Letters to the Editor 8/27

Let's not make hasty health care decision

In a recent commentary, Dr. Paslov stated that the national Republican Party is reverting to primitive forms of political intimidation. I can't find many faults in vocal groups or individuals demanding complete and accurate information on what Congress and the president proposes in a health care bill.

The American people (not just "thugs thumping Bibles") rejected the government takeover of health care in 1993, and they remain skeptical of politicians who would send us down that same road. In referring to Democratic town hall meetings, I guess he means if you are a Republican or Independent voter, you should be barred from attending?

In his continuing diatribe, he infers that people who loudly question the motives of the president and Congress are reminiscent of early fascists or Communist Party organizers. I guess we should overlook the tactics used by Acorn, the men videotaped standing outside eastern U.S. polling places armed with clubs, or the people who recently assaulted a man passing out flags near a town hall meeting?

I agree that there is a lot of misinformation about the health care legislation.

But when you read the most popular 1,000-plus-page bill (it is on the Internet), you find it largely written in convoluted, deliberately obscure and redundant legal terms. Is it any wonder that there are different answers from both sides of the aisle? No one is exactly sure what each section is, let alone what it actually means.

I agree that we do need civil debate and informed decision making. Let's not let the Congress or the president make a rushed and hasty conclusion on national health care.

Doug Campbell

Carson City

Cloud seeding cuts big mistake for region

Budget reductions designed to close the cloud seeding program over the greater Lake Tahoe area are a huge mistake.

What will likely result by the closure of the seeding stations? Less rain/snow and consequently less water for the region. For an area already starved for water, eliminating the seeding program is just plain stupid. Do we need water for homes, businesses, farms, industry and for the forests? Absolutely.

To consciously reduce the chances for increased totals of rain/snow is (again) stupid. Who is running the government? Are they really that dumb? How much money would it take to restore the Desert Research Center's program? Probably less than a few private jet flights back and forth from Carson City to Las Vegas. Probably less than a few new cars for the state fleet. Probably less than a few remodels of offices, etc.

Let's do something while we can and restore the budget cuts to the Desert Research Center's cloud seeding program.

Tom Huffman

Carson City

Reid should invite Pelosi to town halls

While President Obama states that putting prescription medicine on Medicare is a disaster, remember that the Democratic Congress that voted for it is the same Congress that is trying to pass universal health care.

Another problem is: Why isn't Sen. Harry Reid having town hall meetings about health care with his constituents as other congressional leaders are? If he is nervous about standing alone, he should invite Mrs. Pelosi to appear with him.

Vinnie Madrid

Minden

Rock on, governor

While enjoying your nice "All Aboard!" piece about the historic V&T inaugural run, I noticed a photo by Geoff Dornan of a band playing at the railroad depot in Virginia City. The musicians were dressed in casual clothes, except for one guy front and center who was wearing a business suit.

On closer inspection, I realized that this was the Honorable Jim Gibbons, who had taken the time to strap on a guitar and play with the band. We may not agree on everything that he does in his political life, but it was refreshing to see that he can also be a regular guy who enjoys playing music for an important community event.

Rock on, Gov. Gibbons!

Gary B. Swift

Gardnerville