Where are the voices of the silent majority of Muslims?

"Where have all the voices gone?" Two of our readers have posed a reasonable question, referring to the voices of Islam who make up, supposedly, the "silent majority." Out of the 1.3 billion Muslims in the world, radicals are estimated at less than 1/10 of that number. So what are the rest of them doing to end the war? Are they withholding money, sustenance, arms? Or are they encouraging the Jihad against the West? Silence on the part of the greater majority implies approval, and as long as they are silent, the war will continue.

Gen. Patreaus said this week this war will be won on the political front, not militarily. If they want peace, American Muslims should start a worldwide change here and call the rest of their "brotherhood" to task. What are they waiting for?

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It's May Day ... "Hooray, hooray ... the first of May ... outdoor 'stuff' begins today." (and you thought we'd get in trouble for that). Just don't forget your May baskets.

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Vern Manke shared this one: "A blonde with two red ears went to the doctor. The doctor asked what happened, and she told him she was ironing when the phone rang and she mistakenly picked up the iron and held it to her ear. 'But, what happened to the other ear?' the doctor asked. 'The SOB called back.'"

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The Capital City Arts Initiative has an exhibition of "Homeless in Nevada: Street Stories" at the Carson City Courthouse gallery. There is a free reception tonight, from 5-6:30 p.m. that is open to all. They would like everyone to stop by and see these powerful images. The exhibit runs through May 31.

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We got a cute letter from Skip and Dottie Brandt the other day. Seems they have a cat named Tubby, who at 22 pounds causes quite a stir in the litter box. When the box is full, Skip says, he puts a goodly portion of it in his regular garbage ... it discourages anyone from snooping in his trash. Good idea. Since Dottie has been married to Skip for 60 years, she's probably used to his great shenanigans.

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It was with great sadness, that Maizie read of the death of Paul Finch, her former AP Bureau chief. He was a great guy, humorous, smart and full of ideas, such as "marching across Nevada with Barbara Moore and the Irish soldiers" in their quests to cross America on foot. At 81Ú2 months pregnant, M declined, and followed "some" of their walking in a car.

Paul and Maizie also felt helpless when a young man of about age 16 fell off a train in Lovelock, was killed, and never identified. At least things were never dull around Paul, and he will be missed by all those who knew and worked with him. Our sympathy goes out to his widow, Joyce, and family.

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A self-described "not-so-smart friend" of ours asked us about Northern Nevada's new marketing slogan, "Welcome to can do, Greater Reno-Tahoe." He believes "Can Do" is just on the other side of "that bridge" in Pleasant Valley. He may be smarter than he thinks, and is on to something.

For $400,000, is that all they "can do"?

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Lucy Adam's daughter, Tracy Morris, won a bronze medal in the commercial-baking section of the Skills USA contest. Lucy (who works with the big C) is very proud of her daughter. Congratulations to Tracy, and to all the other local winners in that contest. They are greaaaaaat!

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Saturday night, at 5 p.m., several local doctors will be waiting on tables at Glenn Eagles to help the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center. Tips, raffle and silent auction proceeds will go to benefit the center. Call 886-7371 for details. And wear something washable ... as doctors they may be OK, but as waiters? Should be fun.

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Our Virginia friend, Diane, sent us this one: "A Mississippi gas station owner was feeling the lagging sales on gasoline, so he put up a sign, 'Free Sex with Fill-up.' A local redneck pulled in and asked how that worked. 'Guess a number between 1 and 10, and, if you're right, you'll get free sex.' '8,' says the redneck. 'Oh, sorry,' says the owner, 'it was 7.' About a week later, the redneck drove in with his friend, Bubba. This time Bubba guesses '3.' Again, the owner says, 'You were so close. The number was 2.' As they were driving away, the redneck says to Bubba, 'I think that game is rigged, and he don't really give away free sex.' 'Oh no, Billy Bob,' says Bubba, 'it ain't. My wife won twice last week.'"

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Carson City's own Perry Arnn has written a play, "Yellow Jacket Margaritas," that is being performed by the Gold Hill Theater Troupe at the Gold Hill Hotel. The same troupe is also performing "Steel Magnolias" on a different night. You can either see the play, or have dinner and the play ... either way, you'll have a good time. They both run through the latter part of this month. Call 847-0111 for times, dates and prices.

Wildhorse Theater Company will begin "Joey and Maria's Comedy Italian Wedding" at the Plaza Hotel and Conference Center at 801 S. Carson St., on June 1 for three weekends. Tickets MUST be purchased in advance (so they know how many people they have to feed), and can be obtained by calling 887-0438.

Tickets are $49.50 apiece (with $5 off for seniors over 65), and $79.50 for VIP seating (that includes priority seating, champagne at your table and a chance to "mingle" with the Gnocci and Cavatelli "familias"). They promise it'll be hilarious.

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Vernon strikes again: "A man and his wife wanted a little Sunday afternoon 'fun,' so they sent their 8-year-old son out on the balcony with a Popsicle and instructions to report on everything that was going on in the neighborhood. The young man began his commentary, just as his parents put their 'plan' into operation. 'There's a car being towed to the parking lot ... an ambulance just went by ... Matt's riding a new bike.' And so it went for a while, until he got to, 'The Cooper's are having sex.' Startled, his mother and dad shot up in bed. 'What? How do you know they're having sex?' 'Jimmy Cooper's standing on his balcony with a Popsicle.'"

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Don't forget the Community Awards nominations and nominate a person who is an asset to their community.

• Carolyn Tate and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. Write to them at editor@nevadaappeal.com.