Cops should accept new inquest process

I just saw where the coroner’s inquest process has been changed (“Inquest overhaul approved,” Wednesday Review-Journal). It’s about time.

The whole purpose is to find the facts in a police-related death. The officers have attorneys that the Police Protective Association uses to prepare them for their testimony at the inquest, and they know the questions they will be asked. They do not elaborate beyond that.

Now that the process has changed, some of the officers are saying they will no longer be part of the inquest process. My question to these officers: Why will you no longer be part of the process to find the truth? What do you have to hide?

It should be part of a police officer’s duty for him to participate in this process. Otherwise, he should be arrested for obstruction of justice.

There is no reason for officers not to be part of this process unless they have something to hide, and if they do, then they shouldn’t be wearing that badge.

Doug Orr

North Las Vegas

Lights out

To the editor:

Let’s refrain from installing Christmas lights on our homes and businesses this holiday season. About 84 percent of the energy needed to power lights comes from the burning of fossil fuels. Massive piles of coal will be burned. There are thousands of people who are losing their homes because of sea-level rise right now, as we speak, not 20 years from now.

This season, and until we get a handle on this problem, let’s show everyone that we get it and stop wasting energy.

Steve Goodall

Boulder City

Angle flubs

To the editor:

I must agree with Vin Suprynowicz that mismanagement of the Sharron Angle campaign was responsible at least for the margin of her loss, if not the loss itself (Review-Journal, Sunday column).

All successful campaigns have four elements:

1) Let everybody know you are running.

2) Give people a reason to vote for you.

3) Give people a reason to vote against your opponent.

4) Identify your supporters and get them to the polls.

Those managing the Angle campaign flubbed Step 2 big time. In fact, they managed to reinforce Sen. Harry Reid’s negativism.

Considering Ms. Angle’s enviable record in opposing any and all profligate spending, and her personal bona fides as a great friend and neighbor, those responsible have a great deal of egg to scrub off their faces.

Had it not been for the likes of Danny Tarkanian and his behind-the-scenes endeavors, things would have been worse. OK, let’s live and learn, shall we?

Dave Hanley

Las Vegas

School work

To the editor:

As the parent of a child at Vincent L. Triggs Elementary School, the newest school in Las Vegas, I want to commend the Clark County School District for opening such an amazing school. The facility is beautiful, the technology new and up-to-date, the teachers are awesome and the principal is amazing.

I and many other parents, however, do wish that the city of North Las Vegas could find the means to put in crosswalks and flashing lights for our children’s safety. The school has been open for five months now and still nothing has been done about this.

Parents have notified the city’s traffic engineer on several occasions with no results. It is just a matter of time before a child gets hurt or worse. Nearby Saville Middle School has several flashing lights, crosswalks and speed signs on surrounding streets. Don’t the elementary kids deserve the same protection?

Krys Jens

North Las Vegas

On paper

To the editor:

Seriously? Commissioner Steve Sisolak says it is too inconvenient to separate his recycling, so he doesn’t do it (“Standoff on recycling service continues”)? How difficult is it to do a small job that helps conserve resources?

What kind of message does this send? That we should only do things that are convenient, not right?

Lynda Kleinman

Henderson

Rich envy

To the editor:

It is appalling the unmitigated hate with which the Democrats hold successful people. Whatever happened to Horatio Alger?

Was it Barack Obama, Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi who coined the phrase, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need”? It was Karl Marx, of course, but the confusion on the issue is understandable.

On the politics of hate, count me out. I prefer George Gilder’s approach in his 1981 book, “Wealth and Poverty.” Forget rich people. They are only rich for three generations. Hating them just fogs the issue.

If we keep hating each other, what will ultimately happen to freedom?

Robert W. Ritchey

Henderson