Letters to the Editor for Feb. 3, 2022

Happy Trails, Bob

Editor:

The level of commitment to community exhibited by Bob Cook has been documented in this paper, and elsewhere, but cannot be overstated. 

In addition to all the other things he’s been involved with over the years, for the past decade and a half, Bob has served on the Douglas County Citizens Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife. Bob was a tireless advocate of both wildlife and sportsmen and women, not only here in our county, but across the state. His passion on wildlife issues, especially those with impacts in the Tahoe Basin, will be impossible to replace.

Happy Trails Bob! Hope you get that big one.

Craig Burnside, Mike Turnipseed, JT Chevallier, Mike Porter and Secretary Lorraine Kabat

Douglas County Citizens Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife

No mask is perfect

Editor:

Dave Nelson is right, masks will not protect us 100 percent but will reduce the likelihood of infection if used properly, and that is better than not using any. We have reduced our contact with other people as much as possible, since too many masks are used improperly, if worn at all.

There is no way to tell how clean those masks are, if they are even worn correctly to cover both mouth and nose. We wear our masks in public and are frightened by many folks who wear their masks without properly covering both mouth and nose. Anyone wearing a mask improperly is like an enemy pointing a gun at others intentionally, about as correct as driving at night with high beams turned on at all times even with opposing traffic.

Pete Harding

Ruhenstroth

Cloth masks better than no mask

Editor:

Last week a writer claimed in a letter to the editor, that the CDC has confirmed that cloth masks don’t stop the spread of COVID-19. So, I went to the CDC website and found out that’s just not true. Here is a direct quote from their website, “Masking is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask.” They also go on to say that some masks and respirators offer higher levels of protection than others.

I was unable to check out the other source mentioned (national prominent medical personnel) because it’s too vague.

The bottom line is, cloth masks work but if you want greater protection up your game to KN95 or N95 masks, they’re in much greater supply now then they were at the beginning of the pandemic.

Alice Meyer

Gardnerville

Keeping people safe

Editor:

In Wednesday’s online Record Courier, the story announcing the speaker for an upcoming Republican dinner was posted. The article mentioned “Though a registered Republican, Janie is displeased with nearly all politicians, including many Republicans. Her values are consistent with the Constitution and the notions of our founding fathers.” 

Sounds interesting... I would like to better understand the Republican perspective. The bio published is the same as that which appears on Amazon where Johnson’s books are sold, and while a search includes the “MIT Social Influencer” position in the text, in going to the Amazon site, this info is not there. I have searched for this MIT Study of Social Influencers and find nothing. So, the article, and the speaker may interest me, but then ZAP... let’s mention that Johnson’s status was (at the time of this ranking I cannot find) greater than Democratic Sen. E. Warren or the ZAP Democratic Party. 

Why must antagonism be mixed in? Why can we not perhaps introduce people and ideas without attacking or nose-thumbing the other party? We need to understand... we will not exist as a democracy if we do not take the individual responsibility to understand the issues – to educate ourselves about these issues and our different perspectives and not just listen to the one-liners of newscasters. 

Shout out to Dave Nelson for pointing out cloth masks are not working, so, instead of switching to N95 masks Dave says the school board should not make its own decision on what “standards” to allow for its meetings, and that our sheriff should not be allowed to show up and block the enforcement of this other organizations policies. With 44 new cases being reported daily, our local assisted living facilities on lockdown, let’s just give in and forget masks, huh Dave? I value my life, and my husband’s life and your life too much to not do everything in my power to keep everyone safe, and especially those who care enough to show up and voice their opinions about children’s education.

Deni Caster

Gardnerville

Wes Rice for Commissioner?

Editor: 

I don’t think so. 

This gentleman is not responsive to the needs of his constituents.

For example, he will not get a single vote from the residents of Genoa Lakes. Though he purported to be our commissioner, we could not get him to act to help preserve our golf course in case of abandonment. Commission Chairman John Engels got that done during his tenure as chairman, per his promise to do so.

Moreover, Rice, as a member of the so-called Gang of Three (with apologies to the late Jiang Qing) supported untrammeled development in this Valley to permanently destroy its rural character.

He is antediluvian and needs to go. Now.

William D. McCann 

Genoa

Nevada needs Ken Gray

Editor:

I am proud to offer my full-throated support for Ken Gray to be our assemblyman from district 39. Ken is a fellow retired Air Force senior non-commissioned officer that has earned my respect.

I had the pleasure of serving with Ken on the 2020 Nevada Republican Convention Resolutions Committee where we passed resolutions to press our Republican legislators to protect freedom of religion, to restrain the unneeded and unending tyrannical emergency lockdowns of Gov. Sisolak, and to forcefully assert the rights of parents to control medical decisions for their children.

Ken takes the time to help folks understand his positions. In the rare times I have disagreed with him, Ken makes time to genuinely listen to my concerns and review my reference materials.

In politics we often focus too much on selling candidates and getting them elected, failing to understand we must know how they would govern. Ken continues to demonstrate a passion for listening, analyzing, debating, discussing, and then deciding and acting. He holds firmly to his convictions and understands how to find solutions that work and align with the Constitution, all without compromising his principles. Such is rare indeed in politics today.

In our America currently where school boards are pushing to remove parental authority to raise their children, essential groceries and energy prices are skyrocketing, and the value of dollars in your bank account are shrinking, we need principled, committed leaders. Gray is one of those rare leaders.

Governmental agencies have been changing voter party affiliation to nonpartisan with some voters not knowing. Please check that your voter registration [https://www.nvsos.gov/votersearch/] is Republican so you can cast your vote for Ken in the primary June 14. You must be a registered Republican to vote for Ken.

Assembly District 39 needs another staunch conservative like Assemblyman Wheeler, another endorser of Ken! Our Battle Born Silver State of Nevada needs freedom and common sense in government, right now. Nevada needs seasoned, experience leaders, right now. Right now, Nevada needs Gray, www.gray4nevada.com.

Shawn Meehan

Minden

Biden failing as president

Editor:

In 2019 President Biden did very little campaigning, mostly staying in his basement with minimal exposure to the voters, but made bold promises like Build Back Better, bring the country together, stop the COVID-19 pandemic. He has failed miserably on all counts and more.. regulate, mandate, drastic unnecessary lockdowns and embracing the socialist agenda and reversing the America First Trump policies to a globalist statist wish list. 

In promoting the costly green energy via minimal science supported climate change, he issued presidential orders to stop Keystone pipeline and paused energy leases on federal lands resulting in more than a 2 million barrels a day reduction along with the associated natural gas in domestic output (changed from exporting nation to importing one with a loss of thousands of jobs), When the prices at the pump almost doubled the first year of his administration, he pleaded with the Russians and OPEC to increase their output with no success. He also rejoined the Paris Accords tying U.S. into reduction of fossil fuel usage and dismissing any guidelines on India and China which will be the main beneficiary of most jobs created from green energy. [The intra-structure bill passed by Congress only allocated less than 20 percent to it, with most of it going to green energy subsidies like tax credits to unionized companies electric vehicles.)

In his first year the inflation increased by over 4 percent which is like a large tax increase on the majority of the population affecting the poor and the retired on fixed incomes the most. Supply chains are not being addressed, government via excessive unemployment benefits. 

Unnecessary shutdowns have discouraged people from going back to work. Biden boasted about his accomplishments including the 5 million jobs added in 2021 (going back to old employment) (mostly in red states) February 2020 to June 2020 net loss of 15 million workers due to COVID shutdown, yet as of today U.S. economy remains 5 million jobs under its pandemic peak. Foreign policy is not any better. After the Afghanistan fiasco (allies don’t trust U.S.) Russia, threatening to invade Ukraine, China looking to take over Taiwan. President compromised by his son’s dealings with these countries. Letters in Jan. 20 edition of R-C by Ben Justus and Joan Costa replied to a Jan. 6 letter by Lynn Muzzy which was well written and factual about Biden administration with their politically-biased explanation. Putting lipstick on a pig is still a pig. 

Mark Tarvainen

Gardnerville

Inflation just one dimension

Editor:

Regarding the recent exchange between letters-to-the editor contributors Justus and Muzzy, some perspective. Biden has directed large amounts of federal payments to special interests and pet initiatives that further his political agenda. Biden has created a labor shortage by paying people for not working, creating – for example – a critical shortage of truck drivers. Loaded container ships occupy pier space for inordinate periods of time waiting to unload as more ships sit out in the Pacific Ocean waiting weeks or months for dock access. This snarls our supply chain with no benefit to anyone.

Another Biden administration initiative that impacted our economy and our morale was Afghan policy, creating a tragic rout that handed the Taliban over $2 billion in classified weaponry, stranded many of our loyal allies and some Americans, and droning a car full of children. How many of America’s trading partners want anything to do with this treacherous regime? 

The spending under President Trump went to strengthening our military and shoring up our infrastructure while cutting taxes and debt. Trump was, indeed, a big spender but he minimized government intrusiveness, furthering a flourishing private sector, wealth and jobs. Trump, unlike Biden, didn’t need to buy votes by paying people not to work. 

My message to Justus is that inflation is only one dimension of a free market economy. Trump delivered almost full employment and the freedom for entrepreneurial employers to take risks and collect rewards. 

Squabbling over which administration created the most inflation isn’t nearly as consequential as fostering the necessary environment for our nation’s economy to thrive. 

Maureen Morris

Gardnerville

Bill to stop puppy experiments

Editor:

There is a bill in Congress, HR 1744, “Support Humane Research and Testing,” sponsored by Nancy Mace (R-SC). NIH is using our tax dollars for experiments, which are unnecessary, immoral, and of course, cruel. 

To stop these experiments call, email, write your congressional reps: Amodei (202) 225-6155, Cortez Masto (202) 224-3542, Rosen (702) 388-0205, Lee (202) 225-3252, Horsford (202) 225-9894, Titus (202) 225-5965 or Whitehouse.gov (202) 456-1111. Tell NIH to stop these experiments and to disclose info: NIH: (301) 496-4000, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, M.D. 20892. Remember, voters making noise get noticed. 

For information on the agency fighting these cruel experiments call or write: The Anti-Vivisection Society (808) 888-NAVS, 53 W. Jackson Blvd., #1552, Chicago, 60604. 

Debra B. Cutshaw

Gardnerville

Visit a church

Editor:

We live in a beautiful county, all around us are God’s creations. I too thank God every day for living here, for my health and love of family and friends.

In Gardnerville and Minden alone, there are at least 10 churches. What if we took one hour of our Sunday or Saturday to thank God for the blessings that are bestowed upon us and meet others who may share things that are common. Maybe make new friends.

There are some who feel like they’re alone; God created each one of us to have different gifts and talent to share with one another. It is a wonderful thing to share who and what you have to offer other people in this life.

So, look on the internet or in the directory of your phone book to find a church that you want to visit on Sunday. See if that’s where you feel welcomed and the spirit of God within the church and the congregation. 

If you feel like something is missing in your life, try a little time to visit a new church, you might be surprised.

Tamara Brewer

Gardnerville

Issues with Burns’ letter

Editor:

David Burns’ letter of Jan. 27 contains many basic errors and misconceptions. His letter attributed, “past comments blaming President Trump for increased deficits and large budgets.” My original letter made no mention of Trump. I did refer to the GOP administration indicating that they shared blame for deficit spending with the Democrats and it had gone on for at least 70 years. I made no mention of budgets in my original letter especially blaming Trump for excessive budgets. 

I did mention Muzzy’s use of the phrase “colossal budget item” in my response to his letter. The budget is a plan. The implementation of a budget is when deficit spending occurs not when the budget is created. The Congress votes to annually raise the debt ceiling. This indicates the full intention of over-spending really making the budget process moot.

Burns further maintained Democrats were in “full power control of both houses and Senate(sic)” during Trump’s presidency therefore “responsible for the 5 trillion increase (sic) of debt.”

In fact, the GOP held the majority of both the House of Representatives and Senate during the first congressional session of Trump’s presidency and the Senate during the second. Then by Burns’ reasoning is the GOP at least partially “responsible for the 5 trillion increase (sic) of debt”? 

The letter intimates the House is heavily responsible for drawing up the next year’s budget. The budget originates in the House but must be approved by the Senate with them having full power to alter. The budget then, with veto power, must be signed by the president. Again, they also vote to raise the debt ceiling indicating the full intention of not honoring the budget making the whole process a charade. Also, all spending, appropriations, must pass both houses and be signed by the president. All hold accountability.

It is noted the three branches of government are the Congress, the presidency and the Supreme Court, not as stated by Burns as “the House and Senate and the third is the presidency.” Also Mr. Burns, where on the federal budget is the line item “Big Government”?

I stand by the intent of my original letter to point out that both political parties share in the cause, deficit spending, for inflation and nothing more. 

I chose not to engage in a spitting contest over the remainder of Burns’ letter.

Ben Justus

Gardnerville