If you have nothing nice to say …

To the editor:

Sunday’s Viewpoints section had a vitriolic cartoon by Ted Rall about the late Margaret Thatcher. The cartoon was vile, and I believe you published them just to get reaction from people like me. There’s an ancient Latin expression which commands, “Say nothing but good about the dead.” Because the dead cannot defend themselves, I will try a small defense of the Iron Lady.

First, she was not born rich. She was the daughter of a grocer. Contrary to Mr. Rall’s thinking, she was a great prime minister returned to office repeatedly from 1979 to 1990. She was a staunch defender of free-market economics and freedom. She warmly welcomed the rise of the reformist Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The Soviets respected her and nicknamed her, “The Iron Lady.”

She showed that toughness when the Argentines invaded the British Falkland Islands. She reacted by launching a successful counter-invasion many thousands of miles from the British Isles.

On taking office in 1979, Mrs. Thatcher inherited an economy that was stagnant with moribund nationalized industries strangled by labor unions. She worked to privatize national industries, lowered taxes, fought to control labor unions and reduced social spending.

In making these changes, there was a lot of labor and political strife, but the free-market economy in Britain thrived. Her last election was won in landslide, clearly showing she was appreciated by her people. She was internationally recognized as a great leader, and some folks in the United States wished we could have her for president. Well done, Mrs. Thatcher, and rest in peace.

RICHARD FULTON

HENDERSON

Conserve Gold Butte

To the editor:

Contrary to the implication in the article “Competing interests confound attempt to protect Gold Butte” (Saturday Review-Journal), the people of Mesquite and Clark County overwhelmingly support protection for what the Bureau of Land Management refers to as one of its “crown jewels.” It’s just some politicians who are being unnecessarily hesitant about it.

The Mesquite Chamber of Commerce has supported protection for Gold Butte, and the Mesquite City Council has voted three times in support of National Conservation Area designation for the area. The Clark County Commission has passed a similar resolution.

A public opinion survey of Clark County residents released a year ago showed only 20 percent opposition to a conservation area designation for Gold Butte. Republican opposition was less than 30 percent, and off-road enthusiasts supported designation by a ratio of more than 3 to 1.

They understand that instead of closing roads, which many opponents fear might happen, National Conservation Area status would ensure that none of the more than 500 miles of designated roads and ATV trails could be closed arbitrarily. The will of the people is strong and clear. The time for conservation area designation for Gold Butte is now.

ANTHONY BARRON

MESQUITE

‘Dark-skinned’

To the editor:

In her Saturday column, “With rush to label bombing suspects, a dreadful sense of deja vu,” Xazmin Garza expresses her dismay that CNN described the Boston Marathon bombing suspects as “dark-skinned.” My grandmother was a Mexican immigrant, and I was born and grew up in this country when there was a lot of prejudice against the Mexican population. I think I understand prejudice better than many young people who have grown up in a more open society where political correctness reigns.

When CNN described suspects in the Boston bombings as “dark-skinned,” isn’t that so they can be identified? Isn’t that so we can detain suspects who could have killed and maimed innocent people? Why does that always mean that we are unaware of how that causes pain to people of color? In my opinion, we have now gone too far in our speech police mentality. We now cannot properly identify suspects because we might hurt someone’s feelings. Was Ms. Garza serious?

We should be asking the Islamic community to come out and condemn anyone who follows the Islamic faith and commits these horrific crimes against innocent people. Is it more important to withhold the color of a suspect’s skin than it is to catch a criminal who has killed and wounded people in this country?

I hope those who want to be members of the speech police will be happy when our mouths are taped shut. As for me, I will tell it like it is.

DIANE BARRERA TURNER

HENDERSON

Pope Francis

To the editor:

I’m not Catholic. However, I do love the Catholic Church’s new leader, Pope Francis. This admiration was brought about by learning that he axed the “monetary bonus” normally given to about 4,500 Vatican employees when a new pope is elected due to the bad economy which has affected even them. He had the moral fiber and backbone to state that the church couldn’t afford it.

How I wish our lawmakers in Washington, D.C., would grow a backbone and practice using their moral fiber and make use of those four little words, “We can’t afford it.” Our country would be much better off.

I’m so impressed with Pope Francis and his walking the walk, not spending money the church does not have, unlike our elected representatives, who are allowing our country to live on funds borrowed from morally bankrupt countries.

If it were possible, I’d formally nominate Pope Francis as my candidate of choice for the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

KATHLEEN STONE

PAHRUMP