LETTERS: Look forward, not back, for Strip transit fix
To the editor:
The letters regarding the proposal to run a subway under the Strip have been interesting to say the least. We all knew that government would propose the most ridiculous and expensive plan to solve the traffic problems on the Strip. I agree with the June 19 letter about preserving the Strip “experience” and previous proposals for moving sidewalks.
There may be an even simpler solution that does not require the complete closure of Las Vegas Boulevard to vehicular traffic and would be a lot less expensive. In the 1950s, I was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Atlantic City. At that time, pedestrian traffic along Atlantic Avenue was offered “Jitney” service if they wished to ride north or south on the main street inland of the boardwalk. The Jitneys were like Volkswagen buses with four to six bench seats, and they would stop to pick up or discharge fee-paying passengers anywhere along the route.
The problem with that very efficient system was that the driver had to be paid a salary. Now we have Google (and several other companies) that are developing self-driving vehicles. The route from the airport to the casinos along the Strip and downtown would be simple under Google’s objective of making the vehicles autonomous in traffic. Google Jitneys could travel the route without a dedicated lane and could avoid the commercial traffic vital to the various buildings along the route.
The Regional Transportation Commission could purchase however many of these vehicles as would be required, and operating the vehicles would require recharging (if we presume electric vehicles) or refueling (which certainly would not be difficult to automate) them.
An additional advantage to the Jitney concept would be that additional routes along the major east/west streets could be added. I’m sure that the cabdrivers and bus drivers would not be happy with this idea, but then which ideas that reduce our dependence on their services would they like?
DON HORNER
NORTH LAS VEGAS
Racial hypocrisy
To the editor:
In response to “Man held in fatal church attack,” in the June 19 Review-Journal:
Nine African-American citizens, including a minister of God, were brutally murdered in Charleston, S.C. The accused is a young, 21-year-old white man, Dylann Roof, who expressed a hatred for blacks. There’s the usual media coverage — politicians and presidential candidates condemning the massacre, rhetoric against racism and collective American outrage. However, in a number of months things will go back, as in the past, to normal apathy as though it never happened.
There’s a certain collective hypocrisy (including among blacks) in these race-motivated murders. This is true even in our state. I say this based on the following facts:
In 2013, white Republican state Assemblyman Jim Wheeler, in a public meeting, stated he would vote for slavery if his constituents wanted it. The majority of his constituents are white. What happened to Mr. Wheeler? Nothing! He got away with this blatant, egregious, insulting, racist remark. In particular, blacks let him get away with it.
The Review-Journal, the largest newspaper in Nevada, and the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce both requested Mr. Wheeler immediately resign. Not only did Mr. Wheeler ignore their requests, but the next year he was re-elected by his white constituents.
Nevada whites, blacks, politicians and religious leaders are racist enablers and apologists. You don’t “reward” racist remarks. That we now show outrage at the South Carolina murders is disingenuous and hypocritical.
CLYDE DINKINS
LAS VEGAS
Flavor Flav favor?
To the editor:
Regarding the brief article on Flavor Flav (“District attorney’s office drops fireworks case against rapper,” June 16 Review-Journal), I realize it’s a minor issue in the whole scheme of things. But how can the district attorney’s office cite lack of evidence as a reason to drop the case against Flavor Fav for last year’s Fourth of July party, when police confiscated 100 pounds of unused fireworks? It’s just another free pass for a questionable celebrity.
PAT BURROWS
NORTH LAS VEGAS
Waste and earthquakes
To the editor:
Regarding the June 18 Review-Journal article, “New Yucca Mountain plan surfaces in Congress”:
There was an earthquake in Lincoln County recently. From the news about this earthquake we learned that Nevada is the fourth most active earthquake state. It seems that this fact is not considered in the various plans and ideas that pop up in support of activating Yucca Mountain for nuclear waste storage. Just curious.
DONALD ANDERSON
LAS VEGAS
‘Blondie’ behind times
To the editor:
“Blondie” is the only comic left that acts like only white people live in America. It’s extremely rare for any blacks or Hispanics to appear in the strip. The comic that appeared in the June 18 Review-Journal took it to another level. It featured seven couples getting married and all of them were white. It’s time for “Blondie” to join the 21st century.
TIM WEAVER
HENDERSON
