Open Yucca Mountain to storage

The Review-Journal article on Yucca Mountain was very interesting (“$5.6 billion deal for Nevada?” Aug. 1). Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill, says the government should give the money to Nevada to open up Yucca Mountain for storage of partially spent nuclear rods. I say take the money and run. We have the site and the means, and this state needs a jump-start. It’s a great boost to this economy, getting us out of the hold the casinos have on this state.

This country is being held hostage by the environmentalists, with Yucca Mountain just one example among many that hold us back. Get smart Nevada. Open up Yucca Mountain.

DAVE MESKER

LAS VEGAS

ObamaCare exemptions

To the editor:

If the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as ObamaCare, is such a great thing for the American people, why are our political leaders exempted from it? And why do their friends and campaign donors get waivers? I know the American people keep asking these questions, but I’ve yet to see or hear a valid response from our lawmakers.

It’s time for President Barack Obama and Sen. Harry Reid to provide honest answers. It would appear that they consider themselves royalty.

DICK SALTER

HENDERSON

Magic words

To the editor:

Review-Journal columnist Steve Sebelius, opining on Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller’s court case against conservative advocacy group Citizen’s Outreach, writes: “Nowhere do the fliers tell anyone to vote against Oceguera, but it’s hard to argue any other interpretation.” (“Magic words dispute off to Supreme Court,” Friday)

As Sebelius says, at issue are two Citizen’s Outreach fliers targeting former Assembly Speaker John Oceguera during his 2010 re-election bid. The magic words — vote for, vote against, elect, or the like — were the test for advocacy at the time these fliers were created. That’s what decided whether the disclosure requirement kicked in. Having no magic words was the safe harbor — leave them out, and you’re not in violation of the law.

The column omitted the obvious: Yet another hyper-partisan politician — Mr. Miller — misusing his authority to harass a conservative group, this time by applying a law retroactively. It’s hard to argue any other interpretation.

LYNN MUZZY

MINDEN

Gathering depot

To the editor:

In response to the July 31 letters from David Adams and Dave Seyler regarding the XpressWest high-speed rail project, I’d like to make a comment that might require looking at a map of California and its proximity to Las Vegas. Victorville, Calif., might be the perfect location to incorporate a gathering depot transportation hub, which could bring to our fair city interested parties from all over Southern California, and send them back the same way.

A large, secured, covered parking area and loading/unloading area could have a trolley or people-mover accommodation. All of this would be out of the way of the snarl of congestion in each of the dense, overcrowded areas that make up many Southern California cities. Someone was using their head when this proposal was put forth, because it takes the congestion and inconvenience out of the entire experience. Can you imagine the cost of running a new railroad through the existing civic density?

FRANK PORTER

LAS VEGAS