Letters for February 2, 2012

Point by point

Re “Welcome to the Machine” (Feature story, Jan. 19):

Don’t get me wrong, the disinformation and signing of National Defense Authorization Act, something author Burghart accurately called a “crime” in this article, is despicable and deplorable. However, the article could have been better without the liberal trimmings.

The only image I walked away with after reading the article was not that of an overbearing government, but a smiling, likable President Obama with the backdrop of the American flag and the caption “Obama” across the midriff. What’s with the thousand-word endorsement? The only thing missing was his logo. Passersby, unable to read the article in its entirety might deduct the wrong conclusion and proceed to vote for one of the culprits.

Even the “14 characteristics of Fascism” was slanted. Not all, but some, notably.

1. Powerful and continuing expression of nationalism: We don’t have nationalism, that’s the problem. The Tea Party was destroyed/ridiculed for asserting people’s rights and the protection thereof from an encroaching, tyrannical government. The media as well as the progressive left disparaged these efforts.

2. Disdain for the importance of human rights: “Human rights” are sloppy lump-sum assertions. Remember individual rights? That’s the good stuff. The individual [you] was held above the state so as not to be enslaved and/or trampled! Hence NDAA, eminent domain, bailouts, etc. Notice how that love for liberty shrinks the size and power of government?

3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause: President Obama actually gaffed during a speech and referred to Republicans as the “enemy.” He has an army of youth that dedicates songs to his glory. He claims that Congress is forcing him to act the part of dictator.

10. Power of labor suppressed. Labor, as in union? Shouldn’t that be the free market? Obama’s and Big Daddy’s concept of free markets are GSEs that fail (Solyndra/Freddy/Fannie), moratoriums, bailouts, and pitting the average American business owner against people who can print their own money. Labor we have. What we don’t have is a chance to compete fairly. There is nothing China makes that we didn’t invent. I wonder to this day why the Made in America ads were pulled.

14. Fraudulent elections: Does that include favorable media coverage, or free endorsements by RN&R? What about the obvious bigotry and disdain for candidates like Ron Paul (because he’s old), who happens to be the only viable solution for this country, by the way? He’s the only one turning away lobbyists, challenging the banks, the Fed and big government.

I guess, that is my point. If any endorsement needed to be included on this rather insightful article, which would have been better without the political slants, Ron Paul should have been your endorsement with a corresponding portrait complete with American flag. Fact: Ron Paul would have never signed NDAA, not today or 30 years ago, or taken 1.6 million from Freddy Mac, like Gingrich did. His platform is to re-establish the rule of law and sound money. He is the champion of liberty and individual rights. Welcome to the Machine Destroyer!

Mark Phillips
Via email

American made, foreign owned

Re “Hooray for Citizens United” (Letters to the Editor, Jan. 19):

Citizens United is not a case of where the money is going after the corporations spend it on advertising in Nevada, but where the money originated. Take Barrick Corporation, for example. Barrick’s base of operations is in Canada. They are not an American corporation. If, or when, Barrick gets involved in Nevada politics, will it be for the good of Nevadans? The United States? Or their home country of Canada? I, and any other person in the world, can buy shares of stock in any American corporation. If enough non-Americans were to buy stock in the same corporation at what point does the corporation cease to be an American corporation? With only a few shares of stock, I can’t influence the decision making process of a major corporation, but what influence will someone with millions of shares have over the same decision?

If that person were Russian, Arab, Chinese or a citizen of one of our other trading partners, they may be working for the benefit of their stock portfolio, but are there secondary considerations that may benefit their country over ours? It is just a small step to nudge the corporate board to support one candidate over others, in the best interest of the corporation, of course. At that point, our election process will be handed over to citizens of foreign countries who may not have the best interests of the United States in mind. The legal system has determined that corporations have a right to be involved in the American election process, but who vets the citizenship of the corporations? Bayer Aspirin, German company; PepsiCola, the CEO was born in India. Products familiar to most Americans may not be U.S.-owned or operated. Until stockholders of corporations wishing to be involved in American politics are vetted to determine if the majority are Americans and the decisions made to support a candidate are made by Americans, it is in our interest to limit the participation of corporations regardless of what the U.S. Supreme Court says.

Dewey Quong
Reno

Fire on the mountain

I would like to thank the hundreds of first responders who fought to contain the recent Washoe Drive fire. I’m grateful that Nevada’s emergency personnel and valiant citizens acted swiftly to evacuate local communities. I am particularly moved by the local teachers from Pleasant Valley and elsewhere who exhibited courage while trying to keep Nevada’s children safe and calm while they exited local schools. Each one of you is a hero.

I followed the situation closely as the blaze grew Thursday afternoon. By Saturday morning, my immediate concerns were put to rest when the fire was contained. The resulting damage, however, was extensive. My thoughts and best wishes are with all the victims of this terrible event.

Federal, state and local resources are moving quickly to ensure those affected by the fire have the necessary resources to rebuild. Personal possessions, memories and mementos cannot be recovered, but there is no doubt that the resilience of the Northern Nevada community will overcome recent challenges. We can accomplish so much when we work together.

U.S. Senator Harry Reid
Searchlight

Sticky wicket

Re “Think twice about reviews” (Letters to the Editor, Jan. 19):

As a life-long newspaperman (now retired), I can see you’re in quite a predicament. Your restaurant writer, David Preston, who writes biased “reviews,” contacting the businesses he’s writing about before he publishes and never writing a negative word, is undermining your restaurant reviewer, K.J. Sullivan, who seems to go into restaurants without a predetermined outcome and honestly (if somewhat crudely) writes about the experience. Restaurants that get bad reviews—and their friends—call for her head.

It’s plain that this situation cannot stand. In these days of decreasing advertising revenues, most people wouldn’t blame you for letting her go and only doing promotional restaurant stories, as do other publications in the neighborhood. But won’t your readers who expect “truth” be disappointed? Yes, quite a predicament.

Ronald James
Sparks

Correction

Re “Government-approved voters?” (News, Jan 26):

We reported that Sen. Greg Brower is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Exchange Council (ALEC). However, although he was a member of ALEC while he was in the Nevada Assembly, he is no longer a member.