February 22, 2012 in Opinion, Letters

Columnist raises awareness

 

Karen Kearney (Feb. 11) thinks Doug Clark is bad for Spokane. I don’t. Doug’s a gadfly, making the comfortable uncomfortable and providing a greater awareness for us all. It’s a service that’s badly needed in Spokane.

Spokane is a generous, friendly, compassionate city, and also one of the most parochial places I’ve ever lived. The Good Old Boy network is very strong. Thank goodness Doug isn’t afraid to step on toes and gore sacred cows. This doesn’t mean I always agree with him. I don’t, but he always gets me thinking.

He hasn’t shown disrespect for our way of life; using his freedom of speech is part of our way of life, even if you disagree with what’s being said. If Doug has shown disrespect toward the Spokane Police Department, I don’t think he’s alone. Last time I looked, Doug wasn’t under investigation by the feds and hadn’t beaten anyone with a baton.

If your chief executive friends think the image of Spokane is hurt more by Doug’s column than by the scandals he writes about, or the fact that every exit off of Interstate 90 has a group of scruffy panhandlers present, then maybe they, and you, should think again.

Kevin L. Edgren

Spokane

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Two comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • Warrant_Officer_Obvious on February 22 at 6:29 a.m.

    It’s high time to end this petty grudge game instigated by Karen Kearney. Kearney who wrote a ludicrous letter not blaming our business ignorant president, do nothing Congress, lackluster governor or westside centric state legislature for our economic woes in the Lilac City. No, Karen Kearny blamed an aging, ill-mannered columnist for a minor metropolitan newspaper with a dwindling readership.

    Reality Check.

    Let’s do some background checking and see what’s what….

    Doug Clark has been writing for the Spokesman Review for 25 plus years. Every year he raises at least $5K for 2nd Harvest and is the founder and driving force behind Street Music…He mocks the powerful when they stubble…a truly American right of free speech that would have cost him his head in most parts of the world. Clark has made countless enemies over the years…

    About a year ago, Doug Clark lampooned a prosperous proposal to increase the number of County Commissioners from 3 to 5.
    http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/mar/20/doug-clark-bigger-government-send-in-the-clowns/

    This ill-conceived scheme was championed by none other than….wait for it….Karen Kearney

    Clark mocked her project and Kearney, like a good GOP elephant, didn’t forgive or forget…

    A year has passed and revenge is a dish best served cold…..one would not want folks to think one was grinding an axe…that’s just not Christian….

    Asking around and the 411 on Kearney is that she is the QUEEN of delayed petty pay back….just ask Sheriff Ozzie…..
    http://www.spokesman.com/letters/2008/oct/31/sheriffs-decisions-disappointing/

    or Nancy McLaughlin….

    Don’t mess with Karen Kearney folks….she will get ya back…..eventually….

  • SMARTGUY on February 22 at 1:10 p.m.

    If we are going to fire Doug Clark, because we do not like him making fun of our city. We better fire Jay Leno too, after all, the only time our city gets on the Tonight Show, is because of our queer bashing gay mayor, and our ugly prostitutes. I am sure that has cost us a few jobs, and discourages people from moving here. Or we could stop doing things like rehiring drunk cops. and making ourselves a laughing stock, all over the country. Firing Doud, and Jay does seem simpler.

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