Letters

Workin’ 95

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

OK, folks, it’s time for one of our favorite annual contests here at the RN&R: The 95-Word Fiction Contest. The idea is to write a miniature short story that’s exactly 95 words long. It’s an exercise in creative writing within limitations— and it predates Twitter. Here, for your illumination, is an example: Naomi’sjob wastokeepher children,Sashaand Sam,healthy.Shecarefullyprepared everymealwithlocalorganic produce.Thatgotharderonceshe wentbacktowork,harderwhen Stevewentabroadfortwomonths, harderwhensheworkedalldayon areportthatneededtobemailed thatafternoon,andthen,inthecar, thekidsbegantochant:“Hungry! Hungry!”Sherealizedshehadno planfordinner.Upahead,towering abovetheroad,shesawanarched goldenbeacon.Sheturnedtothe kids,“Don’ttellanyoneaboutthis.”

There you go. There have been better stories, sure, but also, I can assure you, worse stories. As an example, it serves—there’s a beginning, a middle and an end, identifiable characters, and a bit of a punchline. Those are some of the things we look for.

We want 95 words, as counted by LibreOffice, Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Please email submissions to renofiction@newsreview.com and include the subject line “Fiction 2016.” Put each story in the body of an email because we won’t open strange attachments. We require the author’s name, email address and phone number listed above each story. (That stuff won’t count toward your word count, and will be removed before judging.) Titles are acceptable, without affecting word count, but not required.

Stories must be received before 9:01 a.m. on Dec. 14. We’ll publish the best stories and award prizes to the very best. (The prizes might just be bragging rights and your photo and bio published in the paper. Maybe.) Stuck for inspiration? Look at last year’s winners here: www.newsreview.com/reno/word/ content?oid=19435261

Pro tip: Write it long and then cut it down. It’s easier to trim down to 95 words than to write up to it. —Brad Bynum bradb@newsreview.com

Lincoln got 39.8 percent

Re “Government overthrow” (Notes from the Neon Babylon. Nov. 17):

I find Bruce Van Dyke’s arguments to abolish the Electoral College amusing. His claim that Hillary Clinton “won” the popular vote is at best misleading. Sure, she won the most votes as a single candidate. but when you tally Trump’s and the third party candidates votes they are more than Clinton’s. So the majority voted against her. That hardly makes her popular.

He also claims that using the popular vote will make it “more democratic.” Of course, this is pure nonsense. For example, in Los Angeles County, Clinton received almost 1.1 million votes more than Trump. In New York State, she had over 1.5 million votes more. Under Van Dyke’s scenario, it would mean that instead of the whole country having a say, only Los Angeles County and New York State would choose the president. The rest of the country would pretty much cancel each other out.

While the electoral college has its faults, I would trust it over Van Dyke’s knee jerk reaction. Let’s not forget his Democratic Party introduced “superdelegates” (how democratic) to basically steal the primary from Sen. Sanders. And Wikileaks proved the DNC colluded with the Clinton campaign to guarantee her “selection.”

Instead of whining, Clinton supporters should take a long hard look at why a corrupt and borderline criminal candidate was foisted on the American public, whom they rejected wholesale. If you want to adapt the Electoral College, maybe every state should use a percentage system of votes cast to allocate Electoral College voters. However the Electoral College evolves, it should be up to the individual states to decide. You know that little thing called states’ rights. Finally, if Mr. Van Dyke doesn’t like how the election turned out thanks to those awful deplorables, I’m sure he could find a safe space on some college campus to hide out in for the next four years.

Rob Roy Douglas Reno

Epistle to the Renoites

Save your prayers, America. Donald Trump will be president, as is God’s will. God almighty in his omniscience has always known Donald Trump would be POTUS. Donald Trump is the chosen one. Begone with your progressive ways! Abandon the folly of teaching evolution!

Ladies, let men and God above decide what’s best for your bodies! Minorities, you should be seen, not heard! Only in this manner can we be great again!

Johnny Dish Reno

ERIK HOLLAND

Weenies may be insulted

Re “Will electors step in?” (Upfront, Nov. 17):

This article provides insight to the complicated process of the Electoral College. Like many parts of our constitution, the founders tried to cover just about every possibility. But more than two centuries later, that sterling document needs some serious tweaking. I grow weary of being a member of the Weenie Party, which, I’m afraid, is what my beloved Democratic Party has allowed itself to become.

Our party needs tough fighters, who will soldier-up for our causes. That’s what the opposition does, and they’re beating us, folks. The Rs do not stand on civility or ceremony. There is no “My country, right or wrong.” There is only, “My party, right or wrong.” And we have allowed them to bully us practically into submission. We elect our Dems to stand for our beliefs, and too many allow themselves to be bullied. This bully-allowing has brought us to the point where a racist is invited to the White House, courtesy of district gerrymandering and an out-of-touch Electoral College.

The popular vote proved America did not support this man over the competition. It proves only that as Dems have sat on their hands and fretted and woed for generations, the Weenie Party has again allowed this to happen. When will we Weenies learn? Will my Weenie Party finally do something about this sham election? Or will we sit back and allow the Bully Party to have their way with the Weenie Party—again? Kathie Roberts Reno

Our Mission: To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages employees to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live. Editor Brad Bynum News Editor Dennis Myers Special Projects Editor Jeri Chadwell-Singley Arts Editor Kris Vagner Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Contributors Amy Alkon, Matt Bieker, Bob Grimm, Anna Hart, Ashley Hennefer, Shelia Leslie, Eric Marks, Jose Olivares, Jessica Santina, Todd South, Luka Starmer, Marc Tiar, Brendan Trainor, Bruce Van Dyke, Allison Young Design Manager Lindsay Trop Art Directors Brian Breneman, Margaret Larkin Marketing/Publications Manager Serene Lusano Marketing/Publications Designer Sarah Hansel Production Coordinator Skyler Smith Designer Kyle Shine Senior Advertising Consultants Gina Odegard, Bev Savage Advertising Consultant Emily Litt Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Manager/Operations Coordinator Kelly Miller Distribution Assistant and Driver Denise Cairns Distribution Drivers Alex Barskyy, Bob Christensen, Debbie Frenzi, Gary White, Jennifer Cronin, Jennifer Gangestad, Lori Ashley, Lori DeAndreis, Marty Lane, Marty Troye, Patrick L’Angelle, Tracy Breeden, Vicki Jewell President/CEO Jeff VonKaenel Director of Nuts & Bolts Deborah Redmond Project Coordinator Natasha VonKaenel Director of People & Culture David Stogner Director of Dollars & Sense Nicole Jackson Payroll/AP Wizard Miranda Dargitz Accounts Receivable Specialist Kortnee Angel Sweetdeals Coordinator Courtney DeShields Nuts & Bolts Ninja Christina Wukmir Developer John Bisignano, Jonathan Schultz System Support Specialist Kalin Jenkins N&R Publications Editor Michelle Carl N&R Publications Associate Editor Kate Gonzales N&R Publications Writer Anne Stokes

Cover Design: Margaret Larkin Cover Illustration: Serene Lusano 405 Marsh Ave., Third Floor, Reno, NV 89509 Phone (775) 324-4440 Fax (775) 324-2515 Website www.newsreview.com Got a News Tip? Fax (775) 324-2515 Calendar Events www.newsreview.com/calendar Want to Advertise? Fax (775) 324-2515 or rnradinfo@newsreview.com Classified Fax (916) 498-7910 or classifieds@newsreview.com Job Opportunities jobs@newsreview.com Want to Subscribe to RN&R? renosubs@newsreview.com

Editorial Policies: Opinions expressed in rn&r are those of the authors and not of Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact the editor for permissions to reprint articles, cartoons, or other portions of the paper. rn&r is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or review materials. Email letters to rnrletters@ newsreview.com. all letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to print letters in condensed form and to edit them for libel.

Advertising Policies: all advertising is subject to the newspaper’s Standards of acceptance. The advertiser and not the newspaper assumes the responsibility for the truthful content of their advertising message.

rn&r is printed at Sierra nevada media on recycled newsprint. Circulation of rn&r is verified by the Circulation Verification Council. rn&r is a member of CnPa, aan and aWn.