Thursday, May 29, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Letters

Sometimes we see things that aren't there

I would like to devote a sympathetic but critical remark to Jeannette Catsoulis's review on The Matrix Reloaded ["Neo Fight," May 15]. I should like to say that, being an insightful person whose vision exceeds that of a classic piece of literature, I think that the Matrix sequel actually upholds varying topics of unbridled religous significance. The religious and philosophical connotations within the movie are, in truth, dry and unhandled; yet they uphold a powerful reasoning: The Wachowskis have begun to end, not continue. They have set the stage for Revolutions and not prepared to continue their first. That is the misconception.

Further, the scene concerning the pornographic representation of Trinity and Neo's sexual encounter is entirely allegorical. The thought that something so pure and so powerful is contrasted by the absolute sin and anarchy of the Zion rave institutes the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ. To avoid this conclusion is to be blind. The parallels exist. Neo is God. Trinity is both the Virgin Mary and the symbol of unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Morpheus is John the Baptist. Merovingian represents ecstacy and indulgence. Persephone is Mary Magdalene. The Twins represent the duality of the false prophets. The Architect is Satan. And in this representation, good and evil are personified by the "Choice." This predetermination that follows with it, denouncing it, depicts the conceptual theory of Fate vs. Destiny.

Allegory and symbolism abound in this movie and it would be a failure to see past it and take the film at face value. I suggest that reconsideration is the better part of honest criticism and I would hope you should do so.

--Matthew Taylor

Felons' families should get politically active

I read an article from your paper about ex-felons being denied the right to vote in Nevada ["Nevada: Where Voting Is a Crime," May 1]. I remember a group in North Carolina that was formed to advocate humane treatment of those incarcerated, and it was done by families, friends and loved ones of those incarcerated. Who, by the way, can vote and have violated no laws. In North Carolina ex-felons can vote when they have completed their sentences and this seems only fair and democratic.

My reason for writing is if anyone who has a family member or loved one incarcerated wants to truly be politically active for their loved ones and family, they could simply show up at the prison during visiting day and pass out political literature related to voting for or against particular political candidates who seem to be uncaring of their needs and wishes for their family member or loved one who is incarcerated. This method could reach large numbers of voters with a minimum of expense and manpower, since many could even reproduce these fliers and do volunteer work themselves as they receive these fliers. If there are 10,000 inmates or 30,000 inmates in the state of Nevada--I am not sure on the statistics of those incarcerated, but simply multiply the number of those incarcerated by two or three relatives and friends who can vote and you have a large voting bloc. And all it would require is a few active volunteers to pass out and reproduce fliers for or against particular political candidates and then you would see a change in politicians' views on ex-felons and denying them basic human rights and the right to vote.

--R. Hill,

Deeth, Nev.

Thank senators for saving Blue Diamond Hill

The Nevada champions of public land use and protection are at it again. The Blue Diamond mine site that the BLM has resisted making an offer on for so long may finally be considered for purchase. After years of work getting Congress to pass legislation that created new wilderness areas, the new Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and a disposal boundary that gives the Las Vegas Valley enormous areas for development, Harry Reid and John Ensign watched with the rest of us as Jim Rhodes tried to despoil Red Rock. They must have been as dismayed as I was.

I remember not too many years ago when development threatened the beautiful Deer Creek area in the Spring Mountains. It was Harry Reid who was instrumental in getting that area into the hands of the Forest Service, protecting it for all of us. With federal money that has been raised by the sale of land here in the valley it is only right that Blue Diamond Hill should be purchased and included in the Red Rock National Conservation Area. Apparently it takes a senator with the kind of influence in Washington that Harry Reid has to get the job done. Thank you, Harry Reid and John Ensign. I will remember you come election time.

--Mark Beauchamp