Kudos to Heller and Laura Bush

We think Congressman Dean Heller is absolutely on the right track in asking that all our ballots be printed in English. New York City and Los Angeles already print their ballots in over 40 different languages. Excuse us ... that's madness. Aren't all citizens supposed to speak and read English before they become naturalized? Do you really think Germany, France, Mexico or China print their ballots in English? Fat chance.

If you move to a country to reside there, you should get with the program and learn their language. That's what made our country great ... the assimilation of immigrants into a "melting pot," where we could all get along. Our forefathers worked hard to become citizens. So should it be with voting ... if there's no challenge, there's no value. Print the ballots in English. Period.

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While we're in a political vein ... we see that First Lady Laura Bush took the very commendable lead on taking the Myanmar (formerly Burma) government to task for not allowing aid into their country after the horrendous cyclone that hit them two weeks ago. They 've capitulated very little, and it's truly becoming an unspeakable tragedy.

The only bright side we saw in this is that Mrs. Bush is becoming a star on the world stage, will be nominated for president at the Republican convention, and fulfill the dream of being the first conservative woman president ... and the G. W. Bushes won't have to move out of the White House until Jeb becomes president in eight years. You heard it here first.

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Ben Grissom sent us this question: "People in Denmark can't figure out why Americans are even bothering to hold an election. On one side, you have a lawyer, married to a lawyer, who opposes a lawyer married to a lawyer. On the other side, you have a war hero who is married to a woman with a luscious figure who owns a beer distributorship. Is there a contest here?"

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Seven year old, Lindsay Davidson, of Dayton, was severely injured in a crosswalk when a car hit her. There is an account set up at any Bank of America to help her family with her medical expenses. The driver was uninsured, so they can use all the help they can get. As of this writing, she has been moved from the critical list, to serious. Get well soon, Lindsay.

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To all high school senior baseball players, here's a chance to try out for a spot on the WNC Wildcats team on Wednesday, May 21, at 4 p.m. They are having open tryouts, and all you need to bring is your mitt and uniform. Call Coach D. J. Whittemore at 445-3250 for details.

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The SENIOR Senior Prom is coming up at Silver Oak Golf Course, from 7 - 9 p.m. on Friday. All seniors (over 50ish) are invited by the Senior Prom committee to have a wonderful time dancing to the CHS Jazz Band. It's free, and fun. And Eloise Koenig and Maizie have their dates already. So there. Brugo's is starting a "wine night" every Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. ... all wine is half off ... what a deal! Don't forget the Lyon County Fly-In and Air Fest this weekend in Silver Springs (887-1294 for details.)

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Terry Beauchamp came up with this one: "I was walking past the mental hospital the other day, and all the patients were shouting, '13, 13, 13.' The fence was too high to see over, but I saw a small gap in the planks and looked through to see what was going on. Some SOB poked me in the eye with a stick, and they all began to shout, '14, 14, 14.'"

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Carolyn attended the sentencing hearing for the two men and a woman who attacked and tried to kill Captain P. K. O'Neill, a friend of hers, and a safety officer with the state (they pleaded guilty and were sentenced to several years in prison). She said it was very interesting and that he's lucky to be alive. We're glad of that.

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Carson High School's Chamber Choir and Capitol Stars received gold medals at the Heritage Festival in San Francisco recently, and Karissa Pulizzotto received the Maestro award for her voice. The group also received the "Spirit of San Francisco" award, given to the one school (out of 40) who best represented their school, and how they acted as musicians. The choir will continue on to nationals at Carnegie Hall. Congratulations to all. The CHS Jazz Band will be playing for the proms this weekend, and will also be appearing at the Greenhouse Garden Center on Saturday at 11 a.m. David Ruf, owner, is donating part of the proceeds to assist the band. Go, enjoy, and help out.

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Happy Birthday to Suzie Lequerica; congratulations to Dr. Pete Lusich on passing his boards; and to Bill Nutt, of Access Pass & Design, who received an outstanding achievement award at the 2008 Showcase of Print Excellence Awards. Maizie thanks Charlie Abowd, of Adele's, for the delicious "lollyberry" dessert the other day ... scrumptious. We also saw Mary and Scott Thorson twice in the last week, and wonder who's stalking whom (snicker, snicker)?

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You may have seen members of the police department back in Philadelphia beating up three crooks who were shooting at people on a corner (the crooks, by the way, have been accused of attempted murder). The police had one of their own gunned down and killed two days earlier. More than 13 policemen are now on administrative leave because of the incident, but M doesn't blame them ... it's so frustrating to see criminals get "rights" that the victims hardly share.

Even if they go to prison, the prisoners get food, clothes, beds, heating and air conditioning, etc., while the poor schmuck who gets robbed, raped, mugged, whatever, rarely gets their life back without fear. We both know the ideal is to give them their "rights," however, American justice can be so damned slow and lenient before reaching that goal. No, we don't espouse beatings, but M can sure see the feelings behind what happened.

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Russ Law had a friend call him and ask him, "If I date the governor's wife, will I have to move into the mansion and govern?"

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