Letters for July 10, 2014

Lightweight

Re “Drug tests” (Feature story, July 8, 2010):

I work at a headshop, happily, but yesterday I tried those Sleepwalkers. I needed euphoria pills. See, I’m pretty diplomatic when it comes to not trying any of what I sell. I just figured that nothing I sell is really appealing to me. But yesterday, I felt as though I needed an energy boost. I made the mistakes of taking them on an empty stomach and taking too much all at once. I took four Sleepwalkers on an empty stomach. It said that it had the same effects of two cups of coffee, so I thought it was harmless. My mistake. After feeling great for about an hour, this weird nausea began to take over me. It was harmless at first, and then it became much worse. I vomited about 20 times on and off for about six hours. The pain in my stomach was unbearable. I felt extremely cold, and I really thought I was going to die. The worst part was that I was trapped at work with no way of leaving early. It was extremely frightening. I shouldn’t have driven home alone, or at all, but I really had no choice. I couldn’t see very well, my head hurt, my stomach and spine were cold, and I continued vomiting, stopping each time it overcame me. Man, I regret taking those pills. Perhaps I took too much on an empty stomach. Either way, I will never ingest anything like that or even remotely close to that ever again.

Michelle Loya

Houston

Dead wolves, but lone?

Re “Lone wolves strike again” (Let Freedom Ring, June 26):

If Jerad and Amanda Miller were alive today, and were somehow released on a technicality, Brendan Trainor could sell them assault rifles from the trunk of his car. No background check would be required. No record of the sale would be required. He wouldn’t even have to know their names. Or see their faces. He could also sell them extra high-capacity magazines, a few thousand rounds of ammunition, and two more handguns exactly like the two they used to execute Officers Saldo and Beck.

Trainor likely would not be breaking any laws. The secondary gun market is virtually unregulated, so as a practical matter America has no gun control, not even background checks. Any mental patient or terrorist only needs some cash and the classifieds, to gain access to over 300 million guns. Trainor also mentions—twice!—that Jerad Miller voted for Obama in 2008. Not to distract from cop-killing Obama voters, perhaps there were some influences closer to home that align more with the Millers’ actions. Possibly they were inspired by their fellow armed citizens at the Bundy Ranch, citizens who pointed guns at police officers. It’s possible that lone she-wolf Michelle Fiore inspired the Millers by joining them at the Bundy Ranch (armed) and by doing media on behalf of the protesters. You might consider that the Millers were among those hailed as “Patriots” by Sen. Heller. Or that Gov. Sandoval endorsed the armed confrontation as the exercise of “fundamental rights.”

And of course there were the media influences. Take columnist Brendan Trainor, who had written the article “In Praise of the Second Amendment” (RN&R, Jan. 16, 2014). He wrote that “Las Vegas citizens are in a state of fear of their police.” Trainor warned of the danger of LVPD violence, and the need for citizens to hold the police in check. He compared police to British soldiers invading colonists’ homes 240 years ago. And in the same column, he also celebrated tens of thousands of Nevadans carrying guns, ready to defend themselves.

If Jared Miller had posted Trainor’s words on Facebook, it could have been called a “red flag” or even a “manifesto.” But don’t expect any sense of personal responsibility from the crowd that throws around phrases like “Second Amendment remedies.” Gun-toters truly believe they have the right—an imaginary constitutional right—to murder government officials. That, despite the fact that “tyranny” has a wholly subjective meaning, to be determined by any individual shooter, by any “lone wolf.” Officers Saldo and Beck might well have been killed at the Bundy Ranch, if things had gone terribly wrong there. Killed by some of the other 800 or so “lone wolves.” I wonder, will Brendan Trainor ever apologize to the officers’ families? Will Heller or Sandoval or Fiore? Or will they just howl on about that big, bad government?

C.G. Green

Reno

Another B&B

Re “Does Reno have an image problem?” (Feature story, May 22):

If Reno didn’t have an image problem (well rooted in reality) it wouldn’t be trying to piggyback on Tahoe, i.e. Reno-Tahoe. You never hear any of the communities around Lake Tahoe hyphenating themselves with Reno! Hell if it weren’t for the Basques and the Burners, Reno would be just another corner of the Nevada wasteland!

Chris Longstaff

Carson

Wouldn’t want to live there

Re “Does Reno have an image problem?” (Feature story, May 22):

Michael D. Rose put it best about Reno when first trying to purchase Harrahs in 1979. He said, “It must be a great place to live because it sure is a shitty place to visit.”

Rick Mitchell

Geneva, Florida

Sure, blame the prostitutes

Re “Does Reno have an image problem?” (Feature story, May 22):

I feel that we have an image problem in regard to tourism and also attracting companies to move here or start up here. We’re seen as a party town. Nearby brothels have ads on taxis and on billboards across the region that promote prostitution, but prostitution is illegal in Washoe County and that creates a perception problem for tourists who want to come here and have a paid sexual adventure. Reno-as-party-town also aligns us with Las Vegas and further promotes our frontier image as a wild, rough-and-tumble place. Furthermore, casino marketing dominates our exposure, particularly in our key tourism markets, and our visitors have become bargain travelers largely as a result. All that makes Reno less than fancy and sophisticated. For companies wanting to relocate here or start new, the perception is that we endorse prostitution and many companies find that distasteful. Coupled with the party image and companies have a reason to shy away. There are other issues involved in regards to economic development as well such as the need for more private schools/boarding schools. Our tepid business growth is due to the various issues I mention. People in your article said Reno as the Biggest Little City is what makes Reno special, and Biggest Little City is widely recognized as our town’s motto. In so many words, they also stated that our tourism draw was limited by the fact that we are small, that we don’t match up to our competition. I agree and would suggest to those people that they voice their ideas on how to add to our attractions and improve the ones we’ve got because I believe we can do much better. If RN&R should devote an article to public input on these issues, I’d be happy to share my ideas.

Oscar Williams

Reno