Letters for January 13, 2011

Good question

Only about 28 percent of the population of Nevada holds an associate degree or higher: one of the lowest percentages in the United States. Most of the jobs in Nevada only require low levels of education and only a few hours of training at best.

We have been talking about diversifying the Nevada economy since Gov. Richard Bryan and state governmental fiscal stability since Gov. Bob Miller and have made few efforts on either. The happy talk aside, if you are a degreed person, can you afford to be underemployed for the time, possibly 5-10 years or more, it will take for the Nevada economy to transition?

Dan Porath
Minden

Who’s eating?

Re “Good intentions” (Foodfinds, Dec. 30):

There are only about 44 people in Tent City at this point, from what I have read. None of the groups that feed in that area know of anything that comes from the Spread Peace Café. It has been that way for a very long time. Maybe the next time someone visits the café, they can get who, what, where, and when answered. People still believe the meal for a meal thing. It has never happened since the café opened. At one point, the café was giving a monetary percentage to Spread Peace Reno, but I don’t know if they discontinued that months ago, too.

Teresa Pena
Reno

First Amendment remedy

All of a sudden Republicans deny having anything to do with the killings in Tucson of Jan. 8, 2011. But can we believe them?

We witnessed guns openly toted to rallies in Arizona. When candidate McCain asked what to do about candidate Obama, a supporter yelled “Kill him.” Next, Sarah Palin draws crosshairs on Representative Gifford’s district, and, as if that wasn’t enough, Sharon Angle rallies for armed insurrection while supporters carry signs reading “Kill Pelosi.”

All the while McConnell, Limbaugh, Boehner, Beck, and all the rest persisted in vociferously fanning the flames of hate without the slightest restraint. And now, guess what, the Republican Party has a new way of electing RNC chairmen based on the number of guns they own.

And now they condemn the violence of January 8?

I don’t believe a word they say.

Del Williams
Reno

Follow your passion

Re “Culture clash” (Feature story, Dec. 16):

Recently obtained a copy of Jeremy Evans’ book, In Search of Powder, as a gift for ski patrol son Tom in Squaw Valley and made time to read it myself. It’s a book about people. Interviews with folks who have and are living the life are fascinating, and the philosophy of following your passion brings to mind the saddest words in the language: “It might have been.” Well done, Jeremy, and best wishes to you and the family.

Steve Waclo
Carson City

Duke love

Re “Best Western” (Film, Dec. 23):

Wow, I guess everybody’s a critic, right? I’m afraid I can’t share all or even a handful of your views about this remake of a classic movie. I am of the opinion that you can remaster, replay, rerun, revisit, review, revive a John Wayne movie, but you can never, ever remake one—especially True Grit. When I first learned of it a little over a year ago, my comments went something like, “We can only hope it’s a comedy, as the thought of trying to remake any Duke film is at best a bad joke.”

I do agree that Jeff Bridges kept the Cogburn spirit alive, but possibly as Rooster’s ornery brother Bruster. That is not intended as an insult; I am a Bridges fan so he doesn’t get a total thumbs down. However, I’m not fan enough to ever say he played Rooster better than The Duke himself—though he plays “Jeff” roles well. The only person capable of portraying a John Wayne character is John Wayne. It’s drunken karaoke night at the corner bar if it’s anyone else. Try as I might, I could not help but compare, as any true Duke fan would.

The one really great thing about this movie is the fact we all get to meet Hailee Steinfeld. She is nothing short of amazing in this role. I never have cared for Kim Darby—especially as Mattie Ross. Hailee should have a long and happy life in the business if her next performances are only half as grand as this one. And there will be more for her I’m sure.

The Bear Man (Ed Corbin) was a wasted piece of film. The scene was not a bad idea, but was a horrible portrayal of a witty and colorful character. While I understand how this man would have come across to the two strangers, it would have been no worse if he had had his script in hand, reading the part on film.

If I did badly in anyone’s opinion for something they paid me millions to do, I would want to know. How do you improve otherwise? A poor performance is a poor performance. As they say, it is what it is. This is my opinion of the movie. I won’t go two thumbs down, but can only give it one and a half thumb up, thanks to Hailee and Bridges. But, as I stated above, everybody’s a critic; the only differences are that only some of us are paid for it. Thanks for the opportunity to share my opinion. I am happy to do so at no charge.

Beth Rodgers
Gaffney, S.C.

It’s money that matters

Last month, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner and Barack Obama worked together to push a big tax bill through the lame duck congress. And who are the biggest beneficiaries of that legislation? Is it those who need financial help the most? No. It is those who need it the least—the wealthy.

In his presidential campaign, Obama said that he would not extend the Bush tax cuts to the top 2 percent. But, last month, he sold out. If Obama gets the Democratic nomination in 2012, there is no way that he will be re-elected. So, who do you like, Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich?

Brad MacKenzie
Reno

The game’s rigged

Re “Nevada sues Bank of America” (Upfront, Dec. 23):

Hold on. Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors, is himself a proven danger to Americans and America. “It’s just inevitable that they will go into a foreclosure,” he says. What? That’s frightening. That’s scary. That’s terrifying. That is anti-American. The game according to the massive and powerful National Association of Realtors juggernaut is rigged against us! They’re bragging how inevitable it is we will lose our homes. That’s way more immediate to you and me and our families than another 9/11. These terrorists have announced their plan, and it ain’t a pretty one for American families. According to the unholy Realtors, just bend over and grab your ankles, and hold as we’ll inevitably get to you. No. Obviously the pompous Realtors also only care about money they make off houses being listed and sold. Why do you even trust someone who makes more money themselves the more money you pay or sell a house for? Foreclosures are a very profitable unholy income stream to not only the lenders who generate it all, but the Realtors who conspire with them against everyday hard-working Americans in their homes. And here the Realtors are even proudly turning the screw down on American families.

iJoe
via www.newsreview.com/reno