No shame being on this list!
I guess it all depends on what the definition of the word “shame” is.
A Reno-based group that’s opposed to the background check initiative that will appear on November’s ballot as Question 1 has posted a “hall of shame,” naming prominent Nevadans who have lent their names to the campaign in support of the measure. (Question 1 would extend criminal background checks now required in gun stores to all gun sales, including those between private parties.)
The list reads like a who’s who of prominent Nevadans, and tends to undercut the idea that the Question 1 initiative is some kind of sinister deprivation of rights rather than a long-overdue reform. Take a look at just some of the names:
• Elaine Wynn, philanthropist. (She’s on the list twice, actually. That’s a lot of shame.)
• Jan Jones Blackhurst, former mayor of Las Vegas and Caesars Entertainment executive.
• Shelley Berkley, former university regent, congresswoman and currently CEO and senior provost of Touro University.
• Joe Brown, attorney.
• Justin Jones, a former state senator and author of a 2013 bill that would have imposed background checks. It was vetoed by Gov. Brian Sandoval.
• Yvanna Cancela, political director, Culinary Union Local 226.
• Dave Kallas, former president of the Metro Police Protective Association.
• Mary Lau, president and CEO of the Retail Association of Nevada.
• Sandy Miller, former first lady of Nevada (and Angry Birds champion, I happen to know).
• Barbara Molasky, philanthropist.
• Jenna Morton, restaurateur and all-around awesome community do-gooder.
• Richard Perkins, former Henderson Police chief, former Assembly speaker.
• Andres Ramirez, consultant and small-business owner.
• Sig Rogich, Republican political consultant and ad-man extraordinaire.
• Frank Schreck, gaming attorney and name partner in Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber Schreck.
• Don Snyder, former gaming executive and community leader.
• Virginia Valentine, president, Nevada Resort Association.
• Steve Wynn, casino owner.
• Michael and Renee Yackira. He’s the former CEO of NV Energy and she’s the attorney who’s helped run everything from the Nevada Secretary of State’s office to the Nevada System of Higher Education.
• Florence Jameson, doctor and founder/CEO of Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’d actually be quite proud to be on a list that included these names, especially given the fact that there’s really no good reason to oppose Question 1 in the first place. Background check opponents may consider support for the initiative shameful, but their list of bi-partisan names shows there’s broad community support for what’s actually a commonsense reform.
No, the only shame here is not being on this list in the first place.
