After latest ad, who’s the liar?
To the editor:
I accept that political campaigns are deceitful and scurrilous affairs accepted by a public ignorant of government, its institutions, operational constraints and methods. But I am astonished at the duplicity of the latest Barack Obama political ads.
It's bad enough to taunt John McCain, one of the Senate's leaders on technology, with being incapable of using computers when the truth lies in the injuries that hinder him. Such knowledge is readily available to the most novice Googler, so the Obama campaign's obvious motivation for the ad was to distort the truth -- a gentlemen's euphemism for lying.
I also heard an Obama ad blaming Sen. McCain and the Bush administration for the financial mess, a mess that began years ago, under President Clinton when the operational difference between commercial and investment banks was eliminated in a misbegotten notion that all citizens should own their own home regardless of financial ability and wherewithal -- a mess begun and encouraged by both parties, lobbyists, toady corporate agents and accepted by the voters. We are all guilty of succumbing to greed.
In accusing Sen. McCain of complicity, Sen. Obama ignores Sen. McCain's record. On May 25, 2006, Sen. McCain anticipated the problems of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and co-sponsored legislation to correct systemic abuses. For Sen. Obama to ignore Sen. McCain's history while he personally ranks third in total contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac donations is astounding.
Sen. Obama's staffers really should become more proficient at research if they wish to attack Sen. McCain on his record. Oh, that's right. Sen. McCain has a record.
As to Sen. Obama, I still wait for one of his supporters to point out anything that he has accomplished.
William F. Brennan
LAS VEGAS
Green litmus test
To the editor:
My litmus test for national candidates will be an understanding of the holy trinity of a clean, renewable energy policy.
First, we will never win the war on terror if we keep funding both sides. Currently, this country buys oil from Middle East regimes, who use oil profits to destabilize Iraq, Israel, etc. Military reactions drive up the price we are paying to undermine our own interests in the region. America needs to break that cycle.
Second, moving from fossil fuels to green energy will help reduce global warming, which in turn also will alleviate the developing national and international water supply crisis that nobody is discussing.
There is no silver bullet, but technologies such as plasma arc gasification, silicone-based solar cells, wind, smart appliances and ice energy seem promising.
We the people have a role in developing these technologies, but the government must stay out of the business of picking private-sector winners. Tax credits to consumers and capital gains advantages for investors would encourage research into (and consumption of) these and other technologies including clean coal and into safe storage of nuclear waste. American jobs will follow.
Third, rising oil costs and falling alternative energy costs, along with local, national and international developments, make the green revolution an economic inevitability. But there will be no salvation if Russia, Venezuela or OPEC develop these technologies first. Imagine the post-World War II world if Einstein came in second.
From now on, my candidates will have to see this big picture and bring it into focus for voters.
Eric A. Daly
LAS VEGAS
Not about the breed
To the editor:
Last week I read letters calling for the banning of pit bulls in response to the attack that killed a 4-month-old baby in North Las Vegas. Dog attacks are horrible, especially when they are on children. But they are comparatively rare, which is why an attack makes headlines.
The animal control agents in your first report on the attack made a point of noting that it is not about the breed. Many dog experts agree. Banning a breed would not eliminate dog attacks.
What would help is ensuring that people who own dogs train them.
Unfortunately, like so much else, this would require money from the owners and from the cities and counties to enforce it.
Until people respond to the need to train their pets, not to shake or roll over, but to follow commands such as "down" and "stay," the animals will respond to their instincts and not the requirements of our society.
Vicky Kelly
HENDERSON
Nothing to brag about
To the editor:
I see where 3rd Congressional District candidate Dina Titus, a Democrat, is boasting about helping to pass the state's property tax cap.
My house is depreciating, my assessed value is going down and my property taxes are going up. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Fred Koshmerl
LAS VEGAS
