Letters

So long, friends

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

We’ve lost some good people at the Reno News & Review lately. In my 20-plus years at this place, I’ve seen a lot of changes, but it still feels a little shocking when a few happen at the same time.

Newspapering is a tough job. Working at a small newspaper in Reno, I think, is an especially tough job. We all wear a dozen different hats, and some of those hats fit us better than others, but all these guys deserve a tip of the cap.

I’m most going to miss John Murphy, my co-publisher and general manager. I’ve got more miles on airplanes with John than anyone I’ve ever known, and that includes people I’ve traveled internationally with. Once a year or so, we’d end up at a conference in some big city or in Las Vegas at the Nevada Press Association awards. I think we always shared a room, and generally had enough to drink and made jokes about spooning. I don’t think many editorial and business types had the kind of relationship we had. While we disagreed a lot about some things, I don’t believe we had 10 real arguments in the 14 or so years we worked together. He made a great contribution to this newspaper over the years, and I know he’s going to end up somewhere great.

Anthony Clarke is another one I’m going to miss. He moved to Sacramento. I think Reno was just lacking some things culturally that he wanted. I can see it. He’s another who made a great contribution, as our circulation improved in both quality and reach under his watchful eye. We didn’t talk a lot—he’s quiet by nature—but when he spoke, it was generally worth hearing.

And finally, there’s Joey Davis who also moved on. If you didn’t know him, frequent readers would recognize him as the spokesmodel from our Summer Guide last year. He’s got one of those personalities— and a heart for veterans—that change the atmosphere in a room when he walked in.

One thing about people leaving is that it makes room for other people to come in. As much as I’ll miss my co-workers, I look forward to meeting these new people. —D. Brian Burghart brianb@newsreview.com

Uh-huh

I think Comrade Obamski was perceived in a much better light when he stuck to his groveling and genuflecting before the Muslim Brotherhood and licking the boots and kissing the butts of Saudi royalty—realizing, of course, that in his own narcissism, he takes sole credit for the killing of Bin Laden, yet is strangely silent when a couple of Navy small boats are captured by Iranians.

Logic dictates that his “leadership abilities” (or lack thereof, in this case) should be called into question when Navy crews are captured and forced to apologize for the same on “dear leader’s” watch. The Iranians are playing Obama like a fiddle. Immediately prior to his Congressional “victory lap”—a.k.a. State of the Union address—the Iranians rise and publicly humiliate our military and the commander in chief. Sending John Kerry to give away the farm and assured nuclear weapons capability but a few short months ago, Iran openly wave their middle finger at this milquetoast candy-assed POTUS. In a region demanding strong leadership, our gaggle of third-string benchwarmers make the U.S. the laughing stock! Mayhaps Obamski simply forgot where he left his big girl panties. Kim Kollman Reno

Star diss

A billion dollars ago, I wonder how many stars a movie like The Force Awakens earns before the lights in the theater dim and the curtains reveal? I understand how ridiculous it seems, aesthetically speaking, to even attempt to build an argument against something so huge—even though the entire movie is essentially a moving logo, an entertaining two-hour Nike swoosh or dynamic Coca-Cola ribbon of basic content, ready to be consumed. As director, JJ Abrams need do nothing more than stand in front of a parody captain’s wheel of the mega-tanker that Lucas built and make sure it doesn’t run aground or somehow tip without doing exactly what a director used to be paid to do—put his imprint on a script. He becomes just another corporate shill steering the SS Conglomerate. This kind of moviemaking is practically antithetical to the entire creative process, something that, in its purest form, should be idiosyncratic and risky. Star Wars is mainlined warm into its pre-packed, ready-branded, data-mined, group think audience eager to conform. In an era where obese corporate culture is seen as the essence of evil—an enemy of humanity where any inconsistency or actual unrestrained passion is liable to be terrifying to others, those standing around demanding more “safe spaces.” Just a thought. Kay Pedowhey East Reno

Unfair fares?

Once again the Regional Transportation Commission prepares to waste millions in government funds on silly, impractical and useless “upgrades” to the bus system. For more then 10 years these suits (who never ride the bus) have been forced to piss away $14-16 million in government funds and yet service never improves. Empty buses run up and down Virginia Street. Outlying areas where most of our workers live get marginal service with no service or limited service on Sundays—in a town with 24 hour gambling and three shifts of workers who have no transportation after 9 p.m.

Soon RTC will again ask for an increase in fares because this bloated, mismanaged entity has no vision, no comprehension and no ideas. There is need for oversight by an outside unaffiliated committee to trim the overpaid upper management,review the excess trips of empty buses and provide real ,reliable service to the county. Cheryl Goodson Reno

Trump/Sanders

I think its great that one of the largest socialist of our time is giving Hillary a run for her money. The unconventional support for Trump and Sanders tells us Americans are looking for a shake up. When you listen to many career politicians, it’s the same broken record.

Though I obviously don’t agree with him, you have to have repect for Sanders for at least standing for something instead of falling for anything as Hillary does.

Mike Arp Reno

We can’t?

Normally I’m a really happy guy just being caustic and writing caustic letters to editors. However, I must share with you this quote I found on the internet, because it says so very much. We know that, of course. you cannot believe everything you read on internet, but in this case it is logic that is important.

“There is a secret to being a supporter of Bernie Sanders. It is something that totally escapes the thinking of most Democrats and Republicans. It is the mental understanding that Sanders is fighting a war that most people are not. It is the war between corporations and the people. Unless you are fighting this war as well, you cannot possibly understand how important it is to vote for Bernie over Hillary. This is not about Hillary or Bernie, it is about fighting your real enemies, the multi-national corporations who are trying to control this nation and the world. You ignore this war at your own peril.” —Randolph Greer.

So that’s my caustic for the week, thank you Mr. Greer. Now we return you to your regular programming. Craig Bergland Reno

Erik Holland

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