LETTERS: City of Henderson has staff to spare

To the editor:

Forget that the city of Henderson doesn’t want any communication from its employees to the media (“Workers warned against talking,” Feb. 8 Review-Journal). The policy, since withdrawn, seems like a “nothing to see here, move along” stance.

But more important than that, why does the city of Henderson need four, going on five, public information officers, paid an average salary of $97,000, supervised by two more people bundled up in the communications department?

Really? This is the stuff that makes taxpayers crazy and comes to mind every time we vote on initiatives that could actually provide needed services to Henderson residents.

JOE WILCOCK

HENDERSON

Demonizing the enemy

To the editor:

Rich Lowry’s commentary (“The left’s refusal to acknowledge evil,” Feb. 11 Review-Journal) asks this question: “What is it about the word ‘evil’ that so offends the left?” I would like to answer that question.

Mr. Lowry thinks that it is because the word smacks of a religious worldview. I disagree. Mr. Lowry would find the right answer if he considers what all nations, empires and states have historically done when going to war with another people. They simply demonize the enemy. The enemy of the Roman becomes the barbarian. The Native American becomes the scalping, crazed redskin. The Southern rebel becomes the slave-whipping, baby-eating slave owner. The Japanese pilot becomes the blood-dripping, insane Kamikaze.

These opponents are always characterized as the embodiment of evil. Why? Because if your opponent is evil, you can do anything you want to that opponent, without fear of rebuke.

While this might be fine with Mr. Lowry, it also means that there is no way to reason, persuade or otherwise make peace with the foe, for as everyone knows, there is no such thing as compromise with evil. I thank God for a president who recognizes the need to fight ISIS without taking the low road of simply demonizing the enemy.

RICHARD L. STRICKLAND

NORTH LAS VEGAS

Divesting in fossil fuels

To the editor:

Thomas Pyle’s comment against fossil fuel divestment was so ludicrous, it made me laugh (“Fossil fuel foes want you to divest from modern life,” Feb. 10 Review-Journal). Americans are increasingly worried about the specter of a world altered by dangerous heat, drought, storms, food insecurity and massive extinctions. A groundswell of grassroots action seeks to reduce support and subsidy for industries that cause climate change.

In response to this developing global calamity, Mr. Pyle, a spokesman for the oil and gas industry, asserted that divestment activists want to shun modern life and its conveniences by instantly eliminating petroleum. That assertion is a silly sham calculated to induce fear and doubt; a modern lifestyle free of fossil fuels is feasible within a short time.

I have been comfortably and economically powering my home and car with home-produced solar power for several years. I have happily ditched my nylon stockings, tried out “plastic” bags and soaps made from vegetable products and driven on roads made with recycled material. I have directed some of my personal investments to companies dedicated to a clean energy future.

My journey is not complete. I still use products derived from fossil fuels, but I am working toward a clean, low-carbon future for the sake of my children and future generations. Global Divestment Day, held earlier this month, is an event to help those like me continue this journey. I encourage interested readers to learn more at gofossilfree.org.

JOANNE LEOVY

LAS VEGAS

Wilderness designation

To the editor:

Thank you to President Barack Obama for doing the right thing by recommending wilderness designation for the coastal plain of the Artic National Wildlife Refuge. The Artic refuge is wild, spectacular and belongs to all Americans, and yet its very existence remains under constant threat from outside interests that want to plunder it for short-term profit.

Preserving the Artic Refuge sustains life. It is a matter of basic human rights for the Gwich’in people, who deserve to live off their ancestral lands as they have for time immemorial. Birds flock here to nest from every state in the union and six continents. Polar bears depend on the refuge to den and raise their young as they face diminishing habitat.

President Obama has rightly called on Congress to designate this sacred place as wilderness.

BARBARA SCOTT

LAS VEGAS