Don't minimize the dangers of nuclear waste
I have been putting up with the Muth's rambles long enough. He makes statements as truths as if he is an expert. He is an expert on garbage. In his most recent article he takes Loux to task about the transportation of the nuclear waste. The nuclear waste that has been transported is a small percentage of what would be traveling the highways and railroads for years. He claims chlorine gas is more dangerous. Yes it might kill more people in the nearby area but that is it. High level nuclear waste will kill indirectly for many years. The radiation will create free radicals and will damage human cells. The immune system attempts to destroy the free radicals but since the unborn, children and seniors have a lower immune system the damage will be significant in these groups.
Additionally, the trucker and the company who is transporting chlorine gas have to carry insurance against accidents. The Congress in their infinite wisdom has isolated the trucking and rail industry from any lawsuits due to an accident. We the taxpayers, foot the bill for the damages.
With regard to terrorists, the high profile targets are easy to penetrate with a shoulder fired missile. This has been demonstrated by actual tests.
I hope Mr. Muth reconsiders his position but I doubt he will. We need Mr. Loux.
LOU DEBOTTARI
Carson City
Average isn't good enough for president
Mediocrity or worse in government the last eight years has brought us one disaster after another. Gas has risen from $1.60 to $3.70. We invade a country with no ties to 9/11. We give no bid contracts to companies like Haliburton and Blackwater with no accountability. A budget that went from a surplus to a record deficit. Katrina. No oversight that has led to the crises of the housing and stock markets.
Respect of other countries is at an all time low. Last, but not least, as a retired career military officer with 3 Vietnam tours I am appalled we would tolerate any torture of any prisoners.
I don't want the next president to be an average joe or someone with whom I could have a beer. You may call them elitists or whatever, but I want the smartest and most talented people available to lead this country. If I were having an operation, I would want the most educated, talented and up-to-date surgeon to perform it. Not someone with whom I could have a beer.
In case you have forgotten, it was those Eastern Elitists that gave us the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Regardless of where someone is from in this country, we need to select the most talented, smartest and charismatic leader available. We can't afford more of the same. Vote for Barack Obama!
CHUCK VICKREY
Gardnerville
A checkup of candidate resumes
If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're exotic, "different." Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, an American story.
If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
Graduate from Harvard Law School and you are unstable. Attend five different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
If you spend three years as a community organizer, become the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend eight years as a state senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, spend four years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the foreign affairs, environment and public works and veteran's affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
Resume: local weather girl, four years city council and six years mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months governor of a state with only 650,000 people, you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising two daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a Christian.
If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, left your disfigured wife and married the heiress, you're a Christian.
If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.
Vote Responsibly with the facts.
DAN BABB
Minden