Be careful of throwing stones at glass mirrors
Jack Van Dien of Minden castigated me (June 26) along with others he classifies as espousing the "religious right ideology" of conservative Republicanism. He further accuses us of "never having endured the rigors and terrors of war themselves," and that we glory in having the sons and daughters of others fight the wars we support.
Mr. Van Dien is certainly entitled to his opinions, but not to his own facts. I can't speak for the others he denounces, but I should point out that I served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, retiring as a full colonel, including two combat tours in Vietnam. I don't believe it is important, but I was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" device for valor, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, several Air Medals, and the Distinguished Service Medal, to name a few.
In the course of my Army career I also served in Europe for five years, at West Point, and, for six years, at the White House. I might add, since Mr. Van Dien also accuses us of having sons and daughters who haven't served, that my son, Assemblyman Ty Cobb Jr. volunteered to go to Iraq right after the invasion and held a position of great difficulty there in attempting to promote democracy in Iraq - a tour of duty that had him in such hot spots as Fallujah, Ramadi, Kirkuk and Hilla.
I am not aware of Mr. Van Dien's own sacrifices, but in view of his letter and his demand that we all "look ourselves in the mirror," I would guess that they overshadow anything our family has done, and I thank him for his service.
Tyrus W. Cobb
Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (volunteer position)
Reno
Socialist in president continues to show through
And now, if all the socialist programs are not, the president wants a government panel (picked by him) to set the price that Medicare and Medicaid pays to doctors, and hospitals.
Once again, the socialist comes out in the president. As dumb as it seems, there must be more to come.
And to think people actually voted for the man.
Bill Beil
Carson City
Nevadans shouldn't abandon legacy of personal liberty
"The risk of getting sick from an animal is minimal, much smaller than catching something from another human." So stated Laura Hungerford, doctor of veterinary medicine and professor of epidemiology, in a Baltimore Sun feature on pet-friendly restaurants.
"Animal prohibition laws," she went on to explain, "were written years ago, with rats and other disease carriers in mind, rather than pets, which today are part of more than 60 percent of households."
Small Cat's supporters at the state health board's variance hearing would have agreed with Dr. Hungerford. But the government's "men in black" were unanimously opposed, claiming that our feline friends, with whom we've shared our lives for thousands of years, were suddenly dangerous. More tellingly, they claimed that "granting the variance in this particular case could be detrimental to public health by creating a precedent that would allow non-service animals in food establishments." The horror! This fighting city hall thing had to be nipped in the bud!
Having limited public comments to three minutes, the health board voted unanimously and without discussion to deny the variance. It didn't feel like democracy in action, especially after a television poll showed 92 percent in favor.
With its downtown casinos, country brothels and drive-thru wedding chapels, our state has long been famous as a place where personal liberty reigns supreme. Nevadans should think twice before abandoning that legacy in exchange for a hypoallergenic nanny state where even the most hypothetical risks are banished without regard to cost or common sense.
Richard Dunn
Carson City
Dayton chemical facility proposal opposed
I am writing to ask you to stop the EDEN Research Chemical Processing Facility from being built near the Dayton Valley Air Park. I live in the golf course community directly across from the Air Park homes.
This chemical processing facility would be in my backyard. I am very concerned about the dangerous chemicals used for extraction being so close to my family and my home. Thousands of people live within three miles of this proposed site as well as three schools.
In addition to the safety issues, I am sure that the value of my home would depreciate with a chemical processing plant so close. We have all seen the value of our homes drop with the poor economy and the failing real estate market. Please don't further jeopardize the value of our homes and the safety of the people in this community by letting this project move forward.
I am sure that the designers and planners of this project have looked at the safety of the facility and taken precautions to protect the people near the site. But no plan is perfect, no safety protocol is 100 percent guaranteed. Humans are involved and this is where most mistakes occur and where most accidents begin. If you are 100 percent honest, you will admit that there is risk in putting a chemical processing plant so close to a residential neighborhood. There must be a better option. Would you want this in your backyard?
Please no not allow the EDEN Chemical Processing Facility to be built in Dayton.
Corinne Holmes
Dayton