Time for Las Vegas to put the brakes on growth
To the editor:
As stewards of any land we are to respect the natural limitations and boundaries of that land. This translates into living within the means of that land and not beyond. Natural resources can last only as long as we are not drawing from them more than can be replenished. These are the planet's limitations on growth, including growth of the natural environment as well as that which is human-made.
Clark County's Snake Valley water-grab is a striking example of this fundamental problem of growth that is placing perilous stress on an invaluable resource -- water -- which is diminishing at a very rapid rate. Las Vegas, given its natural desert habitat should never have begun. It's rapid and seemingly unending growth must be curbed. A city can no longer afford to think of economic and population growth as infinite when the natural environment and its precious resources are finite.
We must be conservative in the true meaning of the word. We must conserve our resources. That means limiting growth. This is a conversation that ought to be taking place in Nevada and other geographical regions that share this predicament. We are running out of time.
Aurora Shlien
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
Diverse nation
To the editor:
Glenn Cook's Sunday column ("Politically correct mumbo-jumbo in our schools") might have been entertaining had it been tongue in cheek. The fact that he is serious emphasizes why the very items he complained about are so important as part of today's elementary school curriculum.
This problem of intolerance as socially dividing propaganda offered as responsible thought in a such a diverse nation has to be faced and dealt with or we all face dire consequences.
Somehow we must save us from ourselves.
Frank Beaty
LAS VEGAS
Lost jobs
To the editor:
The latest Las Vegas news is that we would need 60,000 jobs to get us back to a pre-recession work force. Why don't we start with the 10,000 jobs lost due to the unconstitutional smoking law forced onto businesses by a misinformed public debate?
ROBERT OPP
LAS VEGAS
