Letters to the editor

State Engineer Tracy Taylor's decision concerning the Las Vegas water "grab" is a huge "no-brainer." He needs to reject this request for water from those valleys!

First, there is only enough water to support what is there with small additions; otherwise there would already be more development there. Climate change will lessen water availability further.

Second, Las Vegas made the mistake of approving development far beyond what the water would support; they need to live with that mistake.

Third, no matter how much water is allocated, it will never be enough; it needs to stop here. The state of Nevada should not have to suffer for the folly of Steve Wynn and other moguls.

CLARK REID

Gardnerville

McCain gets low marks on conservation issues

I was appalled to learn that John McCain was the only senator who two weeks ago chose to skip a crucial vote on the future of clean energy in America - dooming the measure to fail by just a single vote.

Now I am even more appalled to learn that this is a pattern with Sen. McCain. On the League of Conservation Voters scorecard he received a 0 for missing the 15 most important environmental votes in 2007. McCain's score of 0 is lower than members of Congress who died last year.

John McCain's LCV score exposes the real record behind the rhetoric: A lifetime pattern of voting with polluters and special interests and ducking the important votes.

In case nobody has noticed we are in a major energy crisis and heavily dependent on foreign oil - much from the troubled Middle East. Now is the time for us to utilize all possible alternative energy sources and also to provide incentives to individuals and small business to utilize solar power. If every home and small business were to install solar power and heating systems, we would not need any foreign oil.

Senator McCain's missing this crucial vote is unconscionable!

PETER B. PITSKER

Gardnerville

Time for Nevadans to think independently

Red is an appropriate color for Nevada. Red in embarrassment for our part in electing this buffoon. Twice! Did you catch that debacle in the Mideast? During his photo op stop in Israel, Dubya seemed to offer this solution to the six-decade-old conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis: "Get 'er done boys. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go down the road and party with my old pal Sheik Abdullah in Saudi Arabia." One of the most repressive dictators in the world. Lest we forget, all but two of the 9/11 hijackers came from Saudi Arabia as well as the majority of al-Qaida killed or captured in Iraq today. George's solution: Give them $130 million in smart bomb technology. Huh? This of course was a bribe to get them to increase oil production and take the pressure off gas prices. To which Georgie's pals replied, "Naw we can't do that we are making too much money but we'll give you this cool sword if you'll do the sword dance while holding hands with the sheik. Hey it's the real thing, we just beheaded an adulteress with it last week."

What do you suppose the Saudis will do with their smart bombs? Bomb al Qaida training camps? I think not. Their sworn enemies the Zionists are the more likely target.

Which brings us to John McCain. This guy thinks the war in Iraq is going just swell and we will be there for the next hundred years. This is the guy that initially voted against Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy and now thinks they are just peachy and should be made permanent. You never hear him mention health care or the economy. Sounds like more of the same to me. More dead and maimed, more billions wasted, more rich people lining their pockets at the expense of the disappearing middle class. If you are even thinking of voting for this guy please stay home on Election Day. And don't forget our own representatives are up for re-election. Time to start looking into their voting records on the war, health care for children, stem cell research etc. Especially Bush rubber stamp Dean Heller. It's time for Nevadans to be true to the things we are known for, independence, our sense of fair play and demanding accountability of our elected representatives. True blue.

PATRICK MCGUIRE

Carson City