North Korea just another distraction

To the editor:

The possibility that North Korea might launch missiles is just more distraction to keep our minds off the more pressing issues. I understand that our secretary of state, John Kerry, can’t meet with Kim Jong Un, as it would appear Mr. Kerry considers him unworthy of negotiations.

We should all consider H.L. Mencken’s quotation, “The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

If nothing else, a meeting would give cartoonists and comedians an incredible opportunity: Lurch and the Munchkin.

VERNON CLAYSON

LAS VEGAS

Frivolous lawsuit

To the editor:

The folks who contracted hepatitis because of the carelessness of their doctor can now smile and rejoice (“Lawsuit lottery: Outrageous judgment in hepatitis trial makes case for caps,” April 15 Review-Journal editorial). As much as I can sympathize for them because of that, I cannot believe how a bunch of jurors can consciously arrive at the exorbitant amount of $500 million in punitive damages and not realize that Health Plan of Nevada doesn’t have a money tree, as far as I know. HPN has to get the money from policyholders or declare bankruptcy. Either option affects me and others.

Maybe HPN can raise the cost of medical policies high enough to pay for the lawsuit, but I can’t believe it. As a result, my dependent and I likely will lose the affordability of my policy or be denied health benefits. Hopefully I won’t need a heart transplant.

It sure brings back memories of the lawsuit against McDonald’s 20 or so years back in Albuquerque, N.M., when a woman was awarded about $3 million for spilling hot coffee on herself. Customers suffered with tepid coffee and higher prices as a result. At least the current case wasn’t due to the stupidity of sick people.

ESMAEL E. CANDELARIA

HENDERSON

Illegal aliens

To the editor:

I have to comment on Jerry Sturdivant’s April 15 letter on immigration, “Citizen of the world.” No matter how you phrase it or what vernacular you use, “illegal alien” is the correct choice for people who break immigration laws.

When people enter a country without authorization, they are committing an illegal act. Yes, there has to be a limit to how many people can stay in this country, legally, every year. America can’t be the savior of the world. There must be limits for practical reasons.

Illegals shouldn’t be rewarded for their illegal actions by remaining in this country. They shouldn’t be entitled to amnesty, either. Whatever happened to taking responsibility for one’s actions? People who break the law should suffer the consequences for those actions. Without enforcement we will have chaos, which is what is happening right now.

The failure of the government to enforce immigration laws is responsible for the current situation this country now faces. Criminals must not be rewarded for what they’ve done. Yes, Mr. Sturdivant, you can travel to other countries. I assume you have a passport and that you abide by the laws of the country you’re visiting. Anyone from America can visit another country — with the proper papers.

Let’s use some common sense here, not rhetoric.

MARLENE DROZD

LAS VEGAS