19 minute read
Letters
from Nov. 21, 2012
Just be consistent
Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.
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You never know from whence inspiration will come. There’s this guy who has been sending me hate mail and attacking the people I work with pretty much since the day we started this newspaper. He called last week and questioned the line I wrote in the editorial last week: “Good riddance to all those woman-hating Neanderthals who got their asses handed to them.” He wanted a list. I simply pulled up Facebook: “OK, Bill, how about Todd Akin, Richard Mourdock, State Rep. Roger Rivard, Rep. Joe Walsh, candidate Tom Smith, candidate John Kostera and V.P. candidate Paul Ryan.”
“Well,” he said, elmerfuddedly, “just because they’re against abortion doesn’t mean they hate women.” “No,” I said, “and just because they’re prorapist doesn’t mean they’re pro-rape.”
“What you don’t understand, is that pro-abortion people think that a fetus is just protoplasm, but people who believe it’s a human being believe it should have human rights, and if you kill it, it’s murder.”
“Actually, Bill, I do get that. The problem is that many people who feel that way are also for the death penalty, they are also for wars against countries that have predominately different religious views than they do, they’re also against using my tax dollar to feed hungry people. In fact, if you want to talk about the sanctity of human life, I don’t see it. Show me. What you’re saying is that the fetus that is not demonstrably human has more rights the woman carrying it who is.”
Consistent people have my respect—especially anti-abortion people. Quakers I have known, for example, have shown a consistent respect for what they view as the sanctity of life. But the people who enjoy the benefits of scientific progress but still see women as chattel who can and should be managed—l truly believe they’re missing some essential part of their humanity. —D. Brian Burghart brianb@newsreview.com
Thought I’d share
The Republicans have entered into a period of self-analysis, to determine why they lost the recent election. Allow me to clue them in. Mitt Romney lost (in part) because the American people know that: 1. Corporations are not people. 2. Fertilized eggs are not persons. 3. There is no such thing as “legitimate rape,” and 4. There is no such thing as “clean coal.” I sincerely hope this helps.
John Davis Reno
Just sayin’
Re “NORMLman” (15 Minutes, Nov. 15):
The voters of Colorado and Washington state have made it clear that the federal government can no longer get away with confusing the drug war’s collateral damage with a comparatively harmless plant. If the goal of marijuana prohibition is to subsidize violent drug cartels, prohibition is a success. The drug war distorts supply and demand dynamics so that big money grows on little trees. If the goal of marijuana prohibition is to deter use, prohibition is a failure. The United States has double the rate of use as the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available. The criminalization of Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis has no basis in science. The war on marijuana consumers is a failed cultural inquisition, not a public health campaign. It’s time for politicians to catch up with the people and end marijuana prohibition. Robert Sharpe, MPA
Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D.C.
That’s sarcasm, right?
Re “Golden loophole” (News, Nov. 15):
This socialist proposal to increase taxes on the “job creators” in the mining industry makes no sense whatever to conservatives such as myself. The “government” should remove itself entirely from the system and permit the mine owners to write a check directly to the people. (Sort of a reverse voucher system.) “People” would, of course, be limited to white male property owners, much as the original framers of our Constitution intended. Then each year an election could be held wherein voters could determine if their check was too generous. They could vote to reduce the amount of the check for the ensuing year. If the “people” became too greedy, “free market” forces would be brought to bear. Mine owners could move their mines to any location of their choosing. Somalia springs to mind, as they operate almost entirely without a “government.” Wake up, people! Don’t make us resort to armed insurrection and secession. Larry L. Wissbeck Paonia, Colo.
From books!
Why do you keep printing articles by Jake Highton? This guy doesn’t make intellectual arguments. He simply lists ideas he read in a book. The actions of humans are not a good argument for or against the existence of god. If you want socialism, go live in Cuba, China or Venezuela. Capitalism is not perfect, but communism has failed to deliver on its promises everywhere it has been tried. There are two groups of people living in a bubble: republicans and college professors. Try living in the real world. Discard partisanism and start thinking for yourself. Stop being one of the sheeple. Mark Hussey Reno
Hope springs eternal
There is no question that Jake Highton is deeply compassionate, of high intelligence and that he earnestly hopes for an improvement of the human condition. However, it is apparent that he has been blinded to reality by his own beliefs in socialism. How can he possibly defend the communist states of the USSR and Mao’s Red China that ushered in their workers paradises by murdering well over 100 million people and by delivering decades of grey homogenized dependency, servitude and depression to those imprisoned within their borders, let alone the horrendous grinding grief and suffering of Pol Pots Cambodia and North Korea among others?
Perhaps he considers the EU as the shining light of socialism. Only a fool would think so. The only thing propping up their doomed attempt of servitude to the socialist state is the constant drip feed of fiat (phony) money crated out of thin air by their central bank, our own Fed and the IMF. The house of cards of the EU will utterly collapse within the next twothree years. Their only hope is that an international monetary system, using the same failed Keynesian economics, will rescue them. They will discover the new monster is kin to the current one and will lead them to an even greater failure in the near future. Life is not fair. We are not equal.
But Highton would make it so through the power and force of an armed police state. Shouldn’t his state of social justice and fairness include an amorphous sameness in academics, no winners in sporting contests, no high achievement in music or theater, no rich or poor, and no great minds that create inventions to elevate mankind?
Please do not think I am ignorant of the cruelty of state-aided corruption of the free market system that we now have in our own nation, and of the history of enslavement, bitter grief and sorrow that avaricious “capitalists” have spewed upon humanity. I am well read too and have wept upon learning of the terrible suffering of humanity at the hands of evil men and women. Indeed, here in the U.S. we jig to a macabre dance of economic dependency upon a capitalist warrior state with a defense budget larger than all other nations of the world combined, while at the same time we escalate spending for our Frankenstenian entitlement programs that, combined with defense spending, has bankrupted us. Our $16 trillion of debt will soon be $20 trillion. Our unfunded liabilities are well over $115 trillion (some estimates are as high as $200 trillion). It is mathematically impossible to survive as a nation under this burden of debt.
There is a third challenge that facilitates evil among men regardless of what governance we choose: human ignorance. The vast majority of Americans, for instance, vote for their political champion based upon misleading TVads, false beliefs, biased media (both sides), the propaganda of zealous professors, and whoever promises them the most government goodies. Can we ever rise above our own human fallibility? Frankly, at times I wonder if we ever will. So what is the answer? Certainly not socialism or communism. Certainly not state-aided corruption of the free market.
I propose the best system to date has been the remarkable original Constitution and its advocacy of rights and liberty while attempting to protect us against “isms,” and the power of the few corrupting the state for their own avarice.
Chris Hardt Carson City
Troubling reminder
I was in the post office in downtown Reno a little while back, and my nephew pointed out some rather disturbing decor. The sides of the table are decorated with swastikas. They are level, but the design is still there. I understand the symbol is hundreds or thousands of years old, but as a proud man of Hebrew blood, I found it to be a slap in the face. Not only for me, but for all the honorable men who died to rid the world of an evil tyrannical group of psychos.
Larry Rubin Reno
Editor’s note: Many older U.S. buildings feature swastikas, which have been found in archeological digs around the world, including ancient Troy. In 1932 when Frederick DeLongchamps designed the Art Deco Reno post office, the swastika was known as a Native American symbol. Until it was tainted by despicable ends to which it was applied, it was normally used as a benign, sometimes hopeful symbol. Since World War Two, residents have occasionally debated its presence in the post office building.
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Season of Giving
As we prepare to give thanks this week, please join the RN&R in congratulating the recipients of last week's Association of Fundraising Professionals, Sierra Chapter's 25th Annual Cornerstone Awards Luncheon, presented in honor of National Philanthropy Day on November 15th.
2012 National Philanthropy Day Cornerstone Award Recipients
Outstanding COrpOratiOn
WALMART
In 2011, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation contributed over $950 million in cash and in-kind contributions around the world, but it is their local giving history that prompted two nominations for Outstanding Corporation this year.
Among their many acts of generosity, Walmart provides an average of 5,000 diapers a month to the Women and Children’s Center, helping the family budget of more than 130 needy children stretch a little farther.
Their support of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada has provided some 3.5 million meals in the past two years alone, and their total corporate support is estimated at $320,000 since 2000.
In addition, Walmart encourages their employees to volunteer in the community and have partnered with or supported organizations as diverse as the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, Renown Children’s Hospital, KNPB Public Broadcasting, United Way and Evelyn Mount’s annual holiday food drives.
Outstanding FOundatiOn
Edna B. & Bruno Benna Foundation
Bruno and Edna Benna established their foundation in 1996 after a long and successful business career. Their foundation has given generously to education and the arts, especially UNR, where they established the Endowment for Excellence in the Arts to sponsor visiting musical and theatrical artists, established the art book collection at the Knowledge Center, and provided student athletic scholarship programs. They shared the University’s “Distinguished Nevadans” award in 1991 and, in 1993, Bruno was named Alumnus of the Year.
In the community, Edna and Bruno Benna have been long-time supporters of organizations such as the Nevada Museum of Art, Nevada Opera, Reno Philharmonic and Saint Mary’s Hospital - where Bruno served on the board for 22 years - along with many other community and civic leadership roles.
Bruno passed away in April of this year, but the Foundation continues Bruno and Edna’s legacy of community giving.
Outstanding philanthrOpists
Phil & Jennifer Satre
Phil and Jennifer Satre’s contributions back to the Reno community have been legendary, but they were recognized last week for their partnership with the Community Foundation of Western Nevada, where Jennifer served as Chairman for several years.
Through their leadership of the Harrah’s Employee Scholarship program, 68 students have received $652,000 to help with college tuition.
Jennifer launched the High School Giving Circle, now in its eighth year, where local teens meet for ten weeks to learn about philanthropy and community programs, ultimately giving out grants to local non-profits. The Partnership Grant program the Satres helped launch in 2007 has resulted in more than $700,000 being granted to non-profits large and small, filling critical niches in our community. They continue to be community leaders in driving philanthropy.
Outstanding Fundraising prOFessiOnal
Shari Netzel
Shari was recognized for a stellar 20-year career as a development professional, specifically for her efforts in moving the Renown Children’s Hospital forward, phase by phase.
The hospital’s hallmark achievement was the February, 2012 opening of the Children’s Inpatient Floor and the Wilbur D. May Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, a $5.2 million project that was fully funded from area donations.
Shari worked with the Boys and Girls Club at Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada Girl Scounts and the UNR College of Health and Human Sciences before coming to the Renown Foundation six years ago.
Shari is highly regarded by co-workders, colleagues, staff and board members alike for her integrity, her work ethic and her uncanny ability to pair donor interest with community need. She is a past-president of the AFP Sierra Chapter, among her many community leadership achievements.
2012 AFP Spirit of Giving Honorees
Phil Bushard, Food Bank of Northern Nevada
Phil is an incredible supporter of the Food Bank. He is truly an ambassador and can be counted on to be at every event and also weekly at the warehouse. He is consistently focused and engaged in “Making Hunger History”. Thank you, Phil!
Lisa Carano, KNPB Channel 5
Lisa has been a member of the KNPB Board of Trustees since 2007. She and her husband, Gregg, donate to KNPB at a leadership level. She also serves on the Special Events Committee and has been instrumental in planning the KNPB Aged to Perfection annual fundraising gala. Lisa values the importance of education and is a strong advocate for intelligent programming and education initiatives at KNPB. Lisa has also served as a volunteer judge for the Young Writers and Illustrators contest. KNPB is proud to honor Lisa for all that she does to give back to her community.
Dave Carbon, Washoe County School District
Dave has spent over 10 years volunteering at Melton Elementary school doing classroom and teacher support. We appreciate his dedication to education and students.
Susie Jensen, SPCA of Northern Nevada
Susie has put in over 6,000 hours since 2009. She volunteers 40 hours a week, behavior-testing dogs which are checked into the facility. This is very important for volunteers who socialize with them, as well as pairing the right dog to the right family. In addition to the behavior-testing, Susie also conducts the dog training classes for the volunteers and public. She is a truly amazing person with a heart of gold.
Jodi as a valuable part of the The Discovery Team. She has gone above and beyond what has been asked of her as a volunteer on a regular basis. Jodi regularly puts in long hours to complete projects, works hard to throw amazing parties and team events and has an amazing attitude. Her spirit of giving goes a long way to helping The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum meet its mission every day!
Karren Smith, Northern Nevada International Center
Karren is the Board Secretary, as well as the significant financial contributor and home host volunteer extraordinaire. She helps with special events, attends program,s and other activities with our international visitors whenever possible. She truly exemplifies the “spirit of giving”. Stacey Spain, Sierra Arts Foundation
Stacey is the new Executive Director for the Sierra Arts Foundation. She has re-energized an reorganized the Foundation for an excellent first year!
Elise Weatherly, Eldorado Hotel-Casino
We are honored to recognize Elise as an irreplaceable asset to the Eldorado and to our community with her numerous selfless acts, unprecedented devotion and heartfelt passions. The workload that Elise is responsible for is astounding and she never shies away from a challenge. Besides her Eldorado commitments, she donates her time and talents to many local organizations such as the Nevada Humane Society, Wittenberg Hall Youth Detention Facility, the Life Care Center and her church. Elise has always been passionate about giving to those around her in any way she can. Elise is very humble and selflessly enjoys giving back to others. She continually goes above and beyond not only in her profession, but also in her personal life and we thank her for all that she does!
(the above are excerpts from the november 15th, 2012 aFp sierra Chapter Cornerstone awards luncheon program)
The Reno News & Review is a proud supporter of Northern Nevada’s non-profit communities. We want to remind you that there are more ways to give than simply buying a gift this holiday season. Give a gift-in-kind, donate to charitable and non-profit causes or volunteer your time, during the holidays and beyond. You’ll feel a sense of contribution and accomplishment, while making our community a better place to live! Please look for the RN&R’s “Season of Giving” special section in our December 13th issue, where you’ll find profiles of some of our region’s non-profit and charitable organizations and causes, along with a list of the Community Foundation of Western Nevada’s “100% Giving Club” organizations.
THIS MODERN WORLD BY TOM TOMORROW BIG HE ADERS GIZA 25pt 25k What are you SMALL HE ADERS GIZA 15pt 55k (60% OF BIG HE AD) thankful for? BIG HE ADERS GIZA 25pt 25k by Dennis Myers SMALL HE
Asked at Reno main post office
Dave Galleng
Construction project manager To have a job. Alot of people in this country don’t have a job right now.
Peg McKnight
Retiree Everything I’ve been given. Health— I’ll be 89 in February, and I have so much health and energy. I’m so grateful.
A rigged election
Before the 2012 election passes into history, there is a local lesson that should be taken away from it. It should not be forgotten that the Reno City Council engaged in serious ethical misconduct in an effort to predetermine the outcome of one line on the ballot.
Aquestion was placed on the ballot to find out whether the public wants general elections conducted by ward or city-wide. That is, should a ward’s councilmember be elected by that ward’s residents or by all city residents?
The Council has authority over the language of city ballot questions. In this case, because the measure dealt with the Council itself, it was a conflict of interest. The public had a right to expect that the mayor and Council would do nothing to take unfair advantage of their control of the language. But they did. As it appeared on the ballot, city Question RNO-1 read this way:
That language was approved by the Reno City Council. It was slanted and designed to elicit a particular outcome. So was accompanying explanatory language.
In a measure dealing with whether ward or citywide general elections should be held, the ballot question excluded the ward choice so the voters did not know what the alternative to the citywide choice is. Accompanying ballot language provided both choices, but the ballot question itself did not.
In addition, the question was framed so that a “yes”
vote represented the status quo and a “no” vote represented change, which was counter-intuitive. In order to change the system, a voter had to cast a “no” vote. In order to keep it as it is, the voter had to check “yes.” That alone makes the results suspect. The business community loves city-wide elections. They make city politics more expensive, keeping officeseeking out of the reach of most people, which gives those with money for campaign contributions more influence. Their subsidized allies on the Council made sure that less affluent residents will not be getting a level playing field any time soon. For example, Neoma Jardon spent $140,978 for her $64,000 The outgoing Council a year job. toed the business line It is especially disappointing that Mayor Bob Cashell joined in this to the end. scheme. Though he is consistently conservative, he has also consistently insisted that opposing viewpoints be fairly presented. This was a lousy time for him to take a time-out from that policy. The mayor and council succeeded in their effort to defeat the ballot measure by manipulating the language, but in an era when distrust of government is endemic, their sleazy conduct gives local voters just one more reason for cynicism, for avoiding the system, for not voting. Fortunately, as the new Council showed with its slowdown of the old Council’s $30 million gift to the builders of the baseball stadium, new members have the spine to do what’s right for the community. Let’s see how they handle this challenge. Ω Michelle Sherben
Business owner I am thankful for my friends and family because they enrich my life. I have no actual family in Reno, but I’ve built a wonderful community of friends. And we all have small children, and we celebrate the holidays together, and I’m very grateful to have them in my life.
Cindy Vizcaino
Scanner To be alive, to have my family healthy, to have my friends, and to have what I have—a good life.
Art Verling
Business owner I’m thankful to be busy with my business. We’re pretty busy at the end of the year. Usually, we slow down at this time of year
