Letters to the editor for Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017

Watch for ghosts of past human folly

America is now haunted by the ghosts of past human folly. Consider:

“The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.” — Hermann Goering

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” — Joseph Goebbels

“All propaganda has to be popular and has to accommodate itself to the comprehension of the least intelligent of those it seeks to reach.” — Adolph Hitler.

Could it be, that not one of those currently in power is willing to put the welfare of his country above that of his party and help exorcise these demons before it’s too late?

John O’Neill

Minden

Should Columbus Day be ‘Indigenous People’s Day?’

Concerning the observance of Columbus Day and the move to rename to Indigenous People’s Day, I have a much better solution to the issue.

First, let’s leave the name of the day commemorating Columbus attached to a day of annual remembrance, then pick a day to honor the “native” Americans and make both holidays a non-paid federal holiday so that we can save a huge pile of tax dollars and have services available. Just think — all of the federal offices, banks, schools, universities, etc. will be actually working one whole day more this year than last. Huge gain in productivity and a saving in overtime pay for those employed by the above institutions that have to be on the job on that day. Police, firefighters, maintenance folk, utility workers, etc.

Now, concerning the claim to be a “native” or “indigenous.” The folks who were here prior to the “discovery” of the North American continent were here due to a migration from Asia across a land bridge that appeared during the last ice age according to the public school textbooks. This makes them possibly the first humans in the Americas, but certainly immigrants all the same.

My family came over in the early 1600s to New Amsterdam and I am the eighth generation of my family born on American soil. I feel that this makes me as much a “native American” as much as anyone! If I can be whatever (gender) I choose to be, why not native?

John Wood

Carson City

Compromise to be found on school vouchers

As you report, the Senate majority leader, Aaron Ford, may be an unabashed advocate of public school education, but that does not suffice as a reason to force everyone else to participate.

On the other hand, so long as Nevada’s Education Savings Account measure diverts 90 percent of participating students’ allowances, it will promote adverse selection of students and deteriorating results in the public school sector. This bias may be offset simply by reducing the account allowance to between 60 percent and 75 percent of the per/student public school expense, and returning the undiverted difference to the benefit of students remaining in the system.

The combination of more actual funds per student, the reduction in the number of students served, and the presence of a little honest competition will both allow and encourage improvement in public schools as well.

Everyone should be pleased. Even Senator Ford.

Michael Goldeen

Carson City

Uncertain times call for civic action

I recently read the commentary by Fred LaSor and found some intriguing aspects. The premise that Clinton supporters seek to delegitimize Trump’s election is becoming trite. President Trump seems incapable of allowing his own legitimacy due to an incessant series of impetuous nocturnal tweets and White House missteps. His press secretary seems to be near spontaneous human combustion, his cabinet appointees are the most incredible ever foisted on the American public.

As for the “so-called women’s march,” as LaSor put it, I find it ludicrous to believe that the women that gathered that cold day somehow had not found it important to vote in the election. Really? You believe this group of strong women wouldn’t have voted? Your assertion that if even half of them would have voted the election would have been different is ridiculous as well.

I think it’s time to stop using political assignments and accept that an opinion by any of us is simply an American stating his or her views ... period.

I’m personally dismayed by the lack of leadership exhibited thus far and the petty name calling whenever anyone disagrees with the new administration.

I’m buoyed by a growing grass roots movement to get more involved in the political process of the future and get more accurate information injected into it.

I personally am committed to a more active role to ensure that future generations of office holders are nearer to honesty and transparency and are held to the highest standards we can imagine.

Neil Duncan

Carson City

Immigrants are what make America strong

This is a country of immigrants. Most encountered different degrees of antagonism for their race, creed, etc. Our African-Americans, for the most part, were forced to be here. Native Americans were and are still suffering at the hands of white immigrants.

Mexicans preceded white immigrants in the West with the Spanish colonization and succession. America came to be through wars and purchases and outright theft.

Be that as it may, we are a diversified country and better for it. My ancestors came to America and Nevada in the 1850s and 1860s. Ireland and Scotland. Catholic. All unwelcomed by some and welcomed by others.

I can’t believe that any listed below would condone, in the name of America, the actions in the name of the Trump administration to date.

Great Grandfather ­John McCrimmon Sr., Civil War,­ Union blacksmith with Minnesota Infantry

Second great uncle, John McCrimmon Jr., Spanish-American War of 1898, blacksmith with the Torrey Rough Riders formed in Carson City and composed of 83 men ages 18-41 with 39 from Nevada

Second great uncle,­ Robert McCrimmon, blacksmith in World War I

Father,­ William A. (Bill) Savage, World War II­ Army Sergeant of infantry in European theater

Father-in-law,­ Lee Hawkins, World War II,­ Army Sergeant of infantry in Pacific theater; Silver Star recipient

Husband,­ Bruce C. (Butch) Hawkins, Vietnam­ War, Air Force 1967-1971 MP, Sergeant with two tours in country in ‘68 and ‘71

Sandy Savage Hawkins

Carson City

Move Railroad Museum near historic prison

It is a shame the Carson City Railroad Museum was damaged by the flood but this would be a perfect time to use the money for repairs to instead move the museum next to the closed state prison which is going to be made into a museum.

There is plenty of land there for a depot for the train to Virginia City, the proposed Chinese museum, an IMAX theater showing the history of Nevada, a hotel, the office for canoe trips on the Carson River, numerous restaurants and gift shops.

This is an ideal location. It is on Interstate 580 with a convenient exit nearby.

This would be a great tourist attraction and create a cash flow for Carson City.

Walt Ratchford

Carson City