Time for a moratorium on local growth
To the editor:
And so the pipeline from rural Nevada bringing water to the south is going to cost more than expected. Everyone is very surprised.
Most surprising, however, is that our water authority, controlled by our Clark County commissioners, is serious about spending billions of our dollars to bring water from one drought-stricken area to another. It looks like boondoggle to me.
Instead of stealing water from other Nevadans, and before we kill every tree and wipe out every blade of grass in the name of development, we might want to consider a moratorium on growth.
A moratorium has been suggested before, but has not been popular with our political representatives. But times have changed, the drought has deepened, and there is a housing glut. I think developers might welcome a moratorium on suburban development.
Since value resides in scarcity, I would guess that a moratorium would result in enhanced home sales and a quicker depletion of inventories.
In the meantime, we would have a chance to take a breath, realistically assess our water options, and determine what population size we can sustain in the long run. I would argue that each new house in the valley increases the odds of future water rationing.
In a town that makes its living playing the odds, we seem to be playing the wrong side of the water table.
EVAN BLYTHIN
BLUE DIAMOND
Warming up
To the editor:
The intensity of wildfires — the rate of spreading — is determined by four environmental factors. These are, in order of importance: wind velocity, air temperature, humidity and fuel moisture. The higher the temperature, the lower the humidity and the drier the fuel, the faster fire spreads.
Global warming increases three of the four factors affecting wildfire intensity. There is some evidence that global warming also increases wind velocities.
The velocities of Santa Ana winds have been measured for 100 years. If these data were compiled and analyzed, the correlation between global warming and wind velocity could be calculated. And there is another way to determine the effect of global warming on wildfire intensity.
The U.S. Forest Service integrated the four factors affecting wildfire intensity into numerical indexes that were grouped into four fire danger classes: extreme, high, moderate and low. The Fire Danger Index was calculated for every Ranger District on every National Forest in the West for every day of the fire season. If these data have been preserved, the correlation between fire danger and global warming could be calculated.
All of the evidence supports Sen. Harry Reid’s recent remark on the effect of global warming on wildfire intensity. There is no evidence supporting his critics.
VERNON BOSTICK
LAS VEGAS
Tuned in
To the editor:
Usually I am in agreement with most of the columns by Review-Journal Publisher Sherman Frederick. However, I am vehemently opposed to his column of Nov. 11, in which he vilifies our venerable state song.
For him to state that the lyrics are dated is true, but the song is historic. The words to the “Star Spangled Banner” are also dated. Would he have that song also replaced?
And so far as saying that the “tune’s darn near unsingable” — that is far from true. When I returned from a trip to our eastern states in 1972, I looked out the window of the plane as we flew over Lake Mead, and I burst into “Home Means Nevada.” Two others on the plane joined me, and when we were finished, we received an ovation.
When I taught Nevada history in junior high school, I encouraged my students to learn the song, and gave them extra credit if they did so.
What would Mr. Frederick replace it with? Perhaps something honoring gambling or tourism? Maybe he could include something about the Wynn, The Venetian, Bellagio, the Stratosphere, and also work into the lyrics something about drought, dwindling Lake Mead and our myriad golf courses.
So, Mr. Frederick, hands off our song and all other state emblems, including our state motto, “Battle Born.” I hold the song in great esteem, and place it right alongside the state song of my home state, “Here We Have Idaho.”
glen j. gillette
LAS VEGAS
Political tax
To the editor:
Looking to broaden Nevada’s tax base and clean up Nevada’s political campaign finance corruption problem? Just abolish all limits on campaign contributions and then create a progressive tax on all political campaign contributions.
There could be an exemption for an amount equal to one year’s salary so citizens who want to contribute to good government won’t have to sell their soul for enough cash to play with the big boys. But then there would be a 20 percent tax on any excess contributions over 100 percent of one year’s salary, 40 percent on any excess over 200 percent of one year’s salary, etc.
Some professional politicians would still be on the take, but not as many. Some good citizens would still lose to over-financed insiders, but not as many.
But just think of all that new tax revenue.
j. LaMonte howard
OVERTON
