LETTERS: Want dignity? Elect dignified people

To the editor:

Roy Grosser’s letter mentions Sen. Harry Reid’s claim that Mitt Romney hadn’t paid his taxes in years (“Undignified discourse,” May 2 Review-Journal). Mr. Grosser then goes on to ask for more dignity in our political discourse. But does he blame lies for this situation? No. Rather, he goes after the “hard right” and “righty radio” — those are the real problems.

I listen to a lot of conservative talk radio, and I have never heard any competition “to see who can hurl the most vile characterization of President Barack Obama.” There is no need for such competition. All a show host needs to do is play audio clips from the president himself, such as the time he referred to fellow Americans as being “enemies” of each other.

In fact, it is impossible to report accurately on what the president says, writes, does and thinks without portraying him in a bad light. If we want dignity, let’s start with electing dignified people who act in a dignified manner.

JAMES MOLDENHAUER

NORTH LAS VEGAS

Not fit to print

To the editor:

Publishing the puff piece written by three reporters of The Washington Post, a liberal media outlet, concerning the Baltimore rioting is beneath the Review-Journal (“In wake of riots, healing begins,” April 29 Review-Journal). Nowhere in the story was there any reference to Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s statement to allow the rioters space to “destroy,” which is what they did.

There was nary a reference about the lack of police response, other than Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts’ statement defending his department because he didn’t want to use force on “14-, 15- and 16-year-old kids.” Well, I believe someone needs to inform Chief Batts that he took an oath to defend and protect those residents, business owners and their property, regardless of who was burning their homes and businesses down.

Every day, 14-, 15- and 16-year-old children commit violent crimes, including murders in urban areas all over this nation. The Washington Post’s reporting was nothing more than a justification for this unlawful, pathetic behavior by law enforcement and city leaders in a city that was once great, perhaps never to be again. What’s happening to the Review-Journal? Is it evolving, too?

JOHN STITES

HENDERSON

Buying organic

To the editor:

The article on organic food had an appropriate headline (“Are you really coming clean?” April 29 Review-Journal). Damon McCune and Kerry Clasby, both interviewed for the story, focus exclusively on the nutritional value and relative safety of traditional vs. organic crops. They agree that most artificial pesticides and herbicides are washed away, as if the water thus contaminated is of no consequence.

They fail to mention the known toxic effects of the chemical carcinogens and endocrine disruptors present in those weed- and pest-control agents on the pollinators of the crops, and the fish swimming in waters polluted from agricultural runoff, to name a few.

I choose organic whenever possible (and depending on how much I can afford to pay), not primarily to provide better nutrition for my family, but because buying organic supports healthier and more sustainable farming practices. What goes into the aquifer comes out of our tap. Just a little food for thought.

SANDRA MACEACHERN

HENDERSON

Don’t touch Social Security

To the editor:

Regarding Megan McArdle’s commentary on Social Security (“Where will all the money come from?” April 19 Review-Journal), the first place that the money needs to come from is the federal government, which illegally “borrowed” trillions of dollars from the fund. That money should be returned immediately, and the fund should never be touched again.

What a pathetic, underhanded move that made the fund appear weaker than it actually is. Those who cry wolf about the stability of Social Security are almost always talking about 30 years from now. Well, if and when there are actual problems, whether five years from now or 50 years from now, they should be dealt with as needed. Leave Social Security alone, please.

JAMES HAMILTON MOORE

LAS VEGAS