Letters for February 12, 2009
Some merit to that
Re “Take your pick: Higher taxes or fewer services” (Know You’re Right, Feb. 5):
It’s well known that certain districts and areas oppose tax increases more than others in the state of Nevada (as in any state, of course). Here’s an idea: Create a separate budget for those nay-sayers, and let their districts decide which services they will lose. Got a fire in your house? Take a number. Need a road to that new school? Don’t call us, we’ll call you. Earthquake? We’ll get there as soon as we service the ones who paid their taxes.
I am tired of having my state hijacked by these filibustering, short-sighted misers. It’s ridiculous that anti-tax, anti-government voters should receive any services at all. Let them see what the starvation of government really looks like—and spare the rest of us who are willing to pay for the (absolutely necessary) services government provides.
Joan Flange
Sparks
Invest in art
Re “Acid rain” (Editor’s note, Jan. 29):
Investing public money into the arts makes good economic sense. Last year, arts organizations added $166 billion and over 5 million jobs to the economy. On average for every $1 of public money spent on the arts, there is a return of $10 in revenue. Public arts budget are generally very small in the scope of federal and state budgets but add a great deal to local economies and local tax revenue.
According to Americans for the Arts, a $50 million investment to the National Endowment for the Arts will provide critical funding to save 14,422 jobs from being lost in the U.S. economy. This is based on the ability of the NEA to leverage $7 in additional support through local, state and private donations, for every $1 in NEA support.
Let’s not be penny wise and pound foolish. We as a society must invest in culture and the arts for our current and future generations.
David Branson
Reno
Why would we?
Ironic. Ever since the invasion of Afghanistan, the Progressive Far Left have harangued the Bush administration for detaining enemy combatants at Guantanamo, telling us they were just peasant farmers and shopkeepers sold to the American forces by rival tribesman. Keeping his promise, President Obama signs an executive order to close the base, but where to house the remainder of the newly homeless? Reopen the former prison Alcatraz? Oh no, say the residents in the bluest of blue cities. Too dangerous … besides, it’s a tourist attraction. Yet, what harm could these peasants cause?
These same folks have been busting the former president’s chops for his poor response in rebuilding New Orleans. Yet I see nothing in the stimulus package, submitted by the Democrats, in helping the flood-ravaged city as a part of strengthening America’s infrastructure. Perhaps they just want another landmark to commemorate Bush’s failure.
Don’t question my patriotism!
Bill Thibault
Sparks
Let them eat pancake
7:15 a.m., Reno, NV, Denny’s
“Obama promised everything would change. What’s the best way to start a new era filled with hover cars, robots and wind power? Free breakfast.”
Now I know a lot of you were skeptical of Denny’s Super Bowl ad filled with promises of free breakfast. I too have heard the cliché “there is no such thing as a free meal.” Well, I am here to tell you that Denny’s came through with their promise, and it was an experience I will be telling my children about.
OK, maybe that’s a bit much, however, it was an experience. I have never been in a restaurant filled with people eating like it was their only and last meal. A crazed anxiety filled the room as wait staff pushed out two eggs, two pancakes, two pieces of bacon, and two links to every dripping gob in the room. Crack heads broke bread with families of 15 in this new spirit of destitute. Fuck. What is happening to the world when I seriously get excited about a free breakfast? I mean I get excited about most anything if it’s free, but this was something else.
In the half hour I was eating, the line outside grew from 10 strong to about 50 souls lined up like cattle to the slaughter. Our kids will be using footage of juggalos in groups of 30 waiting to eat animal parts as proof of our greater depression. This breakfast line was like watching a clown shoot up heroine: sad but not surprising in the least. This is what America has become, a constantly evolving ironic punch line.
Michael C. Moberly
Reno
Run, Bob, run
Re “Cashell for governor?” (Upfront, Jan. 29):
I’d vote for Bob Cashell if he wanted to run for president, mayor or dog catcher. It wouldn’t matter what he runs for because you can be assured that you’d get his best effort. He’s my man of the year, year in and out. His talents are considerable, if you know him. His worst critic is Bob himself. When you meet him you’ll notice that he’s casual but correct, comfortable but conservative, and an all-around cool dude. I listen to him and consider what he says. His sense of humor and timing is precious … and I’m a Democrat. Too bad he wouldn’t consider running for that meathead Heller’s seat. Governor will do just fine, Bob. Just fine.
Marty LeVasseur
Reno
Zodiac thriller
Re “Star power” (Feature story, Jan. 22):
Good God, Chris Hardt. Your Mormon and Republican ancestors will be turning over in their urns! Nevertheless, an interesting article from a different perspective. I never imagined the “Age of Aquarius” would be ushered in by an avatar giving bailouts to Wall Street!
Pat Hickey
Reno
A good example
Re “Cuts at UNR are excessive and ridiculous” (Know You’re Right, Jan. 29):
I’m going to use this article in my English 101 class as an example of an argument piece; to be specific, I am going to use it as an example of how the writer can often make snap judgments about his or her audience and how these assumptions impact the validity of his or her argument. The author assumes that University of Nevada, Reno students have no idea that the state is in a fiscal crisis. My students are well aware of the fiscal crisis. Most of them hold full-time jobs, and several are supporting their families, who have lost their jobs. They talk about it frequently, and even if they were unaware of the national news—an admirable feat at this time—they are aware of it in the cuts already made at UNR.
If this were my student, I would suggest another draft of this paper and one in which she thought about the topic she’s writing about. I’d suggest some, you know, research. That might help. I’d also suggest that she drop her presumptuous tone that leads us to believe she makes snap judgments about things she really doesn’t know about, thus leading me to the snap judgment that, once again, Republicans don’t know anything about education.
Alissa Surges
Reno