McDonald’s pending return to politics fraught with humor

Never let it be said former Las Vegas City Councilman Michael McDonald lacks a sense of humor.

Good sense, perhaps. But not a sense of humor.

Not only is McDonald seeking the chairmanship of the state Republican Party, a job that has generated much laughter in recent years, but he also managed to smile after reading this week's column on the subject. In it, I reminded him of the time he repeatedly pleaded the Fifth in a deposition in a civil case involving his friend the former Crazy Horse Too topless mogul Rick Rizzolo.

In a lengthy response, which is featured in full on my blog at lvrj.com, McDonald cracks comedic about his possible return to the political spotlight. Some say he brings a luggage-load of controversial press reports to the duty, but he responds, "The GOOD press clippings about saving lives, building parks, rebuilding communities, fighting for seniors and standing up for the less fortunate can be found in the D Gates. All the ancient, trumped up, slanted, bad press can be found in A Gates."

Not certain, but I think I know where McDonald filed my column.

RUSH JOB: Nevada Congresswoman Shelley Berkley says she's out to get right-wing radio talk-show powerhouse Rush Limbaugh removed from the air after his recent sleazy comments about a Georgetown law student. (This should not be confused with any other sleazy comments he has made recently.)

Berkley, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, is trying to pull Republican Sen. Dean Heller into the fray.

Now the state Republican Party is chiding Berkley for failing to call out left-wing television show personality Bill Maher, who recently made a sleazy comment about former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. He also made a
$1 million donation to a Super PAC that boosts President Barack Obama's re-election campaign.

Whether the criticism pays off for Berkley remains uncertain, but it's interesting to note this is one of few times in recent memory the state GOP has responded quickly to a political spot fire.

HIGH FLYING: The Review-Journal this week reported that McCarran International Airport officials plan to spend $600,000 in public and private funds on a June "coming out" party christening of the new, $2.4 billion Terminal 3. From the sounds of the reader calls I've fielded on the subject, someone has some public relations repair work to do. No matter who pays for it, the idea of spending $600,000 on a party in this economy has some folks' stomachs turning.

McCarran's officials can spin it any way they want, but the party also sends this message: Construction at McCarran is immensely lucrative and deserves closer scrutiny.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Former Crazy Horse Too manager and Bonanno crime family soldier Vincent Faraci is running a new topless club in Brooklyn, according to the New York Post. Backing him up on site is former Hells Angels New York chapter president Chuck Zito. That ought to be just about enough muscle to keep the peace. ... Downtown lunch-counter denizens tell me they're missing the food and atmosphere of the Strip Sandwich Shop at the Boulevard and Bridger Avenue. It was destroyed by fire in February 2011. The shop's owner, Hans Aareskjold, was jailed a year ago on an arson charge. ... Longtime locals, meanwhile, are waxing sentimental about the demise of the White Cross Drugs on the Boulevard. For generations its lunch counter was a place for local business folks to meet and mingle over patty melts and chicken fried steak. Over the years it degraded into an ideal setting for a Charles Bukowski poetry slam.

BOULEVARD II: The crew at Ri Ra Las Vegas Irish Pub inside the Shoppes at Mandalay Place raised more than $27,000 Saturday in their first St. Baldrick's Foundation head-shaving fundraiser for childhood cancer research.

Have an item for Bard of the Boulevard? Email comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/Smith