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LETTERS
The real context of trustee's double-negative
Tools
To the editor:
A comment I made at a Clark County School Board meeting last week has prompted some feedback over the grammatical incorrectness of the double-negative statement (Sunday letter). The comment attributed to me was, "We can't do nothing," in reference to a discussion about capital funding options for the school district.
Although I have appreciated in some ways (and been humored in others) by some of the feedback, I would also state that the comment was taken out of context as it has been quoted. During the meeting, we were presented multiple scenarios as options for action on the capital funding issue. The fourth of four scenarios presented that evening was literally labeled "Do Nothing": Do nothing about raising capital to maintain, upgrade and expand some of the district's 357 schools. The context of my comment was in reference to that scenario, and therefore should have been quoted as "We can't, 'Do Nothing,'" suggesting that we cannot follow that scenario.
I can fully appreciate people's concerns about a School Board member presenting himself in a way that is professional and succinct, but in this case, I see it as more of an issue of misdirected context than of intentional grammatical error.
However, if the quote, whether correct as stated or not, brings more attention and consideration to this critical issue, I will gladly say it again. In other words, let's not let out-of-context messages or interpretations deter us from considering the importance of the topic of adequately maintaining our schools.
John Cole
Las Vegas
The writer represents District E on the Clark County School District Board Trustees.
Science Bowl
To the editor:
I have been involved with every Science Bowl event in the regionals since 1993 (all but the first one in Nevada). I have coordinated the volunteers for 15 years, and I have been a room official for 19 years. The Nevada Regional Science Bowl assembles 160 of the top math and science minds from Northern and Southern Nevada (and occasionally Utah, Arizona and California). I want to thank you for giving credit to the students and their efforts to compete in this event (Saturday editorial).
I know that politics, elections, scandals, world wars and other specters of the realm draw far more editorial readership. The development of engineering, math and scientific minds creates everything we use today and take for granted. I applaud your courage to show the importance of that effort on the part of 160 students, all of whom are destined to change the world.
There is resurgence in the desire to mold Southern Nevada into a technological powerhouse, emanating from the halls of state government. This effort is largely ignored by the gaming industry and UNLV. While a lot of lip service is given, little is done to effectively encourage promotion of local technology spinoff businesses or to develop brilliant scientific discoveries into workable marketing ideas in Las Vegas. It is sad and should be rectified.
I would encourage you to continue to have the courage to stand up for what is right and champion the dwindling few hard science and engineering "nerds" who go the extra mile to improve not only their prospects, but the prospects of this great nation.
I will remind you that we will do this all over again for middle school students on March 3 at the Henderson International School. We will serve 160 of the brightest middle school minds in the state (mostly from Southern Nevada).
You made a great leap in my confidence that the Review-Journal is truly a well-rounded and community-oriented newspaper.
Steven Curtis
Las Vegas
No to handouts
To the editor:
Some people in Greece are rioting because their government is trying to become more responsible. To do that, the people of Greece will need to become more responsible for their own well-being. Those are both good ideals to strive for.
But for some reason, some people don't believe they can take care of themselves anymore. If the government doesn't help, they think they will be homeless and starve to death. They are wrong. Be not afraid.
Americans need to learn how to take care of themselves again, too. Our government will hit its credit limit soon, like many European nations already have. Let's start being more responsible for ourselves now, for the good of our country and our future.
Just say not to riots and more food stamps.
Harry McKinster
North Las Vegas
Caucus vs. primary
To the editor:
Chuck Muth's commentary in Sunday's Viewpoints section was right on point. He explained that there are costs involved with presidential primaries that we taxpayers will have to pay, among other problems.
But an even greater concern in switching from a caucus to a primary is that there would certainly be a demand for same-day registration, or even cross-party voting. It is absolutely certain that the Democrats would have used both of these processes to skew the results so that a weaker GOP candidate would win, assuring the re-election of President Obama.
As much bad as there was in the Nevada Republican presidential caucus on Feb. 4, which my wife and I attended, there was one very positive action: Only legal, registered Republicans were allowed to vote. We had to show our legal IDs several times before we were allowed to vote.
Whatever is decided, primary or caucus, we must ensure that only registered voters, with proper ID, are allowed to vote.
B. Wilderman
Las Vegas
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I've read enough to know what happened there AND why our mainstream media completely ignored Latvia even though its economy was several times worse than Greece.
george, Look up where Latvia is on a map and consider the history of that region or read ANY actual history. Athos, I am not bothered at all because I have not been busy being played for a fool by conservative media as you obviously have. You will never be better than a fool as long as you fall for that nonsense. Also, no reasonable person believes what you post when you resort to such childish nom de plumes regarding President Barack Obama. If you have any hope of being taken seriously you must drop such juvenile nonsense and grow up.
And why is Latvia (no typo this time) doing better today. Could it be for the same reasons you're slamming Greece?
Straightforward facts? Like a proposed $3.8 Trillion budget from Ø?
Or the $15.2 Trillion debt?
Or Ø's grand stimulus plan of $831 billion? You happy with all of that, Mark?
Athos, Really? "...whims of men living 2500 miles away..." You could try not using hyperbolic statements that are not in accord with reality in a lame attempt to inflame people for starters. Also, it wasn't that I was "...unhappy..." that was the problem, it was the fact of incompetence writ large that harmed so many people here and abroad. Not that you have the cognition to recognize such straightforward facts.
Mark, you were unhappy with Bad King Jorge, but now you're happy with Good King Ø. Don't you realize this style of governance is what you're promoting? Dependency on the whims of men living 2500 miles away?
Let's ignore the meaningless blather part of Jerry Fink's posting under the nome de plum of "lvfact(less)101" and ask how many people worked with Edison in a cooperative effort to make "his" inventions? All human progress has come by working together while the way of individualism is the way of barbarism. george...do try to at least spell correctly and readers would do well to ask how LATVIA is doing currently.
The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) has made it official: After its latest two day meeting, it announced its goal to devalue the dollar by 33% over the next 20 years. The debauch of the dollar will be even greater if the Fed exceeds its goal of a 2 percent per year increase in the price level.
Our overlords have decided to slash our standard of living by imperial edict. The whole purpose behind unsound money is so the Lords can control how much your money is worth even after you've worked for it and saved it. The purpose of the Federal Reserve was to protect the value of the dollar. They failed at that and are now working to destroy it even further. A George Soros dream come true.
MR. COLE: You can paint your comment any way you want but the use of incorrect grammar is incorrect; there is no excuse for improper use of grammar when you know better. You are supposed to be a leader of this school district and an example for students. If correct grammar useage doesn't matter to you, then why should it matter to students? Shame on you for making a lame excuse to cover your ignorance.
Wilderman, you and Muth are on thin ice when you argue against primaries by listing the horribles that might happen. Most of us came from primary states and we somehow survived. Neither you nor Muth addressed the problem that kept participation down - access. One three hour period on a Saturday doesn't permit those otherwise occupied during that time period to attend. And making everyone participate in the candidate discussion and delegate selection whether they want to or not doesn't win hearts and minds.