LETTERS: Reid shouldn’t meddle with Rebels

To the editor:

You’ve got to love our senior senator from Nevada, Harry Reid. Isn’t it great when, confronted by the real issues plaguing the Obama administration and the country, good old Harry Reid remains out of touch with reality and decides to enter the race fray once again? (“Reid calls on regents to revisit ‘Rebels’ as UNLV’s nickname,” June 24 Review-Journal). This time, he’s attempting to influence UNLV to drop “Rebels” as its team name, just like the surge he ran last year against the Washington Redskins logo. On important matters in this country, Sen. Reid sits in absentia.

The Confederate flag is a symbol of past oppression that should be addressed. But the UNLV team name is just that: a team name. It has no racist connotations, except, perhaps, in the mind of Sen. Reid. I cannot wait for 2016, when Sen. Reid retires and can stop foolishly meddling in such matters.

GEORGE PUCINE

LAS VEGAS

Hold NSHE accountable

To the editor:

I am concerned about the actions noted in an article on the Nevada System of Higher Education (“Critical report quashed by NSHE,” June 28 Review-Journal). The NSHE quashed a negative report about its leadership. The Board of Regents needs to ask questions and get answers regarding this discovery.

In the just-completed legislative session, a portion of the $1.3 billion tax hike was earmarked for a new medical school. The voters did not want this tax and handily voted against a similar proposition last fall, only to have Gov. Brian Sandoval push it through the Legislature under the guise of more money for education. There has been no accountability for previous funds that, in the estimation of voters, have been mishandled.

Please move forward with an investigative report into the NSHE, the Board of Regents and taxpayer dollars. We deserve more than we are getting from this bloated education system that functions at one of the lowest levels in the nation.

CONNIE FOUST

MESQUITE

Bicyclists in crosswalks

To the editor:

According to Nevada Revised Statue 484B.763, “Every person riding a bicycle or an electric bicycle upon a roadway has all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.” The law states “every person,” which includes children. Numerous times, I have witnessed a person riding a bicycle come from the sidewalk into the crosswalk — not always at a straight angle — and ride across the street. This is while maneuvering around pedestrians crossing the street.

If a person must obey all the applicable laws governing all other vehicles, does a person riding in the crosswalk transform from a pedestrian into a vehicle? I am not saying that it is then OK to collide with this person, but exactly what is the rule? It seems that some of the people riding bikes in crosswalks dare you to hit them. They also ride their bikes on the sidewalk going against traffic, so when pulling out of a driveway from a place of business or parking lot, you are concentrating on watching the direction of traffic you are entering, and not expecting some bicyclist to approach from the other direction, either in the street or on the sidewalk.

Due to the rash of people hurt or killed while riding bicycles recently, especially near a crosswalk, I am curious if they were riding the bike or walking it across the street.

GARY LICHTENSTEIN

LAS VEGAS

Following police orders

To the editor:

I applaud the Review-Journal for publishing Bruce Schowers’ letter (“Obeying police commands,” June 24). It was right on. I wish there were statistics on this matter — perhaps body cameras will help — but I doubt if even a fraction of a percent of those who obey the commands of the police are ever bodily harmed in any way.

Everyone can have their day in court. Don’t fight it out in the streets.

CHARLES GOULD

LAS VEGAS