Thoughts on all sorts of election topics

Congressman Jim Gibbons made the headlines last week by having a woman in Las Vegas make accusations about him accosting her, then dropping them. Regardless of what happened, the question begs to be asked, "Why were you escorting a drunk woman to her CAR?" Seems somebody should have called a cab.

•••

Dr. Sandra Koch is wondering why the casino industry is so against Question No. 5. If no one is allowed to smoke in restaurants, bars, etc., then you'd think instead of keeping people away, they'd all flock to the casinos to smoke and gamble. She thinks it's a win-win for the casinos, and a win-win for those who like clean air. Of course, they'll have to get new dealers every month to replace those who contract lung cancer. Let's hope their insurance is good ... cough, cough.

•••

Speaking of Questions 4 and 5, if both pass, the one with the most votes wins.

•••

Early voting has begun. Go to the county courthouse if you wish to be ahead of the crowd. And if you didn't get the Nevada Appeal's voter-profile handout, go to the Appeal to pick one up. It gives information on all our local, state and national candidates and is a handy resource to have.

•••

One more thing on the elections: Some candidates and their groupies should be made to go to "hand-shaking school" before hitting the campaign trail. Those wimpy, fishy hand shakes just don't cut it. Also, look people in the eye when you shake their hands ... don't look around for somebody "better" to greet (we have your description, and we're taking names).

•••

Andy Harvey came up with this one: "A woman, standing nude, looks in the bedroom mirror and says to her husband, 'I feel horrible. I look fat and ugly. Pay me a compliment.' The husband replies, 'Your eyesight's damned near perfect.' He never heard the shot."

•••

And George Burns is credited for this one (courtesy of John DeVon): "Just because you're old does not mean you're more forgetful. The same people whose names I don't remember now, I couldn't remember 50 years ago." That's good news for those of us who go into another room and wonder why we're there.

•••

Tickets for Proscenium Players, Inc. "Blood Brothers" and WNCC's "Brigadoon" are now on sale. Call 883-1976 for the former, and 445-4249 for the latter. They are both musicals and open on Nov. 3 and 4, respectively. Speaking of music (well, sort of), if you missed the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West Friday, you missed a real treat. The community center was filled to overflowing, and the crowd enjoyed every minute of it. They asked to be invited back, so contact the Nevada Appeal, the Chamber of Commerce and the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department to urge them to do so. It was great.

•••

Nevada's housing prices are doing the nose-dive thing like other areas of the country. Carolyn is trying to sell her house in Washoe Valley, and, so far, not a bite. Too bad Carol and Geoffrey Scott, who've just moved back to town (hooray), didn't take a look at it ... waaaaaah.

•••

We went to have breakfast at the U.S. Restaurant the other day, and found out it has become Mei's Diner. Tony Mitts also wants to know what happened. Anyone?

•••

Nevada Day (or this weekend, as the case may be), is nigh upon us. The parade starts Saturday at 10 a.m., then there's the beard contest, the rock drilling, chili feed, you name it ... fun for everyone. Trick-or-treating, however, is on the REAL Nevada Day, the 31st, so be ready for the ghosts, witches and hobgoblins asking for candy. All kinds of Nevada traditions going on, plus one new one - a "Halloween Express" at the Nevada State Railroad Museum on Sunday. Trains will depart every 40 minutes, starting at 6 p.m.; all kinds of mysterious things will take place; and you get a "goodie" at the end of the ride. Spooky stuff.

•••

Some kids give other kids a bad name. Seems some of them from Carson Junior High School come down Division street after school and lob boards and other things into back yards, damaging property. Parents take note ... some of the people who live nearby want the sheriff's office to patrol down the street once in a while when school lets out ... the neighbors think maybe that would deter them. Sort of like the really cute girls getting out of CHS flipping off their friends as they walked across Saliman. Don't they know how cheap they look doing that? Really classy ...

•••

Johnny Johnston sent us the following: "Long before there were computers and e-mail, there was Knee-mail. Know He listens without fail ... God always answers Knee-mail." (and pray for Johnny ... he's in chemo again and would like your prayers. Thanks.)

•••

And in that vein (ouch), DeeAnn Parsons sent us these comments from children: "Why do people have to be quiet in church? Because they're sleeping." "A leaf fell out of a Bible, and the mother asked, 'What's that?' The child replied, 'Adam's suit.'" "Six-year-old Angie and her 4-year-old brother, Joel, were in church. Joel was giggling and talking out loud, and Angie told him to be quiet. 'Who's going to make me?' Joel asked. Angie replied, 'See those men in back? They will. They're hushers.'"

•••

Good idea: If you can't figure out your ballot, or want help with the candidates and their ideas, get a group together you like and hash it all out. You don't all have to agree with each other, but it helps to get varied and assorted input from different people. That, and breakfast together, puts you in a better frame of mind when you vote. And if you don't vote, don't complain.

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