LETTERS: Temporary jobs have permanent value

To the editor:

Regarding Hal Seeley’s letter, it was interesting to note that he had watched actual pipeline construction being done in Nebraska and that it was done by machines (“Keystone pipeline won’t bring jobs,” Wednesday Review-Journal). This supported his argument about no jobs being created by the Keystone XL pipeline project.

I have a few questions: Who operated the machines? Who made the machines? Who repaired the machines? Who ordered the repair parts? Who made the replacement parts? Who re-fueled the machines? The answer: workers.

Mr. Seeley, President Barack Obama and many Democrats have disparaged Keystone because it only creates temporary jobs, as if this is a scourge that the U.S. cannot tolerate. Yet it should be noted the same people talk up the temporary jobs of road building, bridge repairs and other infrastructure/shovel-ready projects. What a terrible mess, having jobs that are only temporary in nature.

I have two contentions. First, many unemployed workers would love to have any job, even a temporary one, rather than rely on government assistance. And second, many workers make a living by going from temporary job to temporary job. Plumbers go from home to home repairing leaks, carpenters do the same for cabinet installation, dentists fill teeth (and sometimes even, egads, place a temporary crown on a damaged tooth), doctors repair body parts in a series of temporary work on patients. Hence, a welder or a machine operator working on the Keystone pipeline would have this work in a series of temporary jobs for his year-long employment or even his career.

Temporary work is hardly a target of scorn. How would this country be different if President Obama turned down the Democratic nomination for president by saying that this was temporary work since it was only good for eight years? One cannot make a career out of an eight-year gig. Heaven forbid the temporary.

JOHN SEVERSON

HENDERSON

Pro athletes’ language

To the editor:

I would suggest that those who complained about an “F-bomb” from New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady never watch a football, basketball or hockey game for the remainder of their lives (“FCC making it easier to complain,” Thursday Review-Journal). And never attend a game.

If they spend time watching what the players say during a game, and sometimes even after a game, they are not interested in the sport at all, but only in something to complain about. I also wonder why this became such news to be awarded space in the Review-Journal, with a huge picture of Mr. Brady. I doubt the players would stand there and say something like: “Gosh, that didn’t go well.” Get real.

DEE HOBERMAN

LAS VEGAS

Suspects’ race

To the editor:

The stabbing death of Kathy Shines was a tragedy. Here’s my problem with the Review-Journal’s report: readers were given the suspect’s height, weight, approximate age and what he was wearing, but nowhere is his race mentioned (“Police: Attack on woman was vicious, unprovoked,” Wednesday Review-Journal). Was he white, black, Hispanic, Asian, or what? Were we supposed to guess what his race he was?

Every time a suspect is mentioned, it’s the same thing: height, weight, etc., but never race. Are we all so politically correct that we’re afraid to mention race? The media should have the nerve to tell it like it is.

RODNEY T. ELKINS

LAS VEGAS