Letters for September 25, 2003

I don’t remember much from my youth, but I’ve always been fascinated with aircraft. I recollect giving a current event [talk] in class—something about “F-100 fighter bombers” and “Vietnam.” I venture that I was in second grade, and it was 1962. Little did I understand what a tremendous impact such a small story from such an insignificant place would have on the lives of hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

In the editorial last week, it was put forth that the current administration was coming around to the concept of United Nations participation in Iraq, albeit under control of the United States, and that this was a good thing.

Not wishing to prolong the tours of any service men and women longer than necessary, I would nonetheless argue against any U.N. participation at this point in the reconstruction phase of the war.

It’s quite simple, really. If our service people are tied down in Afghanistan and Iraq, it will be more difficult for the current administration to mount additional preemptive wars.

Tom May
Sparks

Impeach Bush
Re “Republic’s end,” [RN&R, Cover, Sept. 11]:

Some Nevadans are envious of California’s freak show and want to sponsor our own circus with an expensive election to recall Kenny Guinn.

Their efforts would be better used in a drive to impeach and prosecute “President” G.W. Bush, who is responsible for decimating the budgets of virtually all 50 states. [He caused deficits with his] hundreds of billions of dollars of tax cuts for the rich, his illegal and expensive two quagmire-style wars involving his disregard for human life, trade police and tax laws moving millions of jobs out of our beloved country, almost daily attacks upon the environment, women’s rights, etc. The western states are suffering deficits imposed by the “Crooks of Enron,” who have yet to be prosecuted.

Also, former real President Jimmy Carter, in USA Today, discussed G.W. Bush’s possible third and probably devastating war with N. Korea. If the United States insists that other nations cease development and production of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, we should comply also.

Lyndon Johnson’s $500 billion Vietnam debt is now $2 trillion. Thanks to the magic of compound interest, this is more than $6,000 per U.S. citizen.

Walden Joura
Reno

Mixed messages
Re “Free publicity for misogyny,” [RN&R, Editorial, Sept. 11]:

I am confused. First, there was an excellent expose on the sick, misogynistic “Bambi” hoax. That media event glorified the hunting of women as sexual sport. It further strengthened the “permissibility” of women as sex objects and their degradation.

So imagine my surprise when I flip the page to find a naked woman, posed in the very vulnerable “Bambi” position on the ground, for an article on the beauty of women ("Body art,” Art of the State). Several pages later, an event listing depicts a Japanese man seemingly strangling a woman on the floor. The title for this article is, “Looking for a thrill,” which further enhances the image that hurting women can be exciting sport.

I’m sure you have women staff that work closely with editorial decisions. So what’s up? With the increase in domestic violence, most often against women, it is important to be considerate of how the power of the press can influence societal behavior. I hope this letter helps raise that consciousness.

P. Vinikow
Reno

Recall the bums
Re “Republic’s end,” [RN&R, Cover, Sept. 11]:

What election choices do we have in this country today? Our politicians are Democrats and Republicans, but they could just as accurately be called snakes and lizards. Many people are so disgusted that they will not vote. And those of us who do vote must try to decide which is the lesser of the two evils. We have few opportunities to show our contempt for crooked politicians, but when we get a chance, we jump on it.

For example, in 1992, almost 20 million Americans voted for an independent candidate for president named Ross Perot. He didn’t win, but former President George H.W. Bush got the message.

In 1998, an ex-professional wrestler named Jesse Ventura ran for governor of Minnesota on a third-party ticket and won.

In California, the governor is so bad that the people decided to use a provision of the state constitution to throw him out of office. The recall election looks like a circus, but it’s about time the people had some fun. There are some strange people running for that state’s highest office, but the voters are sending a message.

We the people have a right and a duty to remove those officeholders who are incompetent or corrupt. Gray Davis is the first in recent years, but he will not be the last.

Brad MacKenzie
Reno