Problems
The pharmaceutical industry is rushing to produce 4 billion swine
flu shots worldwide. With seemingly effective fear-mongering government
agencies and the media provide free advertising for this gigantic
business enterprise. What a deal! Now, why would the media report that
more than one third of parents refuse to have their children
vaccinated? What seems to be the problem?
Dr. Russell Blaylock, a retired neurosurgeon and vaccine researcher,
warns that vaccinations are a fraud and that there is actually no proof
that they do any good, but that they are linked to a host of serious
health problems including brain damage, cancer and death. He further
states that even medical science and the Centers for Disease Control
are aware of these dangers. Incidentally, no discipline of natural
healing favors vaccinations.
In light of all this, would it not make sense to optimize our immune
system via natural, safe, effective and economical means to the extent
that we need not fear the swine flu nor any disease? It works. By
maintaining a strong immune system and refusing vaccinations I have not
been sick since 1972.
Hans Frischeisen
Reno
Sing your song
Re “Native Songbird” (15 Minutes, Dec. 10):
What Christina Thomas is doing is so important, and I commend her
for it. Reaching out to our youth and keeping our cultures and
languages alive is a difficult road but so essential to our survival as
First Nations’ peoples. I’m also very glad she is
addressing stereotype issues. Tizhameh, thanks, Christina!
Richard Zane Smith
Wyandotte, Okla.
Riding the storm out
Re “Since we’ve no place to go” (Editorial, Dec. 10):
To Reno City Councilmember Dan Gustin:
I have lived in the Old Southwest neighborhood for a little over
five years, and I have been a homeowner there since July 2008. I was
here for the snowstorm in January 2005 and again for this year’s
storm. On both occasions, there has been no snow removal on most
streets in the neighborhood. This is unacceptable. I have lived in
various cities, small and large, and have never seen such negligence
elsewhere. In Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont, if it is
snowing, plows are circulating and continue to do so until all streets
are clear. From Tuesday, Dec. 8, until Saturday, Dec. 13, the streets
in my neighborhood were covered with a thick layer of packed snow. This
is now thawing and has turned into deep, rutted slush which freezes
hard at night. From my house, I have seen at least a dozen cars stuck
in this slush, so that they needed to be shoveled and pushed out.
Clearly this is dangerous for all involved, and can be damaging to
vehicles as well.
In your 2008 campaign for re-election, you identified
“Continued responsible management of growth, water and
neighborhoods to ensure the quality of life Reno residents enjoy”
as one of three primary issues. Responsible management of neighborhoods
includes provision of basic services, including snow removal. I would
like to know what action you will take to prevent this situation from
occurring again.
Shelly Culbertson
Reno
Know your rights
Re “Something to believe in” (Green, Dec. 10):
I appreciate those who believe the consensus of scientists that tell
us global warming, or climate change, is a fact: that it is man made,
primarily America’s fault, and that a mass lifestyle change is in
order. I remain skeptical. I hear a lot of excuses from adherents as to
why they don’t take the bus system rather than their own
vehicles. Yes, you have to get up earlier, arrive home later, but then
it is one less car on the road, isn’t it? But maybe your own
personal freedom is more important to sacrifice for than if the
government mandated it, and we all had to conform.
What about government officials who routinely fly back and forth
across country and yet will make those laws that limit our
freedom—what of their personal responsibility? Will they be
exempt? Is Al Gore better than some CEO from a major corporation? So
it’s OK for Gore to fly around the world to give speeches about
the dangers of carbon emissions, while he flies around the world
spewing carbon emissions. Is that like committing an additional 30,000
troops to Afghanistan then flying off to pick up your Nobel Peace
Prize? Think carefully before you give up your rights.
Bill Thibault
Sparks
You say you want a
revolution
Re “Harry Reid’s Big Secret” (Feature story, Nov.
25):
The article on Harry Reid and filibusters in the Senate process is
nothing new to democracy. Harry is just doing his job as the majority
leader.
The real question is, why does the Senate exist? Sure, during the
time of putting the Union together compromise for democracy happened
for many reasons, especially in the area of states’ rights and
the fear that the big, populated states would dominate the smaller and
less populated states. The Senate itself is one of those compromises
along with the Electoral College.
The Senate is undemocratic because it does not represent the
citizens of the country by being based on two senators from each state.
The House of Representatives is based on population, which is the real
basis for democracy.
We need a radical restructuring of the United States electoral
system. We need to abolish the Senate and have only one legislative
body—the House of Representatives. The House should be chosen by
Proportional Representation at the state level with the doubling of
districts throughout the nation.
The president and vice president need to be chosen by instant runoff
voting.
While we are at it, states need to have only one legislative body
chosen by proportional representation, and the governor and the
lieutenant governor need to be chosen by instant runoff voting.
Frederick Ellis
Reno
Gone away
Re “Who was baaad in 2009?” (Advertisement, pg. 38, Dec.
10):
My nominee for the People’s Shaft Award is Wilks
Broadcasting.
I’m sure the escapades of Gibbons and Ensign will get more
votes, but I’m saddest about Wilks Broadcasting killing off The
Risky Biscuit Hayseed Hoot. Always fresh and interesting, this show was
the best of what the once mighty X had left. Dondo introduced me to
many great bands over the years that I would have never heard
otherwise. The show was a one of a kind that was made in Reno. Now it
will be replaced by someone playing music you can hear anywhere. This
is a microcosm of what is happening with media outlets everywhere.
Joe Miller
Reno