Letters for April 13, 2017

Standard justice

Initially, I was indifferent, if not open to Neil Gorsuch as a nominee to the Supreme Court. In large part, I was open because I am so tired of the extreme politicization of the process of nominating and confirming judges. However, as I learned of his rulings, which repeatedly favored corporations over people, I became very concerned.

Gorsuch ruled against a trucker who was fired when he temporarily left his truck, after repeatedly calling and waiting for help, due to hypothermia and the real risk of death. He ruled against a special needs student seeking an appropriate education. He ruled against a woman seeking fair treatment from her employer. He sides with business when there are pension disputes.

Why did supporters say the nominee must be in the style of Scalia? When did that become the standard? Will the Republicans then nominate a liberal justice in the style of Ginsberg should she choose to step down? Ideology should not be the biggest “driver” of who is nominated to the court.

Joan Bohmann

Sparks

Getting some

Re “More on sex workers” (Let Freedom Ring, March 30):

It may come as a complete surprise to Brendan Trainor, but most males don’t have to “pay” for sex. Now, perhaps in his case, that’s the only way any women will get naked with him, given his—ahem—“special” personality and physical attributes. But those of us who consider females to be actual human beings, instead of pieces of meat to be bought and sold, manage to somehow get women to bed us simply by being decent human beings. This is a characteristic seemingly lost on persons of Brendan’s special, libertarian ilk.

Chris Rosamond

Reno

Budget woes

The Trump budget is short-sighted, racist, and ignores the needs of the most vulnerable of Americans. It represents not a vision of a future of America where all can prosper but a vision put forward by a handful of rich, Caucasian Americans who feel like they are doing just fine.

The budget ignores a need for clean energy and research into energy efficiency while earmarking more money to increase dependence on fossil fuels. It includes a $1.4 billion increase for public and private school choice programs while eliminating funding for before- and after-school and summer programs. Federal work-study would also be “significantly reduced” while the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, which is reserved for needy college students, would also be eliminated. The Department of Justice recommendations include decreasing funding for previously “mandatory” programs such as the Crime Victims Fund and prison infrastructure in order to offset increased spending on immigration judges and border enforcement.

Ryan Budman

Reno

April fools

Re “Sparks sues Reno for slander” (cover story, March 30):

That’s funny. Both of your cities should be sued by it’s business’ and residents for purposely tanking your cities by adhering to Wall Street interests instead of fighting and winning the war on gaming tourism with Northern California and other Northwest states. I know this because if you had spent one-one hundredth the time listening to other people instead of making secret backroom deals, the cities’ most talked-about product would not be crystal meth. But big money is sacrificing this town now, so investors and stockholders can reap because the industry here is nothing but lame duck management with another agenda.

Russell Pawlowski

Sparks