Letters

Spring forward

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

OK, I’ve written about seasonal affective disorder before. Basically, for me, it’s just the blues when I spend too much time out of the sun. I honestly think that’s a big chunk of why I’m a gardener—I just feel better when I spend more time in the sun. This year, I built my hoophouse for winter gardening, and then went right ahead and got caught up in other things and never planted a winter garden—even though I wrote about my plans in this column. So, now, I find myself without a garden and without a reason to spend time outside in these frigid temperatures. And so, my friends, I’m crabby.

But I do know one thing that’s incredibly inexpensive yet makes a massive impact on a person’s life: a coat of paint. So Kelly, Hunter and I put our heads together to figure out a color blue to put on a wall in my upstairs hallway, and there you have it: Instant mood enhancer.

I do realize, though, as I look at the colors throughout my house, that I do have a peculiarly Mexican palette. I love the bright, bold colors. This wall is a strident—pretty much Pantone—true blue, and I’d think it would look horrible on anyone’s wall but mine.

That lift reminds me that ever day gets a little longer. We’re only 45 days from the daylight saving time switch, and I know summer is on its way. Lots of changes going down between now and then— getting wood floors, teaching’s starting, my master’s begins, Tracie leaves, and Dennis comes back—things are actually kind of exciting.

And those lengthening days mean that soon I’ll be pulling weeds in the back 40. I think I need a couple new fruit trees as well.

But now I’m preparing for some real, heart-pounding exhilaration. In about an hour, I’m taking Hunter down to the DMV to take the test for his learner’s permit. I’ve taught a few people to drive over the years. This ought to be fun … for me.

—D. Brian Burghart brianb@newsreview.com

Back at ya

Re “10 Things I Hate About Burning Man” (Feature story, Sept. 6, 2007):

I love your “10 worst” and see the silver lining in your writings. I have been to Burning Man 11 straight— figure of speech that is—years and may just go for number 12 ’cause I still love everything about it, except the law enforcement people—they suck, and not in a good way most of the time. (Sometimes they are better than others. Love the Black Rock Rangers for the most part; you can make lifetime friends with some of them.) I agree if you want a good spanking you may as well go to “camp spank your ass.” There is good and some truth in everything you wrote about. Better luck with your flashlight, at least it wasn’t your camera, as you were getting a good shot of your proud drug-laden dump that you were going to share with your camp mates. Thanks for the love, and I send it all back to you.

P.S. Yes, taking a bike that is not yours is not cool, that is why there are “yellow” bikes. Can’t these people see colors?

William Whipple Reno

License to kill

Re “Guns and clubs” (Editor’s Note, Jan. 3):

Some folks are touting that their guns are oiled and loaded, and ready. For what I don’t quite know yet.

However, to those looking for bloodlust, when you finally turn off your TV/internet and stealthily venture out with your weapon(s), please be sure to only shoot those folks who are packing guns also?

If y’all did that, it would certainly solve this knotty problem for the rest of us. And we thank you kindly, too. No, seriously.

Guns are not “tools.” That’s bull scatter. They are weapons designed to kill—defend, if you’d rather. That’s what they do. Like the Terminator, that’s all they do. My apologies to all you ‘responsible’gun owners who are not in a foaming feeding frenzy. Please put your sane voices into this foray, as I understand more folks die from guns than car wrecks.

Me, I want a back-pack nuke. If you’re close enough and crazy enough to shoot at me, you go out too.

Amore matriarchal society might fix this. We need more women in government. Craig Bergland Reno

Fred’s take

Re “What Sandoval should say” (Left Foot Forward, Jan. 10):

I welcome Sheila Leslie to the RN&R while being in almost complete disagreement with her point of view. She, like so many of the previous liberal columnists at this newspaper, has little understanding of economics and the source of income by the “rich.” The primary reason for the different rates of taxes paid by the “very rich and the rest of us,” is because the “very rich” pay taxes on capital gains from their investments. What that means is that they risk their already fully taxed money in investments that may show a profit or a loss, sometimes a total loss. Furthermore, without these investors, there would be no jobs for “the rest of us.”

She also attacks the mining industry and the low taxes she claims they pay as well as the out-of-state businesses who take profits out of Nevada. Another ridiculous claim. Any local business is free to start up a business in Nevada and keep the profits here. Local investors may also invest in these out-of-state companies and receive their dividends here in Nevada. As to the mining companies that are owned by out-of-state or foreign investors, the same is true. Furthermore, Nevadans are perfectly free to float a Nevada company that can engage in mining wherever they wish. The fact so often forgotten is that mining is a very expensive business to engage in and requires investors nation- and worldwide. I would suggest that instead of continuing in these absurd charges against business she and the Legislatures welcome investment by companies in Nevada so that they can employ Nevadans so that the state can benefit from a stronger business tax base.

As to the low standing of school investment, please show us where throwing more money at school systems has ever shown a positive result. Better graduate rates and higher scores are a result of better dedicated teachers and better parenting. Religious and charter schools more often than not show better results with lower budgets nationwide. Fred Speckmann Reno

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 Editorial Intern Tracie Douglas Contributors Amy Alkon, Chanelle Bessette, Megan Berner, Matthew Craggs, Mark Dunagan, Marvin Gonzalez, Bob Grimm, Michael Grimm, Nora Heston, Sheila Leslie, Dave Preston, Jessica Santina, K.J. Sullivan, Kris Vagner, Bruce Van Dyke, Allison Young Design Manager Kate Murphy Art Director Priscilla Garcia Associate Art Director Hayley Doshay Design Melissa Arendt, Brian Breneman, Marianne Mancina, Skyler Smith Advertising Consultants Meg Brown, Gina Odegard, Matt Odegard, Bev Savage Senior Classified Advertising Consultant Olla Ubay Office/Distribution Manager/ Ad Coordinator Karen Brooke Business Manager Grant Ronsenquist

Take 2

Re “‘Battle Born’beginnings led to libertarian enlightenment” (The Liberty Belle, Jan. 10):

Chanelle Bessette is a welcome addition to the Reno News & Review. As a self-proclaimed Libertarian, her views are not exactly what I would call a conservative voice as described by Brian Burghart in his introduction of the column, but a welcome new voice nevertheless. I can only hope that her somewhat liberal social views will not interfere with her otherwise conservative views. As a 21-year-old soon to graduate from UNR, we can’t expect perfection but welcome her willingness to learn about and recognize the liberal foolishness that seems to be the general opinion of the RN&R. Fred Speckmann Reno

Forgot us

Re “Homeless in Reno” (Feature story, Jan. 3):

Your article “Homeless in Reno” had a big gaping hole in it: the office next to Project Restart. It’s called the Tom Vetica Resource Center, and in there we provide resources for homeless people to use in their job searches, like computer access and telephones. Plus, we also have outreach from several organizations, including the Veteran’s Hospital and Food Stamps. And it is run almost exclusively by volunteers. There is only one person, my very kindhearted supervisor Karen Wilcox, who is paid to be there. I know this because I have volunteered there nearly two years running now. So just to let you people know you should have all your facts in a row before you print an article. Jon Bradbury Reno

True tax facts

Re “Low down dirty shame” (Ask a Mexican, Jan. 3):

TVcommentators ought to get their facts straight before going before the camera blabbing. Having said that, what has happened is that the closed hospitals have or will transfer the load to private clinics, which should work. The clinics can work leaner and more efficiently is the hope. I don’t attribute all closings of hospitals and clinics to the undocumented. Many of them were poorly run and organized to start with. By law no one can be turned away for care. However, it isn’t just the undocumented who don’t pay. Many others give phony addresses and/or phone numbers to the hospital when they are registered. This means that when the hospital sends the bill, the hospital will never collect and absorbs/passes on the cost. Many legal American citizens use this ruse as well. Asick poor person shouldn’t be afraid to seek medical care—many would be coughing raging tuberculosis in your face because they were afraid to go to the hospital.

Yes, we do need better enforcement of our immigration laws; we can’t have criminals, drug dealers, perverts, terrorists etc., coming into our country ... but let’s not blame all our troubles on those immigrants who are here from necessity to earn a living.

It should be pointed out too, for the privilege of having cheap clothes, food, and the products of any other Mexican-immigrant-driven cheap labor, we pay vis-a-vis our government and private insurance for immigrant health care. It’s certainly not the kind of care the rest of us get because those clinics have way more sick people than they have paid help. And too, one thing you can keep in mind is that unless these people are not spending any money at all for anything, they’re still paying sales tax and likely property tax (that landlords pay but pass on to renters), so it’s not like it’s “free.” Most undocumented immigrants don’t even earn enough to have income tax liability.

Reta Tallman Reno

Executive Assistant/Operations Coordinator Nanette Harker Assistant Distribution Manager Ron Neill Distribution Drivers Sandra Chhina, Gil Egeland, Neil Lemerise, John Miller, Russell Moore, Jesse Pike, David Richards, Martin Troye, Warren Tucker, Matthew Veach General Manager/Publisher John D. Murphy President/CEO Jeff vonKaenel Chief Operations Officer Deborah Redmond Human Resource Manager Tanja Poley Business Mary Anderson, Tami Sandoval 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&R is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. All letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to print letters in condensed form.

THIS MODERN WORLD

Pep talk

Even though it’s easy to think of January as the beginning of the year, in many ways, it’s the middle. Often, January is the month when people’s get up and go gets up and gets gone.

Think about it. Students are starting their third quarter or second semester. Summer seems ages away, and the dark, cold mornings—dragging on yet another sweater after another long, cold night—just seem insurmountable. Hope seems hard to generate.

We felt it with Barack Obama’s second inauguration, too. The last four years were a long slough through a mire of ugly partisanship. How can we stand four more years of party posturing and roadblocks? Obama’s positive inauguration speech just appeared like so much malarky— “Everybody come together”—when that very coming together seemed callow for the last four years and seemed to discard the historic social moment and momentum. Liberals wanted to yank this country to the left in the exact way George W. Bush tore it to the right for the eight years previous—straining its very seams. And it is patently obvious that nearly half the country dreads the next four years because they think Obama took us off track to the left. They see a historical moment that is a radical departure from the America they always knew and from which they derived pride. And the politicians play that tune to their own benefit in an endless loop.

Many of us, three weeks ago, set New Year’s resolutions, and we’re already tired, already disappointed in our progress, already thinking about quitting. Some of us will smoke cigarettes when a few drinks overwhelm our admittedly weak inhibitions—even though we know that their toxic substances contribute to our own untimely deaths. Many of us will make a decision to ignore—just for the morning, just this once—our three-times-a-week commitment to exercise. Some of us will opt for that office doughnut despite our towering triglycerides and bulging waistlines.

Conversations every night with the kids—forget that, but don’t forget to log onto Facebook to send a picture of that cute thing your cat did or your fantastic tomato bisque or your cliché meme.

An evening of volunteering—it’s just so damned easy to put the feet up on the coffee table and forget your finer resolve. Isn’t there work you brought home from the office?

Well, if you’re one of the weak—and who’s not?— we’ve got some news for you. The job isn’t over. If you fail now, if you fall down on the job, now, at this moment when the going is just getting hard, you can expect to die with those things that mattered unresolved.

But you have the capacity for almost infinite effort. As long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other, making good choices—don’t pick up that smoke, do pick up that telephone, don’t eat the doughnut, do walk around the block, don’t log onto Facebook, do talk about your children’s day—you will get stronger. It’s like lifting a weight: The repetition increases the ability. And pretty soon, you’ll have developed a habit of strength, and the impossible is almost likely.

You, this city, this state, and this country all face divisive obstacles in the years ahead. During the last four years, this country has shown itself willing to fight until the last drop of sweat is spilled, but in the next four years, we can expect to have to find a new normal for education, guns, immigration, drone warfare, and the rights and freedoms of individuals.

So get off your ass. We’re a long way from the finish line. Ω

BY TOM TOMORROWBIG HE ADERS GIZA 25pt 25k SMALL HE ADERS GIZA 15pt 55k (60% OF BIG HE AD)

BIG HE ADERS GIZA 25pt 25k by Tracie Douglas What type of comic SMALL HE book would you write?

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 5555 S. Virginia St.

Chesa Keane

Computer consultant I would write a political comic book, because it’s pretty funny to see what politicians do and the way they take themselves so seriously. My favorite superhero is Iron Man, but I don’t have a favorite comic book.

Carol Coker

Cattle rancher I would write a comic book about all the New Year’s resolutions made and then look at what we really spend all day doing. It would be an adult comic book because kids don’t make resolutions. Growing up, I loved Superman, but my favorite comic book was Veronica.

Billie Dorning

Staff education coordinator I’ve read a lot of comic books, and though I haven’t thought about writing one, I’d probably write something with a futuristic twist on what’s the version of a superhero when the economy changes. I didn’t have a favorite comic book, I just read them all, and I really like Captain America.

Tim Dorning

Power plant operator I’d write something big and bulky, where the characters were robots, and they smashed stuff. My comic book would have a bazillion gadgets like Inspector Gadget with muscles instead of stupidity. I loved Superman and Superman comics because he had unclenching morals.

Ethan Christenson

Railroad conductor I love comics, and I’d probably write one based off the Thor stories. I love the whole Viking thing. Of course my favorite comic book character is Thor, but I also like the Venom series of Spider-Man.