County Democrats hit new low
To the editor:
I was a delegate to Saturday's Clark County Democratic Convention. I received an e-mail stating that Feb. 15 was the last day to pre-register, and to remit $50 with my registration. I thought it odd that I would have to pay just to support my caucus vote, but I complied.
Then, a few days before the convention, I received another e-mail stating the $50 was merely a request, not a demand (after the fact). Eight thousand people at $50 a head should be more than enough to reserve a large hall.
This is what I know. While hundreds of delegates were waiting in line to get into the convention hall at Bally's, hundreds more were inside the hall wearing alternate badges and wearing Culinary union T-shirts, blocking the aisles, yelling and holding up Barack Obama signs so we couldn't hear or see the speakers.
This was politics at its worst. I have been a Democrat my entire adult life, but I can say that Republican John McCain looks better and better every day.
Gene James
LAS VEGAS
Three strikes
To the editor:
I was disgusted by how the Clark County Democratic Party botched its 2008 convention on Saturday ("Chaos delays Democratic vote," Sunday Review-Journal.)
This was the third visible foul-up by the county party in less than four months. In November, Clark County Democrats held their Jefferson-Jackson Dinner the same day that the party's presidential candidates debated at UNLV, leading to problems. Then there were the well-documented problems with the Jan. 19 caucuses -- I was called at
9:15 a.m. that day to serve as a temporary precinct chair. Finally, there was Saturday's debacle.
This points to a glaring failure of leadership within the county party. In my humble opinion, the first order of business when the 2008 Clark County Democratic Convention reconvenes should be a motion for the removal of Chairman John Hunt and the county officers for negligence and incompetence.
Gregory Grant
LAS VEGAS
Horrible management
To the editor:
One has to wonder: If the Democratic Party can't successfully stage a convention in a city that hosts hundreds of conventions a year, how will it fare at something really complicated, like running our country?
Gary West
NORTH LAS VEGAS
Political correctness
To the editor:
The hand-wringing by Sunday columnists Sherman Frederick and Geoff Schumacher that some people were mentioning race as an element in the recent shooting at Palo Verde High School is an example of fallacious political correctness.
I don't know whether race was a motive, but it certainly is an aspect of the incident. I guarantee you, if the facts were reversed and it was a carload of white youth that pumped bullets into a group of black youngsters walking home from school, killing one, the racial factor would be openly discussed. In fact, the term "hate crime" would probably be bantered about.
I can understand that no one wants to unnecessarily inflame passions or worsen racial tensions, but all facts in the case must be openly considered and explored without fear.
Ernie Mathews
HENDERSON
Water rates
To the editor:
I cannot believe that there has not been more of a public outcry in regard to the water rate increase ("Rates rise in April for water," Wednesday Review-Journal).
The fact that the county commissioners, who by the way sit on the water board, can raise rates and at the same time grant more building permits is outrageous.
More in this case is not better. The only commissioner who had the common sense to vote against the rate increase was Chris Giunchigliani.
The people who say we need to increase the rates even higher must live in an apartment on a gravel lot -- or have a close friend who's a developer.
Sandy Hart
LAS VEGAS
Left-wing conspiracy
To the editor:
Hillary Clinton sure is upset with that mean old Barack Obama and the unfair media support of him.
It's coming any day now. I can already hear it: Sen. Clinton screaming, "It's a vast, left-wing conspiracy!"
M. Dale Streigle
BOULDER CITY
