New president, new hopes for nation
To the editor:
On inauguration day, in seeing the hopeful, happy young faces in the public square -- and battle-scarred older ones -- many of us saw something of our better selves as well, no matter our political leanings.
This generation sees its hopes in President Barack Obama as I, a freshly minted, fresh-faced college graduate, saw mine in Ronald Reagan. His admonition to "Tear down this wall" was as potent to those who followed him as today's message, "Yes we can," is for President Obama's supporters. Then I found economic answers (ones that served well) as my corporate mentors pointed me to Milton Friedman.
In today's perilous financial waters, amid a perfect storm that threatens us all, one senses that it will only be a collaborative effort that melds the best of theories from every economic school of thought -- in creative and sensible ways -- that might lift us from our dire straits. This is a time for left-handed creativity and right-handed common sense, as well as courage and patience, woven together in a brave, wise new tapestry for the benefit of all.
We are all Americans and we all, borne of both higher impulses and baser necessity, pin our hopes on this new occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, and we want him to succeed.
Marjorie Reeder
RENO
Whites doing right
To the editor:
I watched with bated breath as the inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, unfolded Tuesday. At times, I wondered in disbelief at the words I was hearing. Particularly offensive were the words of the Rev. Joseph Lowery, who gave the benediction. His reference to whites embracing what's right, while supporting other races and ethnicities, is what is wrong with the mentality of most older civil rights leaders, who still try to survive in black leadership roles as the rest of society leaves them standing in the dust.
The Rev. Lowery, speaking on the steps of our Capitol, has the audacity to insinuate, that whites do not do right when an African-American was just sworn in as president of the United States. President Obama sits where he sits because whites put him where he is. It could not have been done without them.
Is it the Rev. Lowery's contention that because "all whites" did not vote for President Obama, that is wrong? Isn't that tantamount to saying that all members of any race who do not vote for a white person are wrong? Could it be many whites voted for President Obama because of his political beliefs and not the color of his skin, while others voted for him solely on that basis?
The Rev. Lowery and too many other black leaders are faced with a dilemma. The country is passing them by, and all they keep doing is trying to protect their livelihood, which is predicated on fanning the flames of dissension. Give it up. The time has come for you to be judged on the content of your character and not the color of your skin, and we have come a long way in doing just that.
I have just done that, Rev. Lowery.
Louis Frederick
NORTH LAS VEGAS
Worth every penny
To the editor:
I am usually one of the first people to rail against wasteful government spending. However, I must disagree with Tuesday's letter to the editor from Dave Dobbins, who wanted the inaugural ceremony to be dialed back because of our tough economic times.
The peaceful transfer of power celebrated by millions of U.S. citizens standing in freezing temperatures, being broadcast across the globe, was one of the most powerful weapons America has to fight those who seek to destroy the West. The cost of President Obama's inauguration was worth every penny.
Robert Bencivenga
HENDERSON
High-minded
To the editor:
Thank you, President Obama, for committing yourself to the greater good, for maintaining fortitude and perseverance in the interest of all humanity, for knowing that you are doing what you were meant to do: lead with conscience, strength of character and a willingness to be divinely inspired and high-minded as you strive to change our world for the better, for not rejecting the possibility of that for which we truly yearn -- peace for ourselves and all mankind.
Sid Dangerfield
LAS VEGAS
Ignoring the law
To the editor:
As a former city attorney in California, I once remarked, "I've never met a politician I wouldn't prosecute." My question: Where is the district attorney when the Township of Laughlin needs him?
The Clark County Commission appointed three people, at the recommendation of Commissioner Steve Sisolak, to the Laughlin Town Advisory Board even though they were not selected or even on the ballot for the Laughlin straw poll. These appointments were obviously designed to destroy the integrity of the Town Board.
Clark County Code Section 3.30.050 states: "The board of county commissioners shall consider the results of any poll conducted by the town advisory board in making its appointments." The minutes of the board do not indicate that there was any attempt to comply with this ordinance.
The district attorney should determine if this was a criminal or civil violation of the code and so advise the commission. If the commission refuses to comply, then the district attorney should seek a court order requiring the commission to comply or, if it's criminal, file a criminal complaint against each commissioner who voted without complying.
Edward J. Cooper
LAUGHLIN
