking become an "alleged" action? Will I be labeled an enemy combatant? Will I disappear? How did George Orwell know what George Bush would do to our democracy?

Janet Callen

Coeur d'Alene, ID

The Spokesman Review