Letters

Last push

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

I’m getting down to the end of one of my master’s degrees. On Wednesday—the day before this paper hits the stands—I’ll be defending my master’s thesis.

Journalism thesises? Thesii? Thesopaloozas? are a bit different than thesnadoes in other schools. We do what is called a professional project, and they can run the gamut. One woman did a documentary in Algeria, another did a website to help identify the life in and around the Truckee River. I designed an app. It’s not that exciting, compared to some of the others’ work, but well, sometimes my hard work and commitment just aren’t enough to overcome my lack of creativity and low intellect.

Fortunately, it’s not a competition.

When that’s complete—assuming I successfully defend what I’ve done—I’ve got two more major projects and two pretty substantial papers to finish up, and my semester is finished.

And you know what that means: The drinking season is upon us. Seriously, it just creates another three-way quandary: Do I party my ass off for the summer (which sounds totally dysfunctional, but it’s how I manage my high-output during the other nine months of the year); do I stay on the wagon and get focused on my heath (since I’ve gained about 30 pounds since the last time I got health-obsessed); or do I attempt moderation (a behavior I’ve been failing at for more than a half-century)?

I’ll tell you how I’m feeling about it at this moment at 10:30 on Monday morning: If I had a jug of Buffalo Trace on the desk in front of me, the decision would have already been made. But I’m sure that’s just the end-of-thesemester ennui talking.

My goodness. I don’t know if it’s because of Mother Nature prematurely ejaculated spring upon us, but I’m feeling an intense craving to feel the sun on my skin and some soil under my finger nails. The deck needs staining, the gardens need tilling, and there are too many people I haven’t seen in too long.

I am the groundhog. Commence with commencement. —D. Brian Burghart brianb@newsreview.com

Accidents waiting to happen

Re “Faculty, students and staff” (Editorial, April 2):

The Legislature is considering five laws that would make it easier to carry guns in Nevada. Guns result in accidental shootings and acts of violence, not for heroic measures to protect oneself or their communities. At least 722 non-self-defense deaths since 2007 were attributable to individuals with legal permits to carry concealed weapons. My brother was fatally shot in the chest. His son lost his father. My siblings, parents, and others who knew Dan have endured much pain. Must others suffer the loss of a loved one? SB175 talks about “justifiable homicide.” Who determines the definition of justifiable? These laws have not been effective in other states. After mass shootings and acts of gun violence, we ask ourselves how this could happen again and say never again. Carrying guns provides a false sense of security and enables us to become a vigilante society. Nevada has many great social needs. It saddens me that the legislators are not focusing on improving them, and are not seeking other ways to create safer, healthier communities. I encourage my fellow citizens to contact their legislators and speak out against these bills. Lauren Slovic Reno

Thou shalt not pack

Re “Faculty, students and staff” (Editorial, April 2):

As a Nevadan and the Rabbi at Temple Sinai, Reno, I am writing to express my deep concern about the Guns Everywhere Legislation and the Fiore extreme gun agenda. According to Judeo-Christian tradition, one of the 10 commandments is, “Thou shalt not murder.” Fiore’s agenda encourages more deadly shootings by expanding the dangerous “Stand Your Ground” law. This law makes it easier for individuals who kill another person to justify their actions. It makes for bad law because it creates the presumption that shooters are justified in their use of deadly force. Normalizing murder does not make for a safer or more compassionate society. Moses taught us that thousands of years ago, and Jesus followed suit. What concerns me the most is that the Nevada Legislature is seeking to strip Nevada universities, cities, towns and counties of the authority to make decisions about what is right for our communities when it comes to preventing gun violence. I urge all Nevada citizens to call our legislators and oppose SB 175 and AB 148, both of which infringe on our rights to follow our moral tradition and to decide for ourselves what will make us safer.

Rabbi Ethan Bair Reno

Editor’s note: Just a heads up: The Assembly has already passed this bill. The focus now moves to the Senate and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval. Our story last week, “Empty Chambers?” (News, April 9), suggests the next front may be the Board of Regents, and then, of course, the courts.

Goodbye golden goose eggs

Re “Faculty, students and staff” (Editorial, April 2):

In January 2014, the Reno Gazette-Journal enthusiastically reported that the University of Nevada, Reno plans to add over 3,000 students and 270 faculty by 2020. The 2013 US Census found that Nevada was America’s second-fastest-growing state. Reno is a city with huge potential—the Tesla move was recently named the Development Deal of the Year. But passing Assembly Bill 148 will help prevent the university’s and Reno’s growth in the coming years. I am a doctoral student at the University of Southern California and a recent transplant to Reno. My husband and I are very involved in the community, and having recently purchased a home downtown, know that we are contributing to the economic and cultural revitalization of the city. While I previously would have considered applying for a teaching position at UNR, these bills make me, and many of my peers, think about leaving this state instead. We do not feel safe knowing that anyone can carry a firearm, and that deadly shootings would be justifiable because of the expanded Stand Your Ground Law in fellow bill SB175. I urge all Nevada constituents to call your legislators and take a stand against AB148 for the safety and future of our state. Nadya Bair Reno

No <3 a tax

Re “Keeping the lines straight” (Upfront, March 12):

I hope Dennis Myers will shine the light on these [political front] groups. They know damned well that the general public is quite easy to manipulate. Wonder how they are able to retain their non-profit status? I’m sure we’ll see them use the tactic of declaring the IRS is after them to try to deflect that the IRS should be after them.

Rex D. Stock Reno

Pretend democracy

Re “Empty Chambers?” (News, April 9):

Praises to Dennis Myers for his recent article on Nevada’s State Legislature. Indeed, it is disappointing to see our Legislature be dismissive to constituents, bowing to bigger interests. Noteworthy was the Legislature’s recent hearing to discuss proposed bill AB148, allowing concealed weapons on college campuses. The hearing was biased, not allowing opponents of this bill to adequately voice their concerns. Advocates of this legislation were given preferential treatment, being permitted to speak first, not to mention the machinations used by the hearing committee to curtail opponents’ arguments, often chiding their positions to waste time. Conversely, people favoring AB148 went unchallenged and fewer opponents to the bill were heard than those in favor. It is also appalling that legislators want to impose their jurisdiction on college campuses. As a UNR professor, I feel that my security with concealed weapons in our midst would not be enhanced. Moreover, it is interesting that our Legislature does not allow guns on its own premises, except for law-enforcement agents. I doubt that our legislators would entertain the idea of engaging in heated debates on their assembly floor with people carrying guns just as faculty would not appreciate discussing controversial positions in classrooms with armed people.

Louis Forline Reno

Altar-ed stakes

Re “Faculty, students and staff” (Editorial, April 2):

There is surely no sane reason to carry a gun on campus or in daycares and K-12 schools. After all, campuses, like churches, are considered to be sanctuaries from violence, not for violence. The presence of guns on campus increases the likelihood for accidental discharges. We’ve already seen evidence of this from the Idaho professor who accidentally shot himself in the foot in 2014 during class. Allowing them in elementary and high schools is even worse. Every day we hear tragic stories about children getting their hands on guns and accidentally shooting themselves or others. Simple cases of bad child-access prevention. If you think there wouldn’t be a chance for this to happen at schools and daycares that allow the carry of weapons inside of them, think again. The bill that would allow this has a belligerent tone and supports carrying guns in the last places that you would want them in. What comes after this bill, guns in churches? Please, please, please contact your legislators. Jay Laughlin Reno

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