Letters for October 7, 2004

I like Mike
I appreciate your adding the Right hook column. In doing so, you show more diversity than the Reno Gazette-Journal, which is either too cheap or fearful to offer a conservative counterpoint to their quasi-liberal, dyed-in-the-wool Democrat [content]. Michael Lafferty is very articulate in expounding on the general conservative viewpoint, which leads to spirited discussion, and resurrects one of the basic tenants of liberalism—freedom of thought. It’s a shame that neolibs are so concerned about the bias of Fox news—ever listen to Morning Edition on NPR?

Bill Thibault
Sparks

Don’t spike Mike
Re “Not liberal enough,” (RN&R, Letters, Sept. 23):

A letter complained that the RN&R isn’t liberal enough because Michael Lafferty’s column pollutes these pages. I thought only right-wingers tried to suppress opposing views. Guess I was wrong.

Larry Parr
via e-mail

Take a hike, Mike
Re “Greed is great,” (RN&R, Right hook, Sept. 23):

Especially in light of the fact we have 20 percent more billionaires in this country this year than last, I’d like to lift a couple of paragraphs from a letter I wrote last year to the RN&R, when Warren Buffet called Bush’s tax package “class warfare for the rich,” to respond to Mike Lafferty’s bogus column in the Sept. 23 issue: “The fact that free enterprise remains the most successful method of stimulating economic growth does not mean it requires a reward system that creates and sustains increasingly grotesque accumulations of family wealth. The accumulations are starting to have a negative influence on the efficient operation of our economy. They have the potential of being hazardous politically. And in a democratic society, they are becoming inexcusable socially.”

Vance Packard
via e-mail

Strike against Mike
Re “Greed is great,” (RN&R, Right hook, Sept. 23):

Despite the claims of Ivan Boetsky (and Michael Douglas), greed is not good. Greed is an illness. Greed is not healthy for a civilized society that should want to protect the welfare of all its citizens rather than just a few thousand of the wealthiest. Concern for the general and financial welfare and stability of one’s family and community is good in any society. But obsession with the accumulation of vast wealth among a tiny percentage of extremely rich destroys the opportunity for others to share in the bounty all the nation’s citizens are responsible for producing, destroying any hope for democracy. In this kind of society, only money talks.

Greg Mann
Reno

Mike’s a pike
Re “Let everyone speak,” (RN&R, Letters, Sept. 9):

In his recent column, Right hook, Michael Lafferty referenced a past letter of mine to the RN&R. In my letter, I suggested that rather than include a conservative viewpoint, the RN&R might consider writing stories that have been left untold. I suggested two issues, one of which has global importance, the demise of the rain forest due to corporate avarice, and a national tragedy, the epidemic of childhood obesity.

My intention was not to censor opinions different than my own, as Mr. Lafferty suggested, but to bring to the forefront issues that many may not be aware of. Mr. Lafferty’s response to my letter only heightened my concern. He sidestepped the issues I attempted to discuss with comments like, “Democrats whine like children.” I’ve come to expect such tactics from our politicians, but I’m shocked when it comes in the form of journalism.

Valerie Truce
Reno

Bad restaurant reviewer
Re “Sausage served saucy,” (RN&R, Food finds, Sept. 9):

I am a regular customer of Sinbad’s. I would really like to know how you come up with your comments in regard to the food and service at Sinbad’s. This is a family-owned and run business. If the service was as bad as you stated in your article, why on earth are they still in business? You also stated that the menu was pretty much just hot dogs. Does the name Sinbad’s Hot Dogs ring a bell? You also state that the girl behind the counter was not courteous. I have been there many times and have never seen any disrespect toward customers. She has worked at Sinbad’s for years. Again, if the service and food is so bad, why are they still in business? Maybe because the food and service is much better than you stated in your article. Kinda makes your article look like a joke.

Bill Manke
via e-mail

Rationality loves you
Re “What a friend,” (RN&R, Letters, Sept. 9):

Bill Humphries writes, “Man’s best friend is Jesus.” Wrong. Man’s best friend is his ability to reason. Believing the unbelievable is a vice, not a virtue.

Joe Beverly
Reno