Minors should pay for gambling illegally

To the editor:

Jane Ann Morrison's Monday column on the underage gambler at The Venetian brings up a sore subject for me.

When an underage person is caught gambling, the casino workers involved are reprimanded, suspended or even fired. This happens whether they suspected the person was underage or not. But the underage gambler, who almost always knows he is breaking the law, walks away without any punishment.

The "Mr. J" that Ms. Morrison wrote about should be fined the maximum amount possible. His irresponsible actions have harmed several people who were just trying to do their jobs. The money from the fine could be used to pay for posters detailing this incident that could be sent to local high schools and colleges.

Maybe if these kids started seeing that there were severe repercussions when they gambled illegally, they might think twice before they put somebody's job on the line.

RON GEARHART

LAS VEGAS

Legal search

To the editor:

I read your Tuesday editorial, "In search of," and then read the case relied upon for the opinion (Los Angeles County v. Rettele).

You asserted, "Why not let a jury decide whether the police made an innocent mistake or were somehow negligent in serving the warrant -- or a judge decide whether the allegation is frivolous?"

First, this was not an action in "negligence" but an action for violating a right secured by the U.S. Constitution.

Second, a judge did decide in favor of the police by giving them summary judgment based on all the facts possessed by both sides. The infamous 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed in an unpublished opinion leading to intervention by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Eight judges of the U.S. Supreme Court ruled there was no constitutional violation given all the facts of the case. Therefore, why should the officers and taxpayers be subjected to the expense and rigors of a trial when there is no case?

The U.S. Supreme Court said that these officers did nothing wrong and that should be acceptable to all law-abiding persons. Once in a while, an innocent person may be caught up in unfortunate circumstances.

Edward J. Cooper

LAUGHLIN

Insulting charge

To the editor:

I found fascinating your Monday story about the Rev. George Chaanine accusing his accuser of "greed." Don't Catholic priests take vows of poverty and celibacy?

His accusation that Michaelina Bellamy wanted his "money" is ridiculous and insulting to the Catholic community in general.

Donna Cook

LAS VEGAS

Better educated

To the editor:

Immigrants to the United States should at least have an education from their home country. With literacy rates at 98 percent, nations such as Argentina, Uruguay and Chile offer the United States the most educated immigrants from Latin America. In many instances, immigrants from these countries have post-secondary education.

Meanwhile, immigrants from Mexico and Central America are some of the least-educated peoples in Latin America.

It is important that we accept those individuals who will be able to best contribute to our innovative economy in an ever-increasing competitive world. The United States has every right to choose only the best. Immigrants must understand that coming here is a privilege, not a right.

Brian Paco Alvarez

LAS VEGAS

Fair share

To the editor:

Myth: Undocumented immigrants are draining our resources.

Reality: In Nevada, undocumented immigrants cannot apply for or receive any kind of resource. They cannot apply for food stamps, Social Security, unemployment benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Nevada Check Up, etc.

They can, however, work longer hours for less than minimum wages and pay their taxes.

According to a recent study by the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, Hispanic immigrants across the country paid 44 percent more in taxes in 2005 than they did in 2000 -- roughly $2.6 billion in federal taxes and $41.6 billion in state and local taxes. Their tax contributions help pay for key public services that many are unable to access because they are undocumented.

Please support comprehensive immigration reform. Families with U.S.-born children who have special needs need to remain together with their parents. Their parents are hardworking individuals who live in the shadows in order to avoid deportation. Families need to feel safe and secure as they contribute to the economy of Nevada.

All together, more is being paid to help our economy thrive, while some families are afraid to ask for what their children have a right to.

Rosa Waitman

LAS VEGAS