Letters for September 29, 2011
What’s fake about it?
Re “Radio free Reno” (Feature story, Sept. 22):
The FM band holds a unique mystique. “I’d rather have a terrestrial radio station because I like the idea of it,” he says. “I guess it could be the nostalgia factor” crap. I’ve got an internet radio. Thousands of stations and sounds good, too. I have the occasional acne remedy ad, but I can always change the station when they come on. No need for the ridiculous nostalgia injections. Let FM die like any other thing. Fake article probably.
S. Thompson
Reno
Throw the bums out
Re “As the stomach turns” (Editorial, Sept. 22):
Voters of all persuasions are angry and frustrated right now. As you pointed out in your editorial last week, our special election for the U.S. House on Sept. 13 was emblematic of voter angst as barely a third of voters participated, and many who did vote were unhappy with their choices.
Telling people not to vote will only guarantee the status quo you rightly criticize remains intact. But worse, it will give even more power to corporate dominance in our political system that we absolutely must change. We need voters from both major parties and those who are non-partisan or members of a minor party to demand fundamental change, and the only way to do that effectively is to engage in the process.
I am tremendously frustrated by the influence of big money in politics at all levels, but I also believe the only chance we have to reshape the system is if people start paying more attention and refuse to vote for candidates who care more about their campaign contributions and their next election than representing the interests of the people they serve.
We need only look at the Tea Party example to see how a group of like-minded people can change the political conversation. The Tea Party is shaping Republican policy positions because their members are engaged in party politics, and they vote. Moderate Republicans are becoming extinct because they are ceding their party to those who take time to engage in the political process and vote their beliefs.
Not voting is certainly a political choice, but it won’t create change. Voters who protest the political system by not voting are giving up their voice and allowing others to fill the void. Instead of a silent protest, I encourage your readers to get involved by engaging in party politics, actively supporting candidates who share their views—or running for office themselves—and speaking up. Loudly, if necessary.
Not voting is an easy response in a frustrating time, but if you want change, it’s not the answer.
Sheila Leslie
Nevada State Senator, Reno
The veal thing
Re “Get veal” (Foodfinds, Sept. 15):
New food writer Dave Preston may offer something regarding restaurant reviews, but his promotion of “veal” without educating himself or the consumer is alarming at best.
For those who wish to know what they consume, most veal is from calves kept in deplorable conditions, unable to move so as not to toughen the meat.
The reason that you do not find it on most menus is because if you know what it really is, you might vomit.
There may be a few exceptions, but to access information about most commercial veal, visit, Humane Farming Association, hfa.org.
Bon appetit!
David MacDonald
Reno
Friends
Re “Grab a Fork” and “Get Veal” (Letters to the Editor, Sept. 1, Sept. 15):
Wow! Made my mouth water just thinking about that plate! It sounds truly to die for! You definitely take this wine thing to a whole other level! I love it … you need to teach me to pair my wines with my foods! It doesn’t seem as easy as you make it sound!
Loved the article, especially the part about being taken back to grandma’s house on a Sunday morning! Always loved that as a kid.
Adam Luther
Charlotte, N.C.
Yep … yep
Re “Radio free Reno” (Feature story, Sept. 22):
I just read your article about KRZQ. I loved it! Very well written. I work for Rock 104.5 and even though KRZQ was considered our competition, it’s not the same without them. Everyone at the station was very upset over the news. Another station sells its soul to the devil so they can pay the bills. Radio is a very hard industry to be in right now. I hear more and more “I don’t listen to the radio, I have Sirius,” or Pandora, or iTunes. But I love the fact that you need that local personality the person you are use to waking up to or driving home to—that’s why I love radio. Plus it’s great for people who don’t want real jobs, hahaha.
Layla James
Reno
Two-edged swords
Re “The new anti-Semitism” (Feature story, Sept. 1):
Thanks for writing this, it’s a relief as an American Muslim to see that many of my fellow Americans aren’t as full of the hate, violence and ignorance that many of those who commented here are. It’s interesting also how this new anti-Semitism combines with a refusal to have a dialogue about the insane and unjust situation in Palestine. Here in Sacramento at our Natural Foods Co-op, when we’ve raised concerns about Israeli human rights abuses, the Jewish Community Relations Council made a call to arms claiming anti-Semitism while at the same time their president spit out Islamaphobic, orientalist and Arab-hating bigoted remarks to the Muslims involved, myself and my wife included. Dialogue around the situation in Israel and Palestine have been muted while Islamaphobia has flourished. My wife—who wears a headscarf—can hardly go there without getting harassed by someone. It’s happened seven out of the last 10 times! Thank you for your article, true Americans who appreciate the tolerance, freedom and liberty our country was supposed to be founded on have your back!
Cody Potter
West Sacramento, Calif.
Proves our point
Re “The new anti-Semitism” (Feature story, Sept. 1):
Ten obvious reasons why Islam is not a religion of peace: 1) 17,000 deadly terror attacks committed explicitly in the name of Islam in just the last 10 years. 2) Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, had people—including women—killed for insulting him or criticizing his religion. Muslims are told to emulate his example. 3) Muhammad said in many places that he was “ordered by Allah to fight men until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is his messenger.” 4) After Muhammad died, the people who lived with him and knew his religion best immediately went to war with each other. 5) Muhammad directed Muslims to wage war on other religions and bring them under submission to Islam. Within the first few decades following his death, his Arabian companions invaded and conquered Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Zoroastrian lands. 6) Muslims continued their Jihad against other religions for 1,400 years. To this day, not a week goes by that Islamic fundamentalists do not attempt to kill Christians, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists explicitly in the name of Allah. None of these other religions are at war with each other. 7) Islam is the only religion that retains its membership by threatening to kill anyone who leaves. 8) Islam teaches that non-Muslims are less than fully human. Muhammad said that Muslims can be put to death for murder, but that a Muslim could never be put to death for killing a non-Muslim. 9) The Quran never once speaks of Allah’s love for non-Muslims, but it speaks of Allah’s cruelty toward and hatred of non-Muslims more than 500 times. 10) “Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!” (The last words from the cockpit of Flight 93.)
name withheld
via email
Editor’s note: In our marketplace-of-ideas Letters to the Editor page, we believe ignorance and lies are better exposed to the light. This letter was heavily abridged. Its original author is uncertain. It appears on more than 6,000 websites.