Letters

Home again, home again

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

Feels so good to be ba-a-aack. Thanks to all my co-conspirators for handling things while I was away, particularly the other editors here: Brad Bynum, Ashley Hennefer and Dennis Myers. Congrats to Kelley Lang who waited ’til I left to have her baby. Makes me happy to know that when I finally get hit by that bus or my son achieves 18 years, the RN&R will be in good hands.

For my part, I made a giant trip through the Midwest. My girlfriend, son and I traveled some 4,222 miles with two dogs—one of whom peed on my seat on the first day of our trip. The rest of the trip was spent saying things like, “Look at that scenery, and it hardly smells in here any more.”

Anyway, we started here in Reno, went up to Twin Falls, Idaho, up to Billings, Mont., through Yellowstone, back to Billings, down through Wyoming to Kimball, Nebr., to Lincoln, Nebr., to Falls City, Nebr., a quick trip to see the new bridge at Rulo, Nebr./Missouri, down to I70 across Kansas to Denver, Colo., then to some little town in Utah, over to Arches National Park, and then home across Highway 50.

As you can imagine, it was more fun for the dogs than it was for my 15-year-old son who couldn’t even select the music to make his trip more interesting.

One of the main things that struck me was how very local our depressed economy is. Even in other areas of Nevada, there’s massive construction, business activity, open storefronts, the buying and selling of homes. Frankly, it’s unbelievable. I felt like that frog that got caught in the slowly heating pot of water. I knew it was bad here; I’d just forgotten what good looked like. My home sweet home city was literally the only place that wasn’t bustling.

The only other thing that struck me as hard was the fields after fields of dead corn in Nebraska. Get ready for higher food costs, particularly grain-fed meat. — D. Brian Burghart brianb@newsreview.com

Leave the piece home

We vote with our dollars. I’m addressing the laws governing firearms in public. Businesses not posting a “No Firearms Allowed” sign will no longer be frequented. I want to apologize to their employees whose safety does not warrant a sign. Shopping for lettuce and avocados, I should not have armed idiots in the store besides me. For contemplation: An officer cannot stop just because a person is armed. Who’s packing will now become a reality. Thanks, politicians, makes one proud to have served.

Dan Beeler Reno

Under the gun

I have nothing against gun ownership, but I do have a problem with guns owned by idiots. It has been more than two weeks since some bonehead shot himself in the ass at the Sparks movie theater. I have contacted the Reno Gazette-Journal on two occasions and Ben Briscoe at News 4 once, requesting that they do a follow up on this story and identify the jerk responsible for this crime. I wanted to know if he would be charged with reckless endangerment or, at the very least, discharging a firearm in a public place. Also, would his conceal carry permit be revoked as it is clear he learned nothing about safe gun handling in the required course? The public has a right to know who this person is. How else can they defend themselves against him, if not by shooting back next time, then at least by avoiding him? I know that local government agencies would never be complicit in any sort of cover-up, but this information has been withheld long enough. Certainly by now, the Sparks PD and the Washoe DAhave had sufficient time to investigate and move forward. Please, RN&R, give the public the information it has every right to know.

Dave Jasper Reno Editor’s note: On Monday, Doug Thornley, the prosecutor at the Sparks City Attorney’s office who is handling the case, said a complaint against Fernando Santana Eagleheart has been filed with Sparks Municipal Court, but as far as he knew, it had not been served, and no court date has yet been set.

Symbol of faith

Re “Mitt and Joseph” (Notes from the Neon Babylon, Aug. 23):

You left out the best part ... the magic panties! For those who don’t know, the faithful wear magic underwear that they honest-to-God believe protect them from harm. Mitt Romney makes no bones about it, he wears them, and he honestly believes they have mystical properties. Being the POTUS requires a firmer grasp on reality, in my humble opinion. John Whaley Carson City

Covered up

Re “Mitt and Joseph” (Notes from the Neon Babylon, Aug. 23):

I was also wondering what Mitt Romney could be hiding and came to some, maybe false, conclusions.

Romney has accountants to do his taxes. If he did something illegal like under-paying or improper deductions, someone would have dropped a dime on him by now. So it is nothing illegal. Besides, some busybody at the IRS, seeing the uproar over the income tax issue, would have taken a look and Romney wouldn’t have taken that chance. Beside, Romney was vetted by McCain back in 2008. Did the McCain group take a close look at the paperwork and decide to go with Palin?

Romney could also be concerned about his tax rate. It doesn’t matter if he paid 20 percent, 10 percent or 5 percent. He can point out how he was able to take advantage of the tax laws and so could everyone else in the country. Romney could be waiting for the right time to release the tax documents, as Obama did with his birth certificate. Obama waited until all the birthers running to become the GOP nominee made fools of themselves before releasing the long form.

So far the only prominent Democrat to publicly ask has been Harry Reid. Is he waiting for more Democrats to speak out? Unlikely since waiting is only raising more questions and suspicions among Republicans and Democrats. What could make Romney risk losing the presidency by withholding his tax records? The most important things in his life are his family and his church. Since his family already knows then it might be the church. They don’t know. Or at least I think they don’t know. Unless the church requires everyone to send in a copy of their tax returns when they submit their tithe the church accepts the amount of the tithe on faith to be correct. One reason Romney has given for not release tax records is because he is distressed about letting outsiders know how much he is giving to his church. Why is he so concerned about his tithe? Romney has said he paid his 10 percent plus more through his family charity. Some know-it-all have estimated Romney’s net worth in excess of $400 million. Many have said $250 million. That’s a wide margin. Does the refusal of releasing tax returns have anything to do the church? Dewey Quong Reno

One master: money

Re “Mitt and Joseph” (Notes from the Neon Babylon, Aug. 23):

Just in case it hasn't occurred to you, one of the reasons Romney won't release his taxes is that it would show he has cheated the Mormon church out of their 10 percent and then he would no longer be a “member in good standing.” ... This so-called “invisible hand of wealth” amounts to nothing more than a system based on greed, and Paul Ryan, especially Ryan, can quote you chapter and verse from Ayn Rand, who is their real god, the god of a totally unregulated, allegedly freemarket capitalism. So it doesn't make a difference what church they go to on Sunday, Saturday or Friday. Unbelievable.

Jon Obester Reno

Obama’s secret past

Re “Mitt and Joseph” (Notes from the Neon Babylon, Aug. 23):

I’m so confused. Mitt Romney’s religion is an issue, but Barack Obama’s is not? Romney’s background is an issue, but Obama spends millions hiding his school records, and that is not an issue. Where’s the unbiased press? Does it even exist anymore?

Jeff Matheson Yerington

Hidden meaning

Re “Mitt and Joseph” (Notes from the Neon Babylon, Aug. 23):

I too have a pretty open mind when it comes to religion. However in a place long, long ago and far, far away, I had regular contact with this “cult” on a regular basis in my job. To better understand how they thought and behaved, I read “The Book,” you know, the one that is not the King James version of Christianity. This was a far cry from what normal folks believed was a regular way of life. But each to his own. I am just a bit uneasy about a billionaire getting the highest office in this country and having to tithe 10 percent of my tax dollars to his cause when he can’t even release his tax returns for 10 years. What is he hiding? Mason Arthur Reno Editor’s note: I don’t want to diminish these individuals’rights to express themselves (or Bruce Van Dyke’s for that matter), but I want to point out two things: The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America guarantees freedom of religion, but all religions require faith in incredible things. And a clause in Article IV, paragraph 3, of the Constitution declares “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

It’s the pits

Re “Lovely Lake Pit” (Feature story, Aug. 16):

Very much enjoyed Dennis Myers’article on pit lakes. However, as residents at the only local pit lake, formerly Helm’s pit and now the Sparks Marina, we would have enjoyed mention! Richard and Karen Washburn Sparks

Our Mission To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages people to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live. Editor/Publisher D. Brian Burghart News Editor Dennis Myers Arts Editor Brad Bynum Special Projects Editor Ashley Hennefer Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Contributors Amy Alkon, Amy Beck, Megan Berner, Matthew Craggs, Mark Dunagan, Marvin Gonzalez, Bob Grimm, Michael Grimm, Dave Preston, Jessica Santina, K.J. Sullivan, Bruce Van Dyke Design Manager Kate Murphy Art Director Priscilla Garcia Associate Art Director Hayley Doshay Editorial Designer India Curry Design Brennan Collins, Marianne Mancina, Mary Key, Skyler Smith, Melissa Arendt Art Director at Large Don Button, Andrea Diaz-Vaughn Advertising Consultants Gina Odegard, Matt Odegard, Bev Savage Senior Classified Advertising Consultant Olla Ubay Office/Distribution Manager/ Ad Coordinator Karen Brooke Business Manager Grant Ronsenquist Executive Assistant/Operations Coordinator Nanette Harker Assistant Distribution Manager Ron Neill Distribution Drivers Sandra Chhina, Jesse Pike, John Miller, Martin Troye, David Richards, Warren Tucker, Matthew Veach, Neil Lemerise, Russell Moore General Manager/Publisher John D. Murphy President/CEO Jeff vonKaenel Chief Operations Officer Deborah Redmond Human Resource Manager Tanja Poley Credit and Collections Manager Renee Briscoe Business Zahida Mehirdel, Shannon McKenna Systems Manager Jonathan Schultz Systems Support Specialist Joe Kakacek Web Developer/Support Specialist John Bisignano 708 North Center Street Reno, NV 89501 Phone (775) 324-4440 Fax (775) 324-4572 Classified Fax (916) 498-7940 Mail Classifieds & Talking Personals to N&R Classifieds, Reno Edition, 1015 20th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or e-mail classifieds@newsreview.com Web site www.newsreview.com Printed by Paradise Post The RN&R is printed using recycled newsprint whenever available. Editorial Policies Opinions expressed in the RN&Rare those of the authors and not of Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact the editor for permission to reprint articles, cartoons or other portions of the paper. The RN&Ris not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. All letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to print letters in condensed form. Cover design: Hayley Doshay Feature story design: Hayley Doshay

THIS MODERN WORLD BY TOM TOMORROW

Asked in downtown Sparks

Dwayne Felker

Barbecue restaurant owner Some. Not a lot. We have computers and phones and TVs, radios in the car, that kind of stuff. My business is hooked to electronics.

Chad Quiggle

Truck driver Not much. I’m old school, I guess. The old flip-phone—I don’t want to go to the IPhone yet.

Cut off anti-doping funds How dependent are you on electronic gadgetry?

There were plenty of people willing to attack Lance Armstrong after he decided not to bother defending himself any longer against the “U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.”

Armstrong has, for some reason, become a lightning rod and most people who take an interest in his problems are no longer in the undecided column, so it’s unlikely that any defense will change minds. Our only thought is that his reluctance to continue playing games with the Agency should not be taken as evidence of anything but reluctance to continue playing games with the Agency.

What does concern us is the process Armstrong has had to endure, and the Agency itself. Though a private organization, it has a name that suggests it is a government body, and the fact that taxpayers pick up most of the tab for its operation furthers that impression.

Before the Agency got involved, Armstrong was investigated for two years by the U.S. Justice Department (a real public agency) which eventually dropped the case. Unwilling to accept that conclusion, the Agency got its own probe going, never coming to resolution.

In other words, Armstrong has been dealing with various investigators and investigations for four years without ever being charged with anything, all while being negatively portrayed by sloppy journalism, such as a Sports Illustrated story that was denounced by one of its sources and a Wall Street Journal piece that had no more substantiation than a Harry Reid attack on Mitt Romney.

After Armstrong announced that he would no longer deal with the Agency, it claimed it had stripped him of his Tour de France wins. That came as news in Europe. It’s a little like saying the Reno City Council reached a decision about the Golan Heights. The Tour de France is run by the Amaury Sport Organization, not by the Agency. But more troubling is that the Agency acted without producing any evidence. And as Allen Barra wrote in the Atlantic Monthly, “in the nearly 500 drug tests Armstrong has taken through his career, there is no proof that any have been positive. Many other prominent cyclists—most notably Spain’s Alberto Contrador—have been caught juicing. But with so many accusations against Armstrong, why is there no hard proof?”

The Agency says it has proof, but has never presented it, instead rendering a sentence against Armstrong without doing so. “No, no!” said the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. “Sentence first …”

When a judge threw out an Armstrong lawsuit against the Agency, he still wrote in his ruling that the Agency’s “conduct raises serious questions about whether its real interest in charging Armstrong is to combat doping, or if it is acting according to less noble motives.”

Why is there a federally funded private anti-doping organization to regulate sports? What is the taxpayer interest in policing entertainment? How about a federally funded czar to get Simon and Garfunkel back together or a commission to make board games more exciting?

People like Spiro Agnew used to complain about what they called the “drug culture.” The real problem is the drug war culture. We tolerate intolerable activities in the name of cracking down. How many of us would want to spend four years under a microscope, years of scrutiny that never seem to end?

Investigations should not become a way of life for their targets. Life is too short and investigators too often zealots. Congress should cut off the money. Ω Paul Mackay

Barbecue company owner Computer, cell phone, multiple PCs, electronic voice mail … IPad, tablets. You know what? I’ve decided that smart phones make me dumb. You have to press too many buttons and click too many times to get a simple task done, and we don’t remember the telephone numbers of our best friends because it’s automatic dial.

Dennis Robinson

Carpenter Pretty much. Cell phones, and that’s phone log. I just use it pretty much as a phone. I don’t use it to take pictures or other stuff.

Jessica Rudolf

Medical assistant Pretty tied. The technology is everything these days, and without it, I don’t know that we could go back in time to reinvent the wheel.