Letters to the Editor: Oct. 26

Step back from slippery slope of scapegoating

After WWI, Germany was poverty-stricken and drained from a costly and destructive war. When Hitler came to power in the 1920s, he offered the technique of transferring inner frustration to an outward target to get general support. Focusing all the hatred of the times onto a scapegoat allowed people to feel it was acceptable, even patriotic, to become hate-filled.

Fast forward to present day. Some campaign ads have gone too far. Some state outright that all our troubles and problems can be traced only to this administration. We have chosen to forget they all began under the previous administration. Foreclosures, companies closing, unemployment, people worried about how to afford retirement - these all began under the last administration. But some campaign ads make it appear that one person is responsible for our current situation. And putting scapegoats out for voters to hate has become far too prevalent. It's an ugly trait to see and a treacherous slippery slope from which to pull back.

So, we need to stop being led around by our baser emotions, and turn once again to our own intelligence - remember the facts, whether we want to or not. Don't fall for the scapegoat technique which keeps us from seeing the real truth. Or someday using scapegoats in the media will become "allowable" in the physical world. Full-strength bullying. Values going downhill begin with just one step at a time to become acceptable.

Diana Durnell

Carson City

Maizie, Carolyn throw support to Reid, Heller

There are times when you have to put yourself out there and support certain candidates. As you might have noticed in our Nobody Asked Us, But ... columns, we lean a little to the left, and will continue to do so.

Sen. Harry Reid has our vote, not only for the times he has helped us in the past, but also because Nevada has never had as much clout as he gives us. Sharron Angle, from the Party of No, has indicated mostly what she will not do, and we feel that's not conducive to our state's well being.

Dean Heller has served admirably in his first two terms, and deserves a third. We also support Ross Miller, Kate Marshall, Kim Wallin and Catherine Cortez Masto. Locally, we like Dave Dawley, Karen Abowd and Kenny Furlong. We have heard that Bob Guimont is a "cop's cop," which is good; however, in the past eight years, we do not understand why he has not pursued a criminal justice degree, or taken classes in administration, since the office of sheriff is an administrative one.

Sheriff Furlong has performed admirably and is at every gathering in town, unlike a former sheriff who conducted the office from a fishing boat. There are other offices up for grabs, and since we disagree on some of the other races, you need to be inquisitive. We also believe all the ballot questions should be a "yes." Regardless of what you decide, vote.

Maizie Harris Jesse and Carolyn Tate

Carson City

Looking for the extremist? Look at Sen. Harry Reid

Let me see if I have this right. Harry Reid made a $700,000 profit on the sale of land he hadn't even owned for over three years, according to the property deed. He paid his Ritz Carlton staff Christmas bonuses out of campaign funds instead of personal funds. He collected over $68,000 in campaign contributions from Jack Abramoff's lobbying firm. Even though the Senate voted 83-7 to block ACORN from bidding on federal grant money, Reid refused to hold a hearing to investigate their activities.

He is on tape adamantly insisting paying income taxes to the IRS is voluntary and refused to acknowledge the penalty if you don't. He told the world "the war is lost" undermining our brave soldiers. He called then-Sen. Obama a "light skinned African-American with no Negro dialect, unless he wants to use one." He said he could smell the tourists in the Capitol Building. He kicked out the C-SPAN cameras to craft the health care bill in secret.

His political career is riddled with corrupt, unethical and ignorant actions and statements. And I'm supposed to believe Sharron Angle is the out-of-touch extremist? Yeah, right.

Dan Cerda

Dayton

A list of reasons to vote

for Sharron Angle

If you are a pregnant woman or have a chronically ill child and would like to have your health insurance canceled, you should vote for Sharron Angle. If you are a veteran and would like to see the Veterans Administration dismantled, you should vote for Sharron Angle. If you are a senior citizen and would like to see the Social Security Administration eliminated along with your benefits, you should vote for Sharron Angle.

If you are a senior and like the "doughnut hole" in Medicare and enjoy spending more for medication, you should vote for Sharron Angle. If you are an Asian or Mexican and like being told you all look the same, you should vote for Sharron Angle. If you fear that Islamic sharia law is taking over the country, you should vote for Sharron Angle. If you like a candidate whose positions change with every news release, you should vote for Sharron Angle.

If you would like your senator to sit on the back bench in Congress wearing a dunce cap while bringing more derision to Nevada, you should vote for Sharron Angle.

If you are a thoughtful, concerned Nevadan and would like to keep the most powerful man in Congress protecting the interests of our state and citizens, then you should vote for Harry Reid.

Phil Stotts

Carson City

Joiner will be responsible with your tax dollars

For those out there that want a cautious approach to spending our tax dollars, join me in voting for Rob Joiner.

I have known Rob for years and he is the type of person who listens to our concerns and is a fiscal conservative. What Betty Sarnowski recently cited in a letter as the negative candidates is actually concern for your tax dollars. How can Mrs. Abowd support and defend the Nugget project from day one when no one really knows what the project is or what the ultimate cost will be? Do we need this project and can we afford it?

These are my questions and I appreciate Rob Joiner and others who raise awareness of the issues. It is always easy to spend other people's money for personal benefit but Rob is unbiased and wants to truly work for the rest of us.

He has a lifetime of practical experience in the very issues that now confront us and I trust he has the ethical standards to do the best job.

In previous debates, of the six candidates who were originally running, Mrs. Abowd had a handful of cards. When asked a question, she had to find the card with the question so she could answer it. One wonders who wrote all the possible questions and answers for her.

The rest of the original, Paul Saucedo, Norm Scoggin, Sean Lehmann and Gary Schulz, have all endorsed Rob Joiner. That is why I support Rob Joiner for Carson City supervisor.

Martha Kappler

Carson City

Debate performance turned off this voter

During the debate on Oct. 14, Sharron Angle hit Harry Reid a blow, but Reid's professional manner never allowed him to reciprocate a blow back to her. She will not create jobs, nor OK preventive medical care. Her Botox cheeks and phony smile didn't earn my vote!

Ann Burke

Carson City

Masto ad misrepresents facts on Barrick

I was a bit surprised when our incumbent AG's TV ad came out claiming that Travis Barrick served time for harassing women. Upon checking the San Luis Obispo Tribune article, I discovered he was arrested for blocking the entrance to a San Diego abortion clinic in 1989, and chose to do 45 days in jail for misdemeanor trespassing rather than pay the fine.

According to a Las Vegas Review-Journal article, the clinic was notorious for performing late term abortions. While many may disagree with me, I have respect for this man, and I now have less respect for Ms.Cortez Masto for running an ad that misrepresents what Mr. Barrick was actually trying to do - save unborn babies who have no representation. I know whom I will be voting for in the upcoming election.

Cheryl Fleming

Carson City

Sen. Reid has served Nevada well

I am a native Nevadan who has spent most of my life in Nevada. Now, as I listen to the campaign rhetoric going on prior to our election, I find I must make some comments. Granted, I am a Democrat and have been active in my party through the years, but I have always kept an open mind.

However, in years past Nevada had a very low population and as a result needed good representation in Washington to protect our interests. We have always been fortunate in that respect, and now we have a situation where again we have to make a choice between having one of the most influential men in Congress represent us or again be relegated to the category of a less-populated state.

I presume that many of you do not follow politics closely, but you really should stop and think about your welfare and the welfare of the state you live in, then choose your senator very carefully.

I have known Sen. Reid for a good many years and know him to be a dedicated public servant who has served Nevadans very well. It would be a tragic loss for Nevada if he is not returned to the Senate to continue the work he does for us and our country.

Gertrude Gottschalk

Carson City

Reid's attack ads distort truth about Angle

Harry Reid has strongly attacked Sharron Angle. But are his attacks warranted? Does she want to eliminate Social Security? Not on your life. Her real stance is to put a lockbox on it so that liberals like Harry Reid can't raid it to fund other programs. She also supports giving people the option of creating private Social Security accounts, so that their money remains safe from re-distribution to someone else.

What about the ad accusing her of forcing innocent rape victims to have their babies? The truth is, this is just a mean-spirited way of saying Sharron is pro-life.

How about Reid's accusation that she doesn't support job creation? Another distortion. Sharron believes it is the task of the private sector to create jobs. The role of government is to provide an economic climate conducive to business growth and job creation. Reid is a socialist and Sharron a free marketer. Socialism impoverishes a nation, but the free market empowers people to prosper.

Lastly, some Christians worry that she is a Scientologist. She is not. This is a false rumor. She is a Southern Baptist. When in the Assembly, she proposed that lawmakers investigate a program (sponsored by Scientologists) that helps prisoners kick drugs. The Democrats nixed the trip. That is all there is to it.

I can't touch upon all the attack ads, but the bottom line is that they are all severe distortions of the truth. Don't believe them.

Lona White

Carson City

Candidate touts experience in race for assessor

My name is Ian Mindling. I am running to be your next assessor. We've endured enough of the incumbent's experience. We need a change and a new attitude.

When a financial institution improves a property, doing their best to sell a home at market value, don't you think the assessor should consider that sale when setting your home's value? I will correctly include, not exclude, foreclosure sales.

I've heard a lot of disgruntlement from both outside and inside the office. People aren't having a good experience. Generally speaking, the issues include morals, human interaction and management ability.

I am a quite different person. My background includes nearly two decades of management and training experience. That's far beyond an air traffic controller's experience of "watching green blips on a screen," as the incumbent assessor touts. Important work, certainly, yet different in every way from interacting with the public and working with and managing an office of individuals. For me, this was blatantly obvious from the very first related experience. Now, the sum of what I've heard is simply intolerable. Taxpayers are owed far higher standards and deserve better, at every level.

More than just an acceptable and positive influence, I feel my integrity, morals, analytical mind, computer expertise, management/training skills and real estate experience provide a comprehensive skill set that is superbly suited to the office of assessor. I will provide superior and courteous service.

Thank you for your vote.

Ian Mindling

Carson City

Subject of literacy story inspiration to all

I just wanted to comment on your front page regarding the literacy program and Mr. Barnes. What a great article. It is so uplifting to hear the hard work and accomplishments of someone who overcame his life obstacles.

Everyone reading this, young and old, teens, youth, young adults and older, should take inspiration that you can reach your goals and dreams. Many times it takes so much effort and hard work to achieve, but this shows that once you succeed, the rewards are many.

Mr. Barnes has a positive attitude and, I would think, a great increase in self-esteem. Life is not easy or always comfortable, but worth all the effort. What a wonderful example. Thank you for publishing this.

Victoria L. Williams

Washoe Valley