No nuclear storage for Yucca Mountain
To the editor:
I have a few questions regarding Leonard Kreisler’s Tuesday letter (“State should claim Yucca Mountain cash”). First, if the product for storage, “partially spent nuclear fuel rods,” is as benign as Mr. Kreisler claims, how does he explain the pricey $5.6 billion other states are eager to chip in for Nevada to accept it? Second, Mr. Kreisler asserts that there have been “zero nuclear radiation injuries or deaths in the U.S. commercial nuclear energy program, with 104 reactors over 40 years.” Does this mean Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island meltdown doesn’t count?
While I lack the impressive credentials that Mr. Kreisler brings to the table, I do know the difference between a fact and an opinion, and the need to not confuse the two. For this reason, I’m dismayed that he offers as a fact that secretary of energy appointees have been “mostly political stooges, some totally lacking scientific training.”
Finally, why anyone would even consider compromising Nevadans’ safety with nuclear waste — or spent nuclear fuel rods — for 30 pieces of silver is way beyond my understanding. Let the waste-producing states solve their own problem, without our help.
JOHN ESPERIAN
LAS VEGAS
Yucca Mountain bonanza
To the editor:
Leonard Kreisler’s Tuesday letter was spot on (“State should claim Yucca Mountain cash.”) The resistance to storing spent nuclear fuel rods in Yucca Mountain is based on politics, not science. The only cautionary fact I have seen is that the mountain’s porous rock could drip water onto the waste containers if the climate around the mountain ever ceases to be a desert. I have yet to see anything indicating that the waste could dissolve in the water, even if it weren’t encased in waterproof containers.
And the $5.6 billion available as a possible incentive for Nevada to proceed with the project is only a portion of what the state could reap from accepting the waste. The nuclear industry puts $750 million a year into a waste storage fund for the spent fuel rods. Over time, that amounts to potentially billions more dollars available for Nevada.
The decision needs to be based on the unbiased results of a complete hazard analysis. If there is no real risk, a deal should be made to get on with the project.
TOM KELLER
HENDERSON
Take responsibility
To the editor:
I totally agree with John Tominsky’s July 31 letter regarding the death of Las Vegas police officer David VanBuskirk. When hikers do stupid things, they put rescue personnel in unnecessary danger. Mr. Tominsky was right. People need to be more accountable for their errors and stop placing others in danger for their mistakes.
PHYLLIS HEDGES
LAS VEGAS
Gillespie’s loyalties
To the editor:
Clark County residents both support and abhor Sheriff Doug Gillespie for countermanding the Use of Force Board’s termination recommendation for officer Jacquar Roston. Sheriff Gillespie’s action is understandable and predictable. He is first a police union member. He may not be paying union dues today, but we understand where his loyalties rest. I voted for him twice. Shame on me. Never again.
LARRY OGLESBY
HENDERSON
A critic’s job
To the editor:
Regarding John M. Cooney’s Saturday letter on the Las Vegas Little Theatre’s production of “Xanadu” and Richard Davis’ review, I read Mr. Davis’ review before I saw the play on July 19. I went with an open mind. Contrary to Mr. Cooney’s opinion, I found the review to be pretty much spot-on. The review’s headline said the audience and cast enjoyed the show. That was certainly the case from the show I saw.
However, while the cast made every effort to give the audience a good show, I also agree with Mr. Davis that the singing, dancing and skating were not very good. Mr. Davis gave the show a grade of D; after having actually seen it, I would have given it a C-minus.
A reviewer’s job is to point out the bad as well as the good. A good reviewer should balance the good and bad aspects of the show, and I think that’s what Mr. Davis did. I have been to only a couple of plays at the Las Vegas Little Theatre, and I hope Mr. Cooney’s assertion — “This was one of the best productions the Little Theatre has done” — is not true.
WILLIAM H. ISSAC II
HENDERSON
Henderson helpers
To the editor:
On the evening of June 4, while stopped in traffic on the eastbound Las Vegas Beltway, just before the Green Valley Parkway exit, I was rear-ended by another vehicle that, it appeared, didn’t even try to stop. The force knocked my vehicle into the vehicle in front of me and totaled my car. After a few minutes of sitting in my car, trying to process what had just happened, I realized my car was still running and I needed to get off the freeway. I pulled to the shoulder, but remained in my car, still dazed from what happened.
Within minutes, a woman parked up ahead of me and walked back to my car with a cold bottle of water. She asked if I was OK, then asked to me turn off my car and get out of it, as there was smoke coming from the engine area. She helped me out, and gave me the water saying, “You’re going to need this — you’ll be here for a while.”
Her kindness was incredible and appreciated. I’m blessed to live in Henderson.
JOLENE MACRAE
HENDERSON
