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What issues do you want the new Congress to take on this session?
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Sam Fletcher: Firing themselves. David Jeter: How about not taking the economy hostage over the debt ceiling.
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Char Smith: I’d like to see them actually working together and compromising to find solutions.
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8 INLANDER JANUARY 10, 2013
letters
The Future of C.O.P.S.
and some original empirical research. It failed to identify I was so happy to hear that the new mayor and the new any gun control that had reduced violent crime, suicide chief of police have put together a plan for revitalizing or gun accidents.” the policing of Spokane. But wait, their plan Having more guns does not make a sounds so familiar — areas of the city with a society either more dangerous or more police emphasis and patrolling of the neighSend comments to safe. But what does? borhoods. That’s what’s already in place — an editor@inlander.com. That question brings us back to the established organization of volunteers in 10 lack of any leadership rising above the Spokane C.O.P.S. (Community Oriented Policsordidness and shallowness of politics to find and face ing Services) shops throughout the city with a police the real issues. Every ounce of political will expended officer working out of each one, patrolling and handling in futile arguments over gun control means less spent citizen complaints. These Neighborhood Resource productively on exploring public policy that will make Officers are actively engaged with the citizens in their a real difference. We can’t afford to waste our public neighborhoods, following up on complaints. This has health resources or any more young lives. been working flawlessly for 20 years. We know what doesn’t work. Let’s figure out what But now the mayor is trying to change the function works. of C.O.P.S. to a mini City Hall in each neighborhood to collect utility bills. What is wrong with this picture? SUE LANI W. MADSEN We, as volunteers working with the police to protect Edwall, Wash. the safety of the citizens, don’t want to be turned into unpaid city clerks. We wish to remain the community eyes and ears (and sometimes arms) of our city police department. You hit the mark on most of the coal train issues (“The Coalman Cometh,” 12/27/12) except for a very important BARB HEDLUND consideration — namely the exportation of our energy. President, Nevawood C.O.P.S. Energy means jobs, period. Why are we even considering exporting our future energy needs? We have a glut of natural gas, so there is a push to liquefy and export that. Why are we willing to sell our future at wholesale Professor Herold made a good point in his commenprices for some fast bucks today? tary on guns (“Finding Our Balance,” 1/3/13) when he Since there is a glut of natural gas, why hasn’t the referred to the impact of letting go of the idea of a moral price come down to the consumers? As stated, the coal universe. When we have no responsibility to others, trains will not benefit Spokane. The jobs promised by the when good and evil are “problematic categories,” then coal companies are very short-term. When the coal terwe have no grounds to be surprised at whatever hapminals are complete, very few jobs will remain. No new pens. Yet we know in our gut that random killing is an jobs for Spokane. But there will be more diesel exhaust, evil act. It is in evil act no matter how it is carried out. more noise and more problems at the grade crossings. Before we blame the tool as a handy scapegoat, it It’s way past time to take a long look at this counwould be useful to look at the science to find out what try’s future energy needs and put a stop to the moneyworks. A study titled “Would Banning Firearms Reduce grabbing practices of big business. We will pay for these Murder and Suicide” in the Harvard Journal of Law & mistakes for decades to come. Public Policy concluded the answer is no. The authors of the study noted: “In 2004, the U.S. National Academy HERB POSTLEWAIT of Sciences released its evaluation from a review of 253 Spokane, Wash. journal articles, 99 books, 43 government publications
letters
Who Benefits?
Leadership Wanted
Mandy O’Connell: First I’d like to see them take a look at their pay scales and then adjust them according to the levels that their constituents are currently living on! Why can’t we find money for things like books in my son’s school when they live on six and seven figures? Jake Green: It would just honestly be nice to see a Congress open to creating bipartisan laws that will benefit the people that they have been voted to represent. Alyse Marshall Juliano: Reauthorization of VAWA! Jamie Bosanko: Ideally? Balancing the budget; tax reform; filibuster/ procedural Senate reform; climate change; minimum standards on paid sick/vacation leave; stagnant US wages; marriage equality; immigration reform; gun control; reauthorizing the VAWA; and just because I’m a real dreamer, instant run-off voting in federal elections. Realistically? Maybe VAWA and immigration reform if we’re lucky. David Camp: Climate protection. Eagerly awaiting Cathy McMorrisRodgers to lead the way. Lori Wilson: Make realistic budget cuts. The children, elderly and (genuinely) poor have suffered enough in this state. Maybe if they just completely restart, say “Let’s pretend everything has equal monies... Who needs more or less depending on what’s going to reverse the red better?” Rose Messick: To care about the citizens they are supposed to represent... instead of adding to the debt with pork to benefit a few so as to receive perks from corporations and lobbyists. Shame Shame. n