R-C Letters to the Editor for Nov. 25, 2021

A prayer for the Washo Way

Editor:

For many years, as I remembered my instructions from Washeshu Dahtohmusheh, not to let them know who you are until you get there in the future. They told me I'll know where that is because I've been born to return a way of life that returns the people back to the circle of life and back to their heart.

As the old ones said to me, “if our children survive to the future, could you, Art George Jr., tell them what we would've wanted them to know.”

I said “OK.”

I remembered the first time I felt obligated to the Washo way, beliefs, customs and traditions at 7 years old.

I've been working on self to bring back into alignment what the medicine people had done for so many generations, when a person of heart medicine lives amongst the people, family, community, towns, villages, cities to be loved.

Good medicine people came from the people’s heart energy, and I was told Washo have a dark cloud hanging over us because our Washeshu Moohtstook needs to be practiced, remembering light comes with strength, courage health and prosperity. Darkness is suffering, sickness, anger, hate, division, laziness, and allows for the intrusion upon the people of first nations.

Growing up here in Washeshu Edeh Washeshu Angahl, the homeland of my mother and father's lineage, and carrying the knowledge of the elders face me and surviving until now, the future as the old ones told me I would know.

I know why because it seems as though the Washeshu forgot who, why, where, and when we were to return to the circle, return to the heart, return the Washeshu system back into its management role, with creature’s spirit present and the land, air, water, animals and plants are the Congress and we are working for this indigenous corporation owned and operated by nature and natural law.

The Washoe system we have right now is very dark in its operations and to clear up any and all dark places which are unseen can be corrected. The Washeshu have a belief, prophecy that when the Washshu Dtahtohmusheh return to earth to represent the spirit on earth, balance will return to Washo, the light will again be what the Washo carry in intentions, for each other, themselves, and the next generations who are needing a good example to be witness, too, if who we Washo really are, really.

Dahlahk Pahtahlngee

Pine Nuts

Welcome to Douglas County, Mr. Porter

Editor:

In the famous 1962 musical “The Music Man” the main character, Professor Hill, disguised as a band director, comes into River City with ill intent. However, by the story’s end, the swindling tone has changed, and he has indeed organized the boys of the town to form a marching band. In the end the citizens of the town are thrilled at the unlikely outcome.

Fast forward to 2021 and the new location is Douglas County. The new character’s name is Mr. Porter. But, unlike Professor Hill, he has come to town to fill the mighty big shoes of his predecessor, Mrs. Owens, the previous music director for Douglas High School. And just like the citizens of River City, everyone is thrilled with his early success.

Success indeed. Porter arrived here from Louisiana as a first-year band director at the ripe old age of 22. In the short time he has been here he has led the marching band with skill and competence, even winning one of the several competitions the band participates in during the fall season. In addition, he instructs the choir as well as all other regular music classes. Once you learn to understand his language (I am told the students had a contest to see how many times he spoke the word “y’all” in a day) you will find him to be a talented, personable teacher who engages with his students in positive and meaningful ways.

True, I am the parent of one of the band students. So, I may be a bit biased. But I do believe my observations are shared by many students, parents, and others involved in the music program at DHS. I am not sure how to say this in the language of the deep South, so I will just say it how we speak here in Nevada: “Welcome to Douglas County Mr. Porter. May you plan on staying for many years.”

Doug Odell

Gardnerville

Thank You, Carson Valley veterans

Editor:

The students and staff of Gardnerville Elementary School would like to thank the veterans in Carson Valley who attended and participated in our school celebration for Veterans Day on Nov. 10.

We are honored to host such amazing community members at our school. The GES staff are proud to teach our students about the hard work and sacrifices made by our active duty military families and veterans in our community. Much thanks to the principal of our school, Mr. Harvey, as well as the Douglas County School District administration and school board, who continue to support our decades-long tradition of honoring veterans at Gardnerville Elementary School. The staff also would like to acknowledge and appreciate the DCSO Color Guard for their presentation during the celebration.

We would also like to thank Raley’s in Gardnerville and The Human Bean in Minden for their generous donations of food and beverage, which our honored guests enjoyed before the ceremony.

Katie Hill

On behalf of The GES Family

Gardnerville

Thanks for supporting Holiday Faire

Editor:

Thank you to all of the shoppers who made the 2021 Heavenly Holiday Faire a Success. Your purchases will make it possible for the Carson Valley United Methodist Church United Women to donate thousands of dollars to local, national and international charities that support women and children.

A special thanks goes to the 2021 Donors and Sponsors of the’s Heavenly Holiday Faire:

Lake Tahoe Epic Curling, Pink House, Carson Valley Quilt Guild, Andrea Hobbs, Tami Force Herbig, Silver Oak Golf Course, Nailology, Joyce’s Jewelry, Steve and Sandy Bolger, Nicole Bennett, Katherine Walker, Charlene Johnson, Nevada State Train Museum, Carson City, Raley’s Grocery Store, Dale Bennett, Neil Hill of A Sign Shop, Nyona’s Studio and Carson Valley United Methodist Church Donors

Thanks also goes to all the leaders and volunteers who made the faire possible:

Bake Sale Co-Chairs Penny Puente and Carol Lucas; Crafts Co-Chairs Nancy Raymond, Debbie Hampill and Kevin Heckart; Raffle Baskets Co-Chairs Helen Brownfield, Linda Kozak & Jan Pohlman; CandyLand Co-Chair Ann Santos; Kid’s Market Co-Chairs Linda Malconian and Sue Moxley; Grandma’s Attic Chair Sylivia Terzich, plus her team; UMW members, Crafters, Bakers & Candy Makers; Sweet Repeats Co-Chairs Kevin Heckart & Beverly Williams; Lunch Chair Suzi Wennhold and kitchen helpers; Publicity Chair Sharon Hoelscher Day, UMW President Ann Robar, Pianist Nadine Allan; the CVUMC Men who volunteered for set-up, clean-up and wherever needed; Carson Valley United Methodist Church Office Manager Len Frueh and Pastor Tony Hoefner

See you again on Nov. 5, 2022.

Overall Co-Chairs

Susan Hamarlund

Sharon Calvert

Gardnerville

Amazing Opportunity

Editor:

Leadership Douglas County has been quite the experience. When I first started I wasn’t sure what to expect. You walk into a room full of people you don’t know and slowly learn their stories and how they got here. We then in turn get to explore what an amazing county we live in and all the things that go on in the background that we miss on a daily basis.

By engaging and learning about how we can come together to organize something that the community can benefit from, our class came up with the best project to date (I’m not biased or anything). Our class decided to put a special prom red carpet event together for our local and neighboring areas for adults with developmental disabilities. It was probably one of the most rewarding nights I have been a part of.

Everyone was dressed to the nines and danced their hearts out to a night that they will hopefully never forget. I am excited for next year to do the dance again and for the opportunity to be part of something bigger. Thank you to the Chamber for having such an amazing program and to my classmates for being the rockstars you all are. I think we can all say without a doubt, we are the best class ever. Go LDC 2021.

Michelle Brown

Minden

Opinions without understanding

Editor:

I am writing to thank the Douglas County School District Board of Trustees for voting 7-0 not to ban Critical Race Theory. I attended the meeting on Nov. 9 to give public comment.

Approximately 10 people, both for and against the ban, had the opportunity to give public comment which lasted approximately 45 minutes.

I saw the report on CNN about the DCSD Town Hall about Critical Race Theory and the county’s opposition to it being taught in the schools. I was confused and blown away by the level of opposition when CRT is not even being taught in the Douglas County School District.

I reviewed the minutes of the two town hall meetings in October, and I saw three questions were asked:

1. When you hear CRT, what comes to mind?

2. What do you think CRT is? How would you define it?

3. Do you have specific examples of where CRT is being taught in Douglas County?

The meeting minutes did not include any answers to these questions.

They were good questions to which the community deserves answers.

It is clear, both from the CNN reporting and the minutes, that many people came to the town halls to oppose CRT. I wondered how can anyone support or oppose something so vehemently without a clear understanding of what CRT is?

Adam Laxalt, who lives in Reno, used the Oct. 21 meeting as a campaign appearance, opposing CRT. The only explanation for this activity is race-baiting. CRT is the latest placeholder to summon white fear and is being used as a ploy to win elections.

Republicans are using this ploy to suggest that, all of a sudden, history teachers are indoctrinating students against white people. They are aggressively pushing their denial that white supremacy continues to permeate the social fabric of this nation.

CRT can be used to theorize, examine and challenge the ways racism implicitly impacts social structures and practices. CRT observes that when scholarship ignores racial issues it is not demonstrating “neutrality” but instead adherence to the existing racial hierarchy. It is not about labeling people according to race or telling white children they should feel guilty about being white.

I was impressed by the students who were interviewed by CNN. These wonderful young people clearly articulated why the banning of CRT is merely a distraction from their actual educational needs.

I’ve heard CRT described as “Cancel Culture” but it appears to me that the opponents of CRT want to cancel multicultural experiences in our schools; that would be detrimental to our students and community.

The school board trustees correctly recognized that the proposed ban is censorship and voted not to censor their teachers and students. I applaud their decision not to engage in censorship in order to appease white fragility.

Cynthia I. Mohiuddin

Stateline

A manufactured crisis

Editor:

Douglas County School Board Trustee Doug Englekirk has stated, “I have seen some evidence of (critical race theory) in our district and that’s why I brought this before the board” (Record Courier, Oct. 1). He later said that “he doesn’t believe critical race theory is being taught in Douglas County schools” (Record Courier, Nov. 13).

He, in effect, acknowledged he had not been truthful when he said that he had seen evidence (which was never presented). As a result of this fabricated crisis, the Douglas County school district was forced to investigate this false accusation instead of handling the day-to-day needs of running a school district and educating our children. Two town hall meetings and one school board meeting were held where citizens spoke on the subject. As a result, the superintendent, teachers, curriculum planner, moderator and several speakers were subjected to the rude, disrespectful, insulting and intolerant behavior of the vast majority of the attendees.

Douglas High School students have voiced their dismay and disappointment over the reprehensible manner in which their teachers and administrators are being treated (CNN, Oct. 31).

I do not hold Englekirk responsible for the abhorrent behavior of many of the meeting attendees; unfortunately, shouting speakers down, ridiculing them, calling them liars, etc., now appears to be the norm for many Douglas County residents. However, none of this would have occurred had this supposed crisis not been manufactured.

Significant harm was done to our students, teachers, school administrators, school district and county. School board trustees are tasked not with undermining education but with ensuring that our students receive the best possible education. Englekirk has not upheld the responsibilities of his position. If he has any integrity at all, he will look at the irreparable damage he has caused and resign from the school board. Douglas County schools deserve better.

On a brighter note, here is a big thank you to our students who respect, appreciate and support their teachers and administrators, and who are not emulating the behavior of the “adults.” These students are our future. They give us hope.

Alison Grey

Genoa

Buying back voters

Editor:

Regarding the three likely coordinated letters in the Nov. 18 RC attempting to pump up Biden’s and the Democratic Party’s poll numbers, some facts.

The spending bill these letters are championing will be paid for by the Fed’s creation of money out of thin air and diverting tax dollars to this trillion-dollar boondoggle. The resulting inflation will raise prices for consumer goods and energy. Biden’s fix for heating and fuel price spikes is to shut down the Keystone XL pipeline and run to Putin to produce more oil.

The Wall Street Journal points out that many employees have quit or been fired for defying Biden’s COVID vaccination diktat. The administration’s past and current benevolence rewarding people to stay home also contributes to the worker shortage. Any “good paying jobs” created, as the writers claim, will put government contractors into competition with private business for scarce workers.

The writers’ naive take on the economy ignores history. The chief beneficiaries of government largess are apt to be Biden’s donors in the high tech and financial industries, not working families. Meanwhile Biden’s own Department of Labor’s consumer-price index, a measure of the prices consumers pay for products and services, has risen at its fastest annual pace since 1990.

Readers should judge this administration by the totality of its governance. Biden’s decision to abandon the secure Bagram airbase as an Afghanistan evacuation venue consigned 13 service members to death while attempting to guard the vulnerable civilian airport. The Taliban, Iran, and other American enemies are benefiting from the billions of dollars of equipment and weapons left behind. Biden’s open borders have allowed about 1 million illegal aliens into the country. These include child sex slave traffickers involving children as young as 5 years old and smugglers importing fentanyl-laced narcotics. Microsoft News estimates overdose deaths in America now have spiked to over 100,000 this year.

Readers should condemn the attempt by one of the letter writers to slur business owner Don Ahern by implying that he was somehow to blame for one of his employees’ violation of voting law. If they’re sincere about denouncing someone for their subordinates’ actions let’s start with the Biden generals’ badly botched drone strike on an innocent Afghan’s family car, kids and all.

Biden’s and the Democrats’ policy initiatives are trashing America’s reputation in the world and betraying the families grieving for loved ones who died from poisoned drugs and those who lost children to sex slavery suffer from Biden’s open borders policy. Patriotic sons and daughters were needlessly killed following orders from Biden’s politicized senior officers. It will take a lot more than this spending bill for Biden and the Democrats to buy back their credibility with voters.

Lynn Muzzy

Minden

Drug price gouging continues

Editor:

Why does the federal government allow “Big Pharma” to continually escalate prices (price-gouging) for drugs when there is overwhelming public support to decrease the costs of prescription drugs (83%)? Legislation to prevent price-gouging has up to now broken down.

Why can’t we pass legislation that has the support of 83% of the American people? Drug companies argue that reducing prices will result in cost cuts that would diminish research and development of new drugs. Big Pharma has spent and will spend countless millions supporting politicians and lobbying both the public and Congress with a false narrative playing on consumer fears of government mandates on specific drugs and reduced research.

As an example of stoking those fears, some of the millions of dollars went to push a recent disinformation ad campaign to scare all of us into thinking that any proposal to reduce drug costs would limit drug research and allow the government to decide what medications people on Medicare could get. To set the record straight, there is nothing in any proposal that would allow the government to decide who gets what medication. Also, the drug companies’ research is already largely supported by government funding. Moreover, drug companies spend more money on marketing and sales than on research and development.

Did you know that Medicare doesn’t have the authority to negotiate with Big Pharma on the price of drugs? A little-known provision was inserted into the Medicare Part D bill in 2003 that banned allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Giving Medicare the authority to negotiate drug prices with Big Pharma would save billions that could be used to improve and expand health care coverage and drive down drug costs for all of us. Even more important, the current high drug prices could result in skipping doses leading to unnecessary deaths.

The only cure for this profiteering is for Congress to pass a law authorizing Medicare to aggressively bargain for the lowest prices possible on behalf of the American people. Let your legislator know that you support allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices.

Elizabeth Mancl

Genoa