She won't forget Gibbons' actions come November
Let me get this straight. After hundreds of thousands of dollars and years of study, several degrees, and 34 years of teaching, the governor has put a tin cup at the Nevada DMV where philanthropic Nevadans can drop a few nickels to subsidize my hefty $50,000 teacher salary.
Governor, how will I ever thank you? I'm sure I'll think of something next November.
Juliana Gabica
Carson City
Don't be afraid to talk about suicide
When someone mentions suicide, some run, some overreact. When we hear of a suicide, we conclude that the individual had mental problems that were not addressed.
When a person softly says, "I feel like killing myself," our reaction is shrugging our shoulders, snickering an inconsiderate remark, then blowing it off.
As I share my experience about an attempted suicide, reactions vary from a hand over their mouth to a gasp of air that can be heard anywhere.
Suicide attempts and the actual act of suicide are as common as driving under the influence and domestic violence, yet I have not met a person who is afraid to talk about those subjects.
Telling a friend or family member that one intends to have a few drinks most often leads to them joining you. Talking about suicidal thoughts lead to 911 being called. Police, fire and paramedics arrive at your current location. An evaluation is conducted by trained personnel. The victim will eventually be handcuffed and placed in a holding cell for observation. What's more humiliating than being scared to talk about suicide is the humiliation one feels sitting inside a holding tank at the local jail.
It is through education we can create a support group for those who have thoughts of suicide or have experienced a suicidal attempt or to talk freely and without fear that we can find a positive solution together.
Traci Weimer
Gardnerville
Nevada must diversify to survive
Since Nevada joined the union, the state has relied too heavily on boom-and-bust industry. Mining was the standard of state industry from the start. After the crash of the Comstock, nearly one-third of the state's population left, the state economy was left in ruins and yet state leaders held on to the idea that another lode would be struck and the state would recover. At the turn of the 20th century, mineral veins were discovered in Tonopah, Goldfield and Ely, but this came nearly 20 years after the initial bust of Virginia City, and would only last as long as the mines produced.
Fast forward 100 years and although we still continue our love affair with mining, Nevada has become dependent on yet another single industry: gaming. While times were good, Nevada was the fastest-growing state in the union, but with the recent recession, according to the Census Bureau, Nevada saw a net domestic outflow of population.
We have the system in place to attract new industry and business, yet what we lack is a properly educated workforce. Higher education is the key to success, but education and cultural affairs will have their budgets slashed even further, to the detriment of the people of this state.
How many times must we repeat follies of history before change is implemented?
Christopher MacMahon
Carson City