Uninformed voters as bad as a voter who stays home

It's voting day ... if you haven't voted in the primary election, DO IT NOW! And hopefully, you're informed about the candidates and issues. If not, stay home. An uninformed voter is just as bad as a voter who doesn't vote. It shows the world you don't support your government or care about what happens here. Think about it.

•••

And remember we are at war. Terrorists linked to al Qaida have been found by British intelligence to be plotting to take down more planes with "liquid" bombs, thus making it imperative to further implement checks on everyone planning to fly. From one of our family members who flew into London on Friday, almost everything you are accustomed to taking into the cabin of the plane must now be packed in your luggage and checked into the cargo area.

So as you vote, remember, after 9/11, we should have been in the Afghanistan/Pakistan area eliminating al Qaida where they live, not fighting Iraq in George W. Bush's private war. The ramifications of this are only too apparent ... al Qaida is getting stronger, Iraq is no longer stabilized and serving as a buffer to Iran (a fact George H.W. Bush recognized), and terrorism is now de rigeur around the world. The Islamic fundamentalists are dedicated to our downfall. With so much riding on our decisions, get out and VOTE!

•••

Do you ever wonder how we all manage to get where we are? We talked to a few people at Adele's about their "first jobs." Tony was a projectionist in a theater (age 13); Connie worked at Wendy's for a year, then entered the Air Force (17); Charlie started cleaning out restaurants at age 10 (somehow this doesn't surprise us); and Kelly (14) stuffed envelopes for her dad. C's first job was baby-sitting, then went on to waitressing at 16 for her family at Lake Tahoe's Fond du Lac for tips only (slave labor?). Maizie picked up bottles at the Reno Rodeo for $1 at age 10, then worked for two-three years setting pins in a bowling alley for 7 cents a line, before becoming a lifeguard at 14. Jonni Moon's best "first job" was detasseling corn in Iowa (12) ... it lasted one day; and Rex Baggett was the youngest, at 8 years old, sorting nuts and bolts for his dad. Fun stuff to ask your friends.

•••

The last of the BAC's "classical lunches" will be Friday at 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. (883-1976). It will feature the Silver Strings and the Gairen Duo. You can bring your own lunch or buy one there. A lovely way to spend an hour or two.

•••

"A Night in Italy" will be held at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center to benefit the Alzheimer's Memory Walk at 5:30 p.m. on Friday (883-0703). For $7 general, or $5 seniors and children under 12, there will be a lasagna dinner, wine bar and numerous other fun things ... a fun, family affair.

And, on Wednesday night, Muscle Powered will host "The Bicycle Thief" and "We Are Traffic" at the Carson City Library at 6 p.m. You are invited to ride your bike to the event. It's free, and refreshments will be served. Call 887-2244 for information - and have a good time.

•••

Happy birthdays to Lynne Heller, Brian Whalen, Sr., Terry Ward and Jim Clift this week. And thanks to Rex Baggett for writing to us from Hua Hin, Thailand. He could read the Nevada Appeal online over there and didn't miss anything going on in Carson City (like he really cared, as he was going through beautiful temples, eating great food, and lazing on the beaches ... "wethinks" we are envious).

•••

Unpleasant discoveries ... when receiving a hospital bill, M discovered her primary insurance had paid for most of it, but the balance covered by her state insurance paid "zilch." When called, the state explained that the primary insurance would pay more than they would, so they would not pay anything.

She was under the impression they would pay something on the balance ... ha, not so. Apparently, they haven't done so in several years. BUT, and this is a biggie, after July 1, 2006, they WILL pay 80 percent of the balance left over. It's just too bad M was hospitalized prior to that date and didn't fall under the new rules. M's reaction: "$#@%*&;^," etc. At least the future will be rosier for those of us paying the bills with the new change.

•••

Sally Schroeder tells us, "Three old guys are out walking. First one says, 'Windy, isn't it?' Second one says, 'No, it's Thursday.' Third one says, 'So am I. Let's go get a beer.'"

And, "A little old man shuffled slowly into an ice cream parlor and pulled himself slowly, painfully, up onto a stool. After catching his breath, he ordered a banana split. The waitress asked kindly, 'Crushed nuts?' 'No,' he replied, 'arthritis.'

•••

One of our friends, who shall be nameless, comes to Carson City every month or so and likes to gamble. After dropping a couple of hundred in a local "watering hole," he asked for a drink, expecting it to be "comped." Not so.

They told him he'd have to pay for it, that they weren't like the casinos, and guess what? He ain't going back there anymore. Seems to us they might want to rethink their policy, particularly since they won't be seeing his hundreds anymore.

•••

We leave you this week with some laws of the natural universe. "Law of probability: the probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act. Law of the telephone: when you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal. Law of biomechanics: the severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

And, the law of close encounters: the probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with." (thanks, DeeAnn)

•••

Be sure you buy a bottle of insect repellent so you won't have to whack those pesky West Nile varmints when you're out picnicking this week ... then have fun.

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