As a regular consumer of Las Vegas entertainment, I find it very unusual that you sometimes print pictures of performers but fail to mention their names.
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For instance, in a recent article referring to "The Producers," I saw a picture of David Hasselhoff standing on equal ground next to an actor whom you deemed inconsequential. Fine. It's Mr. Hasselhoff who is the draw.
But I've seen "The Producers," and the gentleman who was standing next to him gave a much finer performance and could probably use the publicity. His name is Nick Santa Maria, and this is the second time your newspaper has snootily snubbed him.
I've always rooted for the underdog, and this case is no exception. Give credit where it is due. Inquiring minds want to know.
Richard Center
REDONDO BEACH, CALIF.
Supporting troops
To the editor:
Regarding the Saturday article, "Iraq vote divides Nevada lawmakers": I forgot that U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., is the commander in chief of the U.S. military. I would like to look into her crystal ball so I can know the deadline for withdrawal from Iraq "should" be enough time.
By setting a deadline and continuing their rhetoric, Congress and Rep. Berkley are doing a disservice to our troops in the field and here at home. Instead of showing the troops the support they deserve, they are undercutting morale.
I had the opportunity Saturday to enjoy barbecue with one of our young men fighting in Iraq. He was on leave and will be heading back to Iraq this week. I am proud of his commitment, but I cannot sit idly by and watch the likes of the congresswoman from Nevada demoralize our troops. The soldier indicated frustration because of the lack support being shown in Congress and the so-called "mandate" from the American people.
Unfortunately, my neighbors and I felt overly compelled to "thank" him for his service and indicated that Congress' action did not speak for this gathering of friends and neighbors.
It is sad day when this Congress is frustrating the ones who stepped up to defend freedom. You cannot have it both ways. Just remember: Actions speak volumes, and the Democratic Congress has shown us exactly where they stand.
Russell Davis
LAS VEGAS
Unique individual
To the editor:
I was surprised to read Vin Suprynowicz's Sunday commentary and find him saying that there were no government schools "as we know them" prior to 1850 -- yet then see him reference Alexis de Tocqueville, the author of "Democracy in America" (1838). Mr. Suprynowicz's view seems to turn on the term "as we know them," because Mr. de Tocqueville quotes from the Connecticut Code of 1650, saying: "Here follow clauses establishing schools in every township and obliging the inhabitants, under pain of heavy fines, to support them."
Mr. De Tocqueville goes on further to say, "Schools of a superior kind were founded in the same manner in the more populous districts. The municipal authorities were bound to enforce the sending of children to school by their parents; they were empowered to inflict fines upon all who refused compliance." So, while Mr. Suprynowicz may be correct in his phrase "as we know them," the whole phrasing implies that government schools did not exist prior to 1850, and this is incorrect.
Mr. Suprynowicz also seems to imply that Benjamin Franklin, a unique individual by any standard and at any time, had no schooling, which is not correct. Mr. Franklin is reported to have had two years of public education as well as some private tutoring. He achieved a lot with this modest beginning, and that was his genius.
To imply that, if Mr. Franklin could do it, anybody could, minimizes the man's genius and undermines the honest efforts of those who do not have the same level of abilities.
Marshal Taylor
LAS VEGAS
Drug use
To the editor:
In response to your Monday editorial on the methamphetamine issue:
I am a resident of Texas, and we too face the same crisis. You are correct in being concerned that mandating a prescription for cold medicine will mean that every sniffle will require a physician office visit. I suffer from hay fever, and these now-behind-the-counter drugs provide the only relief that I can get.
I am a retired health care worker with many years of experience working for and with physicians. May I suggest that should these drugs require a prescription, it should be almost impossible to get a doctor to prescribe them. Each time I seek medical care, I am barraged with prescriptions for the allergy drug that is newest and most touted by drug salesmen. These drugs are extremely expensive, poorly tested, frequently have serious side effects and rarely have any effect on my hay fever.
Instead, legislators intend to require a prescription for a simple, cheap drug with relatively few side effects that has been proven for years? Has anyone investigated the position of big drug companies on this legislation?
