LETTERS: Integrity is newspaper’s greatest asset

Under great secrecy, the family of Sheldon Adelson purchased the Review-Journal ("Adelson's son-in-law led purchase," Dec. 17). Why the secrecy? The R-J has always been a conservative newspaper, but with the ownership so close to home, will the R-J become more conservative, if that's possible?

Will Adelson staffers be directed to pore over the paper every day, looking for anything objectionable? That could cause changes to future articles from R-J writers, if they wish to retain their employment. From a nonconservative reader, the editorial page and opinions from readers are bothersome at best to read.

To the R-J's credit, I've noticed it will print letters to the editor that complain about the newspaper's actions or contents of an article. The letters on the opinion page are mostly conservative, but that is to be expected. Not all are well-written or truthful, but that is also to be expected.

My hope is the R-J will not become a voice for Mr. Adelson's pet projects or gripes. Printing a daily paper is a big responsibility, and integrity must always be upheld in any publishing endeavor. Only time will tell if the R-J's news gathering and reporting will be affected by the ownership change.

Meanwhile, I will be watching, reading and continuing to contribute my opinions. I believe newspapers are a unique breed, helping expose many major stories, including Watergate, the Pentagon Papers and sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Without investigative reporters and brave editors, those scandals might not have been exposed. Regardless of any bias, I believe the R-J will continue this journalistic tradition.

Dave Starr

Las Vegas

Educated readers

Regarding the ownership change at the Review-Journal, my husband wanted to cancel our subscription right away, but I convinced him to wait and see ("We will continue to fight for your trust every day," Sunday Review-Journal). If trusted columnists Steve Sebelius and John L. Smith disappear, so will we. If the paper changes, we won't remain customers.

But it isn't only us and our one subscription. We are enrolled in UNLV's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. At least once a year, students are asked to raise hands if we receive the newspaper. Almost everyone in a class of 250 is a subscriber. That's amazing in this technology age. However, these people are smart. They will not stand for some rich person imposing his will. You asked for our opinion in Sunday's newspaper. This is mine.

Suzy Stern

Henderson

National security

We had a terrorist attack in Paris, and how did President Barack Obama choose to deal with that? He wants to talk about the temperature of the earth. We had the most deadly terrorist attack at U.S. soil since 9/11, and what was President Obama's response? He wants to talk about gun control.

Quite possibly the greatest threat to the security of the U.S. is the president himself.

Gordon Hurst

Las Vegas

Curbing killers

Regarding Barbara Holland's letter, I too am amazed at recent comments by some of the presidential candidates ("American values," Dec. 6 Review-Journal). Before the dust settled in San Bernardino, Calif., some candidates were calling for more gun control laws. This despite the fact that the shooters violated numerous state and federal laws, and that California has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the nation.

None of the presidential candidates have mentioned the biggest killer of Americans: cars. We should register all vehicles. Oh, we do that already? Well, then we should require licenses. Oh, we do that too? Then we should make it illegal to drive under the influence. Oh, it is already? Then it's obvious what we have to do: tear up all the roads, so that we don't let these people loose to kill at will.

Forrest A. Henry

North Las Vegas

No to stadium

I recently read about a $50 million land purchase by UNLV ("UNLV set to buy 42 acres for growth, maybe stadium," Dec. 5 Review-Journal). Why a stadium? Las Vegas has the Thomas & Mack Center, Sam Boyd Stadium and soon the huge arena that the MGM Grand is building.

I see absolutely no reason for this rush on a stadium in the valley. It's a serious waste of money.

Phyl Hedges

Las Vegas