LETTERS: Supreme Court ruling denies truth: Jerusalem is capital of Israel

To the editor:

The recent Supreme Court decision denying American citizens born in Jerusalem the ability to have their birthplace noted in their passports as “Jerusalem, Israel” is most unfortunate, myopic and hypocritical. As noted by Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, “It is sad and unfortunate that Israel, as a sovereign nation, is the only country in the world whose capital comes under such scrutiny and has to defend its right to determine where its capital city exists. It’s time for the Executive Branch [of the United States government] to face the reality: Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.”

It is my hope that members of Nevada’s congressional delegation will continue to affirm their support for Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and that they will offer leadership in Congress to find a constitutionally appropriate method to assure that Americans born in Jerusalem will be accorded their full rights — including the designation of their country of birth.

ELLIOT B. KARP

LAS VEGAS

The writer is president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas.

Education spending

To the editor:

Regarding the article on education bills (“Sandoval declares state ‘at the bottom no more,’” June 4 Review-Journal), I ask: the bottom of what? The amount of money being thrown away while calling it education dollars spent per child/per state? How can Gov. Brian Sandoval proclaim victory so soon?

This is Las Vegas. I’ll wager that in five years, there will be absolutely no gain in education per child, we will have greater incomes for the administration and another call for more money from the taxpayers. The smiling Legislature will be re-elected for voting “for the kids.” Gov. Sandoval, we need our money to live.

BARCLAY WILSON

LAS VEGAS

Revisiting monorail

To the editor:

I am a 16-year resident of Las Vegas and have worked in the casino industry since 1980, in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. I have seen many changes in our skyline and the philosophy of gaming over the years. I am a big fan of Atlantic City and Las Vegas, and nothing in between.

The article about an underground subway of sorts has me seeing red (“Ambition meets hurdles,” May 29 Review-Journal”). Go big or go home is an inconvenience and a boondoggle conceived by a supposed in-depth study and referenced by Clark County Aviation Director Rosemary Vassiliadis.

We are building arenas and convention spaces that are so shortsighted it hurts. We have mortality rates on our streets and highways that are obscene, and we have archaic modes of transportation — cabs, limousines and buses — that have a stranglehold on us and our visitors. Bringing conventions into Las Vegas, then having attendees stand in a taxi line for up to an hour to get to their convention is ludicrous.

I have touted a monorail system that would connect the entire valley for at least 10 years. The idea of a monorail running down Las Vegas Boulevard from the airport to downtown, and from Henderson to Summerlin for employees and residents, will show the world that we set the bar and we set it high. The original monorail was never backed by casinos, for fear of the transportation companies. But it is time, and we need to act now.

BILL BARRY

LAS VEGAS

Protect Basin and Range

To the editor:

I am pleased to see the recent media attention, locally and nationally, paid to Michael Heizer’s “City,” a unique outdoor sculpture spanning more than a mile in length, and just a few hours from Las Vegas. I particularly enjoyed reading Henry Brean’s article (“Nevada’s proposed national monument full of artwork, undisturbed land,” May 24 Review-Journal).

“City” is surrounded by the Basin and Range region, home to unique archaeological sites and a habitat for plants and animals not found outside Nevada. It is critical that Basin and Range be designated a national monument to ensure it remains pristine now and in the future. The designation of Basin and Range as a national monument has strong support from not only conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts, but also business leaders and organizations promoting tourism in our state. They recognize the importance of protecting this incredible resource, not only for enjoyment by future generations, but also as an important economic asset to our state.

I urge President Barack Obama and members of Congress to take whatever steps are necessary to protect this natural treasure from future development, particularly oil and gas extraction in lands within the area. I want to thank Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Dina Titus for re-introducing legislation to make this area a national monument, which would preserve its beauty without interfering with current access to outdoor activities or military activity in the area. This designation would be a huge win for our state and should have the enthusiastic support of all Nevadans.

ALICE EDWARDS

NORTH LAS VEGAS