Thursday, January 02, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Letters

Where do citizens stand on Iraq war?

Heidi Walters' Dec. 19 article on local opinions concerning war with Iraq ["Bomb Saddam?" Dec. 19] seemed to heavily emphasize not only an anti-war opinion but overall liberal opinion--that President Bush "sucks," that war would "take away from the working class in this country" and "it's morally wrong to bomb any country to take its resources."

If this IS the majority opinion, how did the Republicans score a stunning mid-term victory over the Democrats, especially in Nevada? I'm reminded of Pauline Kael, the New York Times film critic who lamented President Nixon's re-election. The fact is, Nixon beat McGovern in the greatest landslide seen to that point, yet Kael moaned, "nobody I know voted for him." If the Bush administration is so obviously horrible, the question is not simply "how did Bush get elected?" (a kneejerk liberal will say he wasn't) but "why didn't Al Gore beat him in a landslide?" and "why did the GOP thrash the Democrats in the Senate races this year?"

Since Walters' article is so far removed from the clear political consensus, either she didn't interview enough people or the will of the majority is not being reflected by the political system which creates that "consensus." If the latter is the case, then cynics would be better served by working to create third parties that can elect people to change the system, not just fight turf wars in Congress.

--James Gillen

Kids in bands should go for their dreams

Thank you for the article on the Las Vegas students who are in bands ["Rock 'n' Roll High School," Dec. 12]. I was thrilled to see one of my former seventh-grade English students in one of the photos.

I want to wish all of those bands the best of luck. I also want to tell them, don't listen to those who might tell them to do something other than what they love. Those people are wrong! Go for your dreams!

Thank you again for a great article.

--Lisa Nish

Costner did not go insane, Mr. Grimm

I don't mind Bob Grimm singing the praises of George Clooney; he deserves them. But I do mind Grimm's referring to Kevin Costner "before he went insane" ["Denzel Shows He Can Direct, Too, With Antwone Fisher," Dec. 26]. As a Costner fan, I find the comment offensive, and yet another example of the unexplained bias movie critics have against this skilled actor and director.

--Sylvia Gurinsky

Pembroke Pines, Fla.