Republicans should volunteer, not just complain
Some letters to the editor that I have read recently concern me. I wonder if people take the time to research the subject, or just want to complain.
Many made derogatory comments regarding the caucus. There were many things that did not go as planned. This can be explained by the fact that this was a first-time event. All estimates of turnout were far less than one quarter the number of people would turn out. The volunteers helping were swamped, and yet by quick thinking and hard work they managed to accomplish much. It was interesting that most complaints came from people who do not volunteer or participate in any party activities. Everyone can contribute in one way or another.
The Carson City Republican Central Committee meets every month on the third Thursday. Notices are in the Nevada Appeal the week before and all are welcome.
The Republican Women's Club has a luncheon on the second Tuesday. If you are really interested in the election process, you can participate in these groups.
It's really up to you. You can sit back, do nothing and let others control your vote. Or with very little effort participate and influence the results. If we lose seats in the House and Senate, get ready for bigger government, increased taxes, the Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid's policies. Even when we elect a Republican President, his vetoes would do no good as Congress would have the votes to pass anything through.
Tough times are ahead. Your help is needed. Call Republican Headquarters, at 841-1800 to volunteer, and help make a difference.
HARRY FOWLER
Carson City
The lie worked 935 times for Bush Administration
"When the truth is found, To be lies, And all the joy, Within you dies." A little intro from Jefferson Airplane. According to some faint-hearted Dems (Nancy, Harry and a few wannabe candidates), impeachment is "off the table." And since religious doctrines are a tad touchy to some, we won't go there either. Well then ... how about if we just concentrate on "lies." Falsehoods. Fabrications. Deliberate propagation of wrongful information. A lot of 'em. Say ... a total of 935.
That is the amount of lies our lying President and willing administration lackeys laid on the American people in a two-year period following the attacks on 9/11. In a study by two non-profit journalism organizations (article in the Nevada Appeal, 01/23/08), Bush and his minions purposely and deliberately fed the American citizenry false information in order to sway public opinion as they led this nation to an unprovoked invasion of Iraq.
Here's the rub. Those of us on the left, in the center, and our right minds have known about this for years. There are plenty of news organizations that printed the truth and provided serious fact-checking during the Bush "con game." However, whenever we brought it up, the "righties' would always blame it on the "liberal media conspiracy." Or better yet, label our cries for honest government as "unpatriotic" and "aiding the enemy." For six years, a blind-faith GOP controlled Congress not only did not act on these lies, but based most of their decisions believing them. Nevada's own Sen. Ensign was the perfect example of a see, hear, and speak no evil toady for this administration. When questioned, he would always spout the party line. He voted with the Bushmen 97 percent of the time. Did he ever think of investigation and oversight into the lying allegations? Sure he did. And finally, add in the tens-of-millions of utterly loyal, devoted, lemming-like bush followers, and it became quite evident that "The Big Lie" worked perfectly. 935 of 'em.
So now what? Now that you know your President and his cronies are bald-faced liars, that those running our government deliberately misled our nation, what do you do? When do you accept the fact that not only impeachable offenses were committed, but acts of treason as well? When do you put aside your party loyalty and realize your President conned his believers into supporting him in this tragedy? When does the importance of our Constitution trump your blind obedience? Is it that easy to ignore the truth because it doesn't fit into your belief system? Maybe it is. After all, millions of German citizens looked the other way some seventy years ago.
RICK VAN ALFEN
Carson City
Commends law enforcement for alcohol stings
This letter is in response to Geri Barnett's opinion of the Under Age Alcohol Stings in Lyon County.
I think that Geri should acquaint herself with the alcohol program in place in Lyon County. The Lyon County Sheriff's Department and its use of minors is perfectly legal and needed to curb underage drinking within the community. I am sure that the federal government would not approve this program if it was not legal. The Federal Government must also believe that there is an underage drinking problem to devote funding for such a project.
I do not think that the Lyon County Sheriff's Department would conduct these type of alcohol stings if adults were not purchasing alcohol for minors. Anything that the Sheriff's Department does to stop underage drinking should be commended.
Geri, if you do not think that alcohol is a problem in Lyon County then you have been living with your eyes closed.
Alcohol is one of the most abused substances around and is major precursor to most crimes and vehicle accidents. It is time to commend those that are out in our streets making this a safer place for everyone.
JACK PERRY
Carson City
Regrets participating in caucus
As a Republican assigned to precinct 17, I for one am totally disappointed with myself for having attended and participating in a caucus that was nothing but a conglomeration of mistakes. It was the blind leading the blind. In my precinct there was only one woman who knew how a caucus should be run. Everyone else was puzzled and bewildered, including Assemblyman James Settlemeyer. People who wish to run and control a caucus should be well prepared, informed and know what to do.
I agree with Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, even though she's on the other side of the fence in that the meeting didn't lead to collaboration, cooperation and a good discussion. In a caucus, participants and delegates should be able to discuss politics, issues, policies and make a choice of candidates. This never happened at my precinct. Not only did I attend such a mix-up, I also volunteered to be a delegate which I'm sorry for now. However since I've gone this far I'll stay with it to the very end. The percentage count of votes for each candidate was not an accurate one, because thousands of voters never even showed up.
This is why I feel that the presidential primary should be reinstated. If the Legislature issues a bill to have the president revived, I'll be very much in favor of it. Nevada is not a caucus state, never was and never willbe. Should Nevada continue their caucuses in years to come, I will never attend another one again, nor waste my time, least of all, volunteer as a delegate.
RICHARD RENEAUX
Gardnerville
Objects to photo of former VC school teacher
Your decision to run the photo of Bill Beeson in chains and striped prison clothing across 4 columns above the fold of your front page is an insult to your readers. If he'd been convicted of any of the charges against him you might be able to justify it as showing the triumph of justice. But he hasn't been convicted of anything, or even brought to trial - his bail was lowered. Yet you chose to flaunt this damaging and demeaning image. What is your agenda here?
DAVID TOLL
Gold Hill
Paper should have showed compassion for teacher
I am stunned at the unethical depths to which your publication plunged when it published the front page photo of Bill Beeson. In fact, you've crossed the line of unethical and are now in the land of nothing less than tabloid journalism. Before Bill Beeson has even been arraigned, let alone had a chance to answer the yet-to-be-proffered details of the charges, you've presented a prison-striped and manacled suspect for our viewing pleasure.
I might ask where your dedication to upholding the ideals of our American justice system is, but am more shocked by your total lack of empathy and compassion.
Please know that stacks of your papers are delivered every morning to the Virginia City High School Ð the very school in which Bill Beeson was a much-loved drama and English teacher for the better part of two decades.
Take just a minute and imagine the 13-17-year-old hearts and minds that gazed at the specter of their teacher in the saddest circumstances of his life.
Now imagine what those same children have learned, in direct contravention of their civics lesson regarding that inviolable precept of "innocent until proven guilty."
Not only have your actions been irresponsible and unethical, they are simply contemptible.
CATHYLEE JAMES
Virginia City
Don't take taxes from local governments
I should start this by saying I am a Republican and voted for the Governor. I find the suggestion that the cities should share more tax revenue with the state a very sneaky way of raising taxes without being responsible for it. Clearly the Governor does not want to have to face the anti-Bush "one" slogan "Read my lips, no new taxes" when he runs for re-election.
Maybe the Governor has not noticed but the cities are in the same financial conditions as the state. He must not read the Nevada Appeal or he would surely notice that the city is pondering how to raise more funds without the citizens getting in an uproar.
Governor, either force your departments to live on the available budget or stand up like a man and admit you have to raise taxes. Raising taxes by proxy is underhanded.
GENE CARHART
Carson City
Keep hands out of taxpayers' pockets
Last Saturday the headline was "City 'very slow' to react to budget problems." Isn't that kind of like a fire chief saying "The fire hydrant wasn't paying attention when the smoke alarm went off?"
Most of us learn, after a while that when we can't afford something we may want, we'll do without. Politicians and bureaucrats can't seem to figure that out. They just want to poke their greedy hands deeper in to Joe Taxpayers pocket. If he's got a problem, that's tough.
Gov. Gibbons has it right. No New Taxes. Get the message!
ED HARRIS
Dayton
Kirk Caraway for president?
How about you going to Washington? We need someone like you Kirk Caraway as a President. All our government wants to do is give away money we don't have.
PATRICIA KELLEY
Carson City
GOP shouldn't blame a Democrat for caucus problems
The latest Republican attack by Brad Hall damning Senator Reid for taking Republican's voting rights away points out just how ignorant some people are when it comes to any political process.
The fact Nevadans were given the chance to have a voice for their personal choice as a presidential candidate so early on in the process is entirely lost on this gentleman.
This individual is an illustration of just how complacent the Republican hierarchy was in not educating their constituents or notifying them of locations of caucuses.
Most screw-ups during the caucuses were due to the refusal of voters to participate in the process until the last moment. No one took away anyone's right to vote unless you count the number of people that fail to participate in the political process when opportunities arise.
The Democrats held numerous training sessions and turnout for the training was light in that party.
Blaming someone else for an individual's failures to educate themselves has become a standard for America. Senator Reid is on many folks list but this is one instance Republicans have to look to their party leaders for answers.
In fact when push comes to shove the Nevada Republican Party did not have to hold caucuses at all and Mr. Hall could have just waited until November to vote for someone that may not have been his choice at all.
CHARLES E. LAWSON
Stagecoach