They are ‘to be treasured by all of us’
To the editor:
In response to your Saturday story, "Stolen petroglyph returns to canyon after rocky journey":
On behalf of the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, I want to congratulate our fellow Paiutes from Pahrump for their dogged efforts to return stolen American Indian pictographs to their natural place. We have seen a number of incidents in the past where vandals and thieves have raided or desecrated these sites, and it is important to remind all of us who live here or visit here how valuable and rare these pictographs and petroglyphs truly are.
American Indian rock art is not graffiti. These drawings are sacred and historic writings that shared ancient stories and guided travelers through desolate lands. We can never fully know the spiritual depth and meaning that these artifacts had for our ancestors, but we do know that they are beautiful and are to be treasured by all of us, indigenous peoples and newcomers alike.
I want to thank the Review-Journal and reporter Carri Geer Thevenot for writing about this important incident so clearly and thoughtfully. Through education and repeated efforts such as yours, we can protect and preserve these ancient texts for generations to come.
Tonia Means
Las Vegas
The writer is chairwoman of the Las Vegas Paiute Tribal Council.
Wynn profits
To the editor:
Profits surge for Wynn Resorts, and although CEO Steve Wynn has had a host of opportunities and could create 10,000 more jobs at his Las Vegas properties, he's afraid to do anything "in the current political climate in this country."
Does Mr. Wynn need more profits, even higher casino revenues and greater dividends?
Phyllis Collins
Las Vegas
Energy primer
To the editor:
For those who are critical of efforts to seek alternative forms of energy ("Another 'green' energy fiasco on the horizon?" Monday letter), there are a few points that should be considered.
First of all, America cannot afford to import energy, as we are having difficulty paying our debts. We need to seek novel forms of energy that are domestic.
Second, as the Gulf oil disaster of last summer attests, the era of "easy" petroleum is over and oil companies must seek alternative methods (e.g. oil sand, deep water/deep crust drilling) to extract fossil fuels. The environmental costs associated with more challenging methods can be incalculable.
Third, much of the technology to aid in harnessing and utilizing alternative forms of energy (e.g. high-capacity batteries for electric cars) has already been developed but, due to patent issues from certain large globalist corporations that own the patents, their use has been forbidden by private enterprises as detailed in the film: "Who Killed the Electric Car?" This is deeply shameful and should be investigated.
From this physicist's standpoint, we are awash in energy of many forms and have absolutely no excuse not to end our horrible addiction to foreign petroleum, which will ultimately enslave us. Whenever technology is replaced, there will always be costs associated with converting to the new technology. Nevertheless, Americans will need to adapt to the ever-changing realities of the 21st century if we are to remain the world's only superpower.
Michael Pravica
Henderson
Impending disaster
To the editor:
Watching how our two "leading" parties have been acting over our latest budget crisis has left me angry, bewildered, confused, deeply disappointed -- and, worst of all, fearful about both the immediate and long-term future of this nation.
What angers me the most: This country's voters have clearly indicated that we want -- no, insist -- both parties to work together to find a solution to this dilemma. Instead, what is happening is hopeless bickering, grandstanding and threats daring the opposition to see who will blink first.
Nowhere in this process have I seen any serious concern for the citizenry of this nation. As we come closer and closer to a potential fiscal meltdown, all I see is both parties posturing for an advantage in the next presidential race.
Where does the American public appear in this equation? The only people who appear qualified to actually serve as president won't run because of the smear tactics employed by those who oppose them, both within their own party and from the opposing party's candidates and supporters. The enormous amount of money required to make these runs virtually guarantee corrupt goings-on behind the scenes.
Where does that leave us, the American people? It seems to leave us at the mercy of a system in which our choices for leaders are limited to the wealthy, corrupt office seekers, and/or unqualified aspirants (Barack Obama?) who capture the public's imagination, hoping against hope that this time we luck out.
Unfortunately for me and my generation, it appears that luck might have run out. Given the congressional stalemate and apparent unwillingness to act responsibly, impending disaster inches closer and closer every day, every hour and, yes, every minute. I can only pray to the God of my understanding for divine guidance and, if necessary, intervention.
Michael Littmann
Las Vegas
