Scofflaws ignoring lane restrictions
To the editor:
Having commuted U.S. Highway 95 for several years, I knew it was bound to happen, but I did not expect it this soon. Already I am seeing people on a daily basis totally ignore the new High Occupancy Vehicle lane restrictions and use them as passing lanes, even when traffic is moving faster than the posted speed limit.
For every person who gets away with this, I am sure at least two other drivers are thinking they should, also. This week, I even observed a police vehicle blatantly being a scofflaw with respect to the HOV restrictions, which require at least two people in a vehicle. This officer clearly was not in that big of a rush (no lights or siren) as he traveled only about 5 mph faster than the rest of traffic. Just fast enough to pass the other cars, but slow enough so everybody could see he was alone in his police vehicle.
When law enforcement officers do not follow the rules, how can they expect the rest of the public to do so?
The Nevada Highway Patrol has only two options: Either start cracking down on HOV violators (and show an example to others) or recommend to the Nevada Department of Transportation that they change the signs to read "2 or more persons per vehicle 'recommended.' "
MICHAEL J. LEMCOOL
LAS VEGAS
Junk science
To the editor:
Concerning global warming:
Awhile back, I saw a fellow planting a tree to offset the effects of carbon dioxide emissions. What I couldn't figure out was how moving a tree from one hole to a different hole would have any effect on global warming.
I decided to try this myself. After working all day moving a tree, I placed my thermometer next to the hole from which the tree came out, and took measurements. Next, I measured the temperature next to the hole with the tree in it. Believe it or not, the second hole showed cooler temperatures by approximately 10 degrees.
I have to admit, though, that there were a few kinks with this experiment. One, it seems to work only during the day, and the tree died before I could conduct a comprehensive study of this phenomenon.
I am not discouraged, though. For my next scientific study, I am planning on running my air conditioner and leaving the windows and doors open so I can see how long it will take to cool off the entire neighborhood. Maybe by next summer, my government grant will be approved, and I'll have enough funds to cool off the entire city.
Wish me luck. And to all those global warming skeptics out there who think it's based on junk science, I say: Ha!
GARY L. AFTOORA
BOULDER CITY
Go fish
To the editor:
We live very near Sunset Park. Recently, on a day with beautiful weather, we decided to visit Sunset Park and walk around the lake. It was very nice, except for one thing: We met three uniformed officers of the Division of Wildlife giving tickets to people fishing.
I'm sure these peaceful folks (no violence here) were breaking some law. But really, what absolute bull.
Let's not waste police resources.
RAYMOND ZWIERZYCKI
LAS VEGAS
Regressive taxes
To the editor:
A few comments in response to Geoff Schumacher's Sunday column: "Let's grow up: Nevada needs more taxes."
1. Ideology and self-interest are the two great engines of human progress. From the food Mr. Schumacher eats to the computer on which he types his columns, everything he and all of us have, comes from these two powerfully positive human traits. True liberals know that. Regressive/statists know it too, but hate the individual economic empowerment that comes with them.
2. All revenues generated to government must flow from markets (the people). Some markets are legitimate objects of taxation (e.g., gaming, luxuries). Some are not (e.g., food, medical care, employment). True liberals understand these crucial differences and will always oppose a broad-based tax system. Regressive/statists, with their insatiable hunger for money, will always support the cruel and indiscriminate taxation inherent in a broad-based tax system.
3. Nevada desperately needs to elect many more individuals, at all levels of government, who understand points 1 and 2 and will govern accordingly.
4. Nevada's tax structure, still dominated by the free economic choices of a free people, is one of the most powerful generators of revenue in the country -- far superior and more stable than almost any of the regressive/statist broad-based tax systems.
5. With a population of more than 2.5 million and growing, most of whom are voting with their feet leaving those places where the regressive/statists have seized control of the taxing power, it is indeed time for us to grow up by rejecting the cruel and morally repugnant board-based tax system of the regressive/statists.
knight allen
LAS VEGAS
