Gender, race … now the assassination card
To the editor:
In the wake of the Hillary Clinton "gaffe" in which she mentioned the murder of Robert F. Kennedy as one rationale for her staying in the Democratic presidential race against Sen. Barack Obama, it occurs to me that, well, nothing says "I want to be your running mate" as effectively as does reminding the electorate of prior presidential candidate assassinations.
Robert Gladd
LAS VEGAS
Painful memory
To the editor:
How dare Sen. Hillary Clinton resurrect the painful memory of Robert Kennedy's assassination in 1968 in a failed attempt at justifying why she is staying in the presidential race. Is assassination something she's hoping for -- or planning?
Dan Bradshaw
LAS VEGAS
Disturbing
To the editor:
The comment from Sen. Hillary Clinton on the RFK assassination to explain why she won't quit is greatly disturbing. Her subconscious mind is wishing something like this would happen in June.
Alflou Uit
LAS VEGAS
Opportunist
To the editor:
I watched with great amusement last weekend as former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was courted by U.S. Sen. John McCain as a potential Republican vice presidential nominee.
After being tag-teamed by Sen. McCain and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee out of the presidential race, it is laughable that Mr. Romney would even consider such a post under Sen. McCain.
Mr. Romney showed during the campaign that he was a policy chameleon by reversing positions on top conservative issues such as abortion and marriage, but this current vice-presidential scenario further illustrates that Mr. Romney is little more than a political opportunist.
Doug Wilhelm
LAS VEGAS
Bad timing for bond
To the editor:
Considering the current recession, the home mortgage crisis, the collapse of local housing construction and a weakening tax base, is it feasible for the Clark County School District to promote a $9.5 billion school bond at this time ("School officials see past dip," May 13 Review-Journal)? Recent news that illegals in Las Vegas are returning to Mexico in droves is not news that gives confidence to the idea that more local schools are needed.
At the very best, a much smaller bond issue should be advanced at this time, with the primary funding going first toward remodeling older schools in need of rehabilitation. While it will never bring older schools completely up to most recent standards, improvements still are needed.
In addition, the current school district budget crisis must be resolved in a expeditious manner that does not destroy or impact student resources and programs. Expensive administrative positions such as consultants, administrative mentors and other specialists must be totally eliminated. A total elimination of 40 to 50 percent in such positions is not unreasonable and must come first. Those who wish to remain with the district should be permitted to reapply for available teaching positions at that pay scale.
Every attempt must be made to preserve financial support for important teaching materials such as books, paper, lab supplies, computers, etc., while programs not directly impacting students and classroom instruction must be curtailed or eliminated.
Positions requiring retired teachers and administrators as consultant-specialists must be totally eliminated. Bare-bones administrative staffing within schools must be implemented to save monies for direct classroom use and student benefits.
Virgil A. Sestini
LAS VEGAS
Power trip
To the editor:
Why is it we Americans allow our elected officials to get away with one dumb mistake after another?
On May 20, the Review-Journal reported that Gov. Jim Gibbons was off to Iraq. We have a budget shortfall that has prompted the governor to demand cuts across the board. Yet he feels perfectly comfortable taking a trip to Iraq. I wonder how this will help Nevada and motivate all the average folks to help balance the state budget.
Nevada can't afford this trip, and neither can the United States. And everyone knows this trip is totally political, anyway. Instead of managing our state's finances and leading by example, our governors -- past and present -- act dumb. Then-Gov. Kenny Guinn went to Iraq in 2006 and used that trip to support the Bush mistakes in the Middle East. That was at a time we had a budget surplus in Nevada, and our leaders used their superior intellect to give that surplus to all cars owners, rather than save that surplus to pay for the rainy day that arrived this year.
How much of this irresponsible action will we continue to allow? Personally, it is more than I can stomach.
Michael J. Ferrentino
LAS VEGAS
