Pursue criminal charges against Bob Loux

To the editor:

I think someone in the criminal justice system has got Bob Loux's actions all wrong ("State must not fund defense of Loux," Friday editorial).

Criminal theft charges, not ethics charges, should be filed here. Mr. Loux, who directed the state's efforts to halt the Yucca Mountain Project, admitted wrongly putting government funds into his own bank account. If this happened in the private sector, he would have been arrested by now.

Additionally, I think staff members who received wrongful pay raises should, at least, be made an offer they can't refuse: "voluntarily" pay back the ill-gotten gains or face criminal charges, too.

An Ethics Commission investigation would be a waste of taxpayer money.

Phillip Mlynek

LAS VEGAS

Sweet dreams

To the editor:

To mark today's inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States, I propose that he start his speech with the immortal words of Republican President Gerald R. Ford on Aug. 9, 1974:

"My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over."

Robert Duggan

HENDERSON

Doom and gloom

To the editor:

I noticed a dichotomy during Thursday's State of the State address: Gov. Jim Gibbons' address expressed optimism and hope and asked everyone to pull together to get through this economic crisis; Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley's Democratic response was, once again, predicting doom and gloom if we don't tax and spend.

Is anyone besides me tired of this miasmatic rendering from the left?

George Pucine

LAS VEGAS

Delusional budgeting

To the editor:

After going over my family budget, I have determined that my future income will warrant a reduction in payments for all my utility needs. Because my family still needs heat, water and electricity, I will not be reducing my amount of consumption, just payments.

If that doesn't sound ridiculous, look at our governor's budget proposal.

Jim Hayes

LAS VEGAS