OpinionJuly 10, 2008

Far-reaching effects

In response to "Fundamentally wrong," letter dated June 29:

As defined by Webster's, the word "fundamental" is "serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function." The author writes, "I affirm that fundamentalist Christians are the ones causing the problems."

Flaws and mistakes are not the problem in this country; they are the consequences of trying to cover up, Band-Aid fix or simply ignore what is wrong with this country. To the author I say, archaic morals are what have made this country a choice place to live for millions of immigrants and settlers for the past 232 years.

I wonder which moral values the author would have us reject. The author tells us that our ancestors have left us with the close-minded and ignorant ideas of the Bible. Homosexuality and abortion are fundamentals that need to be truly scrutinized by the author and the rest of us.

Is homosexuality fundamentally flawed? What function or essential structure does it provide? What is the basis supporting its existence? I find no sound reason to accept or change my fundamentally archaic idea that this practice is deviant, self-serving and immoral. Is abortion fundamentally flawed? Again, I find self-serving and irrational arguments which suggest that there is a drive or emotion that demands the society in which it is bemoaned to accept the behavior and remove the stigma from the choice maker in order to make it more bearable.

The fact is that the choices made in a family, in a community, in a society as a whole have far-reaching consequences that require sound fundamental values and structures. The author fails to realize or refuses to truly examine the fundamental values that our archaic ancestors used to establish the basic structures of a civilized society. ...

Alfred ColeChairmanNez Perce CountyRepublican Central CommitteeLewiston

Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM

Heights warning

Let this be a warning for all Clarkston Heightshomeowners who are located between a possible subdivision acreage and a connecting sewer.

The proposed Mangum subdivision located at Eighth Avenue and Critchfield wants to hook up to the sewer on Sixth Avenue to the north. The Asotin County commissioners expect property owners along the Critchfield route between Sixth and Eighth avenues to pay pro rata to sewer the Mangum subdivision.

Since 1978, Critchfield owners have paid more taxes for larger lots that have extra drainfield space that can be used if their present drainfield fails. In addition to being denied the use of this space, these same owners will be forced to pay an ever expanding $30 per month user fee forever, plus very expensive connection costs when their present system fails.

"Pro rata" means calculated cost, and I hope the commissioners' Critchfield so-called "late user fee" will be calculated to be very small without the requirement of being forced to hook up, so that replacement fields may be used.

With respect, please contact the Asotin County commissioners at 243-2060 to remind them that they are paid to represent all the voters, not just sewer interests and subdividers who want to maximize profits with small, nontypical Heights lots that require sewers.

Arthur JohnstoneClarkston

Advertisement
Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM