Let the medical professionals decide
To the editor:
Following the recent mass murders in Connecticut and Colorado, too few seem willing to discuss how we identify, detain and treat the mentally ill persons who commit most of these horrific acts.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen of Las Vegas recently provided us with an insight into how the judicial process may have failed.
Mr. Steven Fernandes, 18, was recently indicted by the federal government here in Las Vegas on firearms and explosives charges. During an hour-long hearing, federal prosecutors requested that Mr. Fernandes undergo a mental evaluation because of statements he made to confidential sources of the FBI and in an email in which he described himself as the commanding officer of the 327th Nevada Militia, an urban survivalist unit.
In addition, FBI Special Agent Robert French provided sworn testimony that Mr. Fernandes bragged about hoping to go to a nursery school and using kids for target practice, killing more people than the shooter who killed 12 moviegoers in the July massacre in Aurora, Colo. While conducting a search of Mr. Fernandes' bedroom, agents seized explosives and bomb making material, along with a copy of "The Anarchist's Cookbook."
After the hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen concluded that while she agreed that the statements and actions by Mr. Fernandes were disturbing, there was no legal basis to order a mental examination.
Magistrate Leen, it is not normal behavior for an 18-year-old to call himself a commander of a military unit, or to brag about a desire to use human beings for target practice, or to have explosives and bomb material and a book that describes how to make bombs. Mr. Fernandes needs to be examined by a medical professional to determine if he is mentally competent.
MICHAEL O. KREPS
LAS VEGAS
Brain damage
To the editor:
"Norris driven to win latest fight" is the headline in the Dec. 26 Sports section. Sadly, for him the train has already left the station, as it did for Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and countless others before him, as a consequence of participating in contact sports.
It's a no-brainer (pun intended) in a sport like boxing. You're out to damage the other guy's brain with a knockout, if you can. If you can't, then go after his kidneys, muscles, lungs or any other part of the body that may give you an advantage for victory. That's what the public wants - all the brutality it can get, and the promoters are ready and able to deliver. Do you think any amount of research will lead to fighters wearing protective head gear (like they do in training or in non-professional competition)? Heck no. They've even come up with Ultimate Fighting, which pushes the risks higher.
If the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and Dr. Bernick want to study what we already know - i.e. that traumatizing the brain leads to permanent damage - then fine. Get the funding and do the academic exercise, but don't avoid reality. Once the damage is done, it's done. There is no way back to memory and recovery.
Well, they say, maybe we can develop tests and/or profiles that lets the sportsman know when injury has occurred. Do you think that will motivate that participant to give up the money and adulation that drove them in the first place? I don't.
I remember walking through Caesars Palace around the early '80s and spotting Joe Louis working as a greeter in the vicinity of Cleopatra's Barge. I wasn't more than 3 feet away when I called out, "Hi, Mr. Louis," as I advanced toward him with my hand held out for a handshake. I got a blank stare into space from Mr. Louis, and no response to my handshake gesture. They could just as well have used a cardboard cut-out. Very, very sad, and not much has changed.
The public wants entertainment, and violence suits them fine.
LEONARD KREISLER, M.D.
LAS VEGAS
Maligned quarterback
To the editor:
I can't say I have always been a Tim Tebow fan, but the way most of the sports writers have been crucifying him makes me want to write a note of support for him.
I do not have a favorite team. I root for the teams I bet on. But I will say one thing: When Mr. Tebow was quarterback for the Denver Broncos, I cashed quite a few bets.
The New York Jets, who traded to acquire Mr. Tebow but never gave him a chance to show his talents, appear to be the biggest loser of the year, and you can't blame that on Mr. Tebow. Maybe if Mr. Tebow was their quarterback they would be 9-6 rather than 6-9, and have a shot at making the playoffs.
To say Tim Tebow is a bad quarterback is a myth. Just check his record.
When a major market team with a goodly amount of talent flops as the Jets did, the blame belongs on the coach for not being able to determine how to best use his players.
Pete Carroll, the coach of the Seattle Seahawks, is a great example of how a good coach uses his players' skills.
I am now rooting that the Jets will keep coach Rex Ryan and trade quarter back Tim Tebow to a losing team, so he can make them a winner.
DON ELLIS
HENDERSON
Small church
To the editor:
In the heart of Las Vegas, Saint Joseph's Catholic Church stands out not only for being a jewel of traditional liturgical beauty, offering solely the Tridentine Latin Mass, but also for its involvement in the community. The church has only 250 family members.
On the second and fourth Wednesday of every month, parishioners and volunteers come together to distribute food to the homeless and needy. The parish also hosts dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas. This Christmas 600 homeless were fed. During the present financial crisis, the hard-working families of the parish were hurt particularly hard and in order to assist these members, the food pantry was started.
Father James Wilson first opened the Mass center in 1982 in a rented storefront. Today, the church has a permanent structure at the edge of the Entertainment Center of downtown Las Vegas, and Father Courtney Edward Krier believes divine providence has placed Saint Joseph's at this location.
You can find St. Joseph's on the internet at stjosephlv.org.
ALFONSO L. TIU
HENDERSON
Don't cower
To the editor:
It seems that your staff censors opinions that are too conservative.
Are you afraid of being labeled as homophobic, racist or extremist?
Just because liberals throw out those accusations recklessly and irresponsibly, you should not cower in fear.
JAMES BOREN
LOGANDALE
