Letters to the editor Dec. 28

Deep-seated resentment about sightlines

I have seen many productions of Western Nevada Musical Theater and have never been disappointed. The talent is better than any professional talent I have seen, and the sets and music go beyond expectations.

In the past, I have purchased general admission tickets, and although usually having the tallest people in Carson seated in front of me, I still enjoyed the shows, leaving the theatre with tennis neck. I am vertically challenged, at barely 5 feet tall.

So, most recently, I paid full price and purchased reserved tickets, at a cost of $25. When we found our seats, we were in Section T109 and 110. Again, the tallest people in Carson were in front of me. I picked up my seat and sat on the rim, thus creating numbness.

A member of the staff was nice enough to bring me a pillow. This didn't work. When I left, I was barely able to walk, and had back and neck aches.

I am totally disillusioned that after spending $25 for a wonderful show, I was not able to, again, enjoy it thoroughly.

Ceil Jones

Carson City

Columnists out to lunch

on capitalism

Columnist Eugene Paslov recently complained that his favorite grocery store has decided to close its Carson City location. Mr. Paslov asserted that it was done capriciously due to a resolvable dispute over the store's lease.

What's it to him? He says he likes the people who work there and fears for their future. Yes, the job market has been brutal for almost three years. So why is he supporting a president who hates capitalism and kills jobs?

Even more recently, columnist Sue Morrow complained that greedy retailers are turning the holiday season into a mercenary money grab.

Last I looked, stores don't have the power to compel anyone to do business with them. Per Paslov, if a store closes, it's an offense to humanity. Per Morrow, if stores operate, it's an assault on the holiday spirit.

Are either of these columnists aware of where the bulk of the advertising dollars come from that supports their lifestyles?

Jan Jensen

Atherton, Calif.

Be vigilant against infringement of rights

The Senate just passed the National Defense Authorization Act that contains in Section 1031 a provision for the military to arrest and imprison indefinitely a suspected or potential terrorist without trial. The characteristics of who might be a potential terrorist are so broad that just about anyone could be taken away. Paying for an airline ticket or a motel room with cash may be a suspected terrorist activity, for instance. Lists of suspicious activities can be found by perusing the Internet. The Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith and the Southern Poverty Law Center provide information and training for police in matters of hate crime and terrorist activities.

In a speech before the ADL, Director Robert Mueller said: "We in the FBI tremendously value your perspectives and your partnership. Your insights and research into extremism are particularly helpful to us. Your support of hate crime and terrorist investigations, which are now front and center in the work of the FBI, is essential to us. And the training and education you provide have never been more relevant."

The Coast Guard, which is under the Department of Transportation in peacetime and the Navy during war, is now under Homeland Security.

The Coast Guard is the only branch of the armed forces that can make a civilian arrest under the Posse Comitatus act. This act banning the Army from engaging in civilian policing was passed after the brutal treatment of the South during Reconstruction when it was policed by the Union Army.

Alan C. Edwards

Carson City