LETTERS

BLM kicks dirt in faces of off-road enthusiasts

To the sports editor:

I read Doug Nielsen's outdoors column on off-roading ("Vast off-highway vehicle closure stirs ire," Aug 16) and ask, "So what do we do?"

I have lived in Las Vegas for 55 years and have seen all the changes.

I truly believe the Bureau of Land Management is being disingenuous when it says off-roading creates a dust problem. The bottom line is the BLM wants you off the land. The next to leave will be the horses, and then the hikers -- mark my words.

To answer my own question, "So what do we do?" Sorry to say, nothing. It's a done deal.

RON ANDERSON

To the sports editor:

Thank you to Doug Nielsen for your wonderful column on off-roading. I live just a short distance from Pipeline Road, which my wife and I formerly rode often on our ATV.

While I have no doubt there was some wisdom behind the OHV closure, for the most part it is a bogus act by the government. Depending upon whom you speak to, reasons given range from protection of the Sloan Canyon area to stopping unauthorized dumping to dust control to ... "we're protecting the land for your grandchildren."

Anyone who has lived in the Las Vegas area for any length of time knows protection of the lands for future generations to enjoy and those other rationales will be tossed out as soon as a wealthy developer greases the right hands.

L.D. WRIGHT

Why all this hubbub over cheater Bonds?

To the sports editor:

Why the big deal over Barry Bonds? To our family and many others, he is a cheater and dishonest person.

Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr., this year's inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame, deserve great honors. But I, and others, get very upset at even the mention of Bonds' name.

At least Mark McGwire had sense enough to retire.

Bonds shouldn't get all the praise he's getting. He is not a good example for children.

BERNADINE MURAWSKI

Bonds' tack with media colors public perception

To the sports editor:

Being a former college baseball player, I would like to point out some things regarding Barry Bonds.

First, Bonds has the most flawless swing of any player I've ever seen -- and, at 58, I am no youngster.

Also, while everyone is questioning the legitimacy of his career home run record, it should be pointed out that Bonds' career batting average is almost .300 (.298).

I feel that a lot of the animosity toward Bonds is because of his sour demeanor toward the media. Sure, he has the personality of an ashtray, but if for 20 years you were being asked the same questions over and over, wouldn't you become standoffish too?

GERRY GENOVESE

Las Vegas should pursue more races, not NBA club

To the sports editor:

While Mayor Oscar Goodman is dead set on getting us an NBA team, he should be trying to get Las Vegas another NASCAR race or, better still, bring Formula One racing here.

Working in the service industry, I can tell you that race fans are much more pleasant to serve than basketball fans. And with racing, you don't have to worry about your town being torn to pieces by a bunch of thugs.

JERE JOHNSON

The Review-Journal welcomes letters from its readers. Letters should be 150 words or less and must include the author's name and phone number. Send letters to: Letters to the Sports Editor, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. Letters also can be e-mailed to: jhawk@reviewjournal.com.