Thursday, February 27, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Letters

Radio hosts deserve liberal moniker

I wish you had included Al Bernstein--of "Al Bernstein's Sportsparty" on KBAD 920-AM--on your list of media liberals ["Are There Any Liberals in Nevada?" Feb. 20]. He's on the ESPN radio station in Las Vegas for two hours five days a week. What is especially interesting is that Al announces his liberalism often even though much of his audience is conservative.

Sports host Larry Grossman, who is on the radio for an hour each day during football season, also has liberal tendencies.

Both Al and Larry speak on topics far beyond sports. And both are amiable, likable liberals, which is somewhat unique. To ignore both of these liberals is to be indifferent to voices speaking to the mainstream in Las Vegas.

Liberalism in Las Vegas isn't a private club. I wish you'd let Bernstein and Grossman in.

--Tony Macklin

Citizen Alert troops deserve liberal tag

Hey, how does it work out that you don't have a single person from Citizen Alert, past or present, on your [liberal] list? Maybe it's just me, but I should think people devoting their time to stopping the Yucca dump ought to rank somewhere in the "worth mentioning" range! You've got Peggy Maze Johnson quoted in an article elsewhere in the paper, for goodness sake, but don't mention her on the list. What about former Citizen Alert activist Kalynda Tilges, who has been taking folks on the People's Tour of Yucca for a good long time and now heads up Shundahai?

I don't expect to be mentioned. I'm just the webmaster, database administrator and office flunkie. I just spend day in and day out toiling in the background to promote recycling, stop Yucca, get people to conserve water, protesting the war, denouncing the death penalty, promote tolerance and so on. But hey, my name isn't out there, so no biggie. I think Green Party folks like Charles Laws, who ran for governor, probably deserve a nod, but okay, I get that not everyone can be listed.

But to not give a nod to either Peggy or Kalynda is a snub for sure.

Worse, you've got at least one person on your list whom I know for sure has made some very conservative, very damaging statements against other lefty activists.

I think your list needs some work. I, for one, will proudly stand up to be counted as a lefty, pinko, commie, tree-hugging, peace-loving, tolerance-embracing, down-and-dirty liberal. I and those I work with aren't in it for the glory, but if you're going to take the time to recognize liberal activists, it sure would be nice for Citizen Alert folks to be recognized along with them.

--Kimberly Chapman,

Webmaster/database administrator,

Citizen Alert

Not all citizens can be pigeonholed

Let's see if you can pigeonhole me.

I am proud to be politically incorrect.

I've done two stints as an Utne Reader subscriber. I currently subscribe to Reason.

I voted no on Question 2 and yes on Question 9. I believe Lucille Lusk is a fascist harpy. I believe all drugs should be legalized. I believe in personal responsibility.

I occasionally watch "The O'Reilly Factor." I agree with him roughly 60 percent of the time. I believe he is the most honest talking head on television. I believe Alan Stock and Heidi Harris should be chained to their transmitter and dropped into the lake. Ditto Rush Limbaugh. I pay $2.50 for the Sunday R-J for two reasons: the New York Times Sunday crossword and Vin Suprynowicz. I agree with him 98 percent of the time, although I think he gets a little fixated on the gun issue sometimes. I believe Saab Lofton is seriously bipolar. I love "The Boondocks."

I am strongly pro-Gary Peck, particularly regarding his commendable efforts against the thugs who pass for police officers in this town. I believe John Ashcroft is the most dangerous man in America. He should be in Guantanamo Bay right alongside the rest of the intolerant religious hard-asses there ensconced. The man is a cornpone Satan in a three-piece suit. Anybody as repressed as he is probably fucks dogs. (My unabashedly "liberal" brother gets credit for that one.)

I believe the majority of the homeless in this town should get a shower and a job. It's not that hard. I recognize there are some intractable cases, i.e., the mentally ill. Let's do what we can for them, and let the rest fend for themselves.

I don't believe we should allow development all the way up to the shadows of Red Rock and Mount Charleston.

I am virulently anti-affirmative action. I am pro-immigration. I am strictly non-interventionist regarding foreign policy. I am not convinced of the need to invade Iraq. I believe we should hunt down and kill with extreme prejudice every heinous motherfucker who was even tangentially involved in Sept. 11, 2001.

I don't mind paying taxes--to a point. I expect an honest and thorough accounting of where all tax revenues are spent. If you want to raise my taxes, prove to me that you have done all that you can effectively do with what you already have. Trying to raise my taxes while at the same time propping up a white elephant like Henderson State College will force me to tell you to get bent. I believe gaming should pick up a little more of the tab. I think a sliding scale based on net income is fair; all the way down to the tavern on the corner and its 15 measly poker games. If you, as a businessman, can't figure out a way to make it work, that's business.

I believe in unfettered capitalism--to a point. I also believe that Disney, Fox, et al. are some of the most pernicious influences in the country. (I know, I can't reconcile that one either.) I'd be willing to bet that Bush and his cronies bought 3M stock the day before the "duct tape" speech.

I am a strict constitutionalist.

My point is this: Your article regarding the paucity of liberals in Nevada almost succeeded in avoiding the trite notion that people and their political affiliations can easily be categorized. Alas, not even halfway through, you made a backhanded, negative reference to Nevada's "libertarian ethic." As a card-carrying Libertarian I am absolutely fed up with the "alternative" weeklies in this town implying that anyone that believes in the Libertarian ideal is, by definition, a right-wing nutball. Please do not lump me in with John Ashcroft, Lucille Lusk or anyone affiliated with the Independent American Party.

--Matt Bryan

Give Gibbons credit for Sloan Canyon bill

Thank you, Congressman Gibbons. With the dedication of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, a priceless piece of Nevada heritage has been preserved for all Nevadans. Ancient Nevadans all the way to modern Nevadans. The creation of Sloan Canyon NCA along with the new wilderness areas in Southern Nevada would not have happened if Congressman Gibbons had not gotten the Southern Nevada public lands bill through the House. The congressman has, understandably, been seen as more the friend of mining interests than those who advocate for wilderness and public land protection. Quite understandable, since mining is the second largest employer in our state. However, Congressman Gibbon also knows that land has value far beyond what may lie beneath it. There are places in Nevada that are seen as holy and sacred by the original Nevadans. Preserving the past is key to creating our future. During the dedication ceremony Gibbons said, "We're not protecting it from civilization but for civilization." Well said, sir!

The more crowded we become in Southern Nevada the more precious wilderness and places like Sloan Canyon and Red Rock Canyon become. As the vice chairman of the Resources Committee, it is my hope that Congressman Gibbons will work with our senators to preserve and protect other priceless areas of our great state. We are very fortunate to have a delegation in Washington that appreciates the natural beauty of Nevada and has the desire and courage to protect the wild and culturally important places of our great state for all Americans and future generations.

--Mark Beauchamp