Letters

Fly away home

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

If you haven’t been made aware of this, I’m kind of a control freak. I don’t think I’m one of those flaky ones, like a hypervigilant parent who thinks they can control their child’s every move, but one time I commented in a bar that I’m not a Type A personality, and everyone at the table laughed at—not with—me.

Flying in an airplane is difficult for me. It’s a couple of quandaries ground together into a bitter fear sausage. First, I don’t like heights; particularly heights on manmade contrivances—like the tops of buildings or on bridges or in airplanes. Second, I don’t like having fear make my choices for me, so even though I don’t like going in airplanes or on bridges, I’m going to do it anyway. Third, I like to be in unusual places with out of the ordinary people. Finally, I trust myself to be in charge over someone with more experience, because I’m arrogant— like I’d rather drive the plane myself (maybe). In fact, I think it’s a peculiar arrogance that makes me believe the plane will fall out of the sky or the earthquake will hit just as I’m crossing the bridge if I’m not in control.

Kind of makes you wonder how I end up in places like Uruguay or Istanbul, doesn’t it?

This trip isn’t going to be all that exotic. Hunter and I are going back to my hometown, Fall City, Nebr., to check in with my dad and relive all those awkward moments that strung one after the other like links of wrenched-gut chorizo. I like to take Hunter along to these family get-togethers so he’ll appreciate what he has out here in the biggest little city.

If I don’t survive the flight, I just want you to remember that I went down not doing it my way. If I’d been allowed to do it my way, I’m quite certain I’d be having a drink with you next week at the Red Rock Bar. —D. Brian Burghart brianb@newsreview.com

There and back

Re “Firebreathing drags on” (Feature area, Dec. 19):

I’m sorry to say I completely agree with your review. The only parts I enjoyed were the surreal atmosphere in Mirkwood, which I thought came across well; Smaug, 10 out of 10; and Martin Freeman’s Bilbo, lovely job and wanted more of his role. I detested the love triangle (notice how pretty the dwarf is, and how similar to Aragorn?), got bored with too much orc fighting, and even thought that much of the elf fight action didn’t look realistic. Oh, I liked Beorn as the hairy man, but not the way in which the gang’s arrival there was changed. Bard, excellent character and actor, sadly altered. Stephen Fry, oh what a shame. Felt quite like a very long expensive panto in many places.

Sally Jarvis United Kingdom

Bob stay home

Re “Firebreathing drags on” (Feature area, Dec. 19):

It seems that RN&R is either unable to get anyone with a mind to review movies or that there is some brownnosing for brownie points with the stuffed shirts of the movie world to be attained by dissing the film as similar worthless critics have done.

The Desolation of Smaug was a GREAT movie. Clearly the best movie of the year. Consistent with Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, these movies are the first I have ever watched—of hundreds of movies where I’ve read the book—that the movie actually outdoes the book. Typically, a film is a disappointment to anyone who has read the book of the same name. Ask any Tolkien fan, and the works of Peter Jackson, up to and including the Desolation of Smaug, with respect to J.R.R. Tolkien, have exceeded, failing to disappoint any of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fans. This has been done by attention to detail and artfully appending the never ending story.

One of the most amazing things about the Hobbit series is the fact that Peter Jackson has elaborated on the story line in such a way that is consistent with the nature of the story and dovetails with the legend.

We all knew Legolas was of the elves of Mirkwood, but Peter Jackson has given him a role that could truly be appreciated by Tolkien in The Desolation of Smaug.

Yes, Tauriel did not exist in the original book but she brings to life a progressive characterization that ties our times to the story of the Ring that Binds them All.

Many of us felt the void at the lack of presence of Radagast the Brown in the original books regarding the Ring that Binds them All. Peter Jackson has artfully, without disturbing the original content of the legend, awakened Radagast the Brown and brought him to life.

I could go on, but I repeat that these Peter Jackson movies including The Desolation of Smaug have done what no movie has ever done before.

Do us a favor? When the sequel to The Desolation of Smaug arrives, have Bob Grimm stay home and send someone else to review the movie. Someone who can do more than paraphrase how bored they are 40 times to fill a half-page movie review. Neal C. Chambers Reno

Visible problems

Re “Reno’s Invisible Children” (Feature story, Dec. 19):

Many of us feel that homeless children are only invisible to the 1 percent that is responsible for dismantling the middle class. Couldn’t homeless parents be devoted, but woefully underemployed or under-compensated? See Sheila Leslie’s column in this same edition. The celebrities in the Cambria Roth column seem to suggest that the typical homeless child has at least one meth-addicted parent. The rest are out to scam the “system.” That would be the same “system” that cost many children their homes. Thank goodness, we have a growing number of tax-free organizations willing to intervene where parents refuse to take advantage of Nevada’s opportunities. Perhaps they should see Dennis Myers’ story in this same edition. According to the unselfish heroes of the Roth article, all it takes to transform an undernourished, disillusioned and angry teen into a 3.5 GPA model citizen is a volley of Christian prayers. However, they do take donations. Thank you, RN&R, for a thought-provoking edition. Jim Cooper Sparks

A thousand cuts

Re “Smart Alec?” (News, Dec. 12):

ALEC has taken aim at renewable energy. According to Grist: “For 2014, ALEC plans to promote a suite of model bills and resolutions aimed at blocking Barack Obama from cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and state governments from promoting the expansion of wind and solar power through regulations known as Renewable Portfolio Standards.” After failing to kill Renewable Portfolio Standards last year, they have adopted the strategy of weakening such measures by introducing legislation that appears to be pro-clean energy but would actually weaken clean energy laws. They have also introduced multiple bills and resolutions aimed at preventing Obama from cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and state governments from promoting the expansion of wind and solar power. The Grist article is here: http://grist.org/climate-energy/ alec-calls-for-penalties-on-free-ridersolar-panel-users/

Tom Wicker Reno

For the children

Re “Reno’s Invisible Children” (Feature story, Dec. 19):

Thank you for spreading the news, need and heart to help children and families in our city. It is so important to try and make an impact early in children’s lives, helping shape a brighter future and outlook, for the individual and our community into the future.

We had no idea you were going to run this article prior to adopting/ selecting Pathfinders as a benefactor of our (Grace Church) annual Year End Gift. We’re anxious to see how your article, along with the $113,000 we’ve raised, inspires people to get involved, making a positive impact in many lives. Fifty percent of this amount will go to Pathfinders, and the remainder to improving Grace Church’s ability to serve children and families. Last year the gift went to Awaken Inc.

Great article! Keep it up. Jay Stearley

Executive Pastor, Grace Church

Be afraid, be very afraid

Re “Hide your shame” (Letters to the Editor, Dec. 19):

A reader called shame upon the RN&R, for trying to “scare a lot of old people.”

Fact: you didn’t scare us enough.

Last winter, I decided to consult a psychiatrist, in order to obtain expert advice about medication for my lifethreatening depression.

I had a referral from my internist.

Every single psychiatric office staff in Northern Nevada informed me that their doctors would not see me because I was over 65.

They would not treat anybody on Medicare, nor would they accept my expensive supplementary insurance. (Many of their websites claimed that they accepted both insurances.)

Oh, there was one doctor who took Medicare, but he wouldn’t have an opening for six months.

I explained to all offices that I was able and willing to pay full fee out-of-pocket, but they refused that money too, because I was over 65. They said that “the law” wouldn’t allow them to accept my money.

I formally complained to the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners, who regulate medical ethics. They informed me that they had no jurisdiction in the matter.

Those psychiatrists (and examiners) ought to go see psychiatrists (as long as they are 64 or younger) to have their heads and hearts examined.

Name withheld 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 Calendar Editor Kelley Lang Editorial Intern Sage Leehey Contributors Amy Alkon, Chanelle Bessette, Megan Berner, Mark Dunagan, Bob Grimm, Ashley Hennefer, Sheila Leslie, Dave Preston, Jessica Santina, K.J. Sullivan, Kris Vagner, Bruce Van Dyke, Allison Young Creative Director Priscilla Garcia Art Director Hayley Doshay Junior Art Director Brian Breneman Design Vivian Liu, Serene Lusano, Marianne Mancina, Skyler Smith Advertising Consultants Meg Brown, Gina Odegard, Bev Savage Senior Classified Advertising Consultant Olla Ubay Office/Distribution Manager/ Ad Coordinator Karen Brooke Executive Assistant/Operations Coordinator Nanette Harker Assistant Distribution Manager Ron Neill Distribution Drivers Sandra Chhina, Ron Large, Joe Medeiros, Jesse Pike, Martin Troye, Warren Tucker, Matthew Veach, Gary White, Joseph White, Sam White General Manager/Publisher John D. Murphy President/CEO Jeff vonKaenel Chief Operations Officer Deborah Redmond Human Resource Manager Tanja Poley Business Manager Grant Ronsenquist Business Nicole Jackson, 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&R are 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 by tom tomorrow

Pet peeves What would you like from the new year?

As the second-to-last issue in which our hopes for the new year seem somewhat relevant, we’d like to offer some hopes for how people increase, feed and treat the animals and pets with which they interact.

First, while we acknowledge that companion pets do have certain health benefits for the people who spend time with them, can we at least say up front that there is nothing in the manual of being human that requires a person to own a pet. It’s a commitment that no child can make for him- or herself, and the cute duckies, chickies and bunnies that get passed around like Peeps on Easter often end up a horrible lesson in mortality for your child.

There are two categories of pets that people should avoid if they do decide to accept the responsibility of having pets in 2014. First, don’t buy a puppy or kitty or hedgehog or ferret from a pet store. In the bigger picture, as our society matures, maybe we’ll move beyond importing animals from foreign ecosystems into our own. The other category of animal that should be left alone is those that reside in the wild. Misplaced babies, including birds, raccoons, chipmunks and coyotes should be left alone; the mother is almost certainly within eyeshot. In fact, just consider it a general rule to stay away from wild animals, but if you happen to see the parent die, or the animal is on the verge of death, calling animal control is the proper way to handle the situation.

Feed your pets the right food, and the right amounts of food. Pet owners can avoid a lot of expensive vet bills down the road if they don’t feed animals from the table.

Get your animals to the veterinarian. Your pooch may need his anal gland expressed. Your cat may have an issue it can’t tell you about. Spay and neuter all your pets that even occasionally go outdoors. Double check that their immunizations are up-to-date. While you’re at it, check on your kids.

Teach your pets basic good behavior. It may be your choice as to whether they get on the furniture, but a pet that doesn’t heel on command may be killed by a car, especially if they get the training that a call or a whistle is time for a game of tag.

Don’t pet the bears.

Your dog is fat, and so are you. Really, how much can it hurt to get the leash out twice a day? Twenty minutes around the neighborhood twice a day will add 730 miles a year to your exercise regime. That’s a potential burn of 73,000 calories or 20 human fat pounds.

When’s the last time you updated the information on your pet’s collar? Does it still have the right phone number and name on it? Is your indoor-outdoor pet chipped in case something comes along that scares it enough that it will ignore all its good training? Every year dozens of dogs run away on the Fourth of July.

Consider bringing your outdoor cat inside. Domestic cats kill wildlife in the billions of birds and small mammals annually. 2014 can be a better year for the pets in your life. If you’re going to accept the responsibility to care for an animal, care for it responsibly. Ω

Asked along the Truckee River downtown

Ralph Yeager

Supply technician I’d like to see Congress start doing their job instead of being obstructionists. I know they want to get rid of Obama. That’s always been their goal, the Republicans. He’s there, and they need to work with him.

Kevin Smith

Job seeker A better economy. More unemployment money. More jobs so we don’t need unemployment money.

Chris Garrison

Assistant administrator I’d like to seen Reno grow and expand and become more of a well-known city. I think Reno’s a pretty cool town, and it’s becoming even cooler, and I want people to know about it.

Eric Hearon

Land surveyor Brotherly love and peace, because it makes the world a better place. Better communication among countries.

Meg Kent

Business owner The Aces win the championship. I enjoy going to ball games, and I support local sports.